Audio Interface setups vary greatly depending on your requirements, application or level of expertise so here are some examples of the kind of interfaces people use in everyday situations.

If you need help selecting an audio interface then please read our audio interface buying guide.

Audio Interafces

Audio Interfaces For Beginners

A solo singer or guitarist might only need one or two simultaneous inputs, a stereo output for speakers and a headphone out for monitoring. A bundled software DAW would be a bonus and a lite version would do nicely for simple audio recordings.

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB 2 in/4 out includes Ableton Live Lite DAW Software

Avid Pro Tools Recording Studio

Avid Pro Tools Recording Studio Includes Fast Track Audio Interface & Pro Tools Essential DAW Software

Audio Interfaces For DJ’s

A DJ may also only need a few inputs, but may use them to connect a pair of turntables instead of mics. An interface with phono inputs would be handy and indeed there are some models designed specifically for DJs.

Native Instruments Traqktor Audio 2 DJ

Native Instruments Traktor Audio 2 features 2 high-gain stereo outputs for punchy output levels. One output can be used for headphone monitoring so you can pre-listen to the cue next track and includes Traktor 2 LE DJ Software.

Native Instruments Traktor Audio 6

Native Instruments Traktor Audio 6 features phono (rca) connections for connecting turntables/CDJ's. Includes Traktor LE2 DJ Software

Shop for more DJ Audio Interfaces at Music Matter


Audio Interfaces For Music Producers

Someone making dance music might be working in the box a lot, but could have some hardware synths that they want to leave connected – just in that moment when inspiration strikes. An interface with six or eight inputs, or possibly a few more if you wanted to have a mic plumbed in as well, would do the job here.

Alesis IO26 FIrewire Audio Interface

Alesis IO26 features 8 high definition mic/line preamplifiers and includes Steinberg Cubase LE DAW software

MOTU Ultralite Mk3 Hybrid

MOTU Ultralite Mk3 Hybrid combines both USB and Firewire connection with 10 inputs / 14 outputs

Audio Interfaces For Recording A Band

Someone recording a band would need more physical inputs, either to connect sounds directly or to feed in from a mixer. A drum kit alone can eat up at least six channels, so you would need ten, twelve or more inputs to record everyone at once. The ability to run more than one pair of monitors becomes important here so look for control room and main stereo outs, and also the possibility of creating separate headphone mixes.

Mackie Onyx Blackbird

The Mackie Onyx Blackbird is a 16 x 16 Firewire Interface with 8 high quality mic pre's and 8 x 8 ADAT I/O for expandability.

Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56
Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 is packed with IO offering 28 in/28 out with two Liquid and six Focusrite preamps.

Audio Interfaces For Recording Studios

A small commercial studio would almost certainly have a mixing desk and this would be permanently plumbed in to the interface, with channels in and out permanently connected. Lots of I/O is the order of the day in this scenario, plus digital I/O for mixing down to DAT.

RME Fireface UFX

RME Fireface UFX features 30 Input / 30 Output channels, that's 60 channels of audio with digitally controlled high-end preamps.

Cakewalk VS700R

Cakewalk (Roland) VS700R 21/30 (19/24 simultaneous) includes mic/hi-z input and dual headphone outs on the console.