I do not use it on a Mac, but the device uses a standard USB interface for connection to my laptop using Windows 10 and Windows 10 had a driver to support it. Roland says: ' The bus-powered MIDI interface is compatible with Macs and PCs, and now with the iPad as well via the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit!' By the way, it works great! Focusrite Scarlett Series (2nd Gen) – From $99. The Scarlett series by Focusrite remains as one of. In this post we're going to go through the five best audio interfaces for Mac users working in a home studio. I Have Worked for Years With the Listed Mac Audio Interfaces I've been recording with Mac for about 10 years now.During that time, I have recorded with or owned interfaces from Apogee, Steinberg, RME, Focusrite, and Universal Audio.
Whether you're starting a new home studio, or improving an existing one…
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96. The AudioBox USB 96 is the flagship budget audio interface from.
There's no single purchase more confusing than the audio interface.
Because among the dozens of options…
Each one is designed to meet the demands of a specific 'type' of studio.
For example…
At one extreme, a small $100 interface might be perfect in a simple bedroom studio…
If all you need is a single pair of outputs for your studio monitors.
At the opposite extreme, a pro studio that requires dozens of INs/OUTs might need several interfaces, each costing $4000 or more.
Needless to say, matching the right interface with the right studio is tricky even for the experienced. And for beginners, its 10x worse.
Which is why for today's post, I've created an in-depth guide to help you find the perfect option for your studio.
So let's get started. First off…
The 5 Key Features to Look For
Because of the fact that audio interfaces have so many features, it's difficult to know which ones matter, and which ones don't.
So let's talk about that now. In particular, these are the 5 key specs to focus on:
- DAW Compatibility
- Interface Connectors
- Input/Output (I/O) Count
- Input Channel Types
- Form Factor
And here's why:
1. DAW Compatibility
In general, most DAW's work with most interfaces…but not always.
If you don't yet have a particular DAW that you are loyal to, then you need not worry here.
Because 90% of the top DAW's will be compatible with any interface you choose.
However if you alreadyhave a DAW you want to continue using, be sure to verify compatibility on the company's website. And just to warn you, this info is often hard to find.
You would think they would just post DAW compatibility in the interface's product description, right? But it rarely happens. Usually it's buried somewhere within an FAQ page.
While it's not clear why this is done, my best guess is that these companies prefer not to advertise their current DAW compatibility, because they have no guarantees of future compatibility.
A particular interface might be compatible with your DAW today, but it may not be in a future release. And while that's not likely to happen, it's always possible.
Which is why personally, I prefer to use a DAW/interface combo made by the same company. Later in this post I will give you some good examples of these.
However, since there are only a few companies that make both, the downside to this solution is that it severely limits your options.
Up next…
2. Interface Connectors
When connecting an audio interface to a computer…
There are 4 cable options commonly used:
- USB– which is typically seen on cheaper home studio interfaces, and offers the slowest data transfer rate.
- Firewire– which is used on more expensive home studio interfaces, and offers a significantly faster transfer rate (nowadays these are becoming less common).
- Thunderbolt– which has recently become popular with newer semi-pro interfaces, and is way faster than either USB or Firewire.
- PCIE– which has long been the standard connection for professional interfaces, because it offers additional processing power and extremely fast data-transfer.
While USB is by far the slowest of all 4 options, it is still more than fast enough to get the job done for the vast majority of home studios.
So if you're on a budget, USB is what I recommend.
But whichever type you choose, remember to double-check that your computer has the appropriate connection.
3. Input/Output (I/O) Count
On a typical interface, I/O counts can range anywhere between:
- 1-2 on a simple interface, to…
- 20+ on a professional one.
And the number you need for your studio depends mainly on the number of tracks you plan to record/monitor at once.
For example:
- Solo musicians – may need only 2-4.
- Songwriting teams – who work in small groups, want at least 4-8.
- Engineers who record bands – should have as many as possible (16 at least).
Also…electronic drum kits alone can sometimes require 8 inputs if they offer separate channels for each part of the kit. So take that into consideration if you plan on using one.
4. Input Channel Types
One thing recording newbies often fail to realize is…
When counting the input channels of an audio interface, manufacturers could be referring to any number of different input types.
However in almost all cases, it includes some combination of these 3:
- Mic Input – which allows you to connect a mic directly to the interface.
- Line Input – which requires the addition of an outboard mic preamp to be used as a mic channel.
- Optical Input – which is a type of 'digital' input that requires the addition of BOTH an outboard mic preamp, and digital converter w/ 'optical out' to be used as a mic channel.
Now here's what this means for you:
If you want to use your interface 'as-is' without adding a multi-channel mic preamp, you might have less available inputs than you think.
Because as you'll notice, interfaces often have 16 or more total input channels, but only 2-8 mic inputs.
So without any additional gear, the 'real' number of inputs on your audio interface is the mic preamp count, NOT the same as the input count.
Now that you know…make sure you actually have enough channels for your purposes. Otherwise you will be sorely disappointed.
NOTE: Two other input types that you should also look for are DI inputs (if you play guitar/bass), and MIDI inputs (if you use any type of keyboards/MIDI controllers).
5. Form Factor
A fancy jargon term used by computer geeks…
'Form factor' simply refers to the physical size and shape interface.
The two form factor options are:
- Desktop Interfaces – which are smaller, and sit on your desk next to your computer.
- Rackmounted Interfaces– which are larger, and mount in a standard size rack unit.
For beginners, I recommend starting with a desktop interface, because they're cheap, easy-to-use, and require no special mounting or peripheral devices. You just plug them in and start recording.
With intermediate/advanced studios, rackmounted interfaces are typically better, as they tend to offer more I/O's, as well as greater flexibility with signal routing and organization.
Now that you know what to look for, let's check out some specific models.
Starting with…
Best Desktop Interfaces
For the vast majority of people reading this article, who only want a cheap interface that will allow them to record their music at home…
I recommend a 2-6 channel USB desktop interface, which normally costs between $100-$300 on the low-end, and $500-1500 on the high-end.
Currently, the top brands for these 'types' of interfaces are Presonus, Focusrite, Avid, Universal Audio.
Here are the models I recommend from each brand:
Presonus AudioBox (USB connection)
(includes Presonus Studio One Artist DAW)
- AudioBox USB – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- AudioBox iTwo – (iPad Compatible) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Audiobox 44VSL – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for? – Beginner studios on a tight budget who want a bundled interface/DAW combo.
Focusrite Scarlett (USB connection)
- Scarlett Solo – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Scarlett 2i4 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Scarlett 6i6 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Scarlett 18i8 – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Beginner studios on a tight budget who already have a 3rd party DAW they prefer.
Focusrite Clarett (Thunderbolt connection)
- Clarett 2Pre – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Clarett 4Pre – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Studios of ALL levels that don't need a lot of I/O's and can afford the price tag.
Apogee (USB connection)
- Apogee One – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Apogee Duet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Apogee Quartet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Intermediate studios that don't need a lot of I/O's, or beginner studios that can afford the price tag.
Avid (USB connection)
(Bundled with Pro Tools 12 DAW)
- Pro Tools Duet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Pro Tools Quartet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
All Beginner/Intermediate studios who want to use the industry standard Pro Tools DAW.
NOTE: While the Apogee Duet and Quartet are 'Mac Only' interfaces, the newer Pro Tools Duet and Quartet are compatible with both Mac and PC.
Universal Audio (Thunderbolt connection)
- Apollo Twin SOLO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Apollo Twin DUO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Intermediate/advanced studios who want pro studio quality, in a home-studio-sized package.
More Options?
If for some reason of the previous options aren't to your liking…
Here are 2 more great budget desktop interfaces to check out:
- Audient iD4 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
- Audient iD14 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
And here is 1 more great high-end desktop option:
- Antelope Audio Zen Tour (Thunderbolt/USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
Best Rackmounted Interfaces
For the purposes of this article, let's define an 'intermediate' studio as a home setup that requires a higher I/O count to meet the demands of some of the more complex recording tasks.
If that's the type of studio you need, I recommend an 8+ channel rackmounted interface.
Again…the best interfaces in this category are made by Presonus, Focusrite, Apogee, Universal Audio, and Antelope Audio:
Here are the top models I recommend:
Presonus
- Audiobox 1818VSL (USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Firestudio Project (firewire) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF)
- Studio 192 (USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Focusrite
- Scarlett 18i20 (USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Clarett 8Pre (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Clarett 8PreX (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Apogee
- Ensemble (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Universal Audio
- Apollo 8 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Apollo 16 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Antelope Audio
- Antelope Audio Zen Studio – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
- Antelope Audio Orion Studio – (Amazon/Thomann)
- Antelope Audio Orion32+ – (Amazon/Thomann)
And finally…
'Professional' Interfaces
While any of the interfaces we've covered so far are more than capably of producing 'professional' results…
There's higher class of audio interfaces that we have yet to cover.
Normally only seen in high-end pro studios, these multi-thousand dollar interfaces typically connect to a separate PCIE card which can only be installed on a desktop computer.
The typical reason studios acquire this type of interface is to upgrade to Pro Tools HD, which is the standard system used by the majority of pro studios in the world.
In terms of performance, they offer many premium advantages, including:
- Ultra-Low latency
- High I/O counts
- Premium Digital Conversion
- Multiple Connection Options
And while these interfaces would almost certainly be overkill for the average home studio…
It's still good to know about them, just in case the day comes when you decide your studio needs one.
Some examples of popular interfaces in this category are:
- Avid HD 16×16 – (Amazon/MusicianF/Thomann)
- Apogee Symphony – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusicianF/Thomann)
Now one last thing…
Assuming you chose a rackmounted interface, you'll obviously need a rack to store it in, right?
So if you don't have one yet, check out this article:
In this feature I ditch the recording studio and take a look at the best portable interfaces for GarageBand musicians who want the freedom to record anytime, anywhere.
The beauty of an app like GarageBand for iOS is that you no longer need to spend ludicrous amounts of money renting studio time or wait until your ‘big break' to write, record and release your own music.
If you want your DIY music to sound its best however, you'll need to ditch that inbuilt mic on your iOS device and invest in an audio interface of some kind.
There's tons of choice out there and it can be hard to work out what interface is right for you. I've brought together 3 of the best portable recording interfaces on the planet to help you narrow down your options.
Let's take a look.
Mac Interface For Windows 10
£74.99/$99.99
Compact, portable, and easy to use, the Roland GO:MIXER makes it simple to record high-quality audio with your iDevice.
With multiple inputs available, you can connect a mic, musical instruments, and media players and mix them all together at the same time.
Best Interface For Masks
The unit features the ability to combine five sources at once via inputs for a ¼' jack vocal mic (no XLR input or +48 V Phantom Power here), guitar, stereo keyboard, and two stereo line-level devices (such as music players, drum machines, etc.).
Sane manchester city. The quality is great, assuming you don't clip/peak the audio. There is a dial for each main instrument input as well as a master volume dial to adjust as appropriate. The GO:MIXER also has a peaking LED which is useful to have.
All in all this little box is incredibly versatile, though the lack of XLR input or 48v Phantom Power would definitely prove limiting for some.
Tech Specs
- Inputs: 8 channels
- Outputs 2 channels
- Connectors INSTRUMENT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
- LINE IN 1 jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- LINE IN 2 jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- MIC jack: 1/4-inch phone type (no plug-in power)
- GUITAR/BASS jack: 1/4-inch phone type (high impedance)
- MONITOR OUT jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- USB port: USB Micro-B type USB Bus PowerCurrent Draw40 mA
- Accessories: Lightning to USB Micro-B type cable (50 cm, 1 ft 7 inches)
- USB OTG Micro-B type to USB Micro-B type cable (50 cm, 1 ft 7 inches)
£81.99/$119.99
Focusrite has a great track record for producing extraordinarily high quality USB and Thunderbolt audio interfaces for Mac and PC. With the iTrack Solo Lightning, they've packed most all of the killer features from their range into this little box.
While it is smaller and lacking a few of the features of some of Focusrite's more expensive units , the iTrack Solo packs enough of a sonic punch to hold its own against most other interfaces at this price range.
The mic preamp used here series are nothing short of phenomenal, giving you clean and clear recordings every time. There's also +48 V Phantom Power available, so you can use a studio quality condenser microphone to really push the quality of your recordings to the next level.
Super-low latency brings confidence to your performance, letting you record and monitor with software effects in real time.
New gain controls and a sleek metal chassis underscore its industrial design – this thing can take one hell of a beating!
Tech Specs
- 1 microphone input – XLR, 1 Instrument input ¼' unbalanced, 2 Gain knobs,
- 48V Phantom power switch, Direct monitor switch
- 2 unbalanced monitor outputs – RCA Phone, DEVICE LINK port (to connect iTrack Solo to iPad)
- USB 2.0 Port, Kensington Lock slot
- Supported sample rates 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz, 88.2 KHz, 96 KHz – Mac and PC 44.1 KHz, 48 KHz – iPad
- In the box: iTrack Solo, 1.2m USB cable, 1.2m 'DEVICE LINK' cable (to connect to a Lightning iPad), Getting started guide, Registration card, USB power supply (US only)
- Compatible with: iTrack Solo Lightning: Any iPad with Lightning connector, Standard iTrack Solo: iPad (1st gen), iPad (2nd gen) and iPad (3rd gen)
£127.99/$149.99
iRig Pro I/O is a pocket-sized full-featured audio and MIDI interface that gives you 24-bit/96kHz recording studio quality sound everywhere you go with a few additional essential features for mobile recording.
Its designed to be 'plug and play' and easy to use with all of your gear — studio mics, vocal performance mics, guitars, basses, keyboards — whatever it is, iRig Pro I/O can probably handle it.
It features a new 1/8″ stereo headphone out with preamp and level control, making it compatible with even the most recent iOS devices. Plus, when used with the optional DC power supply, the unit will charge your iPhone or iPad while in use for unlimited playing and recording time – super handy!
The Pro I/O also features a new MIDI Out jack that gives you even more flexibility and control over your outboard MIDI gear.
Despite it's small size the iRig Pro I/O has it where it counts, packing the features you'd expect from a full scale audio interface into it's sleek form factor.
Tech Specs
- High definition 24-bit/96kHz audio plus MIDI interface for iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC and Android devices
- Connects to everything, yet easily fits in your laptop bag, gig bag or pocket
- Neutrik™ combo input for guitar, microphone or other instruments with a professional quality preamp, phantom power and gain control
- iPhone 7 ready with integrated headphone output with volume control
- Powered via USB bus, two AA batteries or the optional iRig PSU 3A (PSU simultaneously charges iOS device)
- Detachable Lightning and USB cables included for connection to iPhone, iPad, Mac and PC (MFi certified)
- Comes with a Velcro strip to secure iRig Pro I/O to a mic stand
- Comes with over $/€550 worth of full version Software & Apps
There you have it, that's my top 3 favourite portable audio interfaces for use with GarageBand for iOS.
Is your favourite on the list? What did I miss out? Leave a comment and let me know, or come and join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
