Audio interfaces are essential equipment for home studios. You can’t imagine recording audio in your DAW without connecting an audio interface. So in this article, we will go through the 9 best audio interfaces for Home Studio.
This is the ultimate list of audio interfaces ideal for Home Studios. I have divided this list into two parts. The first part has audio interfaces under $500 and the second is under $1000.
So this article allows you to choose the audio interface according to your budget.
Now, let’s dive into the list without wasting any more time.
Best Audio Interfaces for Home Studio Under $500
As a seasoned recording engineer, I know how important your budget is when you are in a home studio. That’s why I have divided this article into two parts.
Let’s start with audio interfaces for Home Studios under $500.
1. PreSonus Studio 1824C
Presonus Studio 1824C has 18 inputs and 18 outputs sufficient for a home recording studio. The 8 XMAX preamps make it one of the best audio interfaces under $500.
You can record a full band with multichannel drum mics which is a great thing for a home studio. However, that’s another thing, you need a separate acoustic room to record the drum set.
You will also get MIDI ins and outs to connect your MIDI devices such as MIDI keyboard or controller to use VST instruments.
Moreover, the manufacturer is providing a 6-month Studio One DAW subscription with the Notion scoring application as a companion. But, I would suggest getting another professional DAW like Logic Pro X and Cubase, if you want a long play in the music production industry.
If we talk about the converter you’ll get up to 24-bit/192kHz audio conversion formats.
The added benefit is the XMAS Class A Preamps which operate high voltage (30 volts) while most Premaps operate on 10 to 18 volts. The high-power operation gives you clean and noise-free recordings.
Presonus Studio 1824C is a DSP-powered audio interface that comes with UC Surface software that runs on Mac, Windows, iPad, and even Android.
This audio interface is equipped with 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O. Well, this is an advantage for professional studios but not so useful for home studios where you don’t have a digital mixer or Mic Pre setups.
Overall, this audio interface is a great choice if you are just starting out with a small home studio. The affordable price point and good sound quality make it a top contender to other audio interfaces in this list.
2. Tascam US-16×08
For a home recording studio setup, Tascam US-16×08 is another great choice under $500 budget. It has 8 mic preamps. 2 of them are optimized for guitar and bass (you can switch these inputs between instrument and microphone).
The board DSP processor provides you latency-free audio up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution. Well, the audio format should support up to 24-bit/192kHz, but it’s okay after all 96kHz is not less. You can always produce high-quality audio projects with 96 kHz.
Tascam US-16×08 comes with MIDI in/out which is very useful for those who are recording VST instruments with a MIDI keyboard and other types of controllers.
The 8 outputs make it flexible when it comes to connecting different output devices, like multiple monitors, headphones, etc.
Built-in DSP processor has a 4-band equalizer and compressor, which is good if you want to record already equalized instruments or vocals.
The onboard DSP processor provides nearly latency-free monitoring during recording and mixing. It is required if you want to provide real-time effects to the vocalist or instrument player. If your audio interface is not latency-free, they will listen to double sound.
Overall, this interface is good to start with, but if it should have 24-bit/192kHz support, it will be a complete audio interface for a Home Studio.
3. Audient EVO 8
With 4 inputs and 4 outputs Audient EVO 8 lies between a Home Studio and mobile studio. This is USB powered audio interface, so you can also use it outdoors, however, it is equally useful for small, Home Studios.
If you don’t need more inputs and output, then you can go for it. The best thing is all the Preamps come with SmartGain technology that automatically adjusts the gain of input devices like vocals and instruments.
This USB audio interface supports audio formats up to 24-bit/96kHz sample rate which is sufficient for high-quality audio recording and mixing.
The user interface of this audio interface is very easy. You will find a global volume button, which can be used for different tasks like adjusting the monitor, volume or headphones, volume, etc.
The one thing I don’t like about this audio interface is its plastic body. Due to the plastic belt, it looks like a cheap device.
Overall, this audio interface is a good start for home studio enthusiasts.
4. Universal Audio Volt 476P
Universal Audio has been always known for its analog processors for decades. And, Universal Audio Volt 476P carries this legacy.
If you love analogue-quality sound then Universal Audio Volt 476P is the ideal one for your home studio.
This USB-C audio interface supports 24-bit/192kHz AD/DA conversion formats that are great for audio recording and mixing. You can record and mix in high quality right from your home recording studio.
However, you will get only 4 inputs along with 10 outputs all the inputs are equipped with solid-state style Preamps that give your audio an analog feel and the built-in 1176-derived analog compressor with 3 expert presets is a great companion to this.
You will also get MIDI I/O to connect your MIDI synths and controllers.
Universal Audio Volt 476P is known for its zero latency audio routing. So there are no double sounds that can distract your vocalist or instrument player.
The only thing missing in this audio interface is the number of inputs. For a Home studio, there should be at least 8 inputs to connect different instruments and vocals simultaneously. However, this audio interface has only 4 inputs.
If you want high-quality analog audio, then this is the ideal audio interface for your home studio under $500.
These are the four audio interfaces under $500 ideal for small Home Studios.
Best Audio Interfaces for Home Studio Under $1000
Now let’s discover some audio interfaces between $500 and $1000. These are the high-end audio interfaces for Home Studios. You can use them to record the whole band and even more.
Let’s start with the first one.
5. PreSonus Quantum 2626
PreSonus Quantum 2626 is the cheapest 26 in and 26 out audio interface, which is sufficient to record the whole band along with the drums with separate microphones in every section.
The best thing is the PreSonus Quantum 2626 is a Thunderbolt 3 device. That’s why it is compatible with new versions of Mac.
You will get 6 amphibious mic/line inputs with Class A XMAX preamps along with 2 combo mic/instrument inputs with XMAX preamps that can be used to record guitar, bass, and synths.
24-bit/192kHz converter chips provide high-quality clean sound with 120dB of dynamic range.
As it’s from Presonus, you will get Studio One Artist DAW cross-platform. Also, you’ll get Studio Magic Plug-in Suite to mix your projects.
As it has 26 inputs and outputs, 2 sets of ADAT I/O are given in the backside to connect your digital mixers and other devices.
Well, I know ADAT inputs and outputs are useless if you don’t have a Digital mixer, but for a high-profile audio interface, it’s common to provide ADAT input and output. You can use it them later when you want to upgrade your Studio.
6. Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre
Focusrite’s Clarett+ 8Pre is an 18-in/20-out audio interface. 8 Clarett+ mic preamps are given in this audio interface to Connect different instruments and vocals simultaneously.
With large headroom, it is one of the great audio interfaces for professional Home Studios. If you don’t know headroom is very important during mixing when adding effects in tracks. Large headroom provides more depth to the mix.
As I have told above large format, audio interfaces always come with ADAT optical Ins/Outs which is necessary to provide more inputs and output. Focusrite’s Clarett+ 8Pre is not an exception. You will get one set (8×8) of inputs and the output through ADAT.
24-bit/192kHz conversion makes it one of the best audio interfaces in this range. All the Mic Preamps are robust with Focusrite’s proprietary Air feature that adds analog quality to the input channels.
I personally like its class-leading Preamps due to the high-quality audio this inputs record.
You will also get MIDI Ins/Outs to connect your MIDI devices, such as MIDI synths and controllers.
Stereo S/PDIF is an added feature that can be used when connecting a digital mixer or Synth.
I found the companion software routine a bit hard to operate. You need some extra knowledge of routing to use its software.
Overall, this audio interface is great for big scale. Home Studios need more inputs and output to connect their band and mix in 5.1 surround sound.
7. Universal Audio Apollo Twin X
Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Is a 0-in/6-out Thunderbolt 3 audio interface compatible with Mac and Windows platforms. It comes with UAD-2 DUO Core processing which can handle most of the UAD hardware plug-ins.
The high-class AD/DA conversion chip provides a dynamic range of up to 127dB and clear audio recordings.
You will get 2 Unison preamps that capture industrial-level vocals and instrument inputs.
You will also get Integrated talkback to communicate with the vocalist and instrument players. The ultra-fast Thunderbolt 3 connectivity ensures ultra-low latency of up to 2ms.
You will get 5 premium UAD award-winning UAD plug-ins with the Realtime Analog Classics plug-in bundle to enhance your mixing levels.
Though this audio interface is great for Home Studios, especially for audio mixing, the lack of enough inputs limits it for only small studios.
8. Focusrite Scarlett 18i20
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is another great audio interface by Focusrite.
Its mic preamps are updated with fourth-generation Focusrite technology along with RedNet-derived AD/DA converter chips, Auto Gain and Clip Safe features making it ideal for home recording studios.
This USB-C audio interface comes with 18-in/20-out sufficient for big format Home Studios.
The microphone preamps given in this audio interface deliver 69dB of gain, which makes it great for capturing low-gain instruments and mics.
If you are afraid of unwanted clipping then don’t worry it has Clip Safe feature which automatically adjusts gain levels. New recording engineers are always stuck on this problem. Thanks to its Clip Safe feature that events unwanted clipping.
You can connect 2 Studio monitors simultaneously with this audio interface, and you will also get A/B switch for these monitors.
This audio interface provides up to 24-bit/192kHz audio formats which makes it an ideal audio interface for big-size projects.
Additionally, you will get MIDI ins/outs to connect MIDI instruments, SPDI/F, and Optical in/outs to connect different digital equipment.
9. MOTU UltraLite-MK5
MOTU UltraLite-MK5 is one of my favorite audio interfaces. With 18-in and 22-out it is a compact size audio interface that can be used anywhere, including small Home, Studios, and big size Studios.
The ultrafast USB makes it responsible for up to 2.4ms of latency which prevents double sound when your vocalist and instrument player are recording their sessions.
This audio interface comes with an onboard DSP mixer along with MOTU’s own DAW – Digital Performer. You can use this audio interface with any door for Mac and Windows.
The only disadvantage of this audio interface is its audio recording format, which is up to 24-bit/96kHz. It must be 24-bit/192kHz to record big projects.
With MIDI, ADAT Opticals, and several analog inputs and outputs it is one of the ideal audio interfaces to start with in your home studio.
If you are searching for a compact yet powerful audio interface, then this one is ideal for you.
Conclusion
Through “Start Home Studio”, I always try to provide you with the best resources to set up Home Studios under your budget. That’s why I have come up with this ultimate list of audio interfaces for Home Studios.
I hope this article helped you to find the ideal audio interface as per your needs and your budget.
I have used multiple audio interfaces in my audio recording career from 2-channel M audio Fastrack Pro to MOTU UltraLite MK4, which is one of the best audio interfaces for Home Studios.
Choosing a good quality, audio interface provides you best audio conversion from the analog domain to the digital domain and vice versa. The Mic Preamp quality is also important to capture good quality sound during recording.
This list has the best audio interfaces available in the market in 2025 ideal for Home Recording Studios. Now it’s your turn to choose one.
If you have any questions regarding this article, let me know in the comment box. It will be my pleasure to answer your questions.
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