Two-input USB interfaces for recording vocals, guitar, and podcasts at home, with the jargon explained in plain English.
When You Need an Audio Interface
An audio interface connects microphones and instruments to your computer. It turns their analog signal into digital audio. It also has a headphone output, so you can hear yourself. You need one for XLR microphones, and to plug in an electric guitar, bass, or keyboard.
For one voice on a podcast or a call, a USB microphone is simpler and cheaper. It has an interface built in. See our USB microphone guide.
The Jargon in Plain English
- Inputs. All three picks have two "combo" sockets. Each takes an XLR mic cable or a 1/4-inch jack. With two inputs you can record a voice and a guitar, or two people, at once.
- Phantom power (48 V). Condenser mics need a small voltage, sent up the mic cable. Press the 48 V button only for a mic that needs it. Dynamic mics, like most podcast mics, don't.
- Instrument (Hi-Z) input. An electric guitar or bass has a weak, high-impedance signal. The instrument setting (marked "Inst" or "Hi-Z") matches it. You plug in with a normal guitar cable and no extra box.
- Preamp gain. How much the interface can boost a quiet mic. Most condensers need little. Quiet dynamic mics can need 60 dB or more.
- Direct monitoring. You hear yourself straight from the interface, before the computer. So there's no delay (latency) in your headphones while you record.
- 24-bit and sample rate. 24-bit recording leaves plenty of headroom, so you can record at a safe level and still sound clean. The sample rate is how many times a second the sound is measured. 48 kHz is standard for video and podcasts. Rates like 192 kHz make bigger files, and most people can't hear a difference.
- Loopback. Lets your computer record its own sound (a game, a call, a backing track) along with your mic. It's useful for streaming and recording calls.
For Guitarists
Plug your guitar into input 1 or 2 with a normal cable. Switch that input to instrument (or Hi-Z). Turn the gain up until your loudest strumming stays short of the red.
Tune up before you record. Our free guitar tuner and bass tuner work in your browser. You can also choose the interface as the microphone in our chromatic tuner and tune through it.
Check Your Levels
After you plug in, open our free mic test and choose the interface in the Microphone list. It shows whether your browser can hear it, and how high your level is. You can record a short clip and play it back.
If the level barely moves, turn up the gain. For a condenser mic, check that 48 V is on.
