The Computer Audio Interface Guide
This guide covers computer audio interfaces (sometimes referred to as "I/O"s or "breakout boxes") for PC or Mac. These provide audio input, output and additional features which improve upon any built-in audio jack. This guide does not cover internal PCI cards, just external connectors (USB, FireWire etc). See the bottom of this page for an intro to the terminology and trends.
(Sort by clicking a header. Filter by selecting a port. 24 interfaces match current criteria. See all interfaces.)
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Model | Port | Mic Pres | Bit/Sample Rate | List Price | Shop New | Shop Used | Notes | Details | |
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Apogee | Duet2 | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/192.0k | $595.00 | Shop New |
Apogee Duet2 |
Built-in: 1/4" headphone out. For other I/O the Duet2 requires either a breakout cable (2 ch analog in on XLR/TRS combo for line/mic/... |
Details | |
Behringer | B-Control BCA2000 | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $259.00 | Shop New |
Behringer B-Control BCA2000 |
3 analog inputs (XLR mic, 1/4"), 6 analog out (2 1/4", 4 RCA) optical S/PDIF i/o, ADAT i/o, MIDI i/o, 100mm faders, headphone out |
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CME | Xcorpio A | USB 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $159.00 | Shop New |
CME Xcorpio A |
2 analog in on XLR, 2 analog out on RCA, headphone out. Small clip-on "bionic portable design" for guitarists. |
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CME | Xcorpio I | USB 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $159.00 | Shop New |
CME Xcorpio I |
2 analog in on TRS, 2 analog out on RCA, headphone out. Small clip-on "bionic portable design" for guitarists. |
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Creative Labs | Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX | USB 2 | 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $130.00 | Shop New |
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 NX |
Surround sound audio interface w/ 6 analog outputs (L/C/R/LS/RS/SW), optical S/PDIF i/o, 2 ch. line input, mic input, infrared remote... |
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Edirol | UA-1000 | USB 2 | 4 | 24bit/96.0k | $945.00 | Shop New |
Edirol UA-1000 |
Rackmount 10 channel in/out with tons of i/o options, ADAT i/o, wordclock i/o, MIDI, etc. Note: Windows only, no Mac support. Branded as... |
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Edirol | UA-25EX |
USB 1 USB 2 |
2 | 24bit/96.0k | Shop New |
Edirol UA-25EX |
2 ch analog in (on XLR/TRS combo, one of which can take an instrument in), 2 ch analog out (on TRS and RCA), digital in/out (on optical... |
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Lynx | Aurora 16 |
USB 2 FireWire 400 |
24bit/192.0k | $3295.00 | Shop New |
Lynx Aurora 16 |
16 analog I/O on DB25 connectors, 16 AES digital I/O (DB25 breakout), MIDI I/O, wordclock I/O. Comes stock with an empty card slot,... |
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Lynx | Aurora 8 |
USB 2 FireWire 400 |
24bit/192.0k | $2195.00 | Shop New |
Lynx Aurora 8 |
8 analog I/O on DB25 connectors, 8 AES digital I/O (DB25 breakout), MIDI I/O, wordclock I/O. Comes stock with an empty card slot, which... |
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Marian | UCON CX | USB 2 | 4 | 24bit/96.0k | $899.00 |
Marian UCON CX |
8 analog in (4 XLR/TRS combo, 4 TRS), 8 analog out (TRS), ADAT I/O, MIDI I/O, word in, headphone out, UCON mixer software. Works... |
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MOTU | 828 mkII (USB2.0) | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $795.00 | Shop New |
MOTU 828 mkII (USB2.0) |
8 analog, ADAT and S/PDIF I/O, ADAT sync, word clock I/O, headphone out, adds the following to the original 828: 96k, SMPTE+MIDI i/o,... |
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MOTU | MicroBook | USB 2 | 1 | 24bit/48.0k | $269.00 | Shop New |
MOTU MicroBook |
4 analog in (1 Mic TRS with included adapter to XLR, 1 instrument 1/4", 2 more inputs on either 2 TRS or 1 mini stereo 1/8"), 4 analog... |
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Native Instruments | Audio 8 DJ | USB 2 | 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $449.00 | Shop New |
Native Instruments Audio 8 DJ |
4 stereo inputs (8 RCA), 4 stereo outputs (8 RCA), 2 optional phono preamps, MIDI I/O, headphone out, compatible with Final Scratch... |
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Roland | Quad-Capture | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/192.0k | $349.00 | Shop New |
Roland Quad-Capture |
Also known as the Roland UA-55. Two analog input channels on XLR/TRS combo connectors, two output channels on TRS connectors, two... |
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Roland | Octa-Capture | USB 2 | 8 | 24bit/192.0k | $819.00 | Shop New |
Roland Octa-Capture |
Also known as the Roland UA-1010. Eight analog input channels on XLR/TRS combo connectors, eight output channels on TRS connectors, two... |
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Roland | Tri-Capture | USB 2 | 1 | 24bit/96.0k | $159.00 | Shop New |
Roland Tri-Capture |
Also known as the Roland UA-33. Two analog channels can be recorded from a choice of inputs: (1) XLR mic input, (1) instrument input, or... |
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Tascam | US-122L | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $199.00 |
Tascam US-122L |
2 analog input (2 XLR or 2 1/4" TRS), 2 analog out (RCA), instrument input, MIDI i/o, headphone out. |
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Tascam | US-144 | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $269.00 |
Tascam US-144 |
2 analog input (XLR or 1/4" TRS), 2 analog out (RCA), instrument inpout, S/PDIF i/o, MIDI i/o, headphone out. |
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Tascam | US-122mkII | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $199.00 | Shop New |
Tascam US-122mkII |
2 analog input (2 XLR or 2 1/4" TRS or 1 instrument), 2 analog out (RCA), MIDI i/o, headphone out, includes Steinberg Cubase LE4. |
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Tascam | US-144mkII | USB 2 | 2 | 24bit/96.0k | $270.00 | Shop New |
Tascam US-144mkII |
2 analog input (2 XLR or 2 1/4" TRS, 1 instrument), 2 analog out (RCA), instrument input, S/PDIF i/o, MIDI i/o, headphone out. |
Details |