Best Guitar Pc Interface (2024 Update)

The i-Rig2 is the perfect accessory for musicians who are looking to practice without "disturbing" those in close proximity. I play the bass guitar which can interfere with someone upstairs from me who might be trying to listen to the tv. With headphones on, I just plug into the i-Rig2, adjust my settings on the ap and practice without complaints from anyone who is looking for quiet. It is easy enough to operate. You just plug the i-Rig2 into your Smart phone and you're ready to go. It was easy to get this device through Sam Ash and they also diagnosed a loose jack output on my bass which they fixed within a few days. Thanks Sam Ash!!DAVE

I bought this thinking it would be really awesome to use as an interface to get some good pedal and amp modeling without all of the gear. I am not an Apple user, but I do have a Macbook I use for work purposes. I tried to find Amplitube to use and it is not able to download the app to Macbook. It has to be either iphone or ipad. I used it with the built in garageband app and there is a lot of feedback and static that comes through the speaker when using the pass through fx. I am a little sad about this as I had high hopes.Scott

I've known about the iRig series for over 10 years, and I wanted something that would simplify recording my guitar, keyboard, and electric violin, so I took a chance and purchased the IK Multimedia iRig 2 audio interface. I expected it to work fine with my iPad Mini (generation 1) and my iPhone 7 (using Apple's Lightning to 3.5mm adapter), though I also assumed that it would not work when I tried connecting it my Lenovo laptop's headset input. To my surprise, it actually did work with my laptop. I have yet to really tap into the iRig 2's fullest potential, and I still need to group all of my audio input apps into one folder on both iPhone and iPad, but so far, I'm very pleased with the IK Multimedia iRig 2.jayoders1986

An impressive sounding device but I haven’t been able to get it to work yet. The software package that comes with it on CD is dated and doesn’t work with Windows 10. The drivers on CD are old too. So you have to get the new drivers from the Behringer web site. Then you have to get a sound software package. Audacity is too simple so I signed up for Pro Tools free, but it wouldn’t install the audio drivers. Then you need the Behringer USB link and then try to get the lot to work. I couldn’t. DJ City offered me a refund but I’m going to persist. I also bought a Jam for the iPad and that worked within minutes.Richard W.

This product appeared to be a very simple, almost plug and play, interface that would let me play my RISA ukulele through my PC and laptop. I have been researching how to make this interface work for about a month. Some users are very lucky and very satisfied. Others, like me, have yet to get a single note out the PC speakers or headphones. It is an inexpensive device, but should still be straight-forward to install. IT IS NOT. Drivers are no longer available at the vendor site. The fact that even this business can not provide concrete installation instructions that result in this device working should be enough to scare anyone off this product. I'll continue to work with it to see if I can ultimately make it work, but I won't be holding my breath. I may be an electronics engineer but this thing has enough settings to scare me off.Richard

Pros: Compact, Easy To Use Cons: Limitations With Win7 Other thoughts: compact and pretty much plug-n-play. I'm running Windows 7 Pro and found out that I'm not able to listen to my guitar plugged into the unit AND the audio on my laptop. This is a limitation to me, as I purchased this interface for the purpose of being able to play along with my online guitar lessons. I have to add that I noticed this when using the ASIO drivers (ASIO4ALL). I attempted to test another one of the built in Windows drivers but the latency is just unacceptable. I haven't tried this with any other version of Windows (eg: XP) to see if this is still the case. Just something to mention. Again, it's compact with it's tiny footprint, which is great for mobilility. When setup to play guitar using the ASIO drivers, the guitar sound and latency is fine. Personally, even at a low price of under $30, i wouldn't have invested in this unit knowing what i know now. And returning the unit just isn't worth my time and effort.metalmania408

I bought one of these with the intention of purchasing more for my classroom. Once I figured out how to use it (not hard), I fell in love. The app they recommend isn't the best which made it seem harder to use initially, but there are soooo many other amazing apps that work with it (I prefer the tonebridge app since it models any song effects you can think of and is free and foolproof). Now the device is super easy to use and I love how I can toggle between sending the feed into an amp or exclusively into headphones. This will make my playing tests and recording the students a breeze, not to mention saving everyone's ears while the kids try to work out riffs or chord progressions.Dave

It is a box that only works with software and if you can't get the soft ware to talk to it, you're nowhere, which is where I find myself. The software that was recommended to use in the setup instructions offers little support for setup of its own. It is definately not intuitive or obvious. For those already skilled in the field, it might be a good product. I may never find out.Richard

I have been having trouble getting audio into my MacBook for a long time. Mac ended support for Firewire on my Mackie Onyx 820i. I just bought the Onyx Producer 2×2 on the advice of B&H. My MacBook is running the most recent Mojave. I do not recommend Mackie or Apple for trying to get good audio into a digital format.Robert

I have two AVID Mboxes that I have used for years. The Focusrite Solo 3rd Generation is so much better. I bought the Recording package with the CM25 MIC and Headphones at least half the cost of my MBOX mini and MBOX2. The Preamps are amazing, The MIc is great, the flat response headphones for mixing are very clear and The interface is very easy to install and set up. Most importantly the recording freq of 192KHZ gives you a very pristine recording for acoustic guitar and vocals. The other recording interfaces being sold in this price range are 96 kHz or 48 kHz. The Air button gives your recordings a live sound which is very cool. The stock plugins are also good and there is enough for your mixing needs. It also comes with a Few free DAW options. You Can download free plugins, join the Focusrite plugin collective and start on a project within a few mins. thus is a good ProductDavis Roy Wilbury

I bought this to record my band using a single condenser mic setup. It seems to work very well. Drivers are recognized by Windows (11). Solid metal casing. Provides phantom power for the condenser mic. I use Audacity to control the recording and edit the results. It comes with several free downloadable software packages, but I have not tried them. I had a Behringer U-Phoria UM2, but is kind of clunky and does not have a good ASIO driver. Plastic casing.g-oracle

Thankfully they have changed the rear power input to USBC, which is great news. My last one never got used because the input was broken, it ran a similar cable to a printer. Warranty runs out after one year and I never even got to use it. It costs the same amount to post out and repair as to buy another new one. Definitely make sure you're getting USBC. Don't wrap the cable around when storing and transporting. Unplugging is absolute must. Take care of your gear. Quality wise, it does the job. If recording directly you will need to have a DAW with VST3I, VST, VST3 files to augment the sound virtually. It basically turns your computer into an amp. Only for those who wish to record at home and avoid studio costs. Don't waste your time if you don't have a computer. Check for Mac compatibility.AeonOvTerror

Got my edrums and guitar rig hooked up to the rear ports, 5-8 and let 'er rip. Seemed to be enough gain going into a console, and Reaper, as well as the powered monitors I have (7 yo Focal Solo 6's). However, headphone output is terrible, and I mean, embarrassing. If you plan to use these with any cans other than 32 Ohm models, run far away. I can barely hear the headphone output using my Beyer DT880s 600 ohms units. Meanwhile, even my lowly edrum module and guitar processor can easily power these cans. There's no excuse for such poor performance these days. Everyone has ICs capable of driving even the most difficult phase angles on headphones, and headphones are essential for recording. When I contacted them I was told to buy a headphone amplifier. Shame on Focusrite for not advancing even into the 1990's… Bonus to them for getting the Win 10 drivers right though, installation was a breeze. Look for mine on Reverb shortly….Xyrium

I use this interface to record voice over work. I have used the same product for five years with a thunderbolt cable. The USB cable version is so much more versatile and allows me to achieve the same quality with the same ease of use but now with the ability to connect with more of my devices. Win, win, win!!!Lois

Snapped this up on the Black Friday deal. Upgraded from a Scarlett 2i4 gen 2 as I needed more inputs. I’m extremely pleased with the device, lots of new features over the Scarlett. Special mention goes to the ‘Air’ mode which sounds absolutely amazing when recording vocals or anything you want to cut through the mix. If I need more than the 8 available Inputs, I can use an ADAT connection for up to 18 inputs. Really low noise floor, and the Clarett has a power on/off switch which I think the Scarlett really did need! Highly recommend the ClarettReviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I didn’t think there were enough reviews around the pro. I wanted to use it playing for a complete session, so 2-3 hours of continuous use. I mainly use an acoustic guitar but I made this purchase to save carrying my main fx board. It took a little bit of setup (mainly trying to find a nice clean sound that represents my acoustic), but the unit works better than expected. I’m running it off an iPhone 6 Plus and find it perfect to use. Might be easier to manipulate on an iPad, but I wanted portability. I am totally blown away with the quality of the product and the amount of leads and adaptors it ships with to run from any device. MONEY WELL SPENT!Graham A.

What a brilliant product, Love the simplicity of design. I find the controls intuitive and very easy to use. I also discovered that I can control the input gain from my DAW software so another great bonus. The only reason I have not given five starts is because I am having issues with my unit and I am still trouble shooting the problems with support. But so far Audient support have been responsive. These things happen so I am happy to rate them 4 stars on anticipation of a happy outcome. I will update once resolved. If you have a M1 Apple Mac I would hold off until you see if my problem is resolved satisfactorily or if you can confirm other people with the new M1 Mac have it working 100%.Gary P.

I’m happy I just wish I could have 4 separate outputs for quad surround monitors for mixing but other then that I’m happy. Love em with my new krk white noises !!Reviewed by Absolute Music custo

This product is super easy to use once you figure out the basics. It was not as intuitive as other audio interfaces. This does an amazing job and well worth the investment.Glenn

1. You cannot use it in standalone mode, so computer is always required (It will not take power from USB power supply). This become a problem when I was trying to feed output to the camera which is connected by USB to the same computer. It creates vary bad case of ground loop. 2. It is not going to give you good sound on high impedance headphones. My Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm work, but have weak low freq. 3. Preamp for dynamic mic might be noisy. I am using Rode PodMic and for effective gain I am on edge of introducing noise. You may need to use something like Cloudlifter ($150) depends on your gain requirements.Roman

This audio interface was easy to set up and came with a lot of really cool free software. It’s pretty simple but does great for what it was designed for. I’d give it an A+ If you’re using it for a pod cast or recording instrument/vocals. I personally got this and a cloudlifter for my sm7b. The Scarlett 2i2 gen 3 does not provide enough gain for my specific mic and a cloud lifter was needed. If you’re looking at this for a twitch style streaming set up, it works as an interface, but I would recommend for around same price to get a goxlr mini. You gain more features like separate controls for chat/game/discord with the sliders and the goxlr mini has enough preamp power that you don’t need a cloud lifter for mics like the popular sm7b. Pro: * Gen 3 comes with a usb-c connector on the back. Very nice as most devices are moving from usb a+micro into a more standardized usb-c. * comes with great free DAW in form of ableton live lite. Comes with a a suite of other free software but this one was nice enough to highlight. * quality metal build * simple and intuitive!Cheddarsharp

I replaced my 2nd generation Scarlett 2i2 with the 3rd generation 4i4. I was a bit skeptical of the software application required to set the inputs to line/instrument, but it turned out to be fairly intuitive. The unit comes with a pad and air feature. Pad is self explanatory (gain reduction for loud recordings), the air setting is supposed to model some classic microphone preamp or something to that effect. I'm not totally sure what the difference is, but I've left the Air feature on anyways while recording and I've been pleased with the results, how much of that satisfaction is a result of the Air setting is hard to say since I haven't actually done any objective testing but it certainly doesn't seem to hurt anything by having it on. Initially, when I got the hardware going on my iMac I experienced significant lag while using Logic at various times, particularly when I was trying to copy logic drum tracks or expand the timeline but also while trying to do basic functions as well. I was concerned that I would have to get more RAM for my Mac which is problematic because the model I have makes it both difficult and expensive to increase RAM. However, after a few repeated uses the issue seems to have subsided, so I don't really know what that was about or whether the change in hardware even had anything to do with it, however it definitely was not an issue while I used my 2i2 so it's something to consider. I mainly upgraded because I wanted to start using midi with my electronic drum kit and that was basically as easy as plug and play (aside from a couple added steps in Logic which didn't have anything to do with the 4i4). However, for some reason the midi tracks seem to cause Logic to experience errors during playback when I close and then reopen a project. Again, can't say that this is a result of the 4i4 but I've been able to resolve the issue by simply quitting Logic entirely before reopening a project which isn't much of an inconvenience at all.Kab

I got it to transfer vinyl albums to CD and it's done a good job, along with audacity software, which you have to download I might add. Would have given 5 stars but haven't found the "huge" bundle of included software that's advertised, unless it's in the audacity software itself. Not sure about those "hundreds" of instruments, haven't found those. As for the audacity download, it's an old version, which seems to be ok, but I uninstalled that and went to the audacity sight and downloaded the newest version which is what I'm using now. On the upside, I'm glad to now have a way of recording my own music, guitar and keyboards, as well as my original intent which was transferring vinyl to digital. By the way, the inputs and outputs are 1/8" RCA, in case you were wondering if they were 1/8" or 1/4". The audacity software is great in my opinion. You can make really nice crystal clear CD's if you use the tools, just google for instructions on the various tools for noise and crackle reduction, compression etc.Star Gazer.

At 3 inches by 2 inches the UCA222 is a compact interface that does exactly what I want it to do — make possible a high quality digital audio signal from my computer to my powered speakers. Apple used to make possible a direct Toslink connection between computer and speakers, and I was disappointed to find that they took that feature out of the 2019 iMac. I used Bluetooth to connect for a while, but there was always a lag at the start of an audio stream. With this little Behringer device, I have USB to optical digital cable out and straight to my speakers. Best of all, it is very reasonably priced.bdw112358

The reason I would not recommend to a friend is because most of my friends probably could not get this puppy to work in a week or a year. It is not exactly plug and play as one might expect. As it turns out the UCA202 does not come with any owner manual or much help for setting up and using it for that matter. And it was not easy to get it to work correctly either (at least not in my case). In my case all I really wanted to do was to simply capture some good old analog output from about 50 of my old 33 rpm LP records, via my good old turntable, pipe it through my stereo amp and on out to the UAC202 which would, supposedly, convert the signal in stereo (two channels) and output it via the USB connector to the PC when running the correct software to capture said inputs and save them, eventually, as a .WAV file, etc. That was the goal. Getting it done, however, was not a piece of cake, as advertised. For openers, the signal piped in to the PC via the USB was completely distorted because my basic receiver/amp boosted it too much. It apparently overpowered the UCA202 which then sent a distorted signal to the PC. As a result I thought I set things up wrong and uninstalled all the software and started scratching my head and spending hours searching the web for clues and answers. Finally, after a bunch of trial and error, a light went on in my head and I managed to re-install the following software and re-route the turntable output via a different path on the stereo system and managed to get things working OK. Read on… To make it work via my HP Pavilion G6 laptop (the only PC I could easily move next to my stereo and turntable in order to hook things up… and, BTW, you better have some long stereo connector cables handy as well… also not supplied) I finally figured out which driver to download and install and how to setup and configure the correct audio capturing/editing software; i.e. a copy of Audacity in my case… which seemed to be the easiest one of the bunch to learn to use, etc. First, I suggest going here… http://www.behringer.com/EN/Category/Recording.aspx?s=R200. From there click on the UAC202 image which will take you here… http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/UCA202.aspx Then click on the Downloads tab. From there select, download and install a copy of the driver and a copy of the Audacity program; depending on type of PC you have. Install the driver first. Then the Audacity audio capture/editing software. But, keep in mind that you will also need to run Audacity with the UCA202 totally hooked up as well (it must get its power by plugging in the USB connector which should also let your PC, and the driver, etc., know it is alive and ready to tap into for a signal) and that you must, initially, go into FILE + PREFERRENCES (when running Audacity anyway) and select the correct input device via the Audio I/O tab and the Recording drop down options. You will probably want to also select the Directories tab and supply a place for temp files to be stored which you can easily final later… keep reading… Once you correctly configure the Audacity program (and the driver is correctly installed) then your next problem will be to figure out how to LOWER the volume, or signal power, of the signal coming into and passing through the UCA202 before the capture program gets it. Good luck with that. If you have an equalizer or some other way to control the signal, fine. But, in my case, I ended up having to route the signal through my good old reel to reel tape deck (if I did not have this I would have been returning the UCA202 for sure) and from there to the UCA202 because that was the only piece of equipment I had which gave me a way to reduce the volume level of the turntable output before sending it to the UCA202. By dialing down the volume to about 1/3 of what was coming from the turntable and receiver/amp I was finally able to capture a decent recording w/o any overloaded distortion. Now, one more thing. The Audacity program, once set up and working correctly, is pretty slick and easy to use for both capture and editing. HOWEVER, I found that it often dies after capturing a song/cut, or an entire set of songs/cuts into memory. VERY frustrating. You can click on Record and capture 30 minutes of audio data and then, when you hit Stop, the program promptly dies for no known reason. 30 minutes wasted. And it leaves all the recording files on the target temp folder… so you better know where it is so you can manually delete them, stop the program, start it again (to free up any memory or errors) and try, try again… even though the program will let you know if you have old temp files… etc… etc… I found that the program fails like this about 10% of the time. Long story short… When Audacity works and all is configured and wired and set up correctly it will (maybe) function without any distortion and it is actually quite fun to use. But 10% of the time you better count on performing a redo.TMIAmericaOnYouTube

I used to record stuff in my 20s on a Fostex 4 track, then the digital home studio stuff. Forward 30yrs and I'm blown away by the sheer volume oe software available! But by far is the fantastic build quality and usability of the 18i8. Plug anything in and with a bit of experimenting (around 1hr) and I was laying down tracks and editing them. I honestly wish I had purchased one years ago. I bought it to bring my home studio together, drum machine, guitars, keyboard Nd vocals. Love it to bits.clairemarie007

I purchased this as a step up from my old M audio mobile pre. Sound quality is much better and it's quite easy to use. One future I wish it had however was the ability to mute the microphones during play back through the monitors. Also the preamp's have barely sufficient gain to power my SM 81s adequately. Unfortunately Just afterThe warranty. Ended the problem with headphone channel number one appeared it seems I have a loose connection on the PCB And can no longer use that channel. All in all worth the money in my opinion.Bassdan

I had M-Audio interface before after about 7 years it just stop working on me. They're so many interface's out there to choose from. You can go to YouTube and get your mind overloaded when looking. So One day I look on AMS and saw the new M-Audio Line and because I ready use it before and whenever I had a issue with the product they're Tech-support and customer service was great. That's another reason why I pick this M-Audio. There is three things that I dislike about this product that you may not know about.If you never used Pro-Tools it has a learning curve and if you already have plug-ins that you love work with all the time.They will not work with pro tool first. If you would like to get plug-ins my understand they're subscription base plug-ins. And you will not be able to share your project with another producer so you can work on the project together you can not do it in Pro-Tool first. you have to buy the full Pro-Tools or pay for the monthly or yearly subscription. Other that that for what I need it for my production work it's great.Davell B

This is a solid interface for my home studio. I use it to record Guitar, bass, vocals through an MXL990 (has phantom power). I also use the MXL above/behind drums to nicely capture cymbals, while also placing a mic on the bass drum. Not the best setup for drums, so I'll be looking into a larger unit with more inputs. The downside is that I most often have to set the preamp levels between 4-5 to avoid clipping, but the recordings are loud and clear on each track. I'm currently using PreSonus Studio One, but have also used Ableton Live, so this interface works well with multiple software packages. I haven't connected any midi devices yet, so I have nothing to add there. The headphone connection and volume control work as they should.Dambro

Works super easy, displays clipping, instantly fixed delay problems I've been having with my daw! I wish I bought one of these sooner. Highly recommend this for beginner audio editing software users. It should be one of the first item you invest some money into.ergu_1653

Ive been through several over the years. Some cheap, some high end, and it is true that get u pay for. Or I should say it was true, because focusrite is killing it with the Scarlett line! U can tell when u grab it that its built well. Strong and durable to last. But the sound quality is what is truly amazing. Recording and playback both are just so crystal clear! 10 yrs ago you just couldnt get that good of sound in a home studio unless you had 10s of thousand to drop into it. Last but not least… Small package BIG POWER! I only bought the solo (2nd Gen) the smallest I think, but youd never know it by listening to the performance. And using is super easy with midi usb, plug and play. I love my solo 2nd gen! And I see myself upgrading to at least the 212, or bigger. Either way, focusrite has a new life long customer in me. As long as they keep standards at this level. Hope this helps someone.grmrc.us.bil6bniuqu

For anyone needing a simple, minimal audio interface this works really well and sounds quite good! One mic and/or one instrument -perfect. If you need more simultaneous tracks than this is not for you. If you are an audiophile type than perhaps you need to look in the 600-800 range. I wanted something small and simple (that still sounds good) for times when Im alternating between a couple computers and I dont want or need to fire up my higher end equipment. This device really does exactly what I needed. Last, was a bit disappointed to learn the ID4 doesnt have burr-browns in it (as its bigger does) nevertheless, it sounds quite good.dotnoskcer

The product sounds good, better than the scarlet solo gen 2. Unfortunately it has major problems. I get a deafening screeching sound if I stop playing when using high gain [ distortion] I also get this problem if I turn off the volume on my guitars, this noise is horribly loud through my earphones. Customer support at Audient was no help as they just told me to turn the volume down before changing presets which also causes the deafening noise.Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

I have had a PreSonus Inspire for the last 15 years running with Cakewalk. But I was getting a lot of clicks and buzzing recently, but couldn't find out why. So I decided to buy the iD4 and I am so glad I did. It is whisper quiet, very easy to use and it is robust with the software. When I use Cakewalk it dedicates audio to it, switching other sources off. When I come out of Cakewalk and listen to something else like iPlayer it just works. Love the hardware volume knob, saves scrabbling around for the speaker icon on the Windows taskbar. Absolutely brilliant!Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Great audio interface for the price. Plug-and-play on both PC and Mac (I use it with both) and is as good at outputting good-quality system sound as it is bringing in sound from a microphone. The volume knobs are small, but very smooth and pleasant to interact with, and I've yet to experience any crackle. My three (minor) complaints with it are: It needs a fair bit of USB power, so if you plug it into an unpowered hub and it needs to compete with other devices, it might power-cycle occasionally (though a powered hub or dedicated USB port fixes this). The 6.35 mm left/right connectors are a bit non-standard for non-audiophiles; if you want to plug your stereo system in via the back rather than the front, you'll need a special cable (such cables are available though, and the front/back are the exact same output though, so it doesn't really matter). And finally, when you unplug the interface from USB, it outputs a really funky and loud warble as it shuts down (turning the volume down first addresses this). Overall, it's an excellent interface for the price and I'm very happy with it.Wolf

I just reviewed this in the bundle but here's for the mixer itself: This is the first mixer I've owned so I may not know much about mixer quality. This is obviously on the cheaper end with the Focusrite Scarlet being the next tier, followed by the beautiful GoXLR series. My mic sounds great and I do have the gain all the way up on the mixer but I'm sure I can make some changes once I learn what I'm doing. My mic sounds really good, my listeners enjoy it and I'm glad I didn't blow all my money on a mixer. In the future, I'd love the GoXLR but if you're looking at this, you're on the same budget I am 🙂Yitz

Is this the most professional audio interface? No, but as a beginner podcaster, it has gotten me going quickly. It's just plug and play. I'm using Audacity, and had to do no additional setup within the program since it automatically detected the interface, which was great! Build quality – pretty cheap build, but I can't imagine I'll be throwing my interface around too much for that to mater to me. So, if that's what keeps the price down, I'm all for it. I'm using an Audio Technica ATR 2100 mic with this interface, and have not yet run across any issues. I definitely recommend this for anyone starting out!Ayazali

Works super easy, displays clipping, instantly fixed delay problems I've been having with my daw! I wish I bought one of these sooner. Highly recommend this for beginner audio editing software users. It should be one of the first item you invest some money into.ergu_1653

Ive been through several over the years. Some cheap, some high end, and it is true that get u pay for. Or I should say it was true, because focusrite is killing it with the Scarlett line! U can tell when u grab it that its built well. Strong and durable to last. But the sound quality is what is truly amazing. Recording and playback both are just so crystal clear! 10 yrs ago you just couldnt get that good of sound in a home studio unless you had 10s of thousand to drop into it. Last but not least… Small package BIG POWER! I only bought the solo (2nd Gen) the smallest I think, but youd never know it by listening to the performance. And using is super easy with midi usb, plug and play. I love my solo 2nd gen! And I see myself upgrading to at least the 212, or bigger. Either way, focusrite has a new life long customer in me. As long as they keep standards at this level. Hope this helps someone.grmrc.us.bil6bniuqu

Installing the iD44 in my home studio was very easy and intuitive. The only confusing part was recognizing the main dial is the volume control (it doesn't have hard stops and though it was only for DAW control). The iD software is as easy to navigate as the hardware itself. The preamps sound great and I really like the dim, cut, and talkback features. It's great that the talkback can be routed to any mic input (interface or internal laptop). So far I am very happy with my purchase.John

After purchasing Arturia's Audiotape I felt that despite it being a decent product it had shortcomings. As such I eagerly awaited the id44. At first chance I made my purchase. I was immediately able to see an improvement in sound quality of the micpres and the detail of the AD/DA of the id44. Sound wise, this product can hold its own with products at any price level. The software so far seems to be adequate for me, and latency so far is not so much of an issue. My leaves with the id44 comes from what feature it could have had and was left out. Firstly, the LED lights are small and cheap, and for as product enclosed in a fairly large casing there is ample space for larger lighting. Secondly, there could have been an onboard TalkBack mic. I know that the id44 has the capacity to integrate an external TB but still!!.Lastly, the id44 could also have included USB inputs like the audiofuse. With that said, this product is capable of making quality recordings and at the end of the day that's what really counts. Four stars, potentially five.Frank

This is a well built piece of equipment. The two channels work great and the expansion slot makes everything better. It's small for folks on the go and can be easily used as a PC Audio interface or, alternatively, used in conjunction with a handheld recorder (with line-in,) or a camera (also with line-in or Mic.) Flexibility to be wireless (option to run on batteries) and phantom power to boot. It makes mobile podcasting a breeze which is my primary use. Pair it with a mixer for more flexibility and capturing live performances. It's really right there in the name. It's HANDY!Adam

First off: the sound quality is excellent. I have great confidence in Zoom from my experience with their H4 and H5. I really just needed a DI/mic interface for mobile laptop consults/presentations: The U44 seems to offer so much more versatility and connectivity than other compact or mobile device options. The U44 has become one of my essential swiss army knife like devices along with the cable tester and multi-meter. < p>The audio quality is excellent: Real world test: neutral and clean results from DI and both dynamic and condenser mics at the end of 25ft cables. For mics: noise floor was -70db at 8 on the gain knob, -65db at 9 and -55db at 10 (maxed) and this noise included the contribution of the cable, the mic and the room. The actual mic gain needed to the DAW (for the standard -18dbfs = 0db on a VU meter) for soft spoken word was about 8, singing or an acoustic guitar 5-6. Guitar amp = 3. So, the background and ambient noise of the location will be the issue: not the s/n of the U44. < p>Reliable USB Interfacing with the Macbook and DAW. SPDIF, midi and monitoring options all work as they should. Its also very useful to be able to power from USB, 5v adapter or AA. Build quality seems good: Its like other Zoom Handy devices, which hold up well. Its not a stompbox, so it may not survive serious abuse: but neither will my boutique gear. < p>I'm really pleased with it for location work, and as a DI for the guitar into the laptop. In a nutshell, it sounds like whatever you put into it. Seriously: Rout a tube mic into the line in some time and have some fun.artzeal

I've owned a lot of interfaces over the years and this is one of the best. For me, one of the best features is the way it sits on a tabletop or the floor. Something about that orientation makes everything so much easier for me. I also like that there are multiple powering options (USB, DC, Batteries) and the option for expansion of the inputs. In addition to this, all the controls you could want are on the surface of the unit, no menu diving and no software to fiddle with. It was recognized by my mac instantly without installing any drivers and sounds great. I hope Zoom sells a ton of these and keeps making them. For me this unit really stands out in a crowded USB interface market. Thanks Zoom!DJ

I also have a UCX II for a 5.1 setup, and needed a more portable solution with less IO and a similar sonic profile for traveling and doing simpler stereo work. The sound of this unit is clean, clear, honest, and indistinguishable (to me, at least) from the UCX II. The build is incredibly solid, and the included case is a nice touch. One caveat about the RME products is that these are professional grade tools, and you will not be able to jump right in and start using these without some baseline knowledge. The necessary TotalMix companion utility is by no means difficult to use or poorly designed (quite the opposite), but you'll have a learning curve with it. It's totally worth it! But the Apogees and UAs of this ilk are more plug and play and ignore the tech stuff if you want friendly as far as DAW integration goes.Aaron

I've used the apogee duet and the element 2/4 in the past and thought those tools did an incredible job. i loved the sturdiness of the element and the convenience of the duet but found both to have certain faults. the breakout cables for the duet were g-d awful and the cable would slip out sometimes if the unit was shifted. the duet itself felt hefty and great but the breakout cables made the unit kind of clunky and horrible. the satisfaction of the single rotary button kept me in the game though, i loved that thing. the element solved a lot of problems i had with the duet – it was REAL sturdy and the connections were rock solid, but something about express was lacking… the babyface is just the better version of both of these products…physically the unit is a d-mn brick and just feels premium as h-ck. the connections are great no wiggling or surprise slip-outs and the audio quality is truly a lot more noticable than anticipated. listening back to mixes i can really hear things my apogee products more or less missed? maybe colored? not sure but i feel more confident in the interface. everything about it is wonderful and i would recommend this product to anyone considering apogee or universal audio products (esp if they're not like SOLD on the in unit processing power)Mackenzie

I got this to upgrade from an original RME Babyface interface for my voice-over business. RME stuff is built like tanks! After using this a while I messed up a setting in the software and the output dropped way down. I thought I had ruined it. I put in a ticket to RME USA support and they got right back to me, dialed into my computer and found my stupid mistake. It's back working again. If you need a QUITE interface that is built tough, this is the one!Kelly

This works great for my purposes but be mindful if you plug a cord in from a mixer, the volume becomes VERY sensitive. When using regular microphones or wireless attachments, works great. The housing is plastic.Ronald

I?m actually quite pleased with it. Just know that it gobbles up batteries, so it is for portable use. If you are parked at a desk, your better off getting an electric option. For 1-2 hour segments that are on the go, this works without a bunch of dongles.Anne

I adore this item. It allows me to run much better audio directly into my computer or my cellphone. The quality is great and its incredibly flexible.Ellen