It's never been easier to record your guitar. Audio interfaces are available for relatively little money, and the quality of amp simulator software has gotten nigh-on indistinguishable from the real thing. All you need is your guitar, a cable, some headphones, and one of the best guitar audio interfaces to start recording your own music.
You'll also need a computer capable of handling music production duties, but to be honest the majority of modern PCs, laptops, and MacBooks from the last ten years should be more than adequate for this kind of work. We test all our interfaces on both Windows and Mac, so you'll find zero compatibility issues with any of the interfaces available here. We've also included some options that are compatible with Android and iOS should you wish to take a more mobile recording route.
There's a lot of tech-speak around audio interfaces and options when it comes to recording your guitar at home, so we've put together an expansive FAQs section that answers loads of common questions if you haven't quite found what you're looking for, or just want to back up your buying decision with sound experience. As we've been recording guitars at home for many years now, we know every guitarist will want something a little different, so we've categorized everything by use case to get you pointing in the right direction.
The quick list
With built-in SHARC DSP processing and analog-style workflow, the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X is a premium option for professional-level sound and ultra-low latency.
Despite being ridiculously cheap, the Audient iD4 MkII has got the same preamps as the company's pro studio desks, making it a brilliant option for the budget-conscious.
If you're buying for the first time, the Focusrite 2i2 4th Gen offers the perfect balance of feature set, sound quality, and cost. Perfect for getting your first recording rig on the go.
Best overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want minimal latency: Thanks to its DSP chip, the UA Apollo can take the load off your computer with its own processing power, providing super low latency when recording.
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: It's a pricey interface thanks to its host of features, so if your budget is tight then you're better off looking elsewhere.
There’s a reason many pro engineers utilize the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X as part of their home or traveling setups. It provides an incredible amount of power in a tiny unit, matching UA’s famed rackmount studio interfaces for power and versatility.
The Apollo Twin X encourages you to get the sound right at the source by providing you with the UA Console software, which allows you to add preamps, compressors, EQs, and anything else you like before you hit the record button. This is what pro engineers do in actual studios.
Despite the real-time processing and high-resolution conversion, there’s zero latency when you record with the Apollo Twin X. This is because it has its own processor, putting the workload onto the interface rather than on your computer. It’s an expensive bit of kit, but well worth the entry fee.
Read our full Universal Audio Apollo Twin X review
Best budget
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want a simple-to-use audio interface: The nice clean design of the iD4 makes it a breeze to get up and running, and it has extra depth on hand for when you're fully up to speed.
❌ Avoid if you need MIDI: There are no MIDI ins or outs here, so avoid it if you're looking to work with MIDI during your recording sessions.
While it’s a truly well-built piece of equipment, one of the key selling points of the Audient iD4 MkII is just how simple and easy it is to use. As many guitarists are only recording one track at a time, it doesn’t make sense to buy an interface with loads of inputs they are never going to use. The iD4 MkII is a simple 2-in-2-out USB-C powered interface featuring instrument-level DI for your guitar or bass guitar, as well as a mic preamp with phantom power for using condenser mics.
The iD4 MkII also has a smart scroll wheel that enables you to tweak settings within your software, and unlike most cheaper interfaces, you've got two monitor speaker outputs and dual headphone outputs. The iD4 MkII, for under $200, is one of the very best audio interfaces around.
By keeping the number of inputs to a minimum, Audient is also able to keep the price down without sacrificing quality. In fact, the mic preamp in this is the same design as those used in Audient’s top-line desks and its all-metal casing makes it feel anything but cheap. As well as the main speaker outputs, it also features dual headphone outputs so two people can monitor the sound at the same time. Ultimately, the iD4 MkII is one of the best value-for-money audio interfaces on the market.
Read the full Audient iD4 MkII review
Best for beginners
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want a beginner interface: Packed with beginner-friendly features plus great quality sound, this interface is perfect for guitar players getting their first recording rig together.
❌ Avoid if you like inputs on the front: To keep things slimmer Focusrite has done away with combi inputs, so if you want to use your mic inputs they're only accessible on the back panel.
Focusrite's ubiquitous red box has become one of the go-to audio interfaces for musicians of all sorts, and that applies to guitarists who are just getting started recording too. The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is the perfect interface for first-timers, giving you everything you need and plenty to grow into.
For the 4th Gen Focusrite has added loads of useful features, including an auto-gain function that automatically detects your input and adjusts the gain accordingly, super useful if you're using guitars with different pickups. There's also a clip-safe feature that prevents accidental clipping.
As we've come to expect from Focusrite, their preamps deliver spectacular performance, and there's a dedicated instrument setting for boosting the tone of your guitar. The Focusrite Control app makes setup a breeze, and gives you automatic firmware updates instantly too, so you're always ready to go with the latest drivers and software.
Read our full Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen review
Best for bass
4. Universal Audio Volt 176
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you like to get it right at the source: With its built-in 76-style compressor and instant vintage tone button, the Volt is great for those who like to nail their core sound before hitting the record button.
❌ Avoid if you need lots of connectivity: This is a simple 1-input interface so if you're planning on multi-miking or recording instruments simultaneously you'll want to look elsewhere.
Universal Audio’s great reputation has been founded largely on its impressive – but expensive – high-end products. You can imagine our pleasure when they announced the Volt series of interfaces - a budget-friendly, affordable range for those who want great guitar recordings without having to spend too many hundreds of dollars.
One of the Volt 176’s main draws is the integrated compressor - which explains the ‘76’ part of the Volt’s suffix. Based on the Neve 1176, Universal Audio’s emulation has become one of their best-selling plugins, so to have it inside an audio interface in order to sweeten up our signal with some vintage warmth is a blessing. The Volt 176 also has an integrated microphone preamp with a ‘vintage’ mode, so your sound can be personalized to your tastes before it reaches your DAW.
Universal Audio also offers a compressor-less version called the Volt 1 which is even cheaper - but still includes all the software and useful preamp features that come with UA products.
Best for guitar and vocals
5. Solid State Logic SSL 2+
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want excellent-sounding preamps: Based on the same tech used in their consoles, the SSL preamps here are some of the best we've ever heard.
❌ Avoid if you need connections on the front: All of the connectivity is on the back panel of the SSL2, which could make it tricky to integrate into certain setups.
One of the most renowned companies in the recording industry, Solid State Logic has been a little bit slow off the mark when it comes to producing desktop interfaces. Thankfully, the SSL2+ makes up for lost time. Aiming to be an affordable version of the SSL consoles featured in some of the world’s premier studios, the SSL2+ has a lot to offer.
While it features two XLR combo inputs, as well as six outputs and a MIDI in/out, there is one main thing that sets the SSL2+ from other interfaces on this list. The 4K button (modeled on the 4000 E channel strip) adds some extra presence and high-end emphasis to your direct sound and can really make you feel like a pro at home.
It also has great monitoring features, with monitor mix, monitor level, and two independent headphone knobs, giving you a lot more control of your output.
Best 4 input
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want multi-mic your amp: In pro studios engineers will often use multiple mics on guitar amps and with the four inputs on the 4i4 you can get some incredible tones.
❌ Avoid if you need four combi inputs: The two inputs on the back are just 1/4-inch balanced inputs, so you'll have to mix and match your cables if you want to get four different mics on the go.
The Focusrite Scarlett didn’t become the highest-selling interface in the world by chance. This interface has earned a reputation for reliability among podcasters, producers, and guitarists alike. While its simple design has made it a great first choice for beginners, its emphasis on quality has meant that it continues to be favored by professionals as well.
Focusrite consistently updates its whole range of audio interfaces, and the latest 4th Gen is a marked improvement over the previous iteration. Two welcome features include Auto Gain and Clip Safe, which automatically adjust the input level to prevent you from clipping your signal. This means more consistent recordings, and minimal messing around with gain staging.
In terms of inputs, it features two XLR-¼” combo inputs, as well as two ¼” line inputs; so it's quite versatile despite its size. It also features a great-sounding mic pre-amp that's ultra low-noise, perfect for miking up your combo amps and guitar cabs. There is also a range of great plugins in the accompanying software package to inspire the DI guitarist as well.
Read the full Focusrite Scarlett 4th Gen review
More options...
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want a beginner-friendly interface: Coming in at a low price but packed with features to grow into, this NI audio interface is outstanding value for your money, and great for beginners to cut their teeth.
❌ Avoid if you need USB-C: This interface doesn't feature USB-C, so you'll need a converter if that's all your machine has.
The front panel of the Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 may look busy, but this audio interface is easy to use and gives a lot of features to grow into for beginners. NI is better associated with DJs and EDM, but there is plenty of usability here that any guitarist can take full advantage of.
With two combi-inputs on the front and two line inputs on the rear, there’s plenty of connectivity on offer for single guitar takes, and it’ll open up many possibilities when you’re ready to start micing guitar amps. Two headphone-outs mean you can record with others easily, and MIDI functionality lets you send information to MIDI-equipped pedals too.
We love the LED indicators on top of the unit, alongside a large master volume knob for controlling your output. The front face features plenty of flexibility too, with individual headphone volume controls with a switch to change which inputs you’re monitoring. For the money and the room it gives you to grow, the Komplete Audio 6 is simply fantastic.
Read our full Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 review
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want a guitar-specific interface: With a dedicated re-amp output, guitar-specific inputs, and even an expression pedal input, AXE is one of the only audio interfaces designed for guitar players.
❌ Avoid if you're on a budget: You will pay a premium for all that additional functionality though, as the AXE is considerably more expensive than others on this list.
When it comes to getting DI guitars to sound good, nobody is better than IK Multimedia. IK has built a solid reputation for guitar amp and effects pedals modeling, so it’s little wonder they have built an interface with guitarists in mind.
The AXE I/O is a 2-in-5-out audio/MIDI interface with all the usual input and monitoring options, but the AXE I/O notably includes specialized guitar inputs. These can be set for passive or active pickups, and have variable input impedance that you can dial in with a knob to set how the unit interacts with your pickups. It also features an ‘Amp’ output, which can be connected to amplifiers and effects pedals before redirecting back into the DAW, which makes capturing your sound on record a very easy task. It also includes XLR combo inputs for those who want to record with mics.
Capable of up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution, as well as boasting MIDI inputs and outputs, the AXE I/O can do pretty well everything that the other interfaces on this list can, but is so much more geared towards capturing and enhancing the sound of the guitar directly than any other interface. It’s hands down the best guitar audio interface out there right now.
Read the full IK Multimedia AXE I/O review
9. IK Multimedia iRig HD X
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want a portable audio interface: This tiny little bit of kit is another guitar-specific interface from IK Multimedia, with its small size making it perfect for the guitarist recording on the go.
❌ Avoid if you need more than one input: Of course due to the small size, you only have one input so it's limited if you want to do more complex recording techniques.
Many audio interfaces are pretty lightweight and portable, but the iRig HD X takes portability to a new level. For guitarists on the road, its tiny footprint, bus power (via the USB port of your device) and ease of use make it a perfect travel companion. Better yet, you don’t even need a laptop to use it, it’s just as happy recording directly into your iPhone or iPad, so you can pack even lighter!
It also comes packaged with plenty of software, including AmpliTube 5 (SE) – the stripped-back version of one of our favorite amp simulators – which can be used in just about any application, through the iRig HD X’s innovative ‘Loopback+’ function, which is great for live streams.
To add even more guitar-friendly tools, the ‘amp-through output’ also means you can record to your DAW, and go straight out into your amp at the same time if you want. Though this is just about perfect for DI guitar recording, for those who may be looking to record anything other than electric guitar or bass, you may want to look elsewhere, as this lacks the microphone inputs needed.
10. PreSonus AudioBox Go
Our expert review:
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ Buy if you want an interface to use with your phone: The PreSonus Go is 'class-compliant', which means it will work with the majority of Android devices. Its small size makes it great for recording on the go too.
❌ Avoid if you want to multi-mic amps: It only has two inputs, and only one of those is suitable for microphones, so not one for those who want to record live guitar amps.
Recording on Android can be a bit of a minefield. In theory, any class-compliant USB device should do the job, but in the real world that isn’t always the case. We’ve had excellent results with the PreSonus AudioBox Go, however, and its small size goes hand in hand with mobile recording.
It’s USB-bus powered and comes with USB-C connectivity so will readily connect to the majority of modern Android devices. A single combi input on the rear of the unit alongside an instrument input lets you record with both microphones and direct guitar, while two line outputs allow connection to a pair of studio monitors.
It also comes with an excellent software bundle, including Studio One Prime and the Studio Magic software suite, which features a collection of software instruments and samples. It’s enough to get you up and running immediately and with this tiny yet powerful interface, you can record pretty much anything, anywhere.
FAQs
Do you need an audio interface for the guitar?
Not all that long ago, getting hold of an audio interface was probably pretty far down a guitarist’s shopping list. In fairness, they weren’t the cheapest and having a computer with the processing power to make the most out of one was even more expensive, so we can’t blame guitarists for steering clear. Technology has come a long way though, and audio interfaces have come right down in price. As for the uber-powerful computer needed to do any kind of meaningful recording? Most of us have them sitting in our pockets in the form of cell phones – let alone the monster computing power that tends to sit in most people’s homes – which means just about anybody can get recording using an audio interface.
Whilst the idea of recording through an interface can be intimidating, many interfaces come bundled with software packages that make it relatively straightforward to plug in and play, so whether you’re a budding player or virtuoso, we recommend giving it a go. The benefits to being able to record your own guitar are huge; from quickly capturing ideas to creating complex multi-track arrangements, or even just to have a way to practice quietly at home.
What does an audio interface do?
An audio interface converts analog audio signals like those from your guitar or from a microphone into something your computer can understand. This process is called AD/DA conversion, or more simply analog to digital conversion.
Your audio interface takes your input signal – in this instance, the complex ‘real life’ sound of the guitar – then converts it into binary data that your computer can understand. The second section then takes the digital signal and converts it back into analog, so that you’ll then hear sound from your headphones or studio monitors. The wildly varying cost of audio interfaces is often down to the quality of the AD/DA converters – typically, the best converters come at a higher price, which is one major factor in why audio interfaces can vary so drastically in price.
Can you record guitar with just an audio interface?
Strictly, yes you can… but you may not want to. Whilst stories of Nile Rodgers plugging straight into the back of analog mixing desks and getting delicious spanky clean tones are stuff of legend, if you’re expecting to achieve similar results with the majority of audio interfaces, while you may get close with Universal Audio’s preamp emulation, you’ll probably be disappointed. Plugging straight into an audio interface will produce a perfectly clean, perfectly lifeless sound, and if you’re thinking about driving the input to get some nice overdrive, you’ll definitely be disappointed – digital distortion through clipping is among the worst sounds known to man.
Fortunately, there are a number of excellent amp simulation plugins out there that you can put into action to get your tone feeling a whole lot better. There are a number of great plugins that you can get for free, but some of the absolute best amp simulator plugins come at an additional cost. Check out our list of the best amp simulation software, which, when paired with a good interface, sounds totally mega!
You’re not limited to just recording directly through your interface and using amp simulation though, and the purchase of one or two great guitar microphones opens up the potential to record your amp, acoustic guitars, and even chuck over some vocals. The beauty is that you can build your collection of guitar-recording equipment piece by piece rather than all in one go, though interfaces such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 – the little brother of the listed Scarlett 4i4 – come in ready-made recording bundles featuring headphones and a microphone.
Can an audio interface replace a guitar amp?
When used in conjunction with software, yes it can replace a guitar amp. Many guitarists use these types of rigs when traveling, or if they need to rehearse somewhere quietly. An audio interface is a lightweight bit of kit, and if you already have a laptop then it can make the perfect travel rig or alternatively, you can use it at home with a desktop computer if you have one, making it perfect as a practice set up.
You will need to make sure that your computer of choice has enough processing power however, otherwise, you will run into issues with latency, whereby the signal you hear out of your speakers is slightly delayed whilst the computer converts the signal. This is absolutely horrible to deal with, so make sure you check you have the right specs before you commit to purchasing.
How good can audio interfaces and amp simulations sound?
A great audio interface twinned with some super amp simulation software really can sound so good that more and more players are choosing to use this kind of set-up for live gigs, though you need immense confidence not only in your interface, but also your computer… It's always a good idea to have a backup amp as well; pedalboard amps are perfect for this.
The benefits of using a computer and audio interface for live performance are that you can endlessly tweak your tone prior to any shows and plot out your entire set worth of tones, mapped to a click. That’s super slick! It’s not for everybody and the vast majority of guitarists may prefer to stick to an amplifier, but it shows you just how far audio interfaces and guitar simulation software has come.
As for studio recording, some guitarists will always insist that a microphone in front of a tube amp, through an analog mixing desk straight to tape will always be the best sounding recording, but that’s simply not practical nowadays. The fact of the matter is that guitarists can achieve stellar results all in the digital domain, and the best foundation for that is getting hold of one of the best guitar audio interfaces.
What if you don’t have a computer?
More and more individuals now don’t use a laptop or desktop computer; a tablet or cell phone might do everything you need. Not that long ago, that’d mean that you couldn’t record at home; that’s not the case anymore.
There are several interfaces on the market specifically designed to work with mobile devices rather than (or in addition to) laptops or desktops, for example the IK Multimedia iRig HDX, which is just as happy with an iPad or a Laptop.
Whilst you may not have quite the level of control and editing capabilities as you would have with a computer, this is a great way to dip your toe into the world of recording, without having to buy too much new gear.
How we test
When selecting audio interfaces for this guide we had to look at two separate considerations. First, whether it's a good audio interface in general, and second, how guitarists will use it in their daily lives. On the surface, audio interfaces are very similar to one another and in terms of sonics, there's hardly any difference between a good modern preamp and another. Where the difference lies in how a guitarist will potentially use them, so we've crafted this article by using particular use cases to separate the good from the bad.
Each of the audio interfaces in this article will go through the same rigorous testing process, which considers a few key stages. First of up, features. We'll start by looking at the amounts of ins and outs it has, whether they're combi or line inputs. Next, it's onto outputs, does it have enough to run two sets of monitors or just one? Is there a headphone output and does it cover both general output and direct monitoring?
Next, we'll look at connectivity. Whether it has a USB-A that will only allow for connecting to certain types of computers, or the more modern USB-C connection that can connect to Apple devices and mobile phones. We'll also examine whether there is any MIDI compatibility, which can be useful for guitarists using MIDI-enabled guitar pedals.
We test audio interfaces exactly how we'd use them ourselves, so we'll install them on both Windows and Mac OS to determine how easy the process is. We'll consider whether there are any extra steps you need to take, or any additional software that needs downloading before you proceed, and how easy it is to do overall. Is it the sort of interface you can just plug and play? Or do you need to spend a couple of hours setting up?
Once that's done we'll move onto any additional software required to run the interface. Some interfaces have companion apps so are these easy to use and install? Do they actually add anything of value to the unit or is it just window dressing? We'll use the software itself in a variety of scenarios and determine how they best work, and what applications they're most useful for.
Finally, we'll look at the sound of the preamps. By and large, these are similar for any modern audio interface, but some have extra features like compression you can apply or 'vintage' buttons that add some top end to your direct signal. Other, DSP-powered interfaces let you change the character of the preamps totally through simulation. We'll look at exactly how much the sound is changed, even looking at captured sounds through a spectrum analyzer to determine what exactly the interface is doing to the signal.
Only once all of these stringent tests are done will we consider adding an audio interface to our guide for guitarists. Read more about our rating system, how we choose the gear we feature, and exactly how we test each product.
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You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
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