Hit Record: We Test 4 Audio Interfaces for Your Home Studio

Universal Audio got its start building some of the most famous analog audio gear ever made; sound processing is in the company’s DNA. The Apollo Twin X Quad (Rating 9/10, WIRED Recommends) brings that pro recording history to your desk in a handsomely designed case, with a large physical knob to set input levels and output volume. Two inputs on the back of the box allow connections for either XLR cables or ¼-inch audio cables, and there’s a handy input on the front for guitars.

The big draw of the Apollo is its access to Universal Audio’s audio processing plug-ins. The Apollo includes custom digital signal-processing chips that handle the computing load from the plug-ins, relieving the burden on your computer. (It's also available in a lower-cost model ($899) with a less powerful chip that can't do as much onboard signal processing.) These plug-ins are digital emulations of classic studio gear. The Apollo ships with a terrific bundle of software, including versions of UA’s own 1176 compressor and 610-B preamp, as well as versions of a Marshall Plexi guitar amp and Ampeg bass amp. Hundreds of others are available for an additional fee—just be aware that it can be expensive to go down the UA rabbit hole.

Apollo interfaces sit at the center of many pro studios; while it’s the most expensive option on this list, the Twin X Quad is a pro-level tool that won’t impose any boundaries or restrictions on your creativity. And this spring, UA released its own recording software, called Luna, which is free for all UA interface owners. That can save you the cost of buying separate digital audio workstation software, and makes the higher price of the Twin X a little more palatable.

While it is better known for its software and hardware synthesizers, Arturia has put together a very compelling recording interface with the AudioFuse Studio (Rating: 8/10). Part of what impresses are the little details. It’s a stylish unit, covered in soft-touch plastic and featuring solid-feeling knobs and buttons. Even the (thankfully!) included USB-C cord has a woven orange and black covering, playing off the accent colors on the box itself.

That thoughtfulness carries over to the audio functionality. There are four mic preamps here, as well as four other analog inputs. Unique among the units I tested, the AudioFuse Studio has insert points so you can attach hardware audio processors like compressors or delay units to the main unit and route your signals through them. Two sets of headphone jacks allow the artist and producer to each listen to their own mix, and there are ¼- and ⅛-inch jacks for the phones, eliminating the need for an adapter. There’s a three-port USB hub built in, and even phono inputs for your turntable and Bluetooth to hook up to a tablet or phone. It’s a massive feature set that offers a ton of flexibility for any desktop studio.

The software bundle is similarly packed with useful plug-ins that recreate studio gear like vintage console preamps, compressors, delays, and a particularly lush plate reverb. The quality of the software is unsurprising given that Arturia’s emulations of vintage synths are among the best in the industry. The company has even included its Analog Lab Lite software to allow you to explore hundreds of those synth sounds. The whole package comes together as a great step-up choice for the home recordist who doesn’t want to push all the way up to the cost of the Apollo.