10 best sound cards for the studio

Today we will talk about the best sound cards for home and professional recording studio. High quality sound at home usually does not need large investments, while professional activity will require considerable finances. The bulk of the budget will be spent on the purchase of monitors and the actual audio interface itself. Before buying, it is better to decide exactly what you want from your audio card. Professional and semi-professional interfaces provide a wide field for action. They significantly reduce the delay between pressing and playing audio during the workflow and allow you to record multiple sources in real time.

Along with great potential comes a big load, so if your computer does not have a powerful processor, it is better not to take risks and choose a model not for professional, but for home recording. However, many top models have built-in DSP processing — in other words, they use their own resources. Currently, the market is flooded with many sound cards - from the most budget (about 2,000 rubles) to the top (100,000 rubles). We have selected for you the top 10 best representatives of sound cards for professional and home recording studios.

Top 10 best sound cards for the studio

10 Lexicon alpha

A compact sound interface called Lexicon Alpha opens our top. Power is supplied via USB cable, it is possible to record several instruments simultaneously. With this device and dynamic microphones, you can record with the following instruments:

• Classical and acoustic guitars;
• Digital piano;
• Drum machines;
• Any other tool.

A pair of line inputs allows you to record instruments with a linear signal level. Low cost allowed her to remain relevant to this day. Included in the delivery package, the buyer will additionally receive the Cubase LE program - one of the best recording software. It will allow you to record 48 audio and 64 media tracks. It allows you to use virtual instruments and a variety of effect plug-ins for music.

9 Focusrite Scarlett Solo

This model is one of the best sound cards for home studios and professional recording. This is due not only to the low price, but also to the manufacturer’s special approach to creating a model. In the new iteration, many past errors were taken into account, for example, the clipping was removed, the delay was minimized and the discretization was raised to 24/192 values ​​due to new converters, and the dynamic range became 106 dB. The color of the body has become more saturated and bright, and the red tint highlights the Scarlett Solo among ordinary black and white models. At the bottom, the round soft legs turned into two rubber bands, but the grip of the card with the surface still remained at a high level.

Connection is via USB 2.0 with support for 1.1. With stuffing things are more interesting. New preamps have linear and smooth gain support for precise level construction. In addition, implemented protection against accidental power surges.

8 Zoom UAC-2

Among the Chinese representatives of the budget and middle segment wedged model from Japan - Zoom UAC-2. Its main advantage is the presence of an interface running USB 3.0, which greatly speeds up data transfer. According to the characteristics, the sampling rate is 24/192. Dynamic range - 118 dB for A / D and 120 dB for D / A. Power tires will be enough with the head, so you can do without external adapters when working with a PC, but when using with a tablet, you will have to buy more.

With drivers, things are great. The manufacturer has launched its own website where you can download licensed software absolutely free. At the same time, you will be able to control both all the options placed on the case and a number of functions sewn into the hardware itself. The program itself is called Mix Efx and allows you to fine-tune all the parameters of the interface.

7 Steinberg UR44

This model is an intermediate option in the UR line. On its case there are 4 inputs supporting both JACK and XLR connectors. Two of them with reduced resistance especially for guitar. There are two headphone outputs and phantom power present. On the reverse side is a line input, 4 outputs, MIDI, USB 2.0 and control on the iPad. There is a virtual console and a pack of built-in plug-ins from Yamaha. Also of interest is worth mentioning the convenient control in the form of a separate adjustment of audio output to monitors and headphones, high-quality preamps, stable operation of drivers and low latency.

There are no major flaws in the card. It is perfect for recording music, both in home studio and in professional. The only problem is that the key from the software (VST-DSP) is tied to a specific model, which makes it impossible to activate it for other devices.

6 PreSonus Studio 68

The new model Studio 68 boasts a completely new sound quality. New heights have been achieved thanks to the introduction of new Class A preamps and high-quality converters, which resulted in a warmer sound and detailed music. The case of the device is completely made of metal. The assembly is very strong, the manufacturer did not even stingy on the handles. Connects via USB 2.0 interface. The maximum sampling rate is 192 kHz with a depth of 24 bits.

Special attention is the button A / B, responsible for wiretapping. It determines which channel will be fed to the headphones. There are 4 gain controllers, a main output control and a headphone control. Requires external power, as indicated by the additional port and the on / off toggle switch. For the visualization of signals responsible bright and pleasant display.

5 Apogee duet

Apogee Duet has set a new quality standard for portable professional sound recording. This device due to its small size will be a discovery for musicians, producers and engineers who need the highest quality music and elegant simplicity. Duet is equipped with the legendary Apogee AD / DA converter, with 2 highest-class mic preamps, USB MIDI I / O and ESS Sabre32 DAC technology.

Using the two combined Duet inputs, you can connect microphones, guitars, keyboards, or line-level devices, such as external mic preamps or a mixing console. From the advantages of the device it is also necessary to highlight:

• Record up to 192 kHz with 24-bit bus;
• High-speed USB 2.0 connectivity to Mac or Windows;
• Direct digital connection to iPad and iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch);
• Software control of equipment parameters, including input selection and low latency monitoring.

4 Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII DUO

The main advantage of this interface is the presence of unique DPS chips, working in conjunction with its own plug-ins. At a high level, they emulate all the legendary and top-end sound processing devices. In other words, you get plug-ins that are almost indistinguishable from expensive “iron” devices at a much more affordable price.The interface allows you to use this photos not only when mixing material, but also at the stage of recording in real time with minimal delay.

There is another unique technology called Powerful UAD-2 QUAD PROCESSING, which has 4 processors at once. This way you can use more plugins than usual. Twin MKII is also a monitor controller, the functionality of which has been expanded compared to the first generation. In particular, such functions as checking in mono, dimming, switching on for alternative monitoring are now placed on the front of the device.

3 MOTU UltraLite-mk3

UltraLite-mk3 won the bronze of our rating due to its wide functionality. Its rear part is simply studded with analog inputs and outputs (8 pieces each), and in front there are several toggle switches - regulators in combination with a simple, but pleasant screen. USB power for this device is not provided. Power is supplied either through the adapter or via Fire Wire 400. In the second case, there is nothing more to be connected to the computer - data transmission and power are passing through the same cable.

Additionally, there is simultaneous presence of USB and FW interfaces, low latency, excellent build quality, clear sound without cracks and noises, as well as a proprietary and convenient graphical interface for managing the card. Additionally, it is possible to control all interfaces without a computer - as a separate switching unit.

2 RME Fireface UCX

German quality, coupled with a high (but adequate) price, immediately hint that we have a professional-level device. As a result, the Fireface UCX is one of the most super stable and reliable products. This card is the first device capable of writing 8 tracks from the iPad simultaneously with the quality up to 96 kHz. It is not surprising that after 5 years, the model confidently holds the bar and still sells well. Despite the non-monolithic assembly of several metal plates, the body feels durable and reliable.

The only omission is one single control regulator. One click - one setting. After purchase, it is recommended that you carefully read the manual, otherwise the setting will turn into a solid pain. Inside are installed one of the best-in-class converters with a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz, a depth of 24 bits and a dynamic range of 114 dB. In total there are 18 inputs and the same number of outputs.

1 RME Babyface PRO

Pedantic Germans went around in terms of recording, releasing Babyface PRO. The device comes complete with a thick manual and a massive case, where all the components are skillfully hidden. Monolithic body is made of aluminum and painted in silver color. This technology has led to a noticeable increase in weight, which adds stability - to brush it off the table is not so easy. On the top panel there is all the necessary indication, as well as control buttons, of which there are only 6 pieces together with a rotary joystick.

The device supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz. Two XLR-format inputs on the rear case cover have their own microphone preamps with their digital control and gain up to 70 dB in 3 dB steps. Using the digital interface, you can add up to 12 inputs and 12 outputs to the card, and management itself will be made easier by the program that comes with the package called TotalMix FX.

 

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of sound cards for studios
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Lexicon

Focusrite

Zoom

Steinberg

PreSonus

Apogee

Universal audio

MOTU

Rme

Total votes: 49

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