November 2021
Audio Recording Interfaces: Aggregated Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Audio Interface rankings posted by key online experts, as of November 2021.
At a glance - November 2021 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Audio Interface |
Music Radar
|
Musician on a Mission
|
Sweetwater
|
Consordini
|
MusicTech
|
Music Critic
|
We Rave You
|
Your Guitar Brain
|
WireRealm
|
EDM Sauce
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $298 |
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
3
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $2791 |
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII
|
4
|
8
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
|
3
|
- | $95 |
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
|
-
|
1
|
15
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
4
|
- | $300 |
Solid State Logic SSL2+
|
2
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $595 |
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
6
|
- | $199 |
Audient EVO 8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
- | $228 |
Audient iD14
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | Check price |
Apogee Duet
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
- | $2000 |
Apogee Element 46
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+1 | $139 |
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
+1 | $171 |
Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
+1 | $220 |
Steinberg UR22C
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
+1 | $440 |
Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
+1 | $291 |
Tascam US-2x2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
+1 | $248 |
Native Komplete Audio 6 MK2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
16
|
+1 | $275 |
Apogee One
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
|
17
|
+1 | $250 |
Motu M4
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 #1 in November 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as #1.
Consordini
The best budget audio interface
|
Pros
Extremely low latency guaranteed with the Direct Monitor circuit.
New “Air” button for adding brightness and openness.
Wired to protect against power surges that could damage the interface.
|
Cons
Uses a USB-C type cable instead of a normal USB cable, so it may not be easily compatible with older computers.
|
Music Critic
|
Pros
Comes equipped with a rugged metal unibody case for durability and aesthetic appeal.
A great make by one of the best in the business.
|
We ranked Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII #2 in November 2021 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII as #1.
Music Radar
High-quality audio and DSP-powered plugins
|
Pros
Incredible audio quality
Superb UAD-2 plugins
|
Cons
Thunderbolt only at the moment
No MIDI
|
Consordini
The ultimate best audio interface in 2021
|
Pros
Built-in microphone for talkback when in the studio.
Comes with the Realtime Analog plugin bundle which has all you will need for basic mixing.
With Unison technology you can achieve high quality emulation of classic tubes, preamps, guitar amps, and microphones.
|
Cons
UAD plugins are ones you will have to pay for if you want more than just the Realtime Analog bundle.
Apollo audio interfaces are easily some of the most expensive ones on the market, this one is no exception.
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Audio Recording Interfaces.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Audio Recording Interfaces, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for November 2021 ranking
Music Radar
Musician on a Mission
Sweetwater
Consordini
MusicTech
Music Critic
We Rave You
Your Guitar Brain
WireRealm
EDM Sauce
We ranked PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 #3 in November 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 as #1.
EDM Sauce
|
Pros
Includes free downloading of more than 6 GB of third-party resources
Has high-performance instrument inputs
Features zero-latency monitoring
|
Cons
May face some compatibility issues with various software
|
We ranked Solid State Logic SSL2+ #4 in November 2021 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Music Radar
Get 'that SSL sound' at an amazing price
|
Pros
Great signal path for the money
The 4k button does add a 'sound'
Solid build quality
|
Cons
You might not like the RCA outputs
|
We ranked Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 #5 in November 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
We ranked Audient EVO 8 #6 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Audient EVO 8 as #1.
We ranked Audient iD14 #7 in November 2021 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
We ranked Apogee Duet #8 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
We ranked Apogee Element 46 #9 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Consordini
World class sound in 12 inputs and 14 outputs
|
Pros
The most high tech interface on this list with virtual control software and hardware remote controls.
Thunderbolt multi unit support for using multiple interfaces on the same computer.
Has a ton of great sounding inputs and outputs and the ability to connect to external devices.
|
Cons
Only compatible with Mac and iOS devices.
|
Music Critic
|
Pros
12 in x 14 out Thunderbolt audio I/O box, so that you can plug in as many instruments as you want.
This device comes with a 48v phantom power so that you can easily connect instruments, microphones, and line-level devices.
It also has 4 analog inputs and the best mic preamps.
|
We ranked Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 #10 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Music Radar
A compact, slick 2x2 audio interface at a competitive price
|
Pros
Super compact
Very slick and stylishly designed
Decent five-part input metering
|
Cons
No scaling on the controls
|
We ranked Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2 #11 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Music Radar
A hard-wearing 2-channel interface with high audio quality
|
Pros
Up to 24-bit/192kHz operation
Robust build quality
MIDI input and output
|
Cons
Zero latency control affects monitor output
|
Consordini
An optimal choice for singer-songwriters
|
Pros
Includes MIDI inputs and outputs to use with MIDI controllers, synths, and other MIDI compatible devices.
Hi-Z switch allows you to direct input record your bass and guitar.
Comes with Mackie’s DAW Essentials Collection of plugins and the Tracktion T7 DAW.
|
Cons
Could have a couple more connection options other than just USB 2.0 like USB-C or Thunderbolt.
Adds a little bit of warmth and coloration which could potentially be a con if you prefer more clean, transparent preamps.
|
We ranked Steinberg UR22C #12 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Music Radar
A rugged 2-in/2-out audio interface with Yamaha preamps
|
Pros
Built to last
Yamaha preamps
Built-in DSP processing
|
Consordini
An all-around workhorse interface
|
Pros
ASIO, Core Audio, and WDM compatible.
Comes with Cubase AI and Cubase LE for iOS devices.
Has MIDI inputs and outputs for use with external hardware or transferring notes to a DAW.
|
Cons
The maximum headphone volume is a bit low.
The mic preamp is a bit weaker than others, so make sure you power it through the DC.
|
We ranked Focusrite Clarett 2Pre USB #13 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Music Critic
|
Pros
Two Clarett Mic pres with lots of gains.
Low latency level.
Compatible with IOS and Windows.
|
We ranked Tascam US-2x2 #14 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
Consordini
The best audio interface for a home studio
|
Pros
Rugged metal housing for taking it on the road, it can stand up to rough handling very well.
Fits well in a home studio due to its compact size and very low self noise.
Comes with Cubase LE software.
|
Cons
Best for ensembles or singer songwriters, so do not expect to record a large group unless you are using a condenser for a room mic.
Needs special drivers to be installed before using it.
|
Music Critic
|
Pros
XLR 1/4" combination input jacks to give you maximum sound quality.
This sound card has zero-latency.
Angled design and aluminum body make it easier for desktop visibility.
|
We ranked Native Komplete Audio 6 MK2 #15 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
EDM Sauce
|
Pros
Includes headphone output with a separate switch control
Contains a mono input switch for recording mono sources
USB powered
|
Cons
Pops and clicks may interfere with the recording audio
|
We ranked Apogee One #16 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
We ranked Motu M4 #17 in November 2021 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Audio Recording Interfaces” rankings.
