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. 238 interfaces match current criteria.)
Make | Model | Port | Mic Pres |
Bit/Sample Rate![]() |
List Price | Shop New | Shop Used | Notes | Details | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xitel | MD-Port DG2 | USB 1 | $70.00 |
Xitel MD-Port DG2 |
Toslink optical output, to connect to an optical digital device. No analog. |
Details | ||||
Xitel | MD-Port I/O | USB 1 | $70.00 |
Xitel MD-Port I/O |
Analog input, toslink optical output. |
Details | ||||
Griffin | iMic (original) | USB 1 | $35.00 | Shop New |
iMic (original) |
USB, 2 channel in and out on 1/8 inch jacks, switchable mic/line input. This has been upgraded at least once, still called iMic. |
Details | |||
Griffin | USB Audio Hub | USB 1 | $39.00 | Shop New |
USB Audio Hub |
Not an audio interface. USB, 4-port hub optimized for use with USB audio devices. Discontinued. |
Details | |||
Griffin | PowerMate | USB 1 | $45.00 | Shop New |
Griffin PowerMate |
Not an audio interface, volume knob/programmable scrolling controller for any app. |
Details | |||
Telex | P-500 | USB 1 | $60.00 | Shop New |
Telex P-500 |
Analog-to-digital input only? Discontinued, manufacturer website was formerly... |
Details | |||
Onkyo | DW-S500 | USB 1 | $400.00 | Shop New |
Onkyo DW-S500 |
Stereo system with USB input, bookshelf sized. |
Details | |||
M-Audio | AudioSport Duo | USB 1 | 2 | $350.00 |
M-Audio AudioSport Duo |
2 inputs, works as standalone A/D with S/PDIF out, comes with Logic Delta software. (Later renamed as the Duo USB?) |
Details | |||
M-Audio | AudioSport Quattro | USB 1 | $350.00 |
M-Audio AudioSport Quattro |
4 in, 4, out, MIDI i/o, comes with Logic Delta software. Expandable via the... |
Details | ||||
Sound Devices | USBPre | USB 1 | $695.00 |
Sound Devices USBPre |
Details | |||||
Presonus | FIREstation |
FireWire 400 mLAN |
2 | $899.00 |
Presonus FIREstation |
8 ch i/o, tube emulation, ADAT i/o, S/PDIF, MIDI and onboard mixer for zero latency monitoring. Works as standalone 2 ch mic pre and 8... |
Details | |||
Radikal Technologies | SAC-2.2 | USB 1 | $1849.00 |
Radikal Technologies SAC-2.2 |
Details | |||||
Apogee | AMBus 1394 FireWire Card |
FireWire 400 mLAN |
$695.00 |
Apogee AMBus 1394 FireWire Card |
Not an audio interface. FireWire 400 (mLAN compatible) interface card for Apogee gear with AMBus slots, such as the Apogee Trak2Mic... |
Details | ||||
Xitel | Pro HiFi-Link | USB 1 | $99.00 |
Xitel Pro HiFi-Link |
2 channel RCA analog out, S/PDIF coax output, TOSLink optical output, comes with (3) 30 foot cables: 1/8"-2RCA, S/PDIF coax, TOSLink... |
Details | ||||
Griffin | PowerWave | USB 1 | $99.00 | Shop New |
PowerWave |
USB, 2 in, 2 out, 15 watt amplified speaker output. Discontinued. |
Details | |||
Onkyo | MSE-U33HB | USB 1 | 1 | Shop New |
Onkyo MSE-U33HB |
2-in, 2-out, with 3-port USB hub, mic input (1/8"?) and GM/GS synth sound set. |
Details | |||
Onkyo | SE-U55 | USB 1 | 1 | Shop New |
Onkyo SE-U55 |
2-in, 2-out, S/PDIF coax I/O, optical I/O, mic in (1/8"), headphone out. |
Details | |||
Onkyo | UD5 | USB 1 | $79.00 |
Onkyo UD5 |
USB, digital optical out only. PC only? |
Details | ||||
Line 6 | GuitarPort | USB 1 | $229.00 | Shop New |
Line 6 GuitarPort |
Guitar input with prerecorded tracks to jam with. |
Details | |||
TC Electronic | PowerCore FireWire | FireWire 400 | $1745.00 | Shop New |
TC Electronic PowerCore FireWire |
Not an audio interface. FireWire processor adds DSP horsepower to any VST or MAS DAW (PC or Mac). Comes with a bunch of plug-ins. Other... |
Details |