Putting together a simple recording rig that can yield stellar tracks has never been easier, more affordable, and less space-hoggish. We’ve rounded up a few interfaces that can help transfer your ideas between instrument and computer.
Scarlet Solo
A sleek, light, USB-powered interface with phantom power that’s small enough to fit in a gigbag or backpack and tough enough for travel.
AudioBox iTwo
This portable, bus-powered USB 2.0 interface for iPad audio and MIDI has a pair of combo mic/line/instrument inputs with class-A mic preamps.
UR12
A compact, powerful, and portable interface featuring D-PRE mic preamps, 24-bit/192 kHz converters, and a loopback function for easy live-internet recording.
UH-7000
This 4-channel pro-level USB mic preamp/audio interface was designed for low noise and high-quality audio. It resides in a rugged, half-rack-sized enclosure.
M-Track Plus
This compact, user-friendly bus-powered USB interface accommodates most input sources. It comes bundled with light versions of Cubase, Ableton Live, and Waves Audio plug-ins.
Apollo Twin Solo
This 2x6 Mac Thunderbolt audio interface allows seamless tracking though Universal Audio’s Realtime UAD plug-in processing.
Studio Connect Lightning
This audio/MIDI interface for iPad features a front-panel stereo headphone/monitor jack.
