If you’re looking to get into home recording, you’ll need an audio interface. They all do essentially the same thing, so what matters is the number and types of input/output (I/O) they have. In the current market, every manufacturer is looking to set themselves apart from the competition and in this guide, we’ll go over some popular and affordable series of audio interfaces we have in stock at B&H and what to look for depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. Our picks clock in under $500 for the most part so you won’t have to sweat about emptying your wallet either.
Universal Audio Volt 76 Series – Vintage Emulation and MIDI Control
If you’re looking for an affordable audio interface with some fancy bells and whistles, the Volt “76” lineup from Universal Audio is an attractive choice. They all have the same circuitry and architecture, and each model comes with different amounts and types of analog I/O (input/output) so you can purchase the one that most properly scales with your production needs.
There are two standout features every member of the UA Volt 76 series comes with that sets them apart from the competition:
- A built-in “76” analog compressor modeled after the legendary UA 1176 limiting amplifier, coming with three presets: VOC (vocals), GTR (Guitar), and FAST
- A togglable “Vintage” mic preamp mode engaging solid state circuitry that emulates tube-style saturation and high frequency lift from the classic UA 610 console preamp
UA Volt 476P Top Panel
Both features give the UA Volt 76 series some added character that can give your recordings that extra sauce without having to spend hundreds or thousands of extra dollars on external analog gear. The compressor and preamp modes don’t have any adjustable parameters (just the presets), but that makes it a cinch to get clean and tame recordings with the touch of a button—let your ears do the work!
All models also come with professional level specs, including:
- 24-bit/192kHz recording and playback
- 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O
- +48V Phantom power
- Direct monitoring toggle, allowing for zero latency input playback (perfect for recording and overdubbing)
- Loopback, allowing you to record audio directly from software on your computer into your DAW
- (Only 476 and 476P) DC power socket for the rare event your USB-C connection can’t power the interface
The UA Volt series comes with a nice package of bundled audio production software including (but not limited to) Ableton Live Lite (you’ll eventually have to upgrade to the full version if that becomes your DAW of choice), Melodyne Essential, LABS by Spitfire Audio, and a suite of software amp modelers from Marshall.
While it’s often a fringe use-case, it’s worth noting that all Volt 76 models do not have any digital I/O—no S/PDIF or ADAT capability here. Expanding your studio’s channel count or connecting super sexy external outboard gear without sacrificing an analog input is impossible on these interfaces, so if you’re looking for an option that can scale up as time goes on, look elsewhere.
Overall, the UA 76 series delivers clean audio when compression and vintage preamp mode are disengaged and warm and saturated sound when they’re on. With a low noise floor and nice input gain range, you’ll have no problem driving will both condenser and dynamic mics. Here’s the rundown of the specs of each model so you can figure out which one is best for you:
Some Notes for Our Readers:
*You should know that the numbers stated for the amount ins and outs on an audio interface are somewhat arbitrarily determined by the manufacturer. For example, sometimes the manufacturer will count the headphone outs as output, especially if they’re dedicated stereo outputs. For example: the Volt 476P doesn’t count headphone outs, but the SSL 12 counts both left and right channels of its dual headphone output as four outs. When you see me use the “+” symbol when referring to input or output on these charts, know that that those “don’t count” to the I/O total.
**Audio interfaces with separate XLR mic preamp inputs and TS Hi-Z inputs (i.e. NOT combo jacks) almost always bypass the preamp when using the TS Hi-Z in (much in the same way a combo jack naturally works, you can only use one at a time). For example, the Volt 276 has two combo XLR mic pre/TRS input jacks and counts it as two inputs, whereas the Scarlett 2i2 has two separate XLR mic pre jacks and two TS Hi-Z jacks and counts it as two inputs.
Audient iD MKII Series – World Class Mic Preamps and Superior Outboard Routing
The Audient iD MKII Series of audio interfaces is a particularly interesting option for music producers as their internal Class-A mic preamps are identical to the ones found in the high-end Audient ASP8024-HE large format recording consoles, used by many professional outfits at the highest level of the recording industry. It’s not an emulation or a copy either, just the real-deal Audient analog preamps with identical discrete circuitry.
For the price of these desktop interfaces, it’s an extremely attractive option for those who do a lot of work micing up vocals and instruments.
Outside of this superb inclusion, the Audient iD MKII series is a standard professional audio interface with 24-bit/96kHz bit depth and sample rate, 48V+ phantom power for condenser mics, loopback functionality for streamers, and 32-bit AD/DA converters. The higher-level options offer quite a bit of extra functionality and I/O including ADAT digital outs, dedicated line outputs, and send/return jacks for outboard inserts (the only interface with that capability on this list). Check out the rundown below:
Yes, I know the iD44 is more than $500, but the extra functionality with send and returns for inserts on both mic pre channels 1 and 2, along with TOSlink ADAT outs, is too unique and powerful to not mention. These interfaces offer wild potential for their price and should be considered by any recording engineer or musician, especially those running hybrid setups using outboard gear or those who want to future proof their I/O with ADAT optical digital capability.
Solid State Logic SSL Series – Premium Sound with CV Output
With the storied pedigree Solid Stage Logic has created for itself in nearly six decades, it’s almost surprising that they offer consumer and prosumer audio equipment accessible to the general public while simultaneously manufacturing some of the most expensive and unobtainable gear money can buy (while Audient does the same, they do not enjoy the kind of household name legacy that SSL does). Thankfully, whether you’re spending hundreds or hundreds of thousands, Solid State Logic’s stellar reputation for great gear holds true.
All models run at an impressive 32-bit/192kHz rate, but the SSL series of audio interfaces stand out due to their Legacy 4K enhancement circuit which adds analog color and saturation inspired by the legendary SSL 4000 series of large format recording consoles. While not the exact same circuitry, 4K mode adds the character and harmonic saturation that was traditionally induced by multiple stages of SSL 4000’s compressor VCAs, faders, and transistor mix amps using a single circuit that adds everything at once.
Another unique feature included in the SSL series are DC-coupled outputs, which allow you to send CV (controlled voltage) signals directly from the line outputs of the interface from your computer’s DAW to control external hardware synthesizers and/or eurorack gear directly from your workstation.
If you opt for the SSL 12, the included SSL 360˚ software can run a virtual large-format mixing environment on your computer, integrating your interface, software mixer, DAW+plug-ins, and hardware controllers/outboard gear into a single ecosystem.
The SSL Series are affordable, professional-level USB-C audio interfaces with impressive features and internals coming in four different models under $500, so you can choose what’s best for your setup and budget.
The SSL audio interface series also comes with SSL’s impressive software bundle including 3-months free access to SSL & Slate Complete Access, Auto-Tune, and Arcade by Output subscriptions, and a bevy of great software with a few nice perpetual licenses.
Focusrite Scarlett Series – The Ubiquitous Red Box
The Focusrite Scarlett series has been so popular for so long that it has become an iconographic symbol of DIY music production. For better or for worse, many memes have been made about these red aluminum boxes. Its reputation (be it auspicious or notorious) is a well-deserved one: the Focusrite Scarlett series has been the best-selling USB audio interface worldwide for more than a decade, and for good reason. As affordable, capable, and easy-to-use machines, they have set many beginners on the path toward their professional careers, and there are a wide variety of scalable options to select from.
The Focusrite Scarlett has seen many design overhauls and revamps, having recently reached its fourth generation—but it has always been a very simple and straight forward device. The 4th Gen models have improved ultra-low noise preamps, auto gain and clip safe modes to keep your levels in check, and come with a feature particularly worthy of note: the re-engineered Mic Air Mode.
Mic Air mode has two settings:
- Presence Mode boosts the high-frequency content of your signal, cutting through dense mixes and making your sound front and “center”. It is particularly useful for vocals, acoustic guitars, and drum overheads to get that shimmer and shine that radio ready hits need to have.
- Harmonic Drive Mode boosts midrange harmonics, adding warmth and punch to any signal—this can be useful on everything, but make sure you don’t overdo it!
Like the competition, the Focusrite Scarlett series comes with a suite of useful audio software like the Hitmaker Expansion bundle which includes Melodyne Essential, Sonnox VoxDoubler, and Relab LX480 reverb, as well as the starter versions of the popular DAWS Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Life, and Cubase LE so you can get your feet wet if you’re just starting your production journey.
All Focusrite Scarlett models have virtual loopback for recording computer audio and live streaming. The 4i4 and 16i16 models feature MIDI I/O for extra capability, and the 16i16 has digital I/O ADAT (eight additional I/Os) and S/PDIF (two additional I/Os) capability for outboard gear communication and scalability.
Black Lion Audio Revolution 2x2 – Supreme Internal Circuity
Black Lion Audio begun their outfit as a boutique audio equipment modding service before getting into the audio equipment manufacturing scene, and the quality of craftsmanship and devotion to design reflects that. The Black Lion Audio Revolution 2x2 audio interface is a standard 2-in 2-out audio interface that centers its design around sound quality, employing proprietary internal technology to deliver best-in-class performance at an affordable price.
The Black Lion Audio Revolution 2x2 supports 24-bit 192kHz AD/DA conversion with 2 combo XLR/TRS Mic/Line/Hi-Z preamps with +48V phantom power, headphone out and ¼” TRS stereo monitor outs, and RCA coaxial S/PDIF connectivity.
A notable feature of the Revolution 2x2 is its premium Macro-MMC clocking technology, based on their numerous prior modifications along with an impressive internal analog design using Vishay, Nichicon, and Wima capacitors through the entire circuit, all fully decoupled and balanced, making for an impressively noise-free signal.
Unlike most modern interfaces, the Revolution 2x2 comes with a physical multi-segment LED meter to monitor your levels on the fly. It also includes the loopback feature, allowing you to route audio from one app in your device to another (perfect for live streamers and podcasters).
The Black Lion Audio Revolution 2x2 is a simple-to-use yet powerful system, coming with a software suite including a six-month subscription to Fender Studio Pro, the Branworx_bx digital 11band mid/side EQ, iZotope Elements Suite, and the Lindell Audio 6X-500 channel strip with preamp and EQ.
The Revolution 2x2 can be compared to the type of vehicle a car modder would create: something with handsome looks without showing off, great components that can be acquired on a modest budget, and the performance needed to compete with the best of the best.
Wrapping Up and Some Other Considerations
These are just a few of our favorite series of affordable audio interfaces we have to offer at B&H, but we carry a wide variety of impressive and budget friendly gear for you to consider as well! The products manufactured by MOTU, RME, TASCAM, PreSonus, and ESI are among the trusted brands enjoyed by music producers and recording engineers, while companies like RODE, Zoom, IK Multimedia, Elgato, and Roland are enjoyed by the podcasting and streaming community—but anything can be used for any purpose so long as it works for you!
If you have any more questions or want to know the specifics about any particular audio interface, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our audio experts on call here at the B&H offices, or take a trip down to our 420 B&H Superstore to get hands-on professional advice from our knowledgeable staff.
