Finding The Right Audio Interface For Your Needs – Quality On A Budget

Next to your microphone,  the audio interface is probably the second most important part of a recording studio. It provides the critical link between your voice/instruments and your recording device. We take a look at 6 of the best audio interfaces you can find below $200.

Professionals studios spend thousands of dollars on preamps, mixers and audio interfaces. Even at the home professional recording level, it's not surprising at all to find audio interfaces with price tags well over a $1000.

The good news for the home user is, that with advances in technology over the past ten years, combined with more models to choose from in an increasingly competitive market, quality audio interfaces have become a lot more affordable.

Today, you are able to get your hands on a very capable high quality audio interface below $200. And this is exactly what we are doing in this article. We are looking in more detail at 6 of the best interfaces to be found for $200 or less. 

Steinberg UR242

Steinberg originally made a name for itself with its audio software, but since being bought over by Yamaha in 2004, the company started to become a strong player in the audio hardware market as well. The UR242 is a great example of the solid products that Steinberg is able to build, especially for users on a smaller budget. The benefits from a parent company like Yamaha are also very obvious.

This audio interface has an attractive, yet pretty ordinary looking design. It may not look as stylish and have all the bells & whistles of flashing multi-colored LED lights and backlit displays compared to some of its counterparts, but don't let this fool you. This is one serious piece of audio equipment. The unit comes in an all-metal casing and has a solid and sturdy feel to it.

A standout feature is the sound quality thanks to its preamps. It comes equipped with Yamaha's highly acclaimed  D-Pre preamps which are normally found in its higher end products.

Combined with quality components from the rest of the unit, the UR242 unsurprisingly produces high quality sound, especially for a unit in this price bracket.

Steinburg's history in audio software also ensures compatibility with basically all DAW software. It even comes standard with its own Cubase AI software.

The UR242 really makes a strong case for itself with a solid build and great sound quality, placing it among the best audio interfaces available in this line-up.

Specifications:   

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to 192 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo, 2 x 1/4" TRS Line
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: Yes
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the Steinberg UR242 here.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen

Even if you are just vaguely familiar with audio recording equipment, the Focusrite's range of of hardware, especially it's range of audio interfaces should be very familiar to you. Its appropriately named Scarlet 2i2 is literally red hot at the moment and probably the best selling audio interface in this price range. This model looks and acts the part.

From the moment you unpack this bright red interface, you can immediately feel the quality of the 2i2. It comes in an all-metal casing and carry some substantial weight, adding to the perceived quality. The buttons and knobs all have a sturdy feel to them and cables fit tight and neatly into the ports.

Aesthetically the Scarlett 2i2 is very pleasing on the eye. The bright red and brushed aluminium surface in a stylish casing with clever use of backlit knobs all attributes to a very attractive package. Luckily it has the substance to back its looks up.

The sound quality is above average for home use, and are even good enough for some professional use. With very good overall performance over all frequency ranges, the 2i2 even addressed some issues that plagued the first generation Scarlett 2i2. (The first model had some issues picking up hot guitar pickups.)

The reason for the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2's popularity is clear. If you are looking for a aesthetically pleasing audio interface with very good all-round sound quality, this is the one for you.

Specifications:

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to 192 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: No
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen here.

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6

The Komplete Audio 6 has a slightly different approach. From the moment you lay eyes on this audio interface, you look at something familiar, yet different. The design is very similar to other interfaces in this category as far as its input and output ports go. What makes it different though, is that some of its main controls and indicators are situated on top of the device, contributing to a very aesthetically pleasing design.

The Komplete Audio 6 is one of the best looking interfaces around partly due to this feature with the added benefit that the user can see what exactly is happening in the device by just glancing at its top, since most of its indicators are situated on the top of the interface.

The one drawback however, is that you cannot slide it into a rack with no access to the top for this very reason, and you always need to place it on top of a desk or other space that makes it accessible from the top.

Despite these extra features placed on top of the device, the Komplete Audio 6 still has a good build quality and feels sturdy.

Sound quality is very good all round with no specific areas of weakness in any of the frequency ranges.

Its biggest draw card though, is the bundled software that comes standard with the audio interface. It comes standard with Cubase DAW software, Traktor LE (DJ/mixing) software and a host of plugins.

Its price may be on the high end of this category, but you get an aesthetically pleasing device with a solid build and good overall sound quality. It is rounded off by a wealth of software that will be more than enough to get you started.

Specifications:

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to 96 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo, 2 x 1/4" TRS Line
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: Yes
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 here.

Tascam US-2x2

This Tascam audio interface screams toughness and durability. The build quality alone makes a bold statement by simply looking at it. With a sturdy feeling black aluminium body, the device is flanked on both sides by industrial looking die cast pieces of metal. It almost looks like an indestructible piece of equipment.  

As far as functionality goes, the US-2x2 provides all the features that other audio interfaces in this category provides, not lacking any important functions worth noting.

The same goes for sound quality. It provides a high quality and consistent sound, able to handle vocal and instruments equally well.

The Tascam US-2x2 is a true workhorse in every sense of the word. It is tough and can handle everything you throw at it day in and day out. And it does all of this without lacking in sound quality and features in any way. 

Functions:

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to 96 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: Yes
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the Tascam US-2x2 here.

M-Audio M-Track 2X2M

The M-Track 2x2M takes a completely different route when it comes to design. It takes a fairly similar approach to the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 as far as using the top of the device for adding features goes. However, it goes a step further by putting all the controls on top of the interface

This design gives the M-Track 2x2M a distinct retro look, which will appeal to many traditional audiophiles. The side panels are mostly reserved for the output and input ports. The same criticism leveled against the Komplete Audio 6, applies to this interface as well.

Sound quality is exceptionally good, with some users claiming the Crystal preamps used in the M-Track 2x2M are the best in class.  The sound is exceptionally crisp and clear, putting some validity behind these claims.

As with the Komplete Audio 6, this interface also comes with a small arsenal of software, including Cubase LE DAW software and a host of plugins.

If you want a unique looking audio interface with a touch of retro design, and sound quality that might arguably be the best in this line-up, you can't go wrong with the M-Audio M-Track 2X2M.

Specifications:

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to a superb 192 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4", 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: Yes
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the M-Audio M-Track 2X2M here.

Presonus AudioBox 22VSL

On the surface, the AudioBox 22VSL looks pretty ordinary, some might say even dull. (I know looks has very little to do with the audio quality of an audio interface, which should be the main focus of any potential buyer, but the first impression of a device's appearance always leads to some type of conclusion as to the the supposed quality it will deliver, which is often a false indicator, but yet we are all guilty of this.)

It also has all the standard functions that most of the other audio interfaces in this class have, all build into an "ordinary" yet solid and sturdy steel casing. It is also very light, making it a good choice to take on the road.

Sound quality is also on par with most other devices in this category. So far it does everything well and not really that much to complain about, but nothing that really stands out. But the Audiobox 22VSL has one very important trick up its sleeve that may be a game changer for some users.

Combined with its own Studio Artist One software, the Audiobox provides almost zero latency when playing back sound that is being recorded. (As almost any professional recording artist will tell you, having a delay between performing and hearing your performance can be very disruptive, as most artists rely on instant feedback to adjust their performance and recording in real time.)

The latency problem has been an issue with most audio interfaces, even on units more than double the price. Yes, we are talking about milliseconds, but even the slightest delay can cause a disruption. Just a word of caution. The near zero latency performance is achieved when the Audiobox 22VSL is used in conjunction with the Studio Artist One software. 

If you need a sturdy device you can take with you on the road, provides good sounds quality and have the added benefit of instant feedback due to its near zero latency, the Presonus AudioBox 22VSL will be the ideal partner for you.

Specifications:

• 24-bit resolution recording at sampling rates of up to 96 kHz
• Analogue Inputs: 2 x XLR / 1/4" TRS  Mic/Line Combo
• Analogue Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS Line, 1/4", 1/4" Headphone
• Midi I/O: Yes
• Phantom Power: Yes
• Interface Output: USB2

Get more information and pricing on the Presonus AudioBox 22VSL here.

Conclusion

One thing that became clear while evaluating and experiencing each of these 6 audio interfaces, is that you really get some very high quality audio devices for less than $200. These 6 devices were chosen from a much bigger pool of devices, most of which are great audio interfaces which easily could have made the list as well.

Therefore, it is needless to say that it really is hard to fault any of these 6 units. They are all solidly build interfaces producing high quality and above average sound, especially in this price range.

Depending on your needs, you should be able to find at least one of these 6 interfaces to be the perfect companion for your studio setup. I highlighted each device's unique advantages and potential drawbacks, hopefully helping you to make the best decision on which audio interface is most suited for you.

Feel free to leave me any comments or suggestions you may have. Remember to join my  Mailing List  to be informed whenever a new article is released, and share new developments and helpful hints & tips.

Catch you in the next article and happy recording!

Wessel