In this holiday shopping guide series, we’ll be sharing our favorite gear recommendations, so you can spend more time shopping and less time researching. Here are our picks for the best audio interfaces for the 2017 holiday season!
In this holiday shopping guide series, we’ll be sharing our favorite gear recommendations, so you can spend more time shopping and less time researching. Here are our picks for the best audio interfaces for the 2017 holiday season!
Zoom UAC-2
The Zoom UAC-2 is the best value in the two output audio interface market. For $249, you get incredible sounding preamps and conversion, top quality audio drivers, USB bus power support, and MIDI I/O all wrapped up in a beautiful and rugged metal chassis.
Key Features
- 2-input, 2-output USB 3.0 audio interface
- High quality drivers for super low latency performance
- MIDI I/O support
- MixEfx software mixer for zero latency effects processing
- 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
- Dual XLR/TRS combo input jacks for mic and line sources
- LED meters for monitoring input/output levels
- USB bus-powered for convenience
iConnectivity iConnectAUDIO4+
The iConnectAUDIO4+ is a great sounding and highly flexible audio interface with built-in MIDI I/O support. The interface’s iConfig software enables advanced audio and MIDI routing capabilities that isn’t available on any other audio interface in this price range.
Key Features
- Multi-host device ports let you use 2 computer devices (Mac/PC/iOS) at the same time
- Audio passThru routes audio digitally between computer devices
- Host port for connecting up to 8 MIDI peripherals (with class-compliant devices connected to a powered hub)
- 4 XLR-1/4″ TRS combo analog inputs, each with individual 48-volt phantom power
- 4 x 1/4″ TRS balanced analog outputs for connecting monitors and outboard gear
- 1 x 1/4″ headphone output with independent mix
- 29 routable MIDI ports: Mac, PC, iOS, 5-pin MIDI DIN, and class-compliant USB MIDI devices
- High-resolution audio delivers up to 24-bit/96kHz AD/DA conversion
- USB audio and MIDI class-compliant — eliminates need for drivers
- iConfig software (Mac, Windows, iOS) makes it simple to set up filtering/routing/merging
- Charges an iOS device
- Includes Lightning-to-iConnectivity USB-B in-line cable and USB-A to USB-B cable
- Power supply included
Zoom UAC-8
The Zoom UAC-8 is essentially a UAC-2 with more I/O. The two models share the same all-metal design and high quality conversion, and the UAC-8 is rack-mountable in a 1U rack space.
Key Features
- 18-input, 20-output USB 3.0 audio interface
- High quality drivers for super low latency performance
- MIDI I/O support
- MixEfx software mixer for zero latency effects processing
- 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
- Eight XLR/TRS combo input jacks for mic and line sources
- LED meters for monitoring input/output levels
Click here to view our other shopping guides for 2017!