How to Choose an Audio Interface

Whether you're laying down your first vocal take or tracking a full live band, the right interface makes everything sound better and work faster. Here are three questions that’ll point you to the right interface for your needs.

1. What kind of producer are you?

This is the most important question, because the size and scope of your recordings determines almost everything else: how many inputs you need, what kind of preamps matter, and how much room to grow you should build in.

From bedroom recordings to full band sessions, the right interface looks different for every producer.

Just Getting Started: Bedroom Producer, Guitarist, Singer-Songwriter, Podcaster

If you're recording your voice, a guitar, or a keyboard (maybe one or two sources at a time), you don't need a wall of inputs. What you do need is great-sounding conversion and a preamp that flatters your microphone.

The good news: a big-budget studio is no longer required to get professional results. A compact interface with one or two high-quality preamps is all it takes to produce music that sounds polished and radio-ready. Spend what's left on a better microphone and some acoustic treatment. Those upgrades will do more for your sound than extra inputs you're not using.

Podcasters and streamers fit here too. Clean gain, low noise, and rock-solid USB connectivity matter more than channel count.

Recommended interfaces: Volt 1, Volt 2, Volt 276, Apollo Solo

Growing Your Setup: Project Studio or Electronic Producer

You've got a mic collection forming, a plug-in library you're proud of, and you're finding that two inputs just isn't cutting it anymore. Welcome to the project studio.

At this stage, four mic preamps is a practical minimum — enough to track drums in a pinch, record a vocalist and guitarist simultaneously, or route multiple synths and outboard gear. You'll also want multiple outputs for headphone mixes, hardware processors, and monitoring options.

This is where Apollo audio interfaces shine. With UAD processing built in, you can record through real hardware emulations, including compressors, EQs, and preamp models with near-zero latency, so you don’t tax your computer’s CPU. And the ability to daisy-chain multiple Apollos means you can expand your I/O as your studio grows instead of starting over.

If you're not ready to jump to Apollo pricing, the Volt 476 and Volt 876 are both capable, budget-friendly ways to grow your I/O without compromising on quality.

Recommended interfaces: Volt 476, Volt 876, Apollo Twin X, Apollo x4

Going Pro: Recording Full Bands, Film Scoring, or Large-Scale Mixing

At this level, you know what you need: lots of inputs, stellar conversion, and zero compromises on routing flexibility. Whether you're miking a drum kit from every angle or scoring a film with dozens of virtual instruments, your interface needs to keep up.

Apollo's rackmount lineup is built for exactly this. Eight or sixteen channels of analog I/O, Unison-enabled mic preamps that authentically model classic hardware, and the DSP muscle to run complex plug-in chains at near-zero latency, even during tracking.

Recommended interfaces: Apollo x6, Apollo x8, Apollo x8p, Apollo x16

2. Desktop or Rackmount?

Once you know roughly how many inputs you need, the next question is where your interface will live — on your desk or in a rack.

Choosing between a desktop or rackmount audio interface depends on your workspace, connection needs, and gear.

Desktop Interfaces: Flexible, Portable, and Surprisingly Powerful

Don't let the compact size fool you. A quality desktop interface delivers the same high-resolution conversion as its rackmount counterparts, often with a simpler, more tactile workflow, providing monitoring controls and headphone outputs right at your fingertips.

Desktop interfaces are also portable. If you record in multiple locations, track remotely, or just want the freedom to move your setup around, being able to slip your interface into a bag is a genuine advantage.

If you need up to four or six analog inputs and aren't running a commercial studio full-time, a desktop interface will cover everything you need and then some.

Recommended desktop interfaces: Volt 1, Volt 2, Volt 276, Volt 476, Apollo Solo, Apollo Twin X, Apollo x4

Rackmount Interfaces: Built for the Pros

A rackmount interface does two things a desktop can't: it frees up your desk and scales to serious I/O counts. If you're tracking a full band, mixing in surround, or running a professional studio where multiple engineers may be working simultaneously, a rackmount is the right call.

Most rackmount interfaces pack in a combination of analog and digital connections: balanced line ins and outs, MIDI, S/PDIF, AES/EBU, and multiple mic preamps. The Apollo x8p, for example, offers eight Unison-enabled mic preamps for all-in-one studio tracking, while the Apollo x16 delivers 16 channels of analog I/O via DB-25 for console-based hybrid setups.

One thing to watch: When comparing rackmount specs, always check how many mic preamps an interface has, not just the total I/O count. Many interfaces bundle line inputs and digital connections into the total number, which can be misleading if you need mic pres specifically.

Recommended rackmount interfaces: Volt 876, Apollo x6, Apollo x8, Apollo x8p, Apollo x16

3. What connections does your computer support?

The fastest, most capable interface in the world won't help you if it doesn't connect properly to your computer. Here's what to know about the two main connection types.

Many quality desktop audio interfaces feature a USB-C connection, which is great for most home studios. Thunderbolt opens up faster speeds and lower latency for more demanding sessions.

Thunderbolt — The Professional Standard

Thunderbolt is the connection type of choice for professional audio. With data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps, it handles high channel counts, low latency, and plug-in processing with ease.

Thunderbolt is standard on current Macs and widely available on modern Windows systems. It supports daisy-chaining, so you can connect multiple Thunderbolt devices — including additional Apollo interfaces — through a single port, expanding your I/O without eating up connections on your computer.

One important note: Thunderbolt and USB-C ports look identical, but they're not the same. Check your computer's specs before assuming a USB-C port supports Thunderbolt.

USB — Reliable, Universal, and Widely Compatible

USB is everywhere, and for good reason. It's fast enough for most recording tasks, works on both macOS and Windows, and is backward-compatible with older hardware. If your computer doesn't have Thunderbolt, USB is a perfectly solid option for home recording and project studio use.

The Volt series connects via USB-C and works seamlessly across macOS and Windows. It's the easiest on-ramp into professional UA audio quality.

Keep in mind: USB doesn't support daisy-chaining between interfaces, which limits how much you can expand your system down the road. If scalability is a priority, Thunderbolt is worth planning for.

Find Your Interface: At a Glance

Producer Type	Recommended Interfaces	Interface Type	Mic Preamps	Connectivity*	Price*
Getting Started (Bedroom producer, guitarist, singer-songwriter, podcaster)	Volt 1 Volt 2 / Volt 276 Apollo Solo	Desktop	1-2	USB-C / Thunderbolt 3	Starting at $139 USD
Growing Your Setup (Project studio, electronic producer, content creator)	Volt 476 Volt 876 Apollo Twin X Apollo x4	Desktop / Rackmount	2-8	USB-C / Thunderbolt 3	Starting at $249 USD
Going Pro (Band recording, film composer, hybrid studio)	Apollo x6 Apollo x8 Apollo x8p Apollo x16*	Rackmount	Up to 8	Thunderbolt 3	Starting at $2,199 USD

*Volt series connects via USB-C. Apollo Twin X and Apollo x4 connect via Thunderbolt. Apollo Solo is available in Thunderbolt and USB-C variants. Apollo x16 features line-level I/O only (0 built-in preamps) for hybrid studios using external hardware. See current pricing at uaudio.com.

Final Tips Before You Buy

Think one step ahead. Your interface should handle what you're doing today and leave room for where you're headed. If you're already outgrowing two inputs, start with four.

Match the tool to the job. A full rack of gear looks impressive, but if you're mostly recording solo, a streamlined desktop setup will serve you better and leave budget for gear that actually impacts your sound.

Buy for your workflow, not someone else's. The best audio interface is the one that fits how you work, not what looks good in a YouTube studio tour.

Browse All UA audio interfaces >

— McCoy Tyler, Miranda Kumpe

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an audio interface if I already have a USB microphone?

A USB mic has a built-in interface, so technically no — but a dedicated audio interface gives you better preamp quality, lower noise, more inputs, and the ability to use any XLR microphone. Once you're ready to upgrade your mic, you'll want an interface.

What's the difference between a USB and Thunderbolt audio interface?

Thunderbolt is faster and supports daisy-chaining multiple devices. For most home recording, USB is plenty capable, but if you plan to expand your studio or use high channel counts, Thunderbolt gives you more room to grow.

How many inputs do I actually need?

Start by counting how many sound sources you want to record at the same time. One vocalist and one guitar? Two inputs. A drum kit? You'll want at least eight. When in doubt, buy one step up from what you need today.

What is DSP, and do I need it?

DSP (digital signal processing) lets Apollo interfaces run UAD plug-ins — including authentic emulations of classic hardware — with near-zero latency, directly offloading that processing from your computer's CPU. It's particularly valuable if you like to record through hardware-style processing or work with dense plug-in sessions.

Can I expand my UA interface setup later?

Yes, Apollo interfaces support daisy-chaining via Thunderbolt, so you can connect additional Apollo devices to increase your I/O without replacing your current setup. It's one of the reasons producers tend to stay in the Apollo ecosystem long-term.

*All trademarks property of their respective owners. Use of artist names does not constitute endorsement of Universal Audio products.

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