The interface type defines the protocol for transmitting digital data between the audio interface unit itself and your computer. Sono. However, be mindful that as you add more tracks and enable more plugins, the core is being utilized harder. In this week’s tutorial series, I’ll introduce the basics of Unit’s audio systems, with a particular focus on 3D audio and what sets it apart from simple (boring) 2 channel stereo. The FBSAR board. 88. M-Audio AIR 192|4 — 2-In/2-Out USB Audio Interface with Recording Software from ProTools & Ableton... Record Your Keyboard or Piano On Your Computer Step-By-Step. However, before we dive right into what the best products are, let’s briefly discuss what the benefits are, to using an audio interface with Thunderbolt connectivity. 10% coupon applied at checkout Save 10% with coupon. Leo plays piano, bass and drums, mixes and masters tracks, and runs everything from his home studio. 58. The Presonus Quantum 2 is a 22 x 24 audio interface, and is noted as being the fastest and best-selling audio interface that Presonus have. An audio interface is the hardware that connects your microphones and other audio gear to your computer. Read Amazon Customer reviews for the Resident Audio T4. 8 Channel Mic Pre & ADC. Summary MOTU is an extremely well-known and reputable US audio interface and recording equipment manufacturer and one in which we have to feature in our list. Usually known for their high-end audio interface, MOTU has pulled some of the key features and their expertise across to a pair of budget audio interfaces that raise the bar on what home studios should expect from their gear. This Thunderbolt (2) & USB compatible audio interface has such spectrum of features, from the range of available inputs through to its impressive 123dB of dynamic range, and ultra-low roundtrip latency times which average roughly 1.6ms (via thunderbolt) and 1.9ms (via USB). Not only this, but it comes with 16 channels of ADAT, stereo S/PDIF, MIDI, and word clock input/output. The unit itself is premium-priced, and for this, you’re getting a Thunderbolt 2 compatible interface (meaning minimal latency), featuring 32 channels of analog balanced line inputs/outputs via DB25. For the ultimate in routing flexibility and power, nothing beats the MH-8 headphone amp from TASCAM. Finally, the unit has 2 dual-balanced line outputs which are the left and right feeds, and 1 headphone output. Whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, there's now a bewildering choice of audio interfaces available, at prices ranging from … 3. Focusrite was founded in 1985 and has been designing and manufacturing high-end audio equipment ever since. Well, firstly you have to take into consideration the basic requirements that you demand from an audio interface, and those basic requirements will usually be the cost, number of inputs, number of outputs and customer feedback/reviews. At its simplest, an audio interface lets you record external sounds such as vocals and instruments into your computer, converting them from analogue to the required digital format en route, and performs the opposite function on the return journey from computer to amp/loudspeakers. Presonus Quantum 2 22×24 interface – $$$ – XMAX Class A microphone preamps, 4 XLR/TSR inputs, Thunderbolt 2 connectivity, suitable for both Mac and PC, and includes a 1-year manufacturers warranty… All for a reasonable price too! You get a couple of balanced Neutrik combo inputs, each of which sports a Yamaha D-PRE mic preamp, and two balanced line outputs. Afterall, we all want a low-latency audio interface. When you are doing your research on audio interfaces, you have probably looked through the pictures of the unit you are considering on sites like Amazon, Sweetwater, Front End Audio, Vintage King, or some other online store that carries the interfaces. Overall, Presonus are incredibly well-known and reputable within the field. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface and Recording Bundle. Best Audio Interface for Live Performance, Best Home Recording Studio Equipment Packages, Presonus Quantum 26x32 Thunderbolt 2 Low-Latency Audio Interface, Apogee ELEMENT 88 - Thunderbolt Audio Interface, PreSonus Quantum 4848 48x48 24-bit 192 kHz Thunderbolt Audio Interface, Resident Audio T4 Thunderbolt Audio Interface, Resident Audio T2 Interface-Thunderbolt 1, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Solo Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Duo 2×6 Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Quad Thunderbolt 2, Resident Audio T4 Interface Thunderbolt 1, Apogee Element 88 Interface Thunderbolt 2, Focusrite Clarett 4Pre 18×8 Thunderbolt 2, Focusrite Clarett 8Pre 18×20 Thunderbolt 2, Focusrite Clarett 8PreX 26×28 Thunderbolt 2, Presonus Quantum 2 22×24 interface Thunderbolt 2, Presonus Quantum 26×32 interface Thunderbolt 2, PreSonus Audio 48×48 interface All Line Inputs Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo x6 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3, Universal Audio Apollo X8P 16 x 22 Thunderbolt 3, Universal Audio Apollo X16 18 x 20 Thunderbolt 3, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Solo 2×6 – Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Duo 2×6 – Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Quad 2×6 – Thunderbolt 2, Apogee Element 88-Thunderbolt Audio Interface, Focusrite Clarett 4Pre 18×8 – Thunderbolt, Focusrite Clarett 8Pre 18×20 8 channel – Thunderbolt, Focusrite Clarett 8PreX 26×28  – Thunderbolt, Presonus Quantum 2 22×24 interface – Thunderbolt 2, Presonus Quantum 26×32 interface – Thunderbolt 2, PreSonus Audio 48×48 interface – All Line Inputs – Thunderbolt 2, Universal Audio Apollo x6 16 x 22 – Thunderbolt 3, Universal Audio Apollo X8P 16 x 22 – Thunderbolt 3, Universal Audio Apollo X16 18 x 20 – Thunderbolt 3, MOTU 828es 28×32 Thunderbolt/USB 2.0 Audio Interface, MOTU 828es 28×32 Interface Thunderbolt 3, 2 & 1, 1 x phone output (mono & stereo monitoring), Compatible with Mac and Windows (although limited compatibility with Window), 1 x phone output (mono & stereo monitoring), Solo core processing – 1 DSP core processor, Ultra high-resolution sound quality with Apollo AD & D/A converters, 2 x phone output (left and right monitoring), A 12V power supply is required for operation, Dual core processing – 2 DSP core processors, Dual core processing – 4 DSP core processors, Focusrite Control: Remote control from iPhone, iPad or iPod touch, Ableton Live Lite, Red 2 & 3, Softube time & tone bundle is included as a free download, 10 line outputs (2 of which are monitor outputs), Presonus’ fastest & best-selling audio interface, Ultra-low latency with its Thunderbolt 2 connectivity, Versatile, with the ability to achieve 80×80  by stacking up to four Quantum 2s via Thunderbolt, Studio One Artist and Studio Magic Plug-in Suite included, Presonus’ fastest & best-selling audio interface line, Versatile, with the ability to achieve 96×96  by stacking up to four Quantum 2s via Thunderbolt, Versatile, with the ability to achieve 192 x 192  by stacking up to four Quantum 2s via Thunderbolt, High-quality A/D & D/A conversion with lowest signal to noise ratio, HEXA Core processing, featuring 6 UAD DSP chips, Ultra-low latency with its Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, Low latency with its Thunderbolt 2 connectivity. 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