Whether you are recording a podcast, producing music, or streaming live having the right audio interface is crucial. When it comes to audio interfaces for Mac, users have a wide variety of options.
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Here we have featured some of the best audio interfaces that are well respected by experts and used by countless professionals throughout the world.
So if you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your setup, you’ll find an interface here that will help you achieve studio-quality recordings right from your desktop.
Best Audio Interfaces
1. Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Heritage Edition
Key features:
- Top-tier A/D and D/A conversion for pristine audio quality.
- Unison technology offers classic mic preamp and amp models.
- Includes 5 award-winning plug-ins for professional-grade mixing.
The Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Heritage Edition is considered one of the best audio interfaces for Mac users because a) it’s built like a tank and b) it’s like having a mini recording studio on your desk. To be more precise, a high-end recording studio packed into a sleek, desktop-sized unit and bundled with a suite of 5 award-winning plug-ins from Teletronix, Pultec, and UA. Talk about value for money, huh?
When it comes to performance, latency is virtually non-existent and the Apollo A/D and D/A conversion is absolutely top-tier. You hear every nuance, every detail, and trust us, once you’ve experienced that level of clarity, there’s no going back. Plus, thanks to the Unison technology, you get access to stunning models of classic mic preamps and guitar amps. On the hardware side, it’s packed with goodies. You’ve got 2 premium mic/line preamps, 2 line outputs, a front-panel Hi-Z instrument input, and a stereo headphone output.
Buy Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Heritage Edition for $899 here.
2. Focusrite Vocaster Two USB-C Podcasting Audio Interface
Key features:
- Auto Gain automatically adjusts microphone levels for optimal sound.
- Enhance button improves voice warmth and clarity instantly.
- Includes software bundle for seamless podcast production.
The Focusrite Vocaster Two USB-C Podcasting Audio Interface is the kind of gear that makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less. With its sleek 2-in/2-out USB-C setup, it’s one of the best audio interfaces for podcasters. Let’s break down the two XLR microphone inputs. The sound quality is crisp and clear, capturing every nuance of your voice. And the Auto Gain button does all the heavy lifting, automatically setting your levels so you can focus on the content.
Moreover, the Enhance button is like a magic wand for your voice. With a single press, it smooths out the rough edges, adding warmth and depth that makes you sound like you’ve been podcasting for years. And let’s not forget the Mute button, because, let’s face it, life happens. And if all that wasn’t enough, the software bundle comes with all the tools you need to edit, mix, and produce your episodes without the hassle of hunting down additional software.
Buy the Focusrite Vocaster Two USB-C Podcasting Audio Interface for $187 here.
3. Universal Audio Volt 2 USB Audio Interface
Key features:
- Vintage Mic Preamp mode delivers rich, full sound.
- 24-bit/192 kHz conversion for high-quality audio recording.
- USB bus power for portable, on-the-go recording.
If you’re looking for an interface to connect any microphone to USB, the Universal Audio Volt 2 USB Audio Interface is a fantastic pick. It’s designed to make your recording setup effortlessly versatile, working with Mac, PC, iPad, and iPhone. It’s a compact, stylish unit that packs a punch with its Vintage Mic Preamp mode. This feature bathes your recordings in a rich, full sound that’ll make your vocals and instruments really pop.
As for the software, it comes bundled with industry-leading tools like Ableton, Melodyne, and UJAM’s Virtual Drummer, as well as iconic names like Marshall and Ampeg. Plus, with USB bus power, you can take your recording rig on the go and still enjoy top-notch 24-bit/192 kHz audio conversion. Moreover, the studio-quality headphone amp ensures you hear every detail, while MIDI connections, 48V phantom power, and Direct Monitoring eliminate latency so you can record with zero delay.
Buy the Universal Audio Volt 2 USB Audio Interface for $188 here.
4. FIFINE PC Audio Mixer
Key features:
- XLR mic input with 48V phantom power for studio mics.
- Dedicated instrument input ensures rich, full tones.
- Direct monitoring for real-time audio feedback.
The FIFINE PC Audio Mixer is a versatile little unit that delivers more than you’d expect at this price point. This USB audio interface for Mac boasts an XLR microphone interface and a dedicated instrument input. The XLR mic input means you can connect your favorite studio mic and capture vocals that sound like they’re straight out of a professional recording studio. Plus, the 48V phantom power makes it a breeze to use with condenser mics. Plus, the mic gain knob is your best friend here, allowing you to dial in the perfect input levels with ease.
On the instrument side of things, this mixer doesn’t disappoint as it ensures your tones are rich and full. Moreover, the audio output comes with its own volume knob, so you can adjust playback levels precisely. As for the direct monitor functionality, it’s a lifesaver if you want to keep an ear on your recordings in real-time.
Buy the FIFINE PC Audio Mixer for $54.99 here.
5. Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface
Key features:
- XENYX preamp delivers clear, warm audio recordings.
- Instrument input for direct guitar or instrument connection.
- 48kHz sample rate for high-resolution audio recording.
If you’re just starting out and need something affordable yet reliable, the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 might just win you over with its no-nonsense, yet surprisingly effective features. This 2-channel USB audio interface comes equipped with a single XENYX preamp, which is known for its high-quality sound capture. Not only does this preamp ensure clear and accurate audio recordings, but it also adds a touch of warmth and depth to your recordings. Thus making it one of the best audio interfaces for PC and Mac users alike.
Additionally, it includes an instrument input, allowing you to connect your guitar or other instruments directly. On top of that, the U-Phoria UM2 offers phantom power, which is crucial if you’re using condenser microphones that require extra power to function. Lastly, it supports a 48kHz sample rate, which is the industry standard for high-resolution audio recording.
Buy the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 USB Audio Interface for $59 here.
6. ESI Neva Duo USB Audio Interface
Key features:
- 24-bit/192kHz resolution for studio-grade audio quality.
- Two combo XLR/Line/Instrument inputs with phantom power.
- DirectWIRE loopback for seamless mixing of sound sources.
The ESI Neva Duo USB Audio Interface is designed to bring your recordings to life with studio-grade quality. Podcasting, recording, or streaming? Whatever it is, this baby has you covered with its top-notch converters that deliver up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution. Oh and no more of those annoying delays. All you get is ultra-low latency that keeps your audio crisp and professional.
Moreover, this audio interface in 2024 is a champ when it comes to handling different input signals. It’s got two combo XLR/Line/Instrument inputs with phantom power, so you get high-quality sound with minimal noise. Switching things up with the Neva Duo is easy, thanks to its plug-and-play compatibility with both Mac and PC. Plus, it comes with DirectWIRE hardware loopback function, which means you can mix different sound sources with ease.
Buy the ESI Neva Duo USB Audio Interface for $89.99 here.
7. MOTU M4 4×4 USB-C Audio Interface
Key features:
- Ultra-low 2.5 ms latency for real-time monitoring.
- Full-color LCD screen with detailed level metering.
- Loopback feature for seamless live content mixing.
The MOTU M4 USB-C Audio Interface is perfect for more complex setups, thus making it the best audio interface for professionals. It’ll impress you with its lightning-fast speed. Thanks to MOTU’s superb USB drivers, you’re looking at an ultra-low 2.5 ms Round Trip Latency at 96 kHz with a 32 sample buffer. That means you can monitor live inputs like mics, guitars, or keyboards with virtually no delay.
It sets the bar high with its full-color LCD screen with a clear, detailed level meter. Therefore, it shows all inputs and outputs, giving you precise control over your sound. Plus, the M4’s loopback feature easily routes your computer output back to your recording setup and mixes it with live inputs. It’s seamless, and it makes your live content sound better than ever. On top of all that, the M4 comes with a treasure trove of extras like Performer Lite or Live Lite production software. You also get hundreds of loops and sounds from industry giants like Big Fish Audio, Lucidsamples, and Loopmasters.
Buy the MOTU M4 4×4 USB-C Audio Interface for $269.95 here.
There you have it folks, these are some of the best audio interfaces you can buy for your Mac right now. Did you find what you were looking for? Share you thoughts in the comments below.
