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Today’s topic will go over the necessary studio level of quality. The items listed below are the best available on the market right now. Let’s begin our search for the best audio interfaces under $200. Shout out to anyone who is putting off getting an audio interface because of the cost. Now is the moment to acquire one at the best possible price. They provide excellent features as well as professional-grade sound production.
Audio interfaces are pieces of technological hardware that allow you to connect your microphones and instruments to your computer at the same time. With so many options available, selecting the best audio interface for home recording might be difficult. But don’t worry, you don’t have to spend a fortune to have good recording quality any longer.
Even the most basic interfaces now support sampling rates of up to 192 kHz. Audio interface roundups are plenty, but we’ve taken a unique approach here. Instead of ranking audio interfaces from best to worst, the items in the list were chosen based on their major strength. We’ll look at the audio interface with the greatest input and output possibilities.
Best Audio Interfaces Under $200
Audient iD4 MKII USB-C Audio Interface
While the Audient iD4 Mk2’s single combination input and output are relatively limited, the preamps more than compensate. The preamps on the iD4 Mk2 have a dynamic range of 120 dB and a gain range of 58 dB on the mic input. They provide a great level of objectivity, openness, and silence.
Part of the reason the preamps work so well is that they are the exact same preamplifiers found on Audient’s ASP8024-HE, which are high-end devices priced between $40 and $100K. The iD4 includes an Audient Console Mic Preamp based on the same discrete circuit design as our acclaimed recording console, the ASP8024-HE. Designed to provide ultra-low noise and distortion with a hint of vintage analogue warmth for the professional sound you deserve.
Focusrite Scarlett Solo
The Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen audio interface is one of the most dependable on the market. Its excellent recording quality, preamps, and affordable price place it at the top of its class. The unit contains two TRS inputs, one XLR and one TRS, as well as two TRS outputs. The Solo, like the Scarlett 2i2, has 48 V phantom power and Air mode, providing you complete control over your recordings.
Scarlett’s most compact interface – hundreds of guitarists use Solo every day to capture studio-quality sound. Capture your music anywhere by simply plugging in your guitar or miking it up. The high impedance, high-headroom instrument input lets you record guitar, bass without clipping or undesired distortion, and gain Halo metering makes setting the input level simple.
Solid State Logic 2 Audio Interface
The SSL 2 is the less expensive of Solid State Logic’s two tiny audio interfaces. As a switchable ‘Legacy 4k‘ improvement, both offer the forward and more forceful sound from the company’s 4000 E console. The 2 misses the second headphone output and additional phono-outs found on the 2+, so it’s not much better if want that famed sound for your instrument recordings.
Aside from that, there’s a 2-in/2-out setup, MIDI in/out, and a +48v option for connecting dynamic and condenser mics. If you want a slight 4k improvement, the SSL 2 gives crystal clear recording. Its monitor output is on par with, if not better than, interfaces costing twice as much. It also has one of the best software packages.
Steinberg UR22C Audio Interface
Steinberg improved their UR audio interface line by providing USB 3.0 devices for computer, Mac, and iOS. The UR22C, which is under test here, is the most cheapest. It has USB Type-C connectivity (or, to be more precise, USB 3.1 Gen 1 SuperSpeed) and a 32-bit/192kHz audio resolution. There’s also MIDI I/O and DSP for zero-latency effects that can be used during monitoring.
These are accessible using the dspMixFx mixer. The UR22C is, unsurprisingly, a 2-in/2-out audio interface. There are two balanced Neutrik combo inputs, each with a Yamaha D-PRE mic preamp, and two balanced line outputs. The UR22C is a reliable audio interface with a sturdy metal shell that can be put in a backpack without anxiety.
Audient EVO 4 Audio Interface
This straightforward interface with an easy layout and auto gain is great for novices seeking for a plug-and-play choice. The Audient Evo 4 has two XLR and quarter-inch jack combi inputs and two quarter-inch outputs for your monitors. It’s also small enough to fit in a backpack and bus-powered, which means it runs on power supplied by your computer via USB.
Audient has created an audio interface that is straightforward but not simplistic, as noted in our evaluation of the EVO 4. Furthermore, including a loopback bus makes it an excellent tool for creating games and tutorial videos for internet distribution, and iOS compatibility adds adaptability.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface
If you’ve read some of our other audio interface listings, such as the best ones under $200, you’ve probably heard about the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. These adaptable red boxes, now in their third generation, are equally as popular with experts and beginners alike, thanks to their excellent sound quality and small size. The 2i2 has two dual-function inputs that can accept microphone or instrument-level signals.
It also includes a secondary preamp voicing known as AIR mode, which is brighter in tone and more similar to the tone of the brand’s far more expensive ISA preamps. This Scarlett generation sees significant advancements in all areas. Excellent quality, reasonable costs, and a wide range of solutions for every studio assignment.
Behringer UMC404HD Audio Interface
Are you looking for a high-quality audio interface with a large number of inputs and outputs? This interface provides the highest sound recording quality while yet allowing you to bring in the additional instruments required for a successful performance. This BEHRINGER is a small, portable interface that you can simply move about your home studio or take with you on the road. It will also not weigh you down or ruin your back.
You can’t argue with the number of outputs and inputs. The interface features four inputs and four outputs, allowing you to connect up to four microphones or other instruments at the same time. Another appealing aspect of this interface is the MIDAS-designed preamps, which provide high-quality audio mixing and stable performance with +48V phantom power.
Mackie Onyx Producer 2-2 Audio Interface
Mackie is a relatively unknown brand in the world of audio interfaces, yet its devices are of exceptional quality. This interface meets Mackie requirements since it is well-built, has exceptional features, and performs admirably. Aside from its low price, one of the most appealing aspects of this interface is its sleek and durable design.
It has an aluminium case that is smooth and pleasant to the touch with no sharp edges while remaining quite strong. In terms of functions, the interface includes everything you’d need for high-quality music recording. To begin, it has boutique-quality Onyx Mic preamps and 48v phantom power that works well with condenser mics.
Final Words
To make things easier for you, we’ve selected some good options to help you find the best Audio Interfaces Under $200. People who work in music production nowadays frequently set up a recording studio in their house. These goals may become a reality as technology progresses and equipment costs decrease. There are numerous brands on the market, each with its own set of features and prices.