10 Best Audio Interface For Guitars 2025 in the United States

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th Gen is a solid choice for guitarists and vocalists looking to start recording with a reliable and straightforward audio interface. It offers a single high-quality instrument input with a professional-grade preamp, perfect for plugging in your guitar directly. The audio quality is excellent, supporting 24-bit depth and up to 192kHz sample rate, which means your recordings will be clear and detailed. It connects easily via USB-C, ensuring low latency so you can play and monitor your sound without noticeable delay. Phantom power is available, allowing you to use condenser microphones if needed, adding flexibility beyond just guitar input.

The unit is compact and well-built, making it portable and durable for home studios or on-the-go recording. It works with all major recording software, and the bundled Hitmaker Expansion Bundle provides additional tools to help you get started quickly. However, it has only two channels, so if you want to record multiple instruments simultaneously, this might be limiting. Also, it’s fairly basic with one instrument input and one mic input, so those needing more complex setups might need a larger interface.

For most solo musicians or producers focusing on guitar and vocals, this interface delivers great sound quality, ease of use, and solid software support in a compact package.

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface is an excellent choice for guitarists, vocalists, podcasters, and producers seeking to achieve studio-quality recordings at home. One of its standout features is the high-performance mic pre-amps, which allow for bright and clear recordings, especially when using the switchable Air mode. This feature is particularly beneficial for acoustic instruments, ensuring they sound vibrant and well-captured.

For instrument inputs, the Scarlett Solo offers two high-headroom channels, making it easy to plug in your guitar or bass without worrying about distortion or clipping, thanks to the intuitive Gain Halos. This makes it user-friendly for those still learning the ropes of audio recording. Additionally, the audio quality is impressive, with support for up to 24-bit/192kHz recording, ensuring your music retains its sonic qualities.

The low-noise balanced outputs are another plus, providing crystal-clear playback for your recordings or streaming music, and the headphone output allows for private listening. The Easy Start online tool simplifies the setup process, getting you up and running in no time, which is great for beginners. The Scarlett Solo is compact and portable, though it has only two channels, which may be limiting for those with more extensive recording needs. It relies on USB connectivity, which could be a drawback if you prefer diverse connection options. While the bundled software is helpful, those looking for advanced production features may need to invest in additional software.

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB Audio Interface is an excellent choice for musicians, producers, and podcasters looking for a high-quality recording solution. One of its strongest points is the extensive input/output configuration, offering 18 inputs and 20 outputs, including eight mic preamps and various connectivity options like ADAT, S/PDIF, and MIDI. This makes it highly versatile for different recording setups. The audio quality is impressive, with 24-bit, 192kHz converters delivering a clear and detailed sound, and the Air modes add a professional touch to vocals and instruments by enhancing their presence and harmonics. Additionally, features like Auto Gain and Clip Safe ensure optimal recording levels and prevent sound distortion, which is great for maintaining audio clarity.

Connectivity is straightforward with USB-C, and it's compatible with all major operating systems and audio recording software, making it highly accessible. Phantom power for condenser microphones is also included, adding to its functionality. The build quality is robust, with an aluminum body that promises durability, though its weight at 8.04 pounds might make it less portable for some users.

The Scarlett 18i20 comes with a comprehensive suite of bundled software, including Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, and the Hitmaker Expansion, which provides powerful tools for music production. However, the abundance of features and complexity might be overwhelming for beginners. In summary, the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is packed with features and offers excellent sound quality, making it an ideal choice for serious musicians and producers who need a reliable and versatile audio interface.