In this article Music Matter run through 5 of the Best USB Audio Interfaces for 2012 under £200. Given the amount of cheap USB Interfaces available on the market today, it can be difficult to compare the different amount of input / outputs, digital conversion & bundled software to make the most of your purchase.

Alesis IO4 USB Audio Interface (Currently £119.00)

• 4 Input / 4 Output (16-bit)
• 2 Input / 2 Output (24-bit)
• 4 Microphone Preamps
• Phantom Power
• Send-Return Inserts
• MIDI I/O
• Cubase LE Software
• Mac OS X
• Windows XP/Vista/7

The iO4 from Alesis is a USB digital audio interface that features 4 microphone inputs with phantom power, 4 line/instrument inputs, and inserts on all channels. High quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters ensure that every detail of a recording gets captured and played back faithfully. The interface functions with most digital audio software and comes packaged with a copy of Cubase LT from Steinberg.

• Four-channel computer audio-recording interface
• High-quality A/D and D/A converters
• Record up to 24-bit, 48kHz audio into virtually any software
• Discrete-design preamps
• Monitor sessions with balanced studio monitor and headphone outputs
• 48V phantom power switchable in channel pairs
• Inputs for microphones, line-level sources and instruments, including guitars
• Tricolor stereo level meter and lighted status indicators for visual monitoring
• MIDI input and output jacks for playing and controlling software with instruments
• Includes Steinberg’s Cubase LE Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB 2.0 Audio Interface (Currently £119.00)

• 2 Input / 2 Output
• 2 Focusrite Microphone Preamps
• Phantom Power
• Ableton Live Lite 8 Software
• Scarlett Plug-In Suite
• USB Bus Powered
• Aluminum Unibody Chassis
• Mac OS X
• Windows XP/7

2 input, 2 output portable USB recording interface featuring two Focusrite preamps, housed in an anodized aluminum unibody chassis that is solid enough to take on the road. The preamps offer transparent, low-noise and low-distortion performance with sufficient available headroom for using moving coil, condenser or ribbon microphones. Phantom power is switchable.

The front-panel Neutrik combo connectors can used to connect both line and instrument level signals as well as microphones. This makes it perfect for recording the output of a synthesizer or stage piano, while a flick of a switch caters for the output of an electric or acoustic guitar. Halo signal indicators help with maintaining correct levels. Red indicates a clipping signal, and with reduced gain the lights will momentarily turn amber before returning to green.

• Light and compact portable interface that easily fits in a laptop bag
• Two Focusrite microphone preamps (same design as those on the Saffire PRO 40 and Liquid Saffire 56)
• Excellent digital performance with 24-bit resolution at sample rates of up to 96KHz
• Rugged anodized aluminum unibody chassis provides protection against the harsh environment of the road
• Bus powered – no need of an additional power supply
• Includes Ableton Live Lite 8 software, as well as the company’s Scarlett plug-in suite providing EQ, compression, gate and reverb and compatible with all major DAWs
• Gain knobs with surrounding halo indicators for each input (red indicates a too hot signal)
• Direct monitor switch on the front panel allows for hearing what is being recorded through speakers or headphones, without the signal having to go through the computer (avoids latency)
• Fully tested with Mac OS X 10.7, Lion

Roland Quad Capture USB 2.0 Audio Interface (Currently £169.00)

• 4 Input/4 Output
• Dual VS Microphone Preamps
• DI Inputs
• S/PDIF and MIDI I/O
• AUTO-SENS Auto Level Setting
• Low-Latency USB Performance
• USB Bus Powered
• SONAR X1 LE Software for Windows
• Mac OS X
• Windows XP/Vista/7

4 input/4 output USB 2.0 interface that features a pair of premium VS Preamps, accessed via 2 XLR/TRS combo inputs. The interface delivers 24-bit/192kHz audio quality, ultra-low latency performance, and is conveniently USB bus powered.

Each preamp has switchable phantom power, a low cut filter, phase invert, and provides digital compression. Activating the one-click AUTO-SENS makes it fast and easy to set perfect input levels. The unit also offers stable and low-latency USB performance via the company’s VS Streaming technology.

A low-noise, wide-ranging power supply is designed to deliver a clean, balanced input and output. When driven by the USB bus power supply, the unit’s power is regenerated, providing the analog circuitry ideal voltage for the very best sound quality and efficiency in mobile environments.

The included SONAR X1 LE software for Windows is derived from Cakewalk’s SONAR X1 DAW software. While stripped down, the LE version still delivers a powerful set of software tools for writing, recording, editing, and mixing music.

• Two combo XLR/TRS inputs with premium microphone preamps (VS Preamps), two TRS outputs
• Coaxial S/PDIF I/O
• MIDI I/O
• Headphone output
• Phantom power
• Ground lift and Hi-Z switches
• Graphical Control Panel software provides fast, intuitive control of the VS Preamps
• One-click AUTO-SENS function intelligently sets optimal input levels for the preamps
• Extreme low-latency VS Streaming driver
• Low-noise, wide-range power supply
• USB bus powered
• Compact with durable aluminum body and Direct Box (DI) functionality
• Bundled with Cakewalk SONAR X1 LE DAW software (for Windows)

AKAI EIE PRO USB 2.0 Audio Interface (Currently £199.00)

• 4 Input / 4 Output
• 4 Microphone Preamps
• Phantom Power (Switchable in Pairs)
• Per Channel Inserts
• MIDI I/O
• 24-bit/96kHz
• Dual VU Level Meters
• Mac OS X
• Windows XP/Vista/7

Tabletop USB audio interface, perfect for the project or portable studio setup. It features four microphone preamps with switchable phantom power (in pairs), and each input can also be set to accept a line input or an instrument input, such as a guitar or bass, or a synthesizer.

Low latency ASIO drivers allow for recording digital audio with up to 24-bit resolution and sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96kHz into virtually any DAW, recording or performance software on Mac and Windows based systems. Each channel has a dedicated gain knob and a rear panel insert jack for external processing.

The four balanced, rear panel output jacks can be used to monitor sessions on multiple sets of studio monitors. Both pairs of outputs can be monitored visually with the high-quality, analog VU meters providing classic features with modern style. In addition to the high quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters, MIDI input and output (16 channels) allows for bridging other MIDI controllers.

• USB audio interface with up to 24-bit recording resolution supporting all standard sample rates (44.1, 48k, 88.2 and 96kHz)
• Four XLR/TS combo jacks with phantom power and gain control
• Four nickel-plated 1/4″ TRS outputs
• Four nickel-plated 1/4″ TRS inserts for external processing
• Two classic, high-quality VU level meters with switchable sources
• Functions as a USB hub with 3 additional USB ports for connecting other devices through to a computer
• MIDI Interface
• Headphone output with switchable source and direct monitoring dial
• Table-top, solid construction with a great-looking, classic design

M-Audio Fast Track C400 USB 2.0 Audio Interface (Currently £176.99)

• 4 Input / 6 Output
• Dual Microphone/Line Preamps
• S/PDIF and MIDI I/O
• Multiple Speaker Outputs
• Top-Panel Controls
• 24-bit/96kHz
• USB Bus Powered
• Pro Tools SE Included
• Mac OS X
• Windows Vista/7

A USB audio interface featuring 4 inputs and 6 outputs. The desktop design provides convenient controls, while onboard MX Core DSP technology delivers reverb and delay effects without taxing the host CPU. The built-in monitor management system allows for checking mixes on two sets of speakers, and the unit can be used with the included Pro Tools SE software, or any other compatible DAW.

An assignable Multi button enhances the creative flow by allowing access to executing critical tasks without touching a mouse. Any sequence of up to eight steps can be programmed for any software program that supports ASCII key commands, or by using the preset workflows with Pro Tools, Cubase, Logic, Live, and Reason. The built-in DSP provides reverb or delay on the headphone outputs with the turn of a single knob.

Attention has been paid to every detail of designing the interface, from the shortest possible signal paths to boutique-quality preamps, superior converters, and other high-end components to preserve the quality of the recorded material.

• Desktop styled USB audio interface ensures pristine audio recordings sound with 24-bit/96kHz audio fidelity
• Four-input, six-output design allows for capturing and playing back multiple sources
• Two high-quality microphone/line combo preamps on rear panel
• Two front-panel 1/4″ instrument inputs
• 20dB pad on each preamp for capturing hotter signals without distortion
• Phantom power for condenser microphones
• Four balanced analog outputs with monitor management system for connecting up to two sets of studio monitors (or 1 set of monitors and a subwoofer) and easily switching between them
• Headphone output with independent volume control
• Near-zero latency monitor mixer with built-in reverb and delay effects
• Master volume
• Assignable Multi button
• S/PDIF digital I/O
• MIDI I/O
• Includes Pro Tools SE music creation software
• Full ASIO 2.0, WDM, MME, and Core Audio support
• Powered via USB 2.0 (compatible with USB 3.0) – no power supply necessary