The 10 Best Mid Range Audio Interface of 2023

Top Picks

•  Best Overall: Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 3rd Gen 4x4 USB Audio Interface Bundle 

Focusrite's Scarlett USB interfaces have always provided us with great sound quality and a wide range of customization options for our recordings at a price that fits most budgets, and the third-generation models continue this trend. Physical and technological changes have been made across the board, with preamps that can achieve up to 56dB of gain, balanced connection at every junction, and an option to emulate an ISA transformer in the preamp from Focusrite (Air). 

•  Best Easy to Use: Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD Heritage Edition 

The Apollo Twin MkII is almost identical to the original, save that it is now black rather than silver, and retains the same 2-in/6-out desktop format and 24-bit/192kHz capabilities. There is no included cable for connecting it to your Mac or PC, so you'll need to plug it into an outlet. The inputs and outputs are located on the back and front panels, respectively, while the top panel features a generously sized control knob.

•  Best Easily Recording: Native Instruments Komplete Audio 1   

It has two mic/line/instrument inputs similar to the other and two outputs, making Komplete Audio 2 a two-input, two-output architecture. All line and instrument connections are made using space-saving combi XLRs that have dedicated toggles. Meanwhile, a single switch activates 48V phantom power throughout the world. The inputs, hardware monitoring balance knob (Input/Host), and headphone output are independently controllable and located on the front panel.

•  Best For Streaming: UA Volt 1 USB Audio Interface 

In the past, Universal Audio's interfaces served as hosts and accelerators for the company's highly renowned plugin portfolio, targeting the high-end market. However, that all changed with the release of the Volt series, a set of four devices that forgo plugin hosting in favor of lower prices and more conventional functionality. Later in this tutorial, we'll look at the pricier 176 and 276, although Volt 1 and 2 provide almost identical functionality, excluding some additional compression in the manner of 1176.

•  Best High-powered Audio Interface: PreSonus Studio 24c 2x2, 192 kHz, USB Audio Interface  

For practitioners of a certain kind of music, like guitarists, there are audio interfaces designed specifically for them (check out our best guitar audio interfaces guide for more of that). There are also "jacks-of-all-trades" that attempt to do anything from "talk" to "play" an instrument. The Presonus Studio 24c stands out as a top choice among the latter group since it provides superior sound quality for any recording or production project.