How to Choose the Right Audio Interface

Choosing the Right Audio Interface for Your Home Studio

If you’re building a home studio or upgrading your current setup, choosing the right audio interface is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It’s the piece of gear that connects everything together, from microphones and instruments to your computer and speakers.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what an audio interface actually does, what features matter most, and how to choose the right one based on how you work. This is especially helpful if you’re new to recording, or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there.

What an Audio Interface Actually Does

At its core, an audio interface allows you to record sound into your computer and hear sound back out. When you plug in a microphone, guitar, or keyboard, the interface converts that analog signal into digital audio that your computer and DAW can understand.

It also does the reverse when you’re listening back, converting digital audio from your computer into an analog signal that can be sent to your speakers or headphones. Think of it as the translator between your instruments and your computer.

Understanding Connectivity and Why It Matters

One of the first things to look at is how the interface connects to your computer. Years ago, FireWire was very common, but today it’s largely unsupported. Modern Macs no longer include FireWire ports, and most manufacturers no longer update drivers for FireWire interfaces.

If you’re shopping used and come across a FireWire interface, it’s best to avoid it. The hardware may still work, but long term software support is the real concern.

USB and Thunderbolt are the standards today. USB interfaces are safe, reliable, and widely supported. Thunderbolt interfaces often offer lower latency and higher channel counts, and many are backward compatible with USB.

If you’re considering an older model, always check the manufacturer’s website to see when the last driver update was released and which operating systems are supported.

How Many Inputs Do You Actually Need?

This is where you want to think honestly about how you record. If you’re working alone and recording one source at a time, a single input might be enough. Recording vocals one at a time with a microphone is a common starting point.

If you plan to record acoustic guitar or piano in stereo, you’ll want at least two inputs. Stereo recording gives you a wider and more natural sound, especially for acoustic instruments.

If you’re recording drums or full bands, input count becomes much more important. A basic drum setup might require four microphones, while larger setups can easily require eight or more.

Preamps vs Inputs: A Common Point of Confusion

Not all inputs are the same. When an interface says it has four inputs, that does not necessarily mean it has four microphone preamps.

Preamps are what allow microphones to be used properly. They boost the low level microphone signal to a usable level. Line inputs, on the other hand, are designed for devices that already output a stronger signal, like keyboards or external preamps.

For example, an interface might have two microphone preamps on the front and two line inputs on the back. That means you can record two microphones at once, not four.

Knowing how many microphone preamps you need is more important than simply counting inputs.

Headphone Outputs and Monitoring

Another feature that’s easy to overlook is the number of headphone outputs. If you work alone, one is usually fine. If you record other musicians, having two headphone outputs can make sessions much smoother.

This allows both you and the performer to monitor the session without needing additional headphone amps.

Using an Audio Interface With an iPad

If you plan to work with an iPad, look for an interface that is class compliant. This means it can be used without installing special drivers and will work when plugged directly into compatible devices.

Most manufacturers still recommend installing drivers on a computer, but class compliance gives you flexibility if you work across multiple devices.

Do You Need Built-In DSP or Plugins?

Some interfaces include onboard processing and bundled plugins. Universal Audio interfaces are a good example. These allow you to use effects while recording without taxing your computer’s CPU.

That said, many interfaces from companies like MOTU and Focusrite rely on your DAW for processing instead. If you primarily use Logic Pro’s built-in plugins or third party plugins, this is usually not an issue.

There are also more affordable options from the same brands that do not include DSP but still offer excellent sound quality.

Sound Quality and Budget Considerations

In the entry level to midrange price bracket, sound quality between reputable brands is very similar. Differences exist, but they are often subtle and not something to worry about when starting out.

Once you move into higher price ranges, you may get improved conversion quality and additional features. For most home studios, interfaces in the 100 to 300 dollar range are more than capable of producing professional results.

Final Thoughts

The best audio interface is the one that fits your workflow. Focus on how many microphones you’ll use, whether you record others, and how you plan to grow your setup.

Don’t overthink it. Choose something reliable from a reputable brand, and spend your energy making music.

TIMECODES:
00:00 Intro
00:32 What an Audio Interface Does
01:29 Connectivity and Compatibility
04:13 How Many Inputs You Need
05:50 Preamps vs Inputs
08:58 Headphone Outputs
10:20 iPad and Class Compliance
11:00 Built In DSP and Plugins
13:08 Sound Quality and Budget
13:53 Final Thoughts