Choosing an interface that ticks all the boxes is no small task. While more choice is good, its ever-growing breadth can make the things that actually matter get lost in all the hype. Here we consider the things that actually do count.

In Summary

For those choosing their next interface, audio quality can be considered as a virtually standard feature, it’s pretty hard to get a modern audio interface that sounds bad. Don’t get too hung up about the sound of the convertors or the preamps on audio interfaces in the same price range. The difference is going to be almost inperceivable. Taking this into account, here’s how to choose your next interface based on the things that you will notice.

Going Deeper

Here’s a quick list of things to consider, then we’ll dive deeper.

1 - Turn Up The Feature Filter The functionality of a new interface is key. Forget the frills and put the money into what you really need your new box to do. Do you need that re-amp output or metering on every channel?

2 - Get The Right Fit Form factor can make the difference between a trusted workhorse or just a pain in the rack. Is a rackmount unit going to sit where you need it to? Will a desk-dweller eat into your elbow room with a big footprint full of inputs that you’ll never use?

3 - Big Basket Or Wide Net? ‘Ecosystem’ solutions can offer a powerful, integrated experience, including things such as their own DSP audio plugins that run on the hardware. That said, do you really need to track with processing? Can you use that budget to work elsewhere for a wider palette?

4 - The Need For DSP On a related note, as an example units such as Avid’s Carbon work very well in concert with Pro Tools thanks to their DSP acceleration. Very low tracking latency is great, but will the DAW Nomad get more by working smarter?

5 - Pick One For The Grandchildren In an age where manufacturers and consumers are looking at their environmental impact as well as their balance books, modular solutions that are upgradable and/or expandable make a lot of sense.

Using audio equipment with great specs will be a common aspiration for most reading this. It’s true to say that up until fairly recently, the engineer choosing their next interface would be wise to keep one eye on esoterica such as audio specs and driver availability. Of course these boxes are still simply the hardware medium between software and the outside world, but some other things have changed. As the technology and economics of interface manufacture advance, audio performance and reliability now come as standard.

For all but those at the very bottom of the market from unknown brands at knockdown prices, we increasingly feel that the buyer should not compromise on functionality or workflow in pursuit of improved audio performance that is, for the most part, now available in the majority of options out there regardless of name or indeed price. Great sound will always matter, and the good news is that the vast majority of audio interfaces across the board land with audio specs that will seldom be the weakest link in the engineer’s arsenal.

Here we list the questions to ask that in our opinion really do make a difference, distilled from hundreds of hours evaluating and using and many different units.

1 - Turn Up The Feature Filter

Undoubtedly, the number one priority for any new audio interface is for it to fulfil all practical requirements. While this may sound obvious, the number of analogue inputs, outputs and working level (ie, mic, line, or Hi Z) is near or at the top of things to check here. Do these need to be easily accessible on the front, or is everything connecting round the back? Two inputs on the front can be great unless all are being patched into from another room. XLR/TRS combi connectors increase versatility but they add cost. Does phantom on one channel’s XLR mean phantom on another’s TRS? TRS or DB25 across the board can make more sense for a permanent install. With many boxes offering head-turning features, these mean nothing unless the engineer can pipe what they need in and out of their computer. Following on from this, computer connectivity is another obvious consideration, as is digital audio and MIDI connectivity.

2 - Get The Right Fit

Getting the form factor right will make the difference between getting a dream catcher versus being lumbered with a dust catcher… The day-to-day fit of an interface means that it usually needs to take up as little space as possible in the desktop studio, or has a big enough parking space in the rack that’s within reach (and a couple of free units’ worth of ventilation available). If it is a rack unit, is there a power switch and is it on the front panel if needed? Certainly being forced out of your studio by an overblown space-eater is to be avoided.

3 - Big Basket Or Wide Net?

The benefits of the DSP interface ‘ecosystem’ are well known to existing users, with many conceding that their attractive audio plugin collections can also lead to the accumulation of more (albeit excellent) tools than are sometimes needed. The often-quoted benefit of tracking through hardware DSP plugins will be essential to some, however for those without this need things are different. These users may benefit from saving their DSP dividend for a choice of tools from different developers that only amount to the number needed.

4 - The Need For DSP

Many reading this will understand the importance of managing tracking latency. While DSP accelerated flavours of Pro Tools have slain the beast of latency for facilities world-wide, those working with this DAW have yet further options. More recently the Carbon interface has meant that native Pro Tools users can also avoid that conversation with artists about delayed cue mixes. Newer engineers could be forgiven for thinking that speed costs, however choosing other interface functionality over DSP-inflated muscle is not impossible when other workflows are used. Regardless of recording destination, obtaining zero latency cue mixes is nothing knew, and for those who need to direct their budget elsewhere, the non-accelerated interface can still deliver. Getting this one right will avoid buying something that is either under-powered and overused, or underused and overpowered.

5 - Pick One For The Grandchildren

Remember when Thunderbolt 1 was the only connector you’d ever need? Or FireWire? With computing being notorious for obsolescence, historically its audio peripherals are no better. If you’re buying to hook up to an older machine, is your new investment going to end up on Ebay (or even at the dump) when that computer gives up? Is there another way to hook up to a newer machine when the time comes? With some solutions offering modular data and audio cards that can keep up with the march of time, your new interface’s destiny isn’t necessarily being the studio doorstop.

The Age Of Fidelity

Spoiler alert: Most of the time, we get what we pay for. While this universal truth isn’t changing anytime soon, the price-versus-performance curve is shifting constantly. If we’re living through a golden era of good, affordable gear, some reading this may remember the preceding eras of Great Gear For The Few, and Average Gear For The Many. We now find ourselves in the enviable position of having access to whole pro studios’ worth of high quality, affordable tools that far exceed any former professional expectation, with inverse prices to boot.

In terms of audio quality, the difference between measurably good and bad has converged so much as to make it less of a consideration than was once the case. While audio differences do remain, practical considerations are far more likely to make the difference between a disappointing purchase and a successful one. As well as advances in technology, recent world events have also led to manufacturers redesigning their products around a smaller pool of common components, further homogenising audio performance across price bands.

Once the practical considerations are taken care of, those looking for a smaller unit can watch Julian Krause’s exhaustive roundup of desktop interfaces below. His bench tests reveal their audio performance by numbers. Some of the similarities versus differences make for an interesting watch.

A Word About This Article

As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.