There’s no single purchase more confusing than the audio interface.
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Mac vs PC for music production. Logic Pro X remains popular for recording work, as do the cross-platform Cubase, Ableton Live and Pro Tools. Best studio Mac for musicians: iMac 5K.
Because among the dozens of options…
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Each one is designed to meet the demands of a specific “type” of studio.
For example…
At one extreme, a small $100 interface might be perfect in a simple bedroom studio…
If all you need is a single pair of outputs for your studio monitors.
At the opposite extreme, a pro studio that requires dozens of INs/OUTs might need several interfaces, each costing $4000 or more.
Needless to say, matching the right interface with the right studio is tricky even for the experienced. And for beginners, its 10x worse.
Which is why for today’s post, I’ve created an in-depth guide to help you find the perfect option for your studio.
So let’s get started. First off…
The 5 Key Features to Look For
Because of the fact that audio interfaces have so many features, it’s difficult to know which ones matter, and which ones don’t.
So let’s talk about that now. In particular, these are the 5 key specs to focus on:
DAW Compatibility
Interface Connectors
Input/Output (I/O) Count
Input Channel Types
Form Factor
And here’s why:
1. DAW Compatibility
In general, most DAW’s work with most interfaces…but not always.
If you don’t yet have a particular DAW that you are loyal to, then you need not worry here.
Because 90% of the top DAW’s will be compatible with any interface you choose.
However if you alreadyhave a DAW you want to continue using, be sure to verify compatibility on the company’s website. And just to warn you, this info is often hard to find.
You would think they would just post DAW compatibility in the interface’s product description, right? But it rarely happens. Usually it’s buried somewhere within an FAQ page.
While it’s not clear why this is done, my best guess is that these companies prefer not to advertise their current DAW compatibility, because they have no guarantees of future compatibility.
A particular interface might be compatible with your DAW today, but it may not be in a future release. And while that’s not likely to happen, it’s always possible.
Which is why personally, I prefer to use a DAW/interface combo made by the same company. Later in this post I will give you some good examples of these.
However, since there are only a few companies that make both, the downside to this solution is that it severely limits your options.
Up next…
2. Interface Connectors
When connecting an audio interface to a computer…
There are 4 cable options commonly used:
USB– which is typically seen on cheaper home studio interfaces, and offers the slowest data transfer rate.
Firewire– which is used on more expensive home studio interfaces, and offers a significantly faster transfer rate (nowadays these are becoming less common).
Thunderbolt– which has recently become popular with newer semi-pro interfaces, and is way faster than either USB or Firewire.
PCIE– which has long been the standard connection for professional interfaces, because it offers additional processing power and extremely fast data-transfer.
While USB is by far the slowest of all 4 options, it is still more than fast enough to get the job done for the vast majority of home studios.
So if you’re on a budget, USB is what I recommend.
But whichever type you choose, remember to double-check that your computer has the appropriate connection.
3. Input/Output (I/O) Count
On a typical interface, I/O counts can range anywhere between:
1-2 on a simple interface, to…
20+ on a professional one.
And the number you need for your studio depends mainly on the number of tracks you plan to record/monitor at once.
For example:
Solo musicians – may need only 2-4.
Songwriting teams – who work in small groups, want at least 4-8.
Engineers who record bands – should have as many as possible (16 at least).
Also…electronic drum kits alone can sometimes require 8 inputs if they offer separate channels for each part of the kit. So take that into consideration if you plan on using one.
4. Input Channel Types
One thing recording newbies often fail to realize is…
When counting the input channels of an audio interface, manufacturers could be referring to any number of different input types.
However in almost all cases, it includes some combination of these 3:
Mic Input – which allows you to connect a mic directly to the interface.
Line Input – which requires the addition of an outboard mic preamp to be used as a mic channel.
Optical Input – which is a type of “digital” input that requires the addition of BOTH an outboard mic preamp, and digital converter w/ “optical out” to be used as a mic channel.
Now here’s what this means for you:
If you want to use your interface “as-is” without adding a multi-channel mic preamp, you might have less available inputs than you think.
Because as you’ll notice, interfaces often have 16 or more total input channels, but only 2-8 mic inputs.
So without any additional gear, the “real” number of inputs on your audio interface is the mic preamp count, NOT the same as the input count.
Now that you know…make sure you actually have enough channels for your purposes. Otherwise you will be sorely disappointed.
NOTE: Two other input types that you should also look for are DI inputs (if you play guitar/bass), and MIDI inputs (if you use any type of keyboards/MIDI controllers).
5. Form Factor
A fancy jargon term used by computer geeks…
“Form factor” simply refers to the physical size and shape interface.
The two form factor options are:
Desktop Interfaces – which are smaller, and sit on your desk next to your computer.
Rackmounted Interfaces– which are larger, and mount in a standard size rack unit.
For beginners, I recommend starting with a desktop interface, because they’re cheap, easy-to-use, and require no special mounting or peripheral devices. You just plug them in and start recording.
With intermediate/advanced studios, rackmounted interfaces are typically better, as they tend to offer more I/O’s, as well as greater flexibility with signal routing and organization.
Now that you know what to look for, let’s check out some specific models.
Starting with…
Best Desktop Interfaces
For the vast majority of people reading this article, who only want a cheap interface that will allow them to record their music at home…
I recommend a 2-6 channel USB desktop interface, which normally costs between $100-$300 on the low-end, and $500-1500 on the high-end.
Currently, the top brands for these “types” of interfaces are Presonus, Focusrite, Avid, Universal Audio.
Here are the models I recommend from each brand:
Presonus AudioBox (USB connection)
(includes Presonus Studio One Artist DAW)
AudioBox USB – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Intermediate studios that don’t need a lot of I/O’s, or beginner studios that can afford the price tag. Sound studio software for mac.
Avid (USB connection)
(Bundled with Pro Tools 12 DAW)
Pro Tools Duet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Pro Tools Quartet – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
All Beginner/Intermediate studios who want to use the industry standard Pro Tools DAW.
NOTE: While the Apogee Duet and Quartet are “Mac Only” interfaces, the newer Pro Tools Duet and Quartet are compatible with both Mac and PC.
Universal Audio (Thunderbolt connection)
Apollo Twin SOLO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Apollo Twin DUO – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Who do I recommend these for?
Intermediate/advanced studios who want pro studio quality, in a home-studio-sized package.
More Options?
If for some reason of the previous options aren’t to your liking…
Here are 2 more great budget desktop interfaces to check out:
Audient iD4 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
Audient iD14 (USB) – (Amazon/Thomann)
And here is 1 more great high-end desktop option:
Antelope Audio Zen Tour (Thunderbolt/USB) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Up next…
Best Rackmounted Interfaces
For the purposes of this article, let’s define an “intermediate” studio as a home setup that requires a higher I/O count to meet the demands of some of the more complex recording tasks.
If that’s the type of studio you need, I recommend an 8+ channel rackmounted interface.
Again…the best interfaces in this category are made by Presonus, Focusrite, Apogee, Universal Audio, and Antelope Audio:
Apollo 8 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Apollo 16 (thunderbolt) – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Antelope Audio
Antelope Audio Zen Studio – (Amazon/GuitarC/MusiciansF/Thomann)
Antelope Audio Orion Studio – (Amazon/Thomann)
Antelope Audio Orion32+ – (Amazon/Thomann)
And finally…
“Professional” Interfaces
While any of the interfaces we’ve covered so far are more than capably of producing “professional” results…
There’s higher class of audio interfaces that we have yet to cover.
Normally only seen in high-end pro studios, these multi-thousand dollar interfaces typically connect to a separate PCIE card which can only be installed on a desktop computer.
The typical reason studios acquire this type of interface is to upgrade to Pro Tools HD, which is the standard system used by the majority of pro studios in the world.
In terms of performance, they offer many premium advantages, including:
Ultra-Low latency
High I/O counts
Premium Digital Conversion
Multiple Connection Options
And while these interfaces would almost certainly be overkill for the average home studio…
It’s still good to know about them, just in case the day comes when you decide your studio needs one.
Some examples of popular interfaces in this category are:
Assuming you chose a rackmounted interface, you’ll obviously need a rack to store it in, right?
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So if you don’t have one yet, check out this article:
Nowadays that virtually all music recording has gone digital…
The first question on every musician’s mind when first starting out with music production is:
Which computer should I get?
Though as I’m sure you already know, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer.
Because depending on factors such as:
budget
processing speed
portability
YOUR ideal option might be completely different from someone else’s.
Which is why for today’s post, I intend to show you everything you need to know to find the perfect computer/laptop for YOUR setup.
So let’s begin. First up…
Laptops vs. Desktops
More and more these days, as technology becomes increasingly “mobile“…
Desktop computers are slowly becoming a thing of the past.
Yet for music recording, they’re still what all the pros continue to use.
Here’s why:
They’re generally faster – their larger housing offers room for maximum processing power to meet the high demands of today’s DAW’s and plugins.
They have more IN’s/OUT’s – which allow you to incorporate larger, more sophisticated routings to keep up with your ever-growing setup.
They offer greater customization – which let’s you add more RAM, extra hard drives, additional video cards, and more…as necessary.
They solve the noise problem – by allowing you to keep the tower (noisy) in a separate room for your studio monitors and microphones.
Despite all these advantages, the ONE thing that desktop computers lack is…PORTABILITY.
And in today’s world of DJ’s and mobile studios, the portability of a laptop is a MUST.
Plus…since most of us use a laptop for school/work anyway, it eliminates the need for 2 separate purchases.
Now at this point, I’ll assume you’ve already decided whether a desktop or laptop computer is right for you.
So let’s move on. Up next…
Mac vs. PC
Want to know the easiest way to piss-off a recording geek? Here’s what you do:
If he uses a PC in his studio, tell him Macs are better.
If he uses a Mac, tell him PC’s are better.
Because for some strange reason, this topic incites violent debates…that last forever, and result in no real conclusions.
In fact, I absolutely HATE giving my opinion on this topic.
But here it is anyway:
Personally, I like Macs. Not just for recording, but for everything. And these days, most of the music world (and the rest of the world) agrees.
If YOU agree as well…get a Mac.
So why a PC then? It’s usually 1 of 3 reasons:
Price – Macs are usually more expensive than PC’s, and not everyone can afford them.
Customization – computer nerds typically prefer PC’s, since they are much easier to modify/supercharge.
Windows – some people just like the Windows OS.
If none of these 3 things apply to you…get a Mac.
But whichever side you choose, just know that tons of great music has been created on either one, and this topic isn’t nearly as important as some might have you believe.
Assuming you’ve made your decision…let’s move on.
Up next…
Mac Desktops
With Mac desktops, you have 4 options:
Mac Pro
iMac
iMac Pro
Mac Mini
Now here’s how they compare:
First, there’s the Mac Pro.
For studio recording, there’s probably nothing better. Peek your head into any pro studio…and odds are, that’s what you’ll find.
And the reason why is because it’s the only model that’s made to be easily upgradable, whichever part you’re looking to switch.
Now, up until not so long ago, the Mac Pro was just overkill for most of us, whether it was in terms of specs, or price.
However…
There is a serious, brand new contender on the desktop mac scene: the iMac pro.
The iMac pro is basically the MOST POWERFUL (yes, way more powerful than the Mac Pro) mac to date, with the added benefit of being an iMac, meaning it’s an all-in-one computer with a monitor built-in.
Now, one look at the base model price and you’ll understand why this model is not for everyone… And don’t even look at the price of the boosted out model if you’re faint of heart.
But if you’re looking for the most powerful mac out there and don’t mind making a (very) long-term investment, the iMac Pro will have you covered for the next decade or so.
Now for the overwhelming majority of us who can’t afford the iMac Pro, the next option is probably the best: the iMac.
While not nearly as powerful, the regular iMac is equally as practical for a typical beginner’s setup.
If you can afford it, it’s quite likely the ideal choice for most home studios.
If you CAN’T however, your final option is the Mac Mini.
How many times have your heard someone say:
I want to get a Mac, but they’re too expensive ?
Well the Mac Mini is proof that this is not entirely true.
And quite surprisingly, while the older models were definitely not on par with the iMac or Mac Pro in terms of speed…
The newer models, and especially the boosted ones show surprisingly good performances on the benchmark, and in some cases even outperforms the regular iMac.
It may not have the speed or flexibility of the more expensive models…but it offers ALL the benefits of the Mac OSX, for a very modest price tag.
Mac Pro – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
iMac Pro – (Amazon/B&H)
iMac – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
Mac Mini – (Amazon/GuitarC/B&H)
Up next…
PC Desktops
For those of you guys who build custom PCs…
I have no doubt you know far more about this subject than I do…
So…
If you can assemble something faster and better than a Mac Pro…go for it.
I wouldn’t dare try to convince you otherwise.
If however, you DON’T fall into this category, and you really don’t know much about computers at all…
Then I suggest staying away from PC desktops altogether.
And here’s why:
If you’re NOT a huge PC fan, the only reason to choose a PC for your studio would be if you’re a beginner trying to save money.
And since the main benefit of desktop computer is MORE PROCESSING POWER, it makes little sense to get any desktop that isn’t blazing fast.
So if you only have $500 to spend, you might as well get a laptop, so you can at least have some portability as well.
Having said that, let’s move on…
The 4 KEY Laptop Specs
Since we’ve already established that laptops are…in a way…”less-than-ideal” for music production…
Here are 5 potential issues to look out for:
Mechanical Noise – if you’re a DJ in a loud club, this obviously doesn’t matter. But in a bedroom studio, it matters a lot. One way to check for this: read a ton of user reviews. Another way: opt for a SSD (solid state drive) with no moving parts, over a traditional HDD (hard disk drive).
Backlit Keys – in low-light environments such as lounges and clubs, these are a MUST-HAVE.
Screen Size – you may not think it’s important now, but once you’ve spent some time with any DAW, you’ll quickly see how valuable a bigger screen can be.
Ports – as laptops get increasingly smaller, the number of ins/outs gets smaller as well. So make sure you have enough to get by.
Now let’s check out some laptops already…
Mac Laptops
With Mac laptops you have 3 options:
Macbook Pro
Macbook Air
Macbook
First, there’s the Macbook Pro.
My best guess is…Macbook Pros are the single most popular laptops for home recording.
They’re ultra fast
They’ve got lots of inputs
They have large screen with detailed display
If you can afford it, get it. If not…
Then the Macbook and Macbook Air come in TIED at a distant2nd place.
They’re not as fast, and they don’t have nearly as many inputs, but they’re extremely thin and lightweight…the Macbook Air ESPECIALLY!
So there you go. Check them out:
Macbook Pro – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
Macbook Air – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
Macbook – (Amazon/B&H/GuitarC/MusicianF)
Up next…
PC Laptops
On one hand, PC laptops are GREAT…
Because you have a virtually unlimited number of options to choose from.
On the other hand, PC laptops SUCK…for the exact same reason.
And what I mean by that is…
While it’s nice to have options, the more options you have, the harder it is:
to actually choose one
to be certain you’ve made the right choice
to be happy with your choice after you’ve made it
And unfortunately, for music production, there is no clear-cut winner that stands out from all the others.
But as most people agree…the best PC laptops for music tend to be the best PC laptops in general.
So here are 5 of the most popular and well-reviewed options:
HP Envy – (Amazon/B&H)
Asus Zenbook – (Amazon/B&H)
LG Gram – (Amazon/B&H)
Dell Inspiron – (Amazon/B&H)
Lenovo Yoga 3 – (Amazon)
Up next…
DAW System Requirements
Apple Mac Recording Studio
One important point worthy of mention that rarely gets discussed…
Is the system requirements for your DAW of choice.
Even though these days, most computers are compatible with most DAW’s…
In some rare cases…they’re NOT, so you should always double check just to make sure.
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If you don’t have a preferred DAW yet, or don’t even know what a DAW is, then don’t worry about this part.
However for those of you that DO, here are the links to the system requirements for each of today’s top DAW’s:
Up next…
3 Essential Computer Accessories
Once you’ve finally chosen a computer, next come the ACCESSORIES.
For recording studios, the 3 accessories I recommend are:
a keyboard
a mouse
a monitor
Now here’s what you want from each one…
1. The Keyboard
While any old keyboard will do…
Your ideal keyboard should include 3 features:
DAW shortcut markers – which help you memorize all those shortcuts WAY faster.
A number pad – which includes a TON of useful shortcuts for most DAW’s.
A wireless connection – which allows you access to your transport controls from anywhere in the room.
NOTE: Even if you have a laptop, you may still find it worthwhile to buy an external keyboard. That’s how useful they are.
Now here are my 2 favorites:
Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard – besides having a number pad and a wireless connection, this keyboard has one unique feature that you almost never see: solar power. That means no batteries or cables ever.
PC – (Amazon/B&H)
Mac – (Amazon/B&H)
LogicKeyboard Custom DAW Keyboards – (website) – easily the most well-known maker of software shortcut markers, LogicKeyboard has both custom keyboards and skin layovers for virtually every DAW/keyboard combo imaginable.
Up next…
2. The Mouse
Again…while any old mouse (or trackpad) will do…
With a really good mouse…
A few programmable buttons can give you access to your most frequently used DAW shortcuts without ever touching your keyboard.
And this one tool can speed up your workflow significantly.
While there are an almost infinite number of these mice to choose from…I suggest Logitech.com as a good place to start your search.
What Is The Best Mac Computer For Recording Music
My personal favorite mouse in their line is the Logitech MX Ergo – (Amazon/B&H). If you’re not sure what to get, I highly recommend it.
For some other great options, check these out as well:
Logitech MX Master2S – (Amazon/B&H)
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S – (Amazon/B&H)
3. The Computer Monitor
When you first start out with home recording…
You probably won’t recognize the value of REALLY GOOD monitor right away.
But eventually, after working without one for a while…
You’ll notice 3 things:
Low resolution screens can only display a small number of tracks at once.
Flat screen TV’s often look pixelated, and are awkward to view from close up.
Screens with slower refresh rates can’t display level meters in sync with the track.
Any one of these problems alone is annoying. All 3 together will drive you crazy.
And once that happens, I highly suggest getting a good external monitor.
Mac Mini Recording Studio Reviews
For a good high-end option, here is an example of something that would work well:
Computer For Recording Music
LG 27″ 4k – (Amazon/B&H)
Best Computer For Studio Recording
As an alternative, any standard monitor (such as this one) will work almost as well, such as he HP 27er.