Buyer's Guide | Audio Interfaces
- Joel Edelblute
- Mar 12
- 3 min read
Updated March 1st, 2025
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When picking an audio interface, determine how many microphones you will need to connect. For example, for my purposes as a solo content creator recording my voice at my desk I never really needed more than one input. But if you’re running a podcast in a studio, consider an interface with at least 2-3 XLR inputs. We’ve included multiple variations of our favorite interfaces for users who need more or less inputs.
Some of the Hobbyist and Independent tier audio interfaces are even iPad and iPhone ready making them good options for recording anywhere (you will still have to connect the interface to a power outlet so they still don’t totally replace the portability of an audio recorder.)The Apollo interfaces come in both desktop and rack-mounted options.
Pricing Tier Key
The Hobbyist: Entry-level gear for video shooters to improve their skills without a large investment.
The Independent: Prosumer gear designed for serious creators that balance performance and real-world budgets.
The Industry Pro: High-end gear for professionals that meets the demands of industry-tier production environments.
The Hobbyist
Behringer U-Phoria UM2 | $39
Includes 1x XLR and 1x 1/4” instrument input. An ultra-affordable option that delivers a decent quality preamp, which is quite capable for home studio setups. It doesn’t come with dedicated software and might require a third-party driver on Windows but is an otherwise solid starter audio interface.
The Hobbyist
Includes 2x XLR inputs. An ultra-affordable option that delivers a decent quality preamp, which is quite capable for home studio setups. It doesn’t come with dedicated software and might require a third-party driver on Windows but is an otherwise solid starter audio interface.
The Independent
Universal Audio Volt 1 | $139
Includes 1x XLR inputs. The Universal Audio Volt 1 offers excellent sound quality with UA’s renowned preamps. It’s designed to give recordings a warm, rich sound, making it a great choice for independent musicians and podcasters. The Volt 1 also features a bundle of software plugins and a MIDI I/O.
The Independent
Universal Audio Volt 2 | $189
Includes 2x XLR inputs. The Universal Audio Volt 2 offers excellent sound quality with UA’s renowned preamps. It’s designed to give recordings a warm, rich sound, making it a great choice for independent musicians and podcasters. The Volt 2 also features a bundle of software plugins and a MIDI I/O.
The Industry Pro
Includes 2x XLR and 1x 1/4” instrument inputs. This premium desktop interface is known for top-tier audio quality, exceptional preamps, low-latency and onboard processing for real-time effects and plugins (note: DUO and QUAD refer to the processing power of the interface not the number of inputs). The Apollo also features a bundle of software plugins. Having worked with the Apollo for years in a studio setting, Corin is a big fan.
The Industry Pro
Universal Audio Apollo x4 | $1,799
Includes 4x XLR and 2x 1/4” instrument inputs. This premium desktop interface is known for top-tier audio quality, exceptional preamps, low-latency, and onboard processing for real-time effects and plugins. Having worked with the Apollo for years in a studio setting, Corin is a big fan.
The Industry Pro
Universal Audio Apollo x6 | $1,999
Includes 2x XLR and 6x 1/4” instrument inputs. A premium interface known for top-tier audio quality, exceptional preamps, low-latency and onboard processing for real-time effects and plugins. Having worked with the Apollo for years in a studio setting, Corin is a big fan.
The Industry Pro
Universal Audio Apollo x8 | $2,399
Includes 4x XLR and 10x 1/4” instrument inputs. A premium interface known for top-tier audio quality, exceptional preamps, low-latency and onboard processing for real-time effects and plugins. Having worked with the Apollo for years in a studio setting, Corin is a big fan.
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