What does a USB audio interface do?

A USB audio interface connects recording sources and playback equipment to a computer. It converts incoming analog audio into digital audio for recording and converts digital playback back into analog sound. Input types, microphone preamps, headphone connections, and monitor outputs vary, so check the model's manual against your setup.

Should I buy the Scarlett Solo or Scarlett 2i2?

Choose a Scarlett Solo if one XLR microphone input meets your recording needs. Choose the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen for two microphones, stereo microphone pairs, or its separate monitor and headphone level controls. The Solo 3rd Gen is the least expensive of these reviewed interfaces at the supplied prices.

Does USB-C guarantee lower recording latency?

No. The connector alone does not establish recording latency. Driver performance, buffer settings, and the computer's processing workload all matter during software monitoring. Our supplied reviews describe low-latency driver behavior for these interfaces but provide no measured round-trip times. Check the manual for supported connections and recommended setup.

Can I plug a USB microphone into an audio interface?

Do not assume an interface accepts a USB microphone as an audio input. Check both manuals for supported routing. The Logitech Creators Blue Yeti has no XLR interface connection, while the MAONO A04 Gen2 offers USB and XLR outputs, allowing an XLR connection when moving to a dedicated interface.

The best USB audio interfaces

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is our best USB audio interface among the reviewed options for two-microphone recording, while the Scarlett Solo models suit buyers who need only one microphone input.

Research-based article drawn from our 27 music production reviews. Updated September 2026.

Short answer

Choose the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen for two microphone inputs, low-latency drivers, and separate monitor and headphone level controls. For one-microphone recording, the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen prioritizes driver dependability, while the Solo 3rd Gen costs less. These are the three dedicated USB audio interfaces in our reviewed selection; prioritize input requirements and driver stability over preamp marketing.

Our picks for “usb audio interface”

Best for two-microphone recording: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is the strongest choice in this selection for stereo microphone pairs or simultaneous vocal and guitar tracking. Its two preamps and independent inputs provide flexibility that neither Solo model offers for two-microphone sessions. Our score is 8.3/10, and the supplied price is $224.99.

Its main advantages are practical rather than tonal: consistently low driver round-trip latency, separate front-panel controls, and independent monitor and headphone level adjustment. Driver efficiency matters when you want to hear yourself through recording software without distracting delay. The supplied review does not include measured latency figures, so there is no basis here for a millisecond-by-millisecond comparison.

The trade-offs are cost and power requirements. The review flags a substantial price increase over previous generations and a need for steady USB-C power delivery from the host. Check the manual for your intended connection and power arrangement. Buy it for the second microphone input and control layout, not simply because it sits above the Solo.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB

Best for solo performers prioritizing stability: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen suits a solo performer whose priority is dependable drivers rather than two-microphone expansion. At the supplied price of $159.99, it earns our score of 8/10. Its reviewed strengths include reliable low-latency driver architecture, clear front-panel metering, and updated conversion performance over the previous generation.

The important limitation is its single XLR microphone channel. Although the specifications list two channels, that does not mean you can connect two XLR microphones. Anyone planning stereo microphone recording should choose the 2i2 instead. Count the sources you need to record simultaneously before deciding how much interface to buy.

The fourth-generation Solo is an efficient option when driver dependability leads your checklist, but the price deserves scrutiny. Our review notes that it approaches dual-input alternatives. The conversion update alone does not establish how much better your recordings will sound, and the supplied data contains no comparative measurements to quantify that difference. Choose it for the documented controls and driver strengths rather than an assumed dramatic sonic upgrade.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB

Best lower-cost option: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is the lower-cost dedicated interface in this selection, with a supplied price of $119.99 and our score of 7.8/10. It makes sense for buyers who need straightforward vocal or instrument tracking and value mature, low-latency drivers more than the latest generation of hardware.

Its physical inputs accommodate one microphone and one instrument. That is useful for a small recording setup, but it rules out simultaneous stereo microphone recording. Balanced TRS monitor outputs and gain halo indicator rings are practical strengths: the former support a monitor connection, while the latter provide straightforward input-level indication.

The main caveat beyond input count is limited headphone output power for high-impedance loads. Check your headphone requirements and the interface manual before committing to that pairing. Within these three choices, this is the sensible starting point when cost matters most and one XLR input is enough. Paying more for the fourth-generation Solo brings the documented conversion and control updates; paying more for the 2i2 addresses the two-microphone limitation.

Read the reviews: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB

How to choose and set up a USB audio interface

Start with simultaneous inputs, then check driver support for your computer and operating-system version. Two listed channels do not necessarily mean two microphone preamps. Consult the manual for input types, connection requirements, power arrangements, and any mobile-device limitations before buying.

For software monitoring, prioritize round-trip latency and driver stability over preamp descriptions. Round-trip latency is the delay as audio enters the computer, passes through processing, and returns to your headphones or speakers. A smaller buffer generally reduces delay but increases processing demands; raise it if playback becomes unstable. Follow the manufacturer's driver and setup instructions, since the appropriate procedure varies by model and operating system.

Budget for the recording environment as well. Treat the room before upgrading monitors, because reflections and room resonances can undermine mixing decisions. Use closed-back headphones for tracking to reduce sound leaking into microphones; favor open-back headphones for mixing where leakage is acceptable. Set input gain to avoid clipping, and check the microphone and interface manuals before enabling phantom power.

Frequently asked

What does a USB audio interface do?: A USB audio interface connects recording sources and playback equipment to a computer. It converts incoming analog audio into digital audio for recording and converts digital playback back into analog sound. Input types, microphone preamps, headphone connections, and monitor outputs vary, so check the model's manual against your setup.
Should I buy the Scarlett Solo or Scarlett 2i2?: Choose a Scarlett Solo if one XLR microphone input meets your recording needs. Choose the Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen for two microphones, stereo microphone pairs, or its separate monitor and headphone level controls. The Solo 3rd Gen is the least expensive of these reviewed interfaces at the supplied prices.
Does USB-C guarantee lower recording latency?: No. The connector alone does not establish recording latency. Driver performance, buffer settings, and the computer's processing workload all matter during software monitoring. Our supplied reviews describe low-latency driver behavior for these interfaces but provide no measured round-trip times. Check the manual for supported connections and recommended setup.
Can I plug a USB microphone into an audio interface?: Do not assume an interface accepts a USB microphone as an audio input. Check both manuals for supported routing. The Logitech Creators Blue Yeti has no XLR interface connection, while the MAONO A04 Gen2 offers USB and XLR outputs, allowing an XLR connection when moving to a dedicated interface.