10 Best Audio Interface For Guitars 2025 in the United States

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.

The Universal Audio Apollo Solo Heritage Edition offers several features that make it appealing for guitarists looking for an audio interface. It includes a premium suite of plug-ins valued at $1,300, which provides access to emulations of vintage compressors, EQs, tape machines, mic preamps, and guitar amps—all with near-zero latency. This is particularly beneficial for musicians aiming for high audio quality (with excellent bit depth and sample rate) and low latency while recording.

The bus-powered connection enhances portability, allowing users to avoid excessive cable clutter, making it convenient for mobile setups or live performances. The robust build quality ensures the interface can withstand frequent use, and its compact size makes it easy to transport. Software compatibility is strong, supporting major DAWs such as Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Cubase, and Ableton Live.

The bundled LUNA Recording System, while free and integrated, is limited to Mac users, potentially reducing its utility for Windows users. On the downside, the product is mainly geared towards Mac systems, with some restrictions on Windows compatibility, and the phantom power feature, crucial for certain microphone types, isn't prominently mentioned. The headphone amplifier provides loud and clear monitoring, enhancing the recording experience. Its relatively high price and dependency on additional software purchases for Windows users could be seen as drawbacks. Potential buyers should consider their specific system compatibility before purchasing.