By Teddy Allmendinger
Posted 05/28/2025
Hey folks, today we are going to dive into audio interfaces, which are also known as converters. For those who don’t know, an audio interface is tasked with converting analog audio into a digital audio signal, and is the first building block for “in the box” production and engineering. Most, if not all, USB interfaces are also built with preamplifiers inside of them, allowing your microphone signal to be recordable without the need of an external preamp. We are going to be discussing interfaces from a few different perspectives. I will do my best to explain the differences in quality of conversion, preamps, usability, and auxiliary benefits.
5 – Scarlett 18i20
The Scarlett 18i20 is an 8 channel interface designed to give clean and honest conversion. This converter is definitely known for its reliability alongside its very clean, bright audio conversion. Given that it’s more affordable, you are going to notice a few things. The preamps themselves do not offer any specific harmonic saturation. Often what we love about preamps, whether they are API, Neve, and so on, is that they create color through harmonic saturation. This is typically because analog external preamps have more robust electronics. Within these electronics there are “op-amps” which often provide harmonic saturation, creating a beautiful “color” that the preamp might be known for. Scarlett is a brilliant company for its reliability and efficiency but if you are looking for preamps that drive color, then you might want to look elsewhere. The main reason that the Scarlett belongs on the list is because you get 8 channels for an impressive price. Having 8 channels means that if you ever hope to move past guitar recording, you will already have the inputs waiting for you.
4 – Universal Audio Volt
This unit can be purchased with either 2 or 4 inputs, which are respectively known as theVolt 276 and the Volt 476P. The Volt is an excellent piece of equipment that was created to rival and outperform the Scarlett. Focusrite created the Scarlett brand with the intent to serve the prosumer market. UA found a way to enhance that technology and offer a more diverse color palette for the prosumer who may be in the market for this price of interface. Here’s why: preampoptions and built-in compression. On the Volt you will see options to apply different colorations to what you’re recording. There’s a “vintage setting” and a “76” Compressor setting. The vintage setting is a harmonic saturation aimed at creating tonal sounds akin to vintage preamps. The built in 76 Compressor is based off the legendary Universal Audio 1176 Compressor. We have a stereo pair of the vintage ones in the studio and they really do live up to the hype. Anyway, having a compressor built into your vocal/guitar chain is totally a level up. I actually owned one of these years ago before I upgraded. I will say, they didn’t just throw these buttons on there as gimmicks, they really serve a purpose and create a notable difference in the sound. Whether you enjoy that or not is entirely your taste. The prosumer recording world is full of unnecessary buttons aimed at making you want to buy it. UA is a no BS company. They are tasked with designing and building top quality gear and they never really miss. Also UA has an excellent customer service division and are always excited to help. In my opinion, the basic converters alone in the UA devices completely smoke anything made by Scarlett.
3 – Apogee Symphony Desktop 10×14
Apogee leaves behind the comfortable prices a little bit. They are definitely known for being a high end brand alongside Universal Audio. Similarly, they offer a couple prosumer interfaces that kick butt. Apogee has always been known for their converters. They’ve been the quiet MVPs behind a lot of hit records because their stuff just sounds expensive. What makes the Symphony Desktop special is that it brings that same elite sonic quality into a more accessible price range, without cutting corners. You’re getting the same conversion tech that’s in their flagship Symphony I/O Mk II systems—just scaled down for your desk. One of the standout features is the dual preamp emulation. You’ve got Apogee’s clean preamp, which is super transparent, and then their Mod FX Channel Strip which gives you emulations of classic analog gear, including British and American console tones.
2 -Solid State Logic SSL 12 USB Audio Interface
The Solid State Logic SSL 12 is a 4-preamp USB-C interface that punches way above its price point, and yeah—it’s got that SSL sound. If you’ve ever worked on an SSL console or even used their plugins, you already know the vibe: clean, punchy, and just a little bit classy. SSL didn’t phone it in here. You’re getting genuine SSL-designed analog circuitry, with a button to engage their signature “Legacy 4K” mode.
1 – Universal Audio Apollo
I currently own the Apollo x4 and will soon upgrade to an x16. Once I started using the Apollo, I really understood how this would change my work flow forever. The circuitry and the electronics are Class A. The unison preamps that come with the Apollo are outstanding and useful. The software integration using “console” is unmatched. The plugin power and plugin quality that UA has designed also sits alone atop of the pedestal. The uses of consoles will require you to do a little research but here’s the gist: the interface also behaves as a computer and uses its own computing power to process plugins. This allows you to record with all types of plugins on without experiencing latency in the audio. When projects get full this becomes ever more pivotal. The expansion capabilities of UA are also noteworthy. If you are requiring more inputs, you don’t have to replace your device, but rather you can chain another one on to it., creating a link of channels between separate UA devices. I can’t speak highly enough about the company and the people that started it. They are champions of the recording world and we are lucky to have them!
Cheers,
Teddy