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Topic: Best budget audio interface for recording? (Read 3964 times) previous topic - next topic
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Best budget audio interface for recording?

Hello everyone, I've been looking over some budget interfaces for a simple DAW and I'm interested in your opinion. I've yet to decide between a Steinberg CI1, PreSonus AudioBox, Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but the thing is I don't need any mic or MIDI inputs as I record with a usb keyboard and a Behringer C1-U (usb) mic. Most of the music recorded is just samples, but nevertheless I plan to buy an audio interface with at least one mic input for possible guitar recording. I have ATH-M50x headphones for monitoring (I'm looking to invest in some monitoring speakers later on as well).Here's my question: would I hear a difference in quality of sound between those audio interfaces at all? Also, since I record with a usb mic straight into the computer, can that kind of quality of recording match the quality of a mic going through the audio interface (through a regular XLR input)? In other words, can the built in audio interface inside the usb mic produce a decent quality, suitable for music standards these days? Or would the best choice be to buy a XLR mic and a decent audio interface altogether? If so, which audio interface (and possible mic) should I get? I'm looking to spend up to $200 on the audio interface alone. Once again, I'm very new to the topic, so please feel free to include some sources where I could read up on the subject (if you can). Thanks in advance! 

Best budget audio interface for recording?

Reply #1 –
The difficulty with many USB microphones is the extra difficulty of monitoring the microphone input along with the other inputs. Also, it will have a different clock than the other inputs which will make for difficulty in keeping everything in synch. A single clock, as in a single interface handling all inputs, or a professional setup where the different pieces of gear are all tied into a single, usually stand-alone clock, is the only way to avoid that later problem.

Best budget audio interface for recording?

Reply #2 –
I Agree.  Recording from more than one "device" at a time can be tricky (if you can do it at all and if your DAW supports it).    So if you want to use more than one mic, I'd suggest putting the USB mic aside, get an interface with two (or more) inputs and two (or more) regular analog mics.    Of if you are recording electric guitar, you can get an interface with an instrument input and a mic input. 

You may be able to record audio while capturing the USB-MIDI keyboard at the same time, and if you are getting-away with that, fine.  But the MIDI does put additional demands on your CPU, especially if you are running real-time virtual instruments.

Best budget audio interface for recording?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: cobraviper on
Hello everyone, I've been looking over some budget interfaces for a simple DAW and I'm interested in your opinion. I've yet to decide between a Steinberg CI1, PreSonus AudioBox, Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but the thing is I don't need any mic or MIDI inputs as I record with a usb keyboard and a Behringer C1-U (usb) mic. Most of the music recorded is just samples, but nevertheless I plan to buy an audio interface with at least one mic input for possible guitar recording. I have ATH-M50x headphones for monitoring (I'm looking to invest in some monitoring speakers later on as well).Here's my question: would I hear a difference in quality of sound between those audio interfaces at all? Also, since I record with a usb mic straight into the computer, can that kind of quality of recording match the quality of a mic going through the audio interface (through a regular XLR input)? In other words, can the built in audio interface inside the usb mic produce a decent quality, suitable for music standards these days? Or would the best choice be to buy a XLR mic and a decent audio interface altogether? If so, which audio interface (and possible mic) should I get? I'm looking to spend up to $200 on the audio interface alone. Once again, I'm very new to the topic, so please feel free to include some sources where I could read up on the subject (if you can). Thanks in advance! 


I own a Focusrite Scarlett and a Presonus Audiobox among others. Based on ease of use and technical performance, of the two I'd pick the Scarlett.  Mine was acquired from eBay for about $100.

The problem that I have with USB recording mics is that the selection is limited and very much focused on the low end.  You may be well served by mics like that now, but what about the future?