Whether you record demo tracks on the road, produce podcasts at home, or collaborate with other artists in random locations, having a travel-friendly audio interface is key to staying versatile in your work. An ideal interface would be small enough to fit in a backpack, laptop bag, or satchel while supporting multiple types of I/O and USB powering. Seriously, the last thing you need is to have your ideas vanish whilst frantically searching for a free AC power outlet. Thankfully, your options are plentiful in number, and I’d like to bring your to attention some USB-powered gems from Focusrite, Tascam, Audient, iConnectivity, Zoom, and Arturia.
Thankfully, many options available today fit this description—but we’d like to highlight some of the best and most powerful portable audio interfaces available at B&H in a variety of form factors, from the classic designs, direct connect attachable interfaces, and some bespoke devices that offer something a bit more unique than the competition.
The Classics
Most desktop audio interfaces are small enough to throw into a backpack or tote bag, even ones with a dozen or more I/O ports (particularly ones with digital I/O like ADAT or S/PDIF)—but I’d like to bring your attention to the smallest and most practical of devices in this category. Focusrite, Audient, and ESI are making some of the best audio interfaces out there in tiny form factors that can get your project off the ground while on the go.
Let’s start with the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, a delightful little Mac-/Windows-compatible device with a red metal chassis measuring approximately 7.1 x 4.6 x 1.87". It provides two inputs and two outputs at up to 24-bit / 192 kHz for recording and playback resolution without compromise. Its input channels feature separate XLR and 1/4" that accommodate mic-, line-, or instrument-level signals, as well as independent gain knobs with ring LEDs and 48V phantom power—dynamic or condenser mics, keyboards, guitars, or drum machines are handled with ease. Hook up headphones to the front-panel 1/4" port, and active monitors to the 1/4" jacks on the rear; separate volume controls are provided for the headphone and monitor outputs. It also boasts low round-trip latency, and selectable direct monitoring for zero-latency monitoring while recording.
The Audent EVO 8 Desktop has an impressive number of ins and outs for such a small machine, sporting 4 XLR/TRS combo ins with built-in EVO mic preamps and JFET Hi-Z inputs, allowing for mic, line, and Hi-Z input simultaneously while offering 4 dedicated line outs for up to two sets of speakers. Two headphone outs allow for collaboration between two producers or a producer and musician. With 24-bit/96 kHz max sampling rates and up to 58 dB gain for Mic line and Hi-Z inputs all in a form factor sizing up at 7.48” x 2.76” x 2.76", the Audient EVO 8 is an impressively powerful and scalable machine that comes in a super portable form factor.
If you need a device you can literally throw into your pocket while still offering the classic form of an interface, take a look at the ESI UGM192 Pro-Go, a 2-in2-out USB-C device with 3.4 x 2.6" dimensions, perfect for recording with mics or guitars. The only hit its ultrasmall form factor takes is the lack of an XLR in for the mic preamp, which takes a ¼” TRS instead—you’ll need to purchase (or make, as the user guide diagrams) your own XLR to TRS adapter to use a mic; but adding a tiny little adapter to your kit shouldn’t be an issue.
Ultracompact and In-Line Adapter Interfaces
Sometimes, you just need something you can connect a guitar or microphone to without having to worry about carrying any extra weight—these devices fit into the palm of your hand and some can even fit into the coin pocket on your favorite pair of jeans. These interfaces are simple and support only one microphone or Hi-Z input but can expand your recording locations to anywhere you can set up a computer or smartphone and significantly reduce clutter and cord tangling.
The IK Multimedia iRig Series is a group of tiny audio interfaces that come in a variety of form factors from the iRig Solo with only RCA inputs and a 3.5mm TRRS for connecting with a smartphone to the iRig Pro Duo with two XLR/TRS combo inputs with mic pres, +48V phantom power, 2.5mm MIDI I/O, and two ¼” line outputs with level control. Some like the iRig USB and iRig HD X is specifically made for guitars with a dedicated ¼” TRS amp out, where others like the iRig Stream and Stream Pro have loopback function, mute switch, and direct monitoring, making them perfect for livestreaming on the go.
One thing worth mentioning, however, is IK Multimedia’s proclivity to using 5-pin Mini-DIN to usb-c cables for connection with a computer or smart device—a bit of a strange choice, but it’s something found on plenty of their products. If you need an ultracompact interface, IK Multimedia’s iRig lineup will certainly have something that fits your needs and budget.
If you need something super-duper small, check out interfaces that connect directly to microphones like the Shure MVX2U Gen 2 audio interface. This single channel interface isn’t much larger than an XLR connector and can plug inline or directly into the mic itself, delivering up to +60 dB of clean gain, +48V phantom through USB-C bus power, and onboard Shure DSP like auto-level, denoiser, EQ, compression, and HPF configurable on the Shure MOTIV app. It also has a 3.5mm headphone output for direct monitoring. Other similar options include the MXL USB Mic Mate, Senal XU-2496-C, and Provider Series USB Adapter.
Another interesting option is the AUDIOSIGMA MikeHero, which also comes in a version with onboard DSP like denoise, limiting, depop, and EQ. This machine is intended for VO work and audiobooks but can be realistically used in a variety of circumstances with 70.5 dB of gain, +48V phantom, and dual headphone outs.
Bespoke and Unique
Always the ones to buck the trend, teenage engineering’s TX-6 is an ultraportable mixer, audio interface, and recorder with some unique features, interesting I/O capability, and an entirely bespoke form factor that can fit in the palm of even a tiny hand. Looking almost like a mixer, this expensive but gorgeous piece of gear blends intuitive functionality with high-end luxurious internals to give you a machine that’s capable of more than most audio interfaces can claim to, including an onboard synthesizer, sequencer, and built in effects like reverb, chorus, delay, compression/limiting, tape, filter, and distortion.
The audio/MIDI interface runs at a max 32-bit/48 kHz sample rate and has six stereo (twelve mono/split channel) 3.5mm TRS inputs equipped with 3 band EQ on each channel, three TRS stereo outputs (main, cue, aux), along with a stereo headphone output, mic support and Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
The TX-6 does not support traditional mics with 48V phantom power, but can support headset and smartphone microphones through its aux and cue TRRS jacks and support self-powered/preamped microphones like the teenage engineering CM-15, any condenser with a separate external preamp, or any standard dynamic microphone—its not a be-all-end-all interface, but with the right equipment, you can have anything you’d like run through the machine.
If you got the pockets and the drive to use something truly unique, check out the TX-6—there isn’t anything else on the market quite like it.
If you’re looking for something a bit more standard, the Apogee Electronics Duet 3 2x4 audio interface might be just what you’re looking for. This razor thin device is super capable of everything you’ll need to record great music on the go, using a bespoke breakout I/O cable with female XLR and TRS jacks on the end of it, delivering two balanced mic/line inputs, two balanced ¼” HI-Z ins, and two 1/4” line outs, all coming in a portable foam-lined nylon protective carrying case.
This device is truly top of the line with built-in DSP, 24-bit/192 kHz sampling rate, 65 dB of gain, 48V phantom, and high-quality transparent mic pres. If super-high quality recording on the go is what you need, consider the Apogee Duet 3.
Other Considerations
There are too many portable audio interfaces to mention on one list—most interfaces with 4in/4out or less will be small enough to carry around in a bag if not a large pocket, but here are some extras we want to mention before we wrap this article up.
The PreSonus Revelator io44 is a 4-in (XLR/TRS combo mic pre, TRRS headset in, and 1/8” TRS Line in) 2-out ultracompact system with onboard DSP and presets, featuring a small full color LCD screen for monitoring and a mute switch.
The RODE AI-Micro is an ultracompact interfaces with two 3.5mm TRS/TRRS mic ins, best suited for connecting lavalier mics or other microphones with 3.5mm outputs.
The ESI Hitmaker UNO is a super tiny classic 2in/2out XLR/TRS combo in device with no frills. Just clean gain in a lightweight, portable package.
With new devices coming out all the time, we hope this has helped you get a handle on the different kinds of portable audio interfaces around today. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our pro audio experts either online or at our Midtown SuperStore!
