What’s the Finest USB Audio Interface for Podcasters? At-a-Look
- USB audio interfaces can help you run a number of XLR mics into your laptop.
- They’ll provide an elevated vary of flexibility and choices when in comparison with your typical USB mic setup.
- USB audio interfaces are typically small, gentle, and so much much less cluttered than a normal mixer.
- The perfect USB audio interface for you’ll rely by yourself distinctive finances, setup, and desires.
- Learn on to search out out extra.
- Or, jump to our best USB audio interface recommendations.
Podcast gear setups fluctuate from individual to individual. Some podcasters choose to maintain issues as easy and minimalistic as potential. Others are all the time wanting so as to add the newest shiny factor to their arsenal of audio gear.
The simplest strategy to get arrange and able to file good-sounding audio is to plug in a USB mic. The standard of USB mics has come on leaps and bounds these previous few years. That stated, a number of podcasters really feel the will to “graduate” to an XLR mic after some time, as they start to discover methods to take their audio high quality from good to nice.
If this sounds such as you, then you may also be out there for a USB audio interface. No matter XLR mic you decide up (see our best podcast microphone choices right here), you received’t be capable to run it immediately into your laptop.
In fact, you don’t even want a pc to run an XLR mic. You may plug it right into a digital recorder as an alternative. However should you record online with co-hosts or interviewees, or, choose to record directly into your DAW, then getting your self a top quality USB audio interface will make a number of sense.
What’s a USB Audio Interface?
A USB audio interface is somewhat field into which you’ll be able to plug an XLR mic. Relying on the mannequin, you may typically plug a number of XLR mics in.
A USB audio interface will connect with your laptop by – funnily sufficient – USB. This setup offers you far more management and adaptability than your typical USB mic setup.
You’d additionally plug your headphones into your USB audio interface. It turns into each your enter and your output. You merely want to pick out each these choices when setting your preferences in your DAW or call recording software.
USB audio interfaces are typically smaller and lighter than your common gaming console. They’re usually free from too many knobs and dials and look a lot easier than their mixer counterparts.
Not all audio interfaces are USB, nonetheless. It’s really fairly a broad time period, and audio interfaces are available all sizes and shapes. There’s the built-in sound card inside your laptop. There’s tiny little USB dongles. There’s the circuitry constructed right into a USB microphone. After which there are breakout units, starting from a easy USB interface with a microphone enter all the best way as much as the massive rackmount interfaces discovered in lots of studios.
Whereas the data on this information definitely applies throughout most audio interfaces, for the context of podcasters working of their house studio, we’ll primarily deal with small two- and four-channel breakout units that connect with your laptop by way of USB, Firewire and different comparable digital connection ports.
So now that a bit extra about what they’re and why you may want one, what are one of the best USB audio interface choices on the market proper now?
Our 2024 Podcaster Equipment Survey confirmed that the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (14%) and Zoom PodTrak P4 (12%) had been the medium’s hottest audio interfaces.
Finest USB Audio Interface for Podcasters: Mannequin, Value, & Audio High quality
‘Finest’ is all the time a really subjective time period. In fact, it’s going to rely by yourself distinctive wants, setup, and finances. You’ll discover a advice right here that appears best for you.
Only a fast heads up, too, that we typically use affiliate hyperlinks for merchandise we overview. This implies we could earn a fee should you purchase by way of them, by no means at any further price to your self. Associates assist help all of the free content material we put out on the positioning regularly. Don’t fear—this by no means clouds our judgment when supplying you with our trustworthy opinions!
With that stated, let’s dive into the suggestions. Listed below are my favorite USB audio interface choices so far.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 – The Finest Vendor Possibility
- Price – $200/£170
- XLR Inputs – 2
- Measurement – 19.51 x 5.31 x 3.35 cm
- Weight – 640g
- Achieve vary of as much as 69dB (4th Gen)
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
Sound samples recorded with Rode Procaster, Shure SM58, and Samson Q2U mics. No post-processing has been utilized.
I’ve owned a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 for a few years now, and it’s nonetheless an integral a part of my house recording setup. That is arguably the world’s best-selling USB audio interface and is utilized by thousands and thousands worldwide for recording audio and music.
Now in its fourth technology (earlier generations are nonetheless on sale for cheaper), it has many new options in comparison with my relic of a mannequin, together with auto achieve and clip safety and a preamp with as much as 69dB achieve vary.
Read our full review of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
Focusrite Vocaster – The Extremely-Easy Possibility
- Price – $80 (Vocaster One) & $250 (Vocaster Two)
- XLR Inputs – The One has one, the Two has two!
- Achieve vary of as much as 70dB
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
Not content material with the Scarlett 2i2’s dominance, Focusrite additionally created the Vocaster, a podcast-specific USB audio interface. That is obtainable for solo or co-host podcasters. Intuitively, the Vocaster One has one XLR enter, and the Vocaster Two has two. See what they did there?
I haven’t had the chance to check this equipment out simply but (it’s within the works), however critiques and suggestions from others sound very promising—as do the preamp specs.
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 – The Sturdy Possibility
- Price – $99/£72
- XLR Inputs – 2
- Measurement – 4.45 x 13.97 x 13.97 cm
- Weight – 912g
- Achieve vary of as much as 35dB
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
Sound samples recorded with Rode Procaster, Shure SM58, and Samson Q2U mics. No post-processing has been utilized.
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is a superb possibility should you’re somebody who information on-the-go so much. Housed in a heavy-duty metal chassis it could, in PreSonus’ personal phrases, “take a severe pounding and stay utterly dependable”. They proved this by driving over it in a truck. Case closed!
Read our full review of the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96
Rode AI-1 – The Minimalist Possibility
- Price – $125/£95
- XLR Inputs – 1
- Measurement – 17.78 x 7.62 x 12.7 cm
- Weight – 454g
- Achieve vary of as much as 45dB (up to date to 60dB with firmware)
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
Sound samples recorded with Rode Procaster, Shure SM58, and Samson Q2U mics. No post-processing has been utilized.
The Rode AI-1 could enchantment extra to people who file solo or on-line conversations. It’s a minimalistic little interface that retains issues so simple as potential.
Zoom PodTrak P4 – The Versatile Possibility
- Price – $149/£150
- XLR Inputs – 4
- Measurement – 112mm x 155mm x 47 mm
- Weight – 290g
- Achieve vary of as much as 70dB
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
The Zoom PodTrak P4 is a podcast-specific digital recorder which additionally doubles up as a USB audio interface. This implies you’ll be sorted to file as much as 4 native members and distant visitors whether or not you’re at your laptop or not. Clearly, although, with extra choices comes extra complexity, which could put freshmen off.
It’s value mentioning that, when used as a USB audio interface, you don’t have the identical multitrack choices as you do when recording on to the SD card. Nonetheless, there’s nothing to cease you doing each on the similar time!
Read our full review of the Zoom PodTrak P4
Shure MVX2U – The Cell Possibility
- Price – $130/£116
- XLR Inputs – 1
- Measurement – 15.8 x 14.0 x 4.4 cm
- Weight – 100g
- Achieve vary of as much as 60dB
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
Sound pattern recorded with Shure SM58. The interface applies achieve and tone results while recording.
The Shure MVX2U is a superb USB audio interface possibility for the on-the-go podcaster. It’s tiny and light-weight, preferrred for working your XLR mic as if it had been USB, and even setups like plugging an XLR into your telephone.
The MVX2U additionally has a number of good built-in options to assist enhance your audio. Discover out extra about its DSP expertise, auto achieve, and EQ settings in our detailed overview.
Read our full review of the Shure MVX2U audio interface
Lewitt Join 2 – The Consumer-Pleasant Possibility
- Price – $200
- XLR Inputs – 1
- Measurement – 20.3 x 15.4 x 6.10 cm
- Weight – 780g
- Achieve vary of as much as 72dB
- Frequency response of 20-20k Hz
The Lewitt Connect 2 reimagines the best way a USB audio interface ought to look. For those who’ve by no means used an interface earlier than, then you definately’ll seemingly discover this design extra intuitive. However should you already know your approach across the likes of the 2i2, the transition is perhaps barely extra jarring.
It’s a touch-based interface, so settings will be “locked in ” and might’t be unintentionally knocked or turned when the system is off. The Join 2’s companion software program comes by way of the Lewitt Management Centre, which has a clip guard preset and a handful of vocal enhancement choices.
Read our full review of the Lewitt Connect 2 audio interface
Half 2: The Final Information to Audio Interfaces
Searching for a deeper dive into audio interfaces past a number of top-level USB audio interface recs for podcasters? Then learn on. Partially two of our information, we’re going to elucidate a few of the terminologies round audio interfaces, in addition to reply some ceaselessly requested questions.
Can I Use the Audio Interface Inside My Laptop?
There’s little that might compel me to suggest utilizing the audio interface constructed into your laptop computer. They’re noisy, unbalanced and product of elements with various levels of high quality so as to maintain prices down. This is applicable to the interface on smartphones as effectively.
There are apparent advantages of recording away out of your laptop altogether. With out the assistance of a management room, fan noise and different laptop sounds can bleed into the recording.
Nonetheless, there are occasions when having a pc close by is critical, both for productiveness or workflow, or, since you’re utilizing a USB audio interface. For that, we want an interface that may go well with our wants. And that’s the place issues get tough.
Completely different sound units are made for various functions. For instance, I wouldn’t use a Presonus Audiobox to file sound results. The mic preamps are too noisy for detailed sound recording, and the system doesn’t deal with the sampling charges I would like. For voice, nonetheless, the Audiobox would seemingly go well with many individuals’s wants.
So, what are you searching for? Let’s have a look at the totally different options you’ll discover, and what they imply.
USB vs Firewire
I hear arguments concerning USB vs Firewire on a regular basis. I don’t intend to rehash them, as most are extremely subjective. The arguments are sometimes weighted by whether or not the person makes use of a Mac or PC, and so they fail to have a look at the underside line: each USB and Firewire are lots quick sufficient to deal with your audio sign.
Probably the most figuring out reality in whether or not to make use of USB or Firewire (or PCI, or Fireport, or Thunderbolt) is your computer. In case your laptop is just not slotted with Firewire interfaces, there isn’t a compelling argument for buying a separate firewire interface to make different {hardware} work.
Analog vs Digital
General, the common person goes to be thought of with analog inputs and outputs (I/O). Analog I/O refers to any sign the place audio info is transmitted within the type of electrical pulses. In different phrases, should you plug a microphone, guitar or monitor into an enter or output to transmit or obtain sound.
This turns into complicated as a result of the principle goal of an audio interface is to transform your audio to a digital sign. Or, to transform from digital again to analog within the case of outputs. A straightforward, if oversimplified, approach to consider it’s that should you can hear it together with your ears, even whether it is from a digital supply, what you’re listening to is an analog sign.
Digital Inputs and Outputs (I/O)
Digital I/O ports embody MIDI, SCSI, Timecode, optical, S/PDIF and different ports used to hold machine-readable digital info from one system to a different with out changing them to an analog sound supply first.
I cowl digital inputs within the context of recording voice solely as a result of it’s generally a characteristic on audio units. For those who use outboard mic preamps, digital mixers or different digital units in your chain, it’s vital to make sure your units have suitable digital inputs. In any other case, you may seemingly overlook this characteristic.
Analog I/O
Analog Inputs and Outputs are one of the crucial vital gadgets to concentrate to. Typical exterior sound playing cards help each XLR and balanced TRS (¼”) cables, usually in the identical port (known as a combo connector). Make sure you use a balanced connection to keep away from undesirable electrical interference. And ensure the audio connections in your interface match the connections in your microphones, displays and different gear.
One other Analog I/O issue is the variety of ports. Audio Interfaces usually have two inputs and two outputs (2×2). Some have 4 inputs and two outputs (4×2).
It’s vital to know what number of units you plan to connect with your audio interface so as to decide variety of enter and output ports. A number of monitor combinations (5.1, quad, 7.1, and so on) require an output for every monitor. Recording multiple actors requires sufficient inputs for every microphone you plan to plug into the system. For many podcasters and voice actors, a 2×2 or perhaps a 1×2 recording system (like most USB microphones) are adequate.
MIDI Ports
MIDI is used primarily for speaking between sequencing software program and digital devices and gear. MIDI may also be used to manage exterior peripherals like rackmount reverb modules. Until you’re a musician, a sound designer or a lighting designer, you seemingly don’t want MIDI ports.
Phrase Clock
Phrase clocks are used to synchronize digital playback and recording units. Sometimes the interior clock out of your laptop {hardware} or software program is adequate. Once more, until you might be closely into artistic audio manufacturing and design, a phrase clock is probably going not a figuring out think about an audio interface.
Driver Help
There are a selection of various audio driver sorts. The important thing right here is to make sure your audio interface meets your {hardware} and software program wants. PCs usually run ASIO, WDM and MME. ASIO is low-latency. Core Audio is OSX’s low-latency driver. Making certain your audio system is ASIO or Core Audio suitable will permit the widest compatibility. Verify critiques for inherent points between PC and Mac compatibility earlier than you buy.
Software program Compatibility
I’ll be trustworthy right here. That is primarily a Professional Instruments consideration. It’s additionally one of many causes I’ve gone by way of so many audio units. For those who’re working in Professional Instruments, this is usually a irritating trial and error. One thing so simple as the crystal used within the sync clock of your audio system could make Professional Instruments choke. That is much less a difficulty since model 11, and there are a selection of workarounds utilizing a go-between software program audio interface like ASIO4ALL (PC) or Soundflower (MAC).
Most podcasters don’t want something as sophisticated as Professional Instruments for his or her audio manufacturing. Audition and Audacity are two well-liked selections, while Alitu is the easiest way to record, edit, and produce a podcast.
Sampling Charge
Sampling Rates for most applications run from 44.1 to 192 kHz. Decrease sampling charges can be found, nonetheless they’re usually used for telephony, toys and different conditions that don’t require high-fidelity recording. Typically, most studios file voice at 48 kHz. This permits some respiratory room within the audio, and provides audio editors and designers somewhat room to stretch and pitch voices with out shedding audio constancy.
For many voice and interview podcasts, 44.1 kHz is sufficient to seize wonderful vocal audio. For voice actors, I like to recommend sticking to the 48 kHz studio requirements. For those who do voice for creature results, larger sampling charges could also be desired.
Bit Depth
Bit depth is vital in figuring out your dynamic vary for recording. Dynamic vary is the distinction between the softest sign your system can register above the noise ground and the loudest sign your system can reproduce with out distortion. 16-bit is appropriate for many podcast voice functions. For voice actors and studio professionals, 24-bit is customary. 32-bit is beginning to grow to be extra widespread, however once more these are usually utilized by people like me who have to file loud engines, shotguns and jets with out distorting.
Battery Energy
That is for these of us who use our audio units within the area. Handheld units, just like the Zoom H5, usually have a setting to function as an audio system on most computer systems. This makes them extra adaptable for recording interviews in that cafe, fairly than being tied to the studio.
Technical Specs
In A Beginner’s Guide to Microphones for Voice, I lined numerous totally different technical concerns when evaluating microphones. The excellent news is, most of that info applies right here as effectively. Let’s overview!
Frequency Response
Frequency response refers back to the vary of frequencies your microphone can precisely reproduce at an equal stage. Audio interfaces ought to file something from 20hZ to 20kHz, the vary of human listening to, and I might be extremely doubtful of any interface that doesn’t file at a minimal of that vary.
Impedance
Impedance is a measure of your gear’s resistance. Low-impedance, or low-Z, inputs permit lengthy mic cable runs with out introducing noise or decreasing frequencies.
Equal Noise Stage
Also called self-noise, the equal noise stage is {the electrical} noise or hiss a microphone produces. Typically, a self-noise specification of 28dB and decrease is suitable for high quality recording.
Sign to Noise Ratio (S/N)
That is the distinction (in dB) between the audio interface’s sensitivity and the equal noise stage. 64dB and better is nice. Here’s more on signal to noise ratio.
Audio Interfaces for Podcasters: FAQ
Alright, persevering with our masterclass, time for some extra ceaselessly requested questions round audio interfaces.
What’s a Preamp?
Typically audio interfaces are known as “preamps”, however this isn’t totally correct.
A preamp is any sort of gadget that enhances the sign out of your microphone, making it stronger and clearer. It’s like turning up the amount in your mic, however extra exact and managed. Audio interfaces have preamps built-in, and these preamps are particularly designed to work with the interface, so that you get the very best sound high quality.
So, audio interfaces have preamps, however they aren’t “preamps” in themselves.
The place Are My Recordings Saved When Utilizing an Audio Interface?
A USB audio interface received’t retailer and save audio itself – that may occur in no matter DAW or recording software you’re utilizing.
Inside any software program you’re utilizing, you simply want to recollect to set the interface because the “enter”. So, for instance, I is perhaps recording with a Samson Q2U mic into my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB audio interface and Adobe Audition. Audition – the software program – will ask for my enter, and I’ll choose “Focusrite Scarlett 2i2”. Some podcasters get confused right here as a result of they attempt to discover and choose their mic as an alternative. However because the mic runs into your interface, your DAW will deal with the mic and interface as one system.
Digital recorders are a sort of audio interface that may retailer audio immediately by way of a reminiscence card, with out the necessity for a pc. You may also arrange most digital recorders to work as USB audio interfaces, however at that time, they’ll retailer audio on the pc (by way of your software) as an alternative.
Can an Audio Interface Enhance My Podcast Sound High quality?
Sure and no. In a really perfect world, higher gear means higher sound high quality in your finish product. However there’s much more to it than that.
You should buy one of the best gear on the planet, however should you’re recording in a suboptimal setting with a great deal of reverb and your mic method is horrible, then your podcast will sound dangerous.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be troublesome or costly to create a podcast studio. And, your mic technique can be optimised with a number of easy suggestions. After you have these important fundamentals nailed down, then there is usually a noticeable soar in high quality should you’re transitioning from an affordable USB mic to an audio interface setup.
What’s Phantom Energy?
Phantom power is a strategy to ship energy to a condenser microphone. It often seems as somewhat LED gentle on an audio interface or microphone.
Once you activate phantom energy in your audio interface or mixer, somewhat bit of additional voltage will get despatched by way of the microphone cable, which powers the condenser component within the microphone. With out phantom energy, the microphone may sound actually quiet or not work in any respect.
Be sure you examine in case your microphone wants it earlier than you flip it on – some microphones, like dynamic mics, don’t want phantom energy and will even be broken by it. And if you do use phantom energy, flip it off earlier than unplugging the microphone, otherwise you may hear a loud pop that might injury your gear.
Monitoring by way of the Headphone Jack
Each USB audio interface available on the market could have at the least one headphone jack. It’s finest apply to plug your headphones in right here and monitor your recordings. This lets you hear the audio in real-time because it’s being recorded.
Monitoring by way of headphones ensures that you may hear the very same audio that’s being captured by the microphone or different enter system. That is vital as a result of it lets you catch any points with the recording immediately, akin to undesirable background noise, clipping, or distortion.
By monitoring your recordings by way of headphones, it’s also possible to make sure the audio levels are set correctly. If the degrees are too low, you could find yourself with a recording that’s too quiet and troublesome to listen to. However, if the degrees are too excessive, the recording could also be distorted and unusable.
What Are the Finest USB Audio Interfaces for Podcasters? Abstract
As I’ve stated already, the most suitable choice for you’ll rely in your distinctive wants, setup, and finances. By wanting over the enter choices, specs, and prices, and listening to the sound samples, you’ve possibly even made up your thoughts by now.
I’m closely biased in the direction of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 as a result of I’ve owned one for therefore lengthy, and my mannequin can’t even do half of what the newest (4th Gen) iteration affords. That stated, if I had been simply beginning out, I’d most likely go for the Vocaster as an alternative as a result of it’s so podcast-specific. One other podcast-specific equipment right here is the Zoom PodTrak P4 – a greater possibility for anybody doing most of their recordings on the go.
Want Extra Assist?
For those who’re nonetheless weighing up what gear to purchase, keep in mind to additionally try our Best Podcast Microphones and Podcast Equipment roundups. You’ll discover all our prime selections proper there.
We even have programs on all the things from gear selection and setup, to viewers development and monetisation inside Podcraft Academy. We run weekly reside Q&A classes in there too, so you will get common suggestions, recommendation, and help that’s uniquely tailor-made to you.
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