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Top 5 Audio Interfaces: A Survey of 3,272 Music Makers (2020)

Gear & SoftwarePublished 2020.08.30Updated 2026.07.17
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Our 2020 survey of 3,272 music makers revealed their five most popular audio-interface series. The results ranged from accessible entry-level options to higher-priced equipment favored by professionals. Steinberg’s UR series led the overall ranking, followed by Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin and Focusrite’s Scarlett series. Comparing the amateur and professional responses, alongside each product’s features, can help explain the choices people made. These are historical survey results: model specifications, prices and software bundles refer to the period of the original article rather than current offers.

The Most Popular Audio Interfaces: Survey Results

Here are the results of our equipment survey.
A total of 3,272 people responded, split between amateur and professional music makers as follows.

  • Amateur music makers: 2,769 (approximately 85%)
  • Professional music makers: 503 (approximately 15%)

Respondents entered their equipment names themselves, so different generations from the same manufacturer were grouped into a series where appropriate.
Keep that approach in mind when reading the results.

Respondents Who Did Not Use an Audio Interface

These respondents reported making music on a computer without a separate audio interface.

  • Amateurs: 323
  • Professionals: 13

About one in eight amateur respondents did not use a separate audio interface.
Some may have worked entirely with MIDI and software instruments without recording external audio.

Now let’s look at the most popular audio interfaces.

1st: Steinberg UR Series — 630 Users

Manufacturer’s website: https://bit.ly/2QxiuIR

The products were counted together as the UR series.

There were 630 users: 593 amateurs and 37 professionals.
Within the UR series, the most popular individual model was the Steinberg UR22 with 242 users: 232 amateurs and 10 professionals.

Its compact design and accessible price made it an approachable option for beginners.
The original article also highlighted the bundled Cubase AI DAW as a way to start making music after installation and activation.

The newer UR-C series, launched in 2019, had 108 users: 101 amateurs and 7 professionals. It was counted separately here.

We also covered the UR-C series in an earlier video and article; take a look alongside these results.

2nd: Universal Audio Apollo Twin Series — 259 Users

Apollo Twin MkII

Manufacturer’s website: https://bit.ly/31yGXDW

There were 259 users: 195 amateurs and 64 professionals.
As with the UR series, many responses did not specify variants such as DUO or QUAD, so these were counted together as the Apollo Twin series.

It offers access to UAD plug-ins and has a strong reputation for its sound.
It occupied a higher price bracket and had a relatively high proportion of professional users.

The article presented it as a longer-term option for intermediate and experienced music makers.
Different models use different computer connections. Before buying, check the exact interface, computer port, operating system and supported connection requirements.

3rd: Focusrite Scarlett Series — 181 Users

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

Manufacturer’s website: https://bit.ly/2D7fH6f

There were 181 users: 166 amateurs and 15 professionals.
The most popular individual model was the Scarlett 2i2 with 83 users: 79 amateurs and 4 professionals.

Like the first-place UR series, its compact design and accessible price were notable attractions.
Its color also makes a strong impression. The product promotional video is stylish too.

The original article listed the bundled DAWs Ableton Live Lite and Pro Tools | First (Focusrite Creative Pack), along with instruments and sound content, as a starting point for music production. This describes the 2020 bundle; Pro Tools | First has since been discontinued, so it should not be treated as a currently available offer.

4th: Yamaha AG Series — 121 Users

Yamaha AG03

Manufacturer’s website: https://yamaha.io/31ylgUx

There were 121 users: 118 amateurs and 3 professionals.
The most popular individual model was the AG03 with 91 users: 89 amateurs and 2 professionals.

Its compact mixer-style controls allow intuitive operation. Built-in effects and a loopback function also make it useful for online broadcasting.
The original article listed Cubase AI as the bundled DAW.

5th: RME Babyface Series — 100 Users

RME Babyface audio interface

Manufacturer’s website: https://bit.ly/3jlkC2L

There were 100 users: 68 amateurs and 32 professionals.
The article’s 12-input/12-output specification applies to Babyface Pro models and includes optical digital I/O; the original Babyface has 10 inputs and 12 outputs. These totals are not the number of onboard analog sockets. Channel counts depend on model and sample rate, and additional analog channels require external conversion.

It was a relatively expensive option with an established reputation for sound quality, reflected in its proportion of professional users.
The article suggested it for anyone looking for a well-built interface to use over the longer term.

Professional Users’ Top Five Models and Series

  • 1st: Universal Audio Apollo Twin — 64 users
  • 2nd: RME Babyface Series — 32 users
  • 3rd: RME Fireface UC Series — 17 users
  • 4th: RME Fireface UFX Series — 16 users
  • 5th: Avid Pro Tools | HD I/O — 13 users

The interfaces used by professional respondents were spread across a range of manufacturers and models.
Among them, Universal Audio and RME stood out, both having strong reputations for quality.
The appearance of the notably expensive Avid Pro Tools | HD I/O in fifth place also reflected the survey’s professional users.

What to Consider When Choosing an Audio Interface

We have also prepared an article for anyone choosing an audio interface.
There are several essential specifications to check, so we hope it helps you compare products before buying.

Coming Next in the 2020 Survey Series

Did the equipment you use appear in the rankings?
The next installment reveals the most popular MIDI keyboards. Stay tuned!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which audio interfaces did this article suggest for beginners?

The article suggested Steinberg’s UR and Focusrite’s Scarlett series for their compact designs, accessible prices and bundled DAWs. Those observations describe the 2020 market; check the exact model, current software bundle and computer compatibility before buying.

Q2. Can I make music on a computer without a separate audio interface?

Yes. About one in eight amateur respondents in this survey did so. You can work with MIDI and software instruments using a computer’s built-in audio. For recording vocals or guitar, you need a suitable audio-input path, commonly a separate interface; a USB microphone or another device with an integrated interface can also provide one.

Q3. Which audio interfaces did professional respondents use?

Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin and RME’s Babyface and Fireface series were popular among the professional respondents. The article highlighted their reputations for sound quality and longer-term use, while noting their higher prices. These rankings reflect the 2020 survey rather than the current market.

Q4. What should I check before buying an audio interface?

Check that the exact connection type, such as USB or Thunderbolt, is compatible with your computer and supported operating system. Also consider the number and type of inputs and outputs you need, any bundled DAW software, and your budget.