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 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ego Systems (ESI) | Aqua U24M | USB 1 | 2 | 24bit |
Ego Systems Aqua U24M |
4 channel i/o analog, headphone amp, S/PDIF coaxial digital I/O, MIDI. |
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 | |||
Xitel | MD-Port AN1 | USB 1 |
Xitel MD-Port AN1 |
Analog output. |
Details | |||||
Mackie | Digital X Bus X.400 | FireWire 400 | 24bit/192.0k |
Mackie Digital X Bus X.400 |
Professional large-format digital mixer with 92 inputs and 100 outputs (at 96kHz), FireWire requires an optional card, 24 busses, dual... |
Details | ||||
Mindprint | Trio USB | USB 1 | 1 | 24bit/96.0k |
Mindprint Trio USB |
2 ch analog in (2 TRS line or 1 XLR mic or 1/4" instrument), 2 analog out (TRS plus 2-pair of mirrored RCA), insert (2 TRS), EQ, zero-... |
Details | |||
Terratec | Phase 24 FW | FireWire 400 | 24bit/192.0k |
Terratec Phase 24 FW |
2 analog inputs (1/4" TRS), 2 analog outputs (1/4" TRS), headphone output, S/PDIF I/O (on breakout cable), MIDI I/O (on breakout cable... |
Details | ||||
Terratec | Phase X24 FW |
FireWire 400 mLAN |
2 | 24bit/192.0k |
Terratec Phase X24 FW |
2 analog inputs (XLR/TRS combo), 4 analog outputs (1/4" TRS), 2 insert jacks (TRS insert unbalanced), headphone output, optical I/O,... |
Details | |||
TC Electronic | Konnekt 8 | FireWire 400 | 2 | 24bit/192.0k |
TC Electronic Konnekt 8 |
2 analog in (2 Combo XLR/TRS for mic/instrument, 2x 1/4" for line), 2 analog out (1/4"), S/PDIF i/o, MIDI i/o, 2 headphone out,... |
Details | |||
Edirol | UA-3 | USB 1 | 1 | 16bit |
Edirol UA-3 |
2 ch analog i/o, digital i/o, 1/8" mic input, instrument input, headphone out. Branded as "Edirol by Roland." |
Details | |||
Terratec | Aureon 5.1 USB MKII | USB 1 | 2 | 16bit/48.0k |
Terratec Aureon 5.1 USB MKII |
2 analog input (3.5 mm, mic in on 3.5mm), 6 analog out (3 stereo 3.5mm), S/PDIF optical i/o, headphone out. 49.99 euro. |
Details | |||
Edirol | UA-25EX |
USB 1 USB 2 |
2 | 24bit/96.0k | Shop New |
Edirol UA-25EX |
2 ch analog in (on XLR/TRS combo, one of which can take an instrument in), 2 ch analog out (on TRS and RCA), digital in/out (on optical... |
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 | |||
Telex | P-800 | USB 1 | $36.00 | Shop New |
Telex P-800 |
Discontinued, manufacturer website was formerly ... |
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 | iMic (2005) | USB 1 | 2 | $39.00 | Shop New |
Griffin iMic (2005) |
2 channel in and out on 1/8" jacks, switchable mic/line stereo input. (Model updated 11/2005, not sure what's changed since the original... |
Details | ||
Griffin | iFire | FireWire 400 | $40.00 | Shop New |
iFire |
Not an audio interface. FireWire to Apple Pro... |
Details | |||
Griffin | PowerMate | USB 1 | $45.00 | Shop New |
Griffin PowerMate |
Not an audio interface, volume knob/programmable scrolling controller for any app. |
Details | |||
Xitel | HiFi-Link | USB 1 | 20bit | $50.00 | Shop New |
Xitel HiFi-Link |
1/8" out only, comes with 30 foot 1/8"-2RCA cable |
Details | ||
Engineered Audio | Aurius | USB 1 | 16bit/48.0k | $55.00 |
Engineered Audio Aurius |
2 ch analog out on 1/8" jack with FM transmitter for sending to any radio receiver within 30-50 feet. |
Details |