Choosing the Best USB Audio Interface on ANY Budget

Choosing the Best USB Audio Interface on ANY Budget

More videos like this choosing the best USB audio interface buying guide 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlczpwSXEOyatBLoJPWeG2U8OUFx9AFC0
Shop the USB audio interfaces in this video at Sweetwater 👉 https://www.sweetwater.com/shop/gear-used-in-choosing-the-best-usb-audio-interface-on-any-budget/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=4WUuk1AE7vo
Shop USB audio interfaces at Sweetwater 👉 https://www.sweetwater.com/c695–USB_Audio_Interfaces/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=4WUuk1AE7vo

When it comes to choosing a USB audio interface for music and media production, you have a LOT of options. Join Mitch Gallagher as he explains what to look out for when you are choosing the best USB audio interface on any budget, and how to prioritize your needs and wants, and much more!

Here is a list of the best usb audio interfaces on any budget.
• PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
• Audient EVO 4
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen
• MOTU M4
• Solid State Logic SSL2+
• Steinberg UR-RT2
• Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
• PreSonus Studio 1824c
• TASCAM Celesonic US-20×20
• Apogee Duet
• Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII DUO
• RME Babyface Pro FS
• Cranborne Audio 500R8

After you watch, check out Sweetwater.com today for all your music instrument and pro audio needs! 👉 https://www.Sweetwater.com/?utm_source=YouTube&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=4WUuk1AE7vo

#Sweetwater #BestUsbAudioInterface

0:00 – Intro
1:39 – Do Specs Matter?
2:53 – Compatibility
3:41 – How Many Inputs Do I Need?
4:13 – Input Types
4:43 – What Kind of Outputs Do I Need?
6:27 – Digital Inputs and Outputs
7:18 – Special Features
8:05 – Bundles and Plug-ins
8:51 – PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
9:12 – Audient EVO 4
9:32 – Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen
9:52 – MOTU M4
10:11 – Solid State Logic SSL2+
10:35 – Steinberg UR-RT2
11:00 – Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen
11:38 – PreSonus Studio 1824c
11:58 – TASCAM Celesonic US-20×20
12:26 – Apogee Duet
12:39 – Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII DUO
13:15 – RME Babyface Pro FS
13:49 – Cranborne Audio 500R8
15:03 – Outro

50 Comments

  1. Hjockzi on April 11, 2021 at 2:09 am

    I currently own a Behringer umc22 and im looking for an upgrade, id likean identical interface, but with a better pre amp and sound quality in general
    I only need 2 inputs, id like 2 headphone outputs and obviously monitor outputs. Can antybody give me some kind of advice?



  2. Beytullah Keskin on April 11, 2021 at 2:10 am

    99 / 5000



  3. dave green on April 11, 2021 at 2:16 am

    no mention of sound quality the only reason i watched this waste of time video



  4. Jeffrey Angelo on April 11, 2021 at 2:17 am

    I trusted this guy because if that featherd hair and 90 porn gotee



  5. Raymond Blech on April 11, 2021 at 2:19 am

    Great job Mitch. This was a collegiant level class of excellence. You are understandable, sequential in your line of reasoning, informative raising my awareness of studio audio education to the next level.



  6. Rick Danner Guitar Player on April 11, 2021 at 2:20 am

    I bought one from you guys it dont work i tried to call cust support 3xs couldnt get through so I gave up



  7. M Beliv on April 11, 2021 at 2:20 am

    My god …felt asleep four times during this useless video



  8. Sweetwater on April 11, 2021 at 2:21 am

    There are lots to choose from, which interface do you use? Check out more of our recording gear overviews and lessons by hitting the like and subscribe buttons!



  9. Oswaldo Roman on April 11, 2021 at 2:22 am

    that beat @ 3:29 is straight fire



  10. Yuda Christiawan on April 11, 2021 at 2:24 am

    Does phantom power on audio interface will affect computer / laptop power suplly?



  11. Francisco Fernandes on April 11, 2021 at 2:24 am

    Hi guys, im new to this world. I would like to know something. Does it exist an interface that can hold an input xlr like a microfone and can connect 2 outputs for headset and/or speakers and act like a switch (mechanical) for them?



  12. londontrada on April 11, 2021 at 2:25 am

    Its Marge Sweetwater’s son from Back to School 😂



  13. Kama Sotomonte on April 11, 2021 at 2:26 am

    Sr this was SOLID AF ❤! Thanks for awesome videos like this🔥



  14. Kernal Sanders on April 11, 2021 at 2:28 am

    Excellent, thanks for the insight.



  15. SoundGuy on April 11, 2021 at 2:29 am

    I’ve used the majority of the interfaces shown here, including another popular one not featured here (Audient ID14) and soundwise, the Steinberg with the Neve transformers and the SSL sound incredible and rank at the top of the pack here. Don’t care so much for the Apollo. Focusrite with air feature sounds really good, Clarrett sounds even better. Also to my surprise the TASCAM sounds much better than I expected given the price. Definitely capable of producing professional sounding recordings.



  16. Fabrice Tremblay on April 11, 2021 at 2:29 am

    Audient ID4



  17. dynatwenty on April 11, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Wanted the UAd arrow so badly. Now its completely sold out worldwide. Puts me in a tricky position….



  18. VERE on April 11, 2021 at 2:33 am

    Why there is microwave?



  19. Ji An on April 11, 2021 at 2:34 am

    I’ll take whatever works with Earthworks PM40.



  20. Cristian Sava on April 11, 2021 at 2:34 am

    hello, I would like to buy a sound card for my windows operating system, I can spend a maximum of 260 euros, which one do you propose? i have seen audient id14, presonaus 68c, i would like your recommendations, i its very vst plugin and i would like to buy a synth and a drum machine tr8s, how should they be connected? thanks



  21. Adolfo Marineto on April 11, 2021 at 2:35 am

    Very helpful indeed thank youu



  22. Year 93 on April 11, 2021 at 2:37 am

    Something tells me this guy isn’t getting paid enough for how well he is doing 🤔



  23. Lito Bakzcozykc on April 11, 2021 at 2:37 am

    I have an Apollo Twin mk2 duo and it gives me so much disconnecting problems, this is so frequent with mac osx users (check the internet), and UAD says its the thunderbolt but it isnt so the problem is unsolved. So, im going to sell it and buy another one… could you recommend me audient or scarlett? I am an electronic music producer, i just need a good quality from the monitoring sound (i record something very ocassionaly). Thank you!



  24. SonidosEnArmonia on April 11, 2021 at 2:38 am

    I have that blue presonus and its great.



  25. Kufel on April 11, 2021 at 2:39 am

    Is there way to have sound from xbox series x into krk rokits 6 through audio interface behringer u-phoria umc202hd ?



  26. tsozik on April 11, 2021 at 2:40 am

    And why don’t you have a filter on your website that allows me to chose iOS compatible interface? I need to record 6 hardware synths, modular stuff into iPad, have midi in-out, ideally midi to cv, which one to chose?



  27. Andrei Sarmiento on April 11, 2021 at 2:41 am

    Is there any specific audio interface good for guitar and drums? Also if I there is only one headphone output, can i use a splitter to make it 2? though I won’t be able to adjust them separately



  28. Kattie florence on April 11, 2021 at 2:43 am

    I bought a cc from @Darkphi telegram best vendor I know and very tryustworthy.He sell cc,fullz,Ban❤️



  29. Jay Dobbins on April 11, 2021 at 2:44 am

    I’m still on My focusrite saffire pro 24 firewire. I realize it’s outdated…it works for what I need it to do. One day, I will update everything…mac,dp,keyscape,trilian,etc.



  30. Allen on April 11, 2021 at 2:44 am

    While not a pure USB interface what about Sound Devices MixPre series?



  31. blackmikemo on April 11, 2021 at 2:45 am

    Can someone help me answer this question….if I have a 200 dollar mic(samson q9u) do I need atleast a 200 dollar interface or could I max out at 160-170 for the motu m2….only really trying to stream myself and I plan on editing vocals afterwards



  32. Isaac Siro on April 11, 2021 at 2:45 am

    Which will you suggest for live singing with a keyboard?
    M Audio Air series or Audient EVO series or Motu M series?



  33. Aesthetic Audio on April 11, 2021 at 2:46 am

    The audio on this video is really bad



  34. Mark T on April 11, 2021 at 2:46 am

    need a interface for my edrum setup for midi. Budget is like 500 , Dont mind buying used on ebay. LATENCYYY



  35. ZarktheShark94 on April 11, 2021 at 2:46 am

    Is there a difference between USB interface Nd a regular one?



  36. jenny god on April 11, 2021 at 2:46 am

    hi, is it can connect to my USB mic?



  37. Benoit TISSIER on April 11, 2021 at 2:49 am

    Linux should also be mentioned as a platform.
    It can help running old interfaces with new computers when the manufacturer doesn’t update drivers.
    For that reason, it’s safer to chose an AI with buttons instead of software settings.
    Would be nice from manufacturers to create Linux drivers.



  38. Andrew Au on April 11, 2021 at 2:50 am

    Hi, I’m trying to create better sound quality for the livestream in church. We have 4 line-in instruments (e.g., Guitar, Bass, Drum, Keyboard) & 3 mic-in inputs that is mixed in an analogue mixer (Phonic Sonic Station 22) which is then sent via control room line-out (as 1 output) to the PC but the sound is bad. Will the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 be sufficient for us or do we need to look at getting an interface with more inputs and outputs? Thanks.



  39. James Holcomb on April 11, 2021 at 2:50 am

    Hey Mitch first thank you for doing such through product videos and being real and honest about all of them.

    My question for you is I use a PC so no thunderbolt but usb 2 and 3 on my machine.
    Budget is limited otherwise I would just get an RME UFX+ or an Antelope Audio Orion 32 And be done with it all. But at this time I am not able to do this.
    So am a drummer so I need the add on 8pre with either setup so in your honest opinion sir, please tell me if it were you which would you go with out of the following. This will stay in my home studio not going mobile.
    Thank you in advance.

    Option 1. – Audient ID44 with the Audient 800 8 pre?

    Option 2. – Audiofuse Studio with the Audiofuse 8 pre?

    Option 3. – RME Babyface Pro fx with either the Audient 800 or the Audiofuse 8 pres.
    Of you happen to choose the RME option please tell me which of the pres are cleaner between the other two options.
    Of you think there is a better way to go than these options I have chosen please by all means let me know what you think, again thank you in advance for your expertise and honest recommendations.



  40. Eben Kanga on April 11, 2021 at 2:53 am

    Please help me, when I set my mic to record I will be hear hiss but It wasn’t like that the first time I got it……what do you think I should do. Should I buy new mic or there is something I can do to get rid of that…..can i still use it to record and clean the hiss with plugins??



  41. SeaSharp on April 11, 2021 at 2:53 am

    For how much?



  42. SoonToBe Salad on April 11, 2021 at 2:55 am

    hey thanks for these vids they are helpful in making a good decision! God bless



  43. Rob's music shop on April 11, 2021 at 2:58 am

    I like your videos..when I get famous I want you to be my manager



  44. Beytullah Keskin on April 11, 2021 at 2:58 am

    99 / 5000



  45. Marshall Wieczorek on April 11, 2021 at 3:02 am

    Mitch! This guy knows what he’s talkin’ about, always.



  46. David z on April 11, 2021 at 3:05 am

    Great Video and great products. I am getting ready to order the M-Audio M-Track Duo USB Audio Interface. Mitch, what do you think of this unit.



  47. Z0mByZ on April 11, 2021 at 3:06 am

    This was very good. Interesting to listen at and well chosen information



  48. Eric Arte y Digital on April 11, 2021 at 3:06 am

    This is amazing thank you VERY much !



  49. LushKordz on April 11, 2021 at 3:06 am

    ^^^^^^^^^ they should teach all this in school ^^^^^^^^^
    ………..BTW this guy has a really strong memory………..
    !!!!!!! the Cranborne looks like a weird alien device !!!!!!!



  50. Raja on April 11, 2021 at 3:09 am

    It is March 2021 and yesterday I ordered (from Sweetwater) an AUDIENT EVO 8 which has FOUR COMBO inputs. Can’t wait. Aside from vocals, I don’t play guitar but what I DO, is sing karaoke! 🙂 Hey, don’t laugh! Song "covers" are a glorified form of karaoke, really! 🙂 So I’m hoping that I can use two of the inputs from my cellphone or iPad to plug in the backing karaoke music tracks. I will take the output from the cellphone headphone jack, connect by a split 1/4" TS cable to the EVO 8 like I do with my mixer. I have a Mackie ProFX6V3 mixer which has USB. But it only provides 2 in and 2 out USB tracks on a DAW like Cakewalk. I need one stereo track and one mono track (for the vocals) making it 3. I hope the EVO 8 does the job!
    ADDENDUM: The Mic Pre-amps for vocals were pretty pathetic on the EVO 8, so the wonderful staff at Sweetwater advised me to send it back and will send a replacement which will come in a couple of days. We’ll see. But with the EVO 8, the inputs CAN HAPPILY ACCEPT signals in excellent voltage from a cell phone! Yes! Whereas I tried this with a MOTU M4, and with the line inputs in the back, no good! On this video, at 04:35 he talks about Line Level inputs; please note, this DOES NOT INCLUDE OUTPUT FROM CELLPHONE OR LAPTOP HEADPHONE JACKS!