Beginner Audio Interfaces for Under $200
If you’re just getting started making computer music, one of the first big purchases you will have to make is an Audio Interface. Your audio interface is the link between your computer, your speakers, and any instruments or microphones you want to record. As a new producer, you are in luck as there are so many great beginner audio interfaces on the market right now.
Choosing a good audio interface depends on your needs. You may need multiple inputs so you can record lots of sources at the same time. Maybe you’re an upcoming DJ and portability is a big concern. By the end of this article you should be able to make an educated purchase for your first Audio Interface.
Best Budget Conscious Interface
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface
SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE: $49
CONNECTIVITY: USB 2.0
ANALOG INPUTS: 1 x XLR-1/4″ combo & 1 x 1/4″ line
ANALOG OUTPUTS: 2 x RCA
MIDI I/O: No
WHERE TO BUY
WHY IT ROCKS
+ Price
+ High quality XENYX mic preamp
+ Direct monitoring
WHY TO AVOID
– Limited I/O
– RCA only output
– Cheapest build quality
All of the beginner audio interfaces in this guide are light on the wallet, but for the truly budget conscious, this one takes the cake. The Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface comes in under $50 dollars, which is truly incredible considering the featureset.
The U-PHORIA has a single combination MIC/LINE XENXY preamp which is the same preamp found on Behringers X32 line of digital mixers. For under $50 you get one of the best sounding preamps which has been trusted by live sound professionals for almost a decade!
Additionally, the U-PHORIA sports a single instrument line input on the front. With these two inputs on the front you could easily record yourself singing on the first input, and playing either guitar or bass on the line input.
Further rounding out the front panel, Behringer included one of the most useful features for any audio interface: Direct Monitoring! When enabled, you will be able to listen to the two inputs in real time, without having to incur any delay by sending the audio through your computer first. This is perfect for getting that perfect vocal or guitar performance.
Last but not least, Behringer included a headphone jack on the front which is perfect for late nights.
On the back the connectivity is limited to just the basics. There is a USB 2.0 port for connecting the interface to the computer. Additionally there are 2 RCA outputs for connecting the interface to your speakers/monitors. Finally, there is a toggle switch for phantom power on the first input.
If you are just getting started and you don’t want to spend much money to get started, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the U-Phoria UM2.
Best Interface With Lots of I/O
Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD USB Audio Interface
SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE: $169
CONNECTIVITY: USB 2.0
ANALOG INPUTS: 4 x XLR + 1/4″ combo
ANALOG OUTPUTS: 6 x 1/4″, 2 x XLR, 2 x Stereo, 1 x 1/4″ (Headphones)
MIDI I/O: Yes
WHERE TO BUY
WHY IT ROCKS
+ PrIncredible amount of I/O for the price
+ 4 high quality MIDAS Preamps
+ 192kHz
+ Direct Monitoring
+ XLR main outs
WHY TO AVOID
– Cheaper build quality
Behringer absolutely dominates the affordability category, so it’s no surprise that they have another great interface for under $200. Coming in at $169.00, the UMC404HD packs an incredible amount of features into a small desktop package.
On the front we have 4 MIDAS combination preamps, which are the same preamps found on the high end MIDAS consoles made by Behringer. I’m amazed that you can get these preamps for such a low price, let alone 4 of them. Each preamp has individual gain controls, as well as instrument/line toggles and pad toggles.
Finally on the front there are controls for the direct monitoring, as well as the master volume and headphones.
The back of this unit is where the UMC404HD pulls away from anything else in this price point. We have all the basics like a USB 2.0 port and phantom power toggles. But we also have a bunch of additional I/O which no other interface has for this price.
MIDI in and out will allow you to connect external synthesizers or midi controllers to your DAW. 4x quarter inch inserts would allow for external effects processing on any of the 4 inputs. 2 additional playback outputs for monitoring on different sources. And finally TRS and XLR main outputs making it easy to connect this interface to any monitors easily.
The only thing that keeps this from being the best of the beginner audio interfaces at this price point, is the build quality. This is not an interface that you would want throw in your backpack night after night, gig after gig. But if you are just using this interface for production, you absolutely cannot find a better interface for this price.
Best All Around Interface
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface
SPECIFICATIONS
PRICE: $169
CONNECTIVITY: USB 2.0 Type-C
ANALOG INPUTS: 1 x XLR-1/4″ combo & 1 x 1/4″ line
ANALOG OUTPUTS: 2 x 1/4″ TRS
MIDI I/O: No
WHERE TO BUY
WHY IT ROCKS
+ 2 high quality combination preamps
+ Durable build quality
+ Direct Monitoring
+ USB-C
+ 192kHz
WHY TO AVOID
– Much Less I/O than the UMC404HD at the same price
Focusrite has a long history of making incredibly durable, great sounding audio interfaces. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is the most recent update to Focusrites Scarlett line. Although it does not have nearly as much I/O as the UMC404HD, it is an incredibly capable audio interface.
On the front we have 2 combination preamps with individual gain and instrument toggles. Additionally Focusrite included it’s “Air” functionality, which can be found on it’s professional quality interfaces, for each preamp.
Finishing out the front, there is a 48V toggle. This allows easier access compared to the Behringer units where it is on the back. The all important Direct Monitor toggle is present, along with dials for the master volume, and the headphone volume.
The back of this unit is light on the I/O featuring only a USB type C connector and TRS outputs for the master output. That being said, this is the only unit in the list that has USB C which is a huge plus if you are using this interface with a modern laptop.
Where this unit shines above all the rest of the beginner audio interfaces is in its build quality. All the connectors, toggles, and knobs are of much higher quality than the Behringer interfaces. For that reason, this is the only interface in the list that is suitable for stuffing in your backpack night after night. If you are planning on performing your music in a live setting, this might be the perfect interface for you.
