5 Audio Interfaces Recommended by a Music Store Clerk

Steinberg UR22mk2

The first one I'd like to introduce is Steinberg's "UR22mk2."

It has two inputs and a headphone jack on the front, and two LINE OUTs on the back for sending sound to speakers.
It even has MIDI IN/OUT, making it a very thoughtfully equipped unit.

The body is compact, and its selling point is a good balance that can accommodate any gear you add later.

It also comes with "CUBASE AI", a lite version of CUBASE, the best-selling DAW software in Japan.
It's the perfect product for anyone who wants to try CUBASE for now.

It also has a 5V DC jack, so another plus is that it supports people planning to produce on iOS devices.
✳︎ Please note that using it with iOS requires a Lightning to USB Camera Adapter.

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 G2

Next is Focusrite's "Scarlett 2i2 G2."

The product's feature is its excellent recording sound.
Compared with other models in the 10,000-yen range, the sound gives a very fine-grained impression.

It also comes with "Pro Tools | First," widely used in professional settings, and "Ableton Live Lite," a DAW that lets you shape ideas right away.

This is also a well-balanced product, but it has no MIDI ports, so if you want to connect external synthesizers and the like, you'll need a separate MIDI interface.

A product highly recommended for those who want to try professional Pro Tools or want to record vocals and instruments in higher quality at home.

Audient iD14

Next is Audient's "iD14."

Audient has released many very high-quality products and has earned great trust from professionals.
This product makes full use of that technology and can be used by amateurs and pros alike.

It's by no means cheap, but even compared with models in this price range, it boasts unbelievably high-quality recording and monitoring sound.

The sound is warm and full of analog character, and it's a product I especially recommend for those making music centered on acoustic sounds, such as rock, jazz and pop.

For inputs, the front has one instrument input and one headphone jack, and the back has two mic preamp inputs and two LINE OUTs.
It also has an OPTICAL input.

Also, besides controlling speaker/headphone volume with the dial on the unit, you can assign any parameter in your DAW to this dial and control it.

For example, it's handy when you want to record or draw automation while actually touching a soft synth's parameters.

This unit combines all kinds of features, but no DAW is included with this product, so if you don't have one, you'll need to get DAW software as well.

A product highly recommended for those who like an analog-like sound or are looking for a high-quality audio interface while keeping the budget down.

Universal Audio Arrow

The next product is Universal Audio's much-talked-about "Arrow."

Its features are the latest connector, "Thunderbolt 3," and the ability to use UAD plug-ins on the go.

UAD plug-ins is the collective name for plug-ins of legendary compressors, EQs, mic preamps and so on that can be processed by the CPU built into this audio interface.

The quality of UAD plug-ins is highly rated by pros and amateurs alike, and they're used in many studios.
Connecting the Arrow lets you use these high-quality plug-ins.

It has a simple layout: a D.I. and headphone jack on the front, and two mic preamps and two LINE OUTs on the back.
The top of the unit has buttons for operating each parameter, allowing comfortable control.

The recording and monitoring sound is also analog-like, with characteristically crisp mids and highs.
Recommended for those who want to seriously learn mixing and mastering too or those who mainly record instruments.

One caveat: it can't be connected or used unless your computer has a "Thunderbolt 3 port."
These days many computers have USB Type-C ports, but they look like the same connector while being a different standard, so please be careful about this.

This product also doesn't come with DAW software, so you'll need to get DAW software separately.

RME Babyface Pro

Finally, we introduce RME's "Babyface Pro."

It has many fans among professionals, and from this compact body you'd never imagine, it boasts high-quality recording and monitoring sound.

One side of the unit has two headphone jacks and two LINE INs, and the other side has OPTICAL IN/OUT, MIDI ports (the included breakout cable is required to use them) and a USB port.

And the back of the unit has two XLR INs and two XLR OUTs.

Both the recording and monitoring sound are crisp and clear, and even when monitoring on headphones or earphones, it renders sound in very fine detail.
For example, you can accurately tell where each instrument is sounding, and even the reverb tails come through clearly and cleanly.

Genre-wise, it pairs well with programmed, electronic sounds, and since it's compact and bus-powered, it's also great for portability.

It's the most expensive of the ones introduced this time, but not many things this size can produce this much sound.
It will shine for DTM, of course, and there's no doubt it will make listening to music more enjoyable too.