Top 10 USB Audio Interface Under $300

Top 10 USB Audio Interface Under $300

(2022 version)

Audio interface is the one thing you need to start making music, recording podcasts, or other audio related production at home. It’s one of the most important gear to record your vocal, guitar, keyboard, or any other instruments to your DAW on your desktop PC, laptop, or even mobile devices. Today’s audio interface market is crowded with many brands and types which provide numerous features for every price range. Every brand should give you convenience to start your musical journey with an included software bundle. Ranges from free DAW, amp simulator, effect processor plugins, virtual instruments, even a sufficient amount of sound samples and loops.

There are also a number of devices or instruments that also function as an audio interface, such as some guitar effects and synthesizers. This list will be limited to USB audio interfaces that provide two mic inputs.

Mackie Onyx Producer 2×2 ($179.99)

This interface came with sturdy build quality. Mackie Onyx Producer 2×2 features Mackie’s well known Onyx preamp which provides a massive 60 db of gain, sufficient to feed gain hungry microphones such as Shure SM7B or Sennheiser MD441

Pro:

Built like a tank. Great for outdoor use.
MIDI input and output.
Includes Tracktion Waveform OEM and DAW Essentials, a collection of 16 plugins

Cons:

Bundled software doesn’t include virtual instruments or loops
Very late in driver update

Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen ($169.99)

The third generation of Focusrite’s Scarlett line is a great update over its previous generation. Other than upgraded specs, It also features the “Air” button, which activates an emulation of Focusrite’s famous ISA mic preamps.

Scarlett 2i2 comes with a nice software bundle: Ableton Live Lite and plenty of choices from their Sound Collective, a community hub that gives you access to most innovative software brands. Sound Collective provides you with regular free software and generous discounts on great plugins.

Pro

Better preamps and overall specs compared to previous generations
“Air” button for the preamps
Loopback feature

Cons

No Midi I/O
Ableton Live Lite is limited to 8 audio tracks

Arturia MiniFuse 2 ($149)

Released in late 2021, Arturia’s attempt to enter the market for budget audio interface is the newest in the list. It comes with black and white color variant and you will get access to some VST and VSTi plugins from Arturia such as Analog lab Intro and Arturia FX. A great way to start your music recording in DAW.

Pro:

Friendly price for beginner

Compact and well built.
Comes with a great software bundle.
Direct Mono switch
MIDI I/O.

Cons:

USB hub only suitable for 250mA or less usage devices
We wish it features Arturia’s top of the line Audiofuse’s massive 60+ db preamp gain

Universal Audio Volt 2 ($189)

When you hear the name “Universal Audio”, it should ring some words in your head: top quality and relatively high priced audio plugins and hardware. This perception should change after UA released their new affordable audio interface line, Volt. Record your voice and instruments with rich and full sound of the iconic UA’s classic preamp by turning on the Vintage mode. Unfortunately, the Volt range is not DSP powered like their Apollo line. So, don’t expect to run the highly regarded UAD plugins with this interface. But it’s still an affordable choice to taste the UA’s recording quality. For about $100 more, there’s the upper line Volt 276 which is equipped with a 1176 inspired compressor on the input channels.

Pro:

Power button
Preamp with Vintage mode.
Native iOS support
Midi I/O
The best bundled software in this list. With plugins from top developers such as: Softube, Relab, Celemony, Plugin Alliance, Relab, and more!

Cons:

No UA’s renowned DSP processor.
No loopback feature.
Ableton Live Lite is limited to 8 audio tracks
For mobile devices, it requires external power supply and an Apple Lightning to USB Adapter for iOS devices
Direct monitoring is button only

Audient iD14 MKII ($299)

A great update over their MKI series. Powered with a pair of preamps that comes from their premium console with an individual phantom power switch. Audient removed the need to use an external power supply and decided to add another pair of outputs and headphone out.

Instrument input on iD14 MKII is a transistor-driven JFET, so it is easier for you to capture rich harmonic tone from your recorded guitar, bass, or keyboard. It comes with a free ARC software suite, a software bundle to help start your journey as a musician. Steinberg CUbase Cubasis LE 3 DAW, Two notes Wall of sound cab simulation, VSTi from Waldorf and Gforce, three introductory courses from Produce like a Pro.

Pros:

Four outputs
Great bundled software
Rich and dynamic JFET instrument input.
Dual headphone outputs
High dynamic range! 120 db AD and 126 db DA
Doesn’t need external power supply for phantom power like their previous MKI line
Individual phantom power switch for each mic inputs
ADAT optical input to expand your input channels
Loopback feature

Cons:

No MIDI I/O
ADAT is input only
Priciest in this list

Motu M2 ($199.95)

Motu gave us a pleasant surprise by releasing the M2 and it’s big brother M4. They are known for their high quality multi channel audio and MIDI interfaces. They use ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC which delivers 120dB of dynamic range, helps you record your instrument at low latency even at a 32 sample buffer, 2.5ms at 24-bit/96kHz. It also comes with a gorgeous front panel LCD. The M2 comes with software bundles as well, such as MOTU Performer Lite, Ableton Live 10 Lite, 6GB Bundle of free loops and samples.

Pro:

Loopback feature.
Power button
Midi I/O.
120 db of AD and DA dynamic range
Well built quality. Good for mobile or outdoor use.
Superb driver performance
Individual phantom power and monitor button for each channel

Cons:

Ableton Live Lite is limited to 8 audio tracks
Direct monitoring is button only
RCA outputs feel kinda useless

Solid State Logic SSL 2 ($269.99)

When SSL released their audio interface, everybody was trying to pinch themselves. Now, everyone could bring the SSL sound to your bedroom studios. The 4K button on SSL 2 gives you a more aggressive sound based on their 4000 E console. This audio interface comes with software bundle from SSL Native, Ableton Live Lite, Native Instruments’s virtual instrument, and 1,5 GB free loops and samples

Pro:

62db of preamp gain
The 4k button adds rich harmonics and subtle presence
Comes with SSL plugins
Individual 48V phantom power for each channel;

Cons:

No MIDI I/O
Ableton Live Lite is limited to 8 audio tracks
Headphone output is on the rear panel

Presonus Studio 24C

Continuing from their VSL line, Presonus’ latest interfaces are still equipped with their fat XMAX preamps. Now comes with the Studio Magic plug-in suite software bundle which offers plenty of popular VST plugins such as Brainworx compressor, Lexicon’s reverb, and SPL. Start your music project as the Studio 24C comes with their easy but powerful DAW, Presonus Studio One Artist.

Pro:

MIDI I/O.
Packaged with the Studio Magic Plug-in Suite
Include Presonus Studio One Artist. Probably the most powerful bundled DAW in this list.

Cons:

For some users mono direct monitoring is a drawback
Headphones output is on the back

Price: $169.95

Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 MK2 ($249)

Komplete Audio 6 MKII is the latest version from the original Komplete Audio 6 that was released in 2011, a 6-in/6-out USB Audio Interface that comes in black color with sleek table top design. It has four analog ins and outs with addition of two channels of digital S/PDIF I/O and MIDI I/O. This is the most feature rich interface on this list.

Komplete Audio 6 MKII comes with a generous amount of software suite. Do not forget that you will get two months of free access to millions of samples and loops, and a $25.00 voucher to spend in Native Instruments online store.

Pros:

Four analog inputs
Four analog outputs
Digital SPDIF input and output
Dual headphone outputs with individual volume control
DC-coupled outputs for your modular synthesizer setup.
Bundled with Native Instruments’ acclaimed plugins, instruments, and vouchers.
MIDI I/O.

Cons:

With features this rich, Ableton Live Lite feels not enough.

Steinberg UR22C ($194.99)

This is the updated version of their previous UR22 version, with faster connectivity and 32-bit/192 kHz bit rate. Built in a rugged, compact metal chasing that brings you amazing sound quality while recording with Windows or an iOS device. It’s powered by the USB-C or 5V DC power adapter, which unfortunately isn’t included.

UR22C comes with built-in DSP effects providing very useful sound shaping and FX tools in VST 3, AU and AAX versions developed by Yamaha and the inclusion of HiDPi support. As you might expect, UR22C is bundled with Cubasis LE, Cubase AI and a selection of VST instruments, VST sound loop sets for free.

Pros: