Best Audio Interfaces with a $200 Budget

I am trying to find a Audio Interface/mixer, that I can use with my personal MAC for content creation/podcasting/live streaming etc... running a condenser mic, and premium bookshelf speakers... however for my day job I want it to work with my work laptop(windows 10) for my meetings and conference call and recordings for trainings... The problem is I don't have admin rights to run drivers so I need plug and play on windows for simple use.... please help.. willing to spend up to $500 plus.. I was really planning on getting the Rodecaster Duo for the flexible use cases, but I believe it requires windows drivers, would be great for my Mac but need whichever interface to also work simply with windows PC no drivers needed.

Question about these USB interfaces: right now I am using a Rode dynamic mic and a iRig portable USB interface. The combo is okay but I am looking to upgrade to a decent shotgun mic (the old and loved Sennheiser MKH 416) for online content creation. I once read it needs something in particular from an audio interface but I cannot remember what. Will your mentioned candidates do the job properly?

What do you think abt the minifuse?

Thank you

Motu M2 <3

❤

Hi please suggest me which one to buy.. volt 4 or Motu M4..

Yu should have included the Behringer Uphoria series, those are excellent interfaces for less price that the Focusrite and more features

Cheers.

I think I like the sound of the Focusrite best. Audient iD4 next. Not sure how to describe the difference and I might flip choices listening with better headphones. Both def better to me than the others just on sound.

What’s the reason for omitting the Zoom UAC-232? It offers the larger dynamic range, and the ability to recover any clipped music. Other than the Motu M2, the other interfaces cannot really compare to it.

I currently have the Motu M2, bought it the 1st month it was released. So underrated, very clean and flat preamps, zero coloration allowing me to tailor my voice how I prefer. About to upgrate to the M4 or M6 since i started adding outboard gear to my setup.

Which one is recommended for dual outputs? I am in need of connecting to monitors but also a mixer so I can listen in the big floor speakers.

I purchased an Audient Evo 8 interface about a year and a half ago back when it was $200 and I couldn’t be happier with my decision! The 4 inputs have come in handy for me so many times and having multiple headphone outputs makes it very easy to use while tracking another person. The only downside is that since it’s made of plastic I have to be extra careful with it while doing location recordings, and while it’s preamps are not as noisy as a Scarlett (3rd gen) they don’t have a much character with the signal in my opinion, which can be a good or bad thing.

Output sound no different from dust. Sticking with ol hoss, the AKAI EIE Pro - the red one, not that fancy silver thing. I don't give a hoot what anyone says.

I have a Focusrite 2i2 and a MOTU M2.
I much prefer the M2. It's not for the sound quality, but rather for the feeling I get when I use it.

If you just wanne record a guitar with 2 mics for stereo and 1 for natural reverb. And a vocal mic . You’re already at 4 inputs.
I kept having minor timing issues with low budget interfaces so I went back to a simple 4 track and external preamps. At least the timing issues are gone!

Hey Kyle. Good video. I actually am using the Behringer UMC22 for a 1-mic category. I like it a lot. It is (at least used to be, not sure of prices now) the cheapest. Do you know the Behringer UMC22. What do you think are its pros/cons compared to the ones you reviewed?

Should make one for headphone amps. No idea what what's good these days. The O2+ODAC apparently used to be great like a decade ago, but didn't get one at the time and now they don't really seem to be around (in Europe at least).

Great video! Thoughts on the SSL 2, though? That's the one I've been eyeing for mainly vocal recording.

How the hell did you get rid of all that hissing in those audio examples? I have an audio interface but every time I playback recordings I hear hissing from the microphone with the shore SM7B. What is audio Mike boost? Is it like a fethead?

where is UMC204HD :(

would love to see an 8channel version of this video!

Nice comparison 👍 Do the Volt definitely have loopback though? I've been trying to find out and any forum post etc said "no". Unless it's been added recently via an update?

So helpful kyle thanks very much.

I’m using a Behringer Uphoria UMC 204HD. Has Midas deigned preamps and sounds great with good control. It’s extremely quiet! Under $200 and I’m happy with it.
I’d never recommend buying an interface with less than 2 inputs. You don’t know what the future holds. Take it from a musician, voiceover artist, and former radio DJ…your plans and needs will grow and you will outgrow a single input much faster than you expect. Never buy less than 2 inputs. They’re affordable.

Great run through, thanks. Longtime user of Focusrite interfaces, all the way from the Solo to the big 18i20. Been happy with all of them.

The Motu M2’s mini screen puts it over the top for me. None of the other interfaces’ meters comes close.

Great video man! What interface would you suggest to record a drumset (like mine - an Mapex Armory, with 2 kicks and actually 10 mics but later probably more) with a Mac Studio M1 Max and Logic Pro? I asked my dealer for a Focusrite Scarlett and an OctoPre together. Or should I ask for something else? Keep up your amazing work man🤘🤘🤘

Also compressor in Volt x76 series could be some sort of autogain, preventing hi peaks. Which could be useful while switching from single coils to humbacker with hi output.
Btw additional outputs could be used for reamping, outboard gear or another preamps.

After my Digi Design 003 wasn’t compatible when I upgraded my computer’s software I bought the SSL 2+ for $229 plus tax. I have the Scarlett’s 8i8 2nd generation but I like the SSL 2+ sound texture better

Great video, Kyle. Thanks for sharing. I’m not too proud to say that I purchase used stuff. I recently purchased a Focusrite Clarett 8 pre Thunderbolt for $250 plus shipping. Although deals like this are far and few between, they are out there and I only buy from sources that guarantee their products. I like Music-go-round. Reasonable prices and tested products.

I am really happy with my Arturia MiniFuse 1 for single mic input. I'm surprised you didn't review this series. Great video nonetheless.

what about the DI/DAW blend knob? It seems that a lot of these audio interfaces are choosing at what price range you get this. Audient iD4 has it but then it is removed on the iD14 and iD24. For Motu you need to step up from the M2 to the M4 to get this blend knob. 2i2 also has one I think. How important is it for someone trying to record an instrument into their mix?

I actually happy with my UAD Apollo Solo