Advancements in home recording technology have allowed aspiring recording artists to record studio-quality tracks from the comfort of their rooms. An audio interface is the bridge that connects your instruments to your PC. Choose the right one, and you will indeed have a fantastic-sounding recording. Here are the best audio interfaces for guitars.
Apogee Symphony Desktop
The Symphony connects to your PC or Mac using a USB Type C interface. This compact yet powerful unit brings technology like preamp and mic modeling to your home studio setup. It has two combi inputs for the mic, line-in, or your guitar, two headphones output, and a pair of stereo line-level monitor output jacks. You can monitor your guitars at low latency while still hearing it with processing. You can use the inbuilt suit with your preferred DAW to record your sound.
The preamp has 75dB of gain that can be controlled digitally. Its weighted dynamic range of 123 and 129dB delivers excellent-sounding records.
Pros
- Good audio quality
- Compact and portable
- Touchscreen navigation
- Sleek design
Cons
- No bus powering
- A limited array of plugins
Audient iD4 MkII
The Audient iD14 MkII has a metal construction with a solid, premium feel. The iD14 has two inputs and four outputs. It also has an optical port for extra inputs. It has one of the best quality preamps and converters in its price range.
The in-built mixer adds more control that is not present in the unit. It adds multiple channels that you can switch using the Loopback functionality. The 24-bit, 96 kHz range and dynamic range of 120 dB capture your guitar perfectly.
Pros
- Optical port for expansion
- Great sound at an affordable price
- Separate headphone level control
- Premium construction with all-metal chassisย
- Bus-powered via USB-C
Consย
- No input monitoring
- No monitor mix
NI Komplete Audio 6
This sleek, USB-powered interface of the Audio 6 MkII comes in a premium metal build. The front panel has all the control for the unit. The two combo inputs feature 48V of power and individual gain knobs. There is also a twin headphone socket with separate volume control for each.
The back has two input ports and four analog outputs with S/PDIF coaxial in and out. The four analog outputs are DC coupled. This affordable unit can pass control voltage (CV) from the software to the hardware and synthesizers. You have midi in and out ports, which is uncommon in this price range.
Pros
- Best bang for the buck
- MIDI port
- DC-coupled analog outputs
Cons
- Limited control software
- Small knobs
- No other power options apart from USB
The proper audio interface and creativity can turn your home into a professional-grade recording studio. With uncompromising quality, you can capture your guitar's true essence. Once you have the raw sound you want, you can use our sample packs and vocal preset to cut the mix you always dreamed of. Let it do the heavy lifting for you so that you can focus on your craft.