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Tools for the Task: Recording Interfaces

Svelte and user-friendly interfaces that make digital recording a snap.

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.

FOCUSRITE
$99

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.

PRESONUS
$159

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.

STEINBERG
$99

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.

TASCAM
$399

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.

M-AUDIO
$149

Apollo Twin Solo

This 2x6 Mac Thunderbolt audio interface allows seamless tracking though Universal Audio’s Realtime UAD plug-in processing.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO
$699

Studio Connect Lightning

This audio/MIDI interface for iPad features a front-panel stereo headphone/monitor jack.

GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY
$149

iRig PRO

A pocket-sized yet full-featured audio/MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Also available: the new iRig HD-A for Android devices.

IK MULTIMEDIA
$150

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