10 Best Studio Sound Cards

A very good external sound card connected to a PC via a USB port. It has excellent potential and wide possibilities for controlling the played music, as well as controlling the sound recording. There are 8 analog channels, a pair of independent headphone outputs, an instrument input, plus MIDI in/out. Other features include external synchronization, ADAT support, phantom power for microphones, ASIO 2.2 and compatibility with any computer operating system.

In general, the device justifies its cost, although some experts believe that the price is a little high in Russia due to the brand.However, the difference with Chinese counterparts is not too big, so the overpayment is justified. The Series 208i has no particular shortcomings, but there are complaints about possible problems with setting the volume of the line outputs.

This model is one of the best sound cards for home studios and professional recording. This is due not only to the low price, but also to the special approach of the manufacturer to the creation of the model. In the new iteration, many mistakes of the past were taken into account, for example, clipping was removed, latency was minimized and sampling was increased to 24/192 thanks to new converters, and the dynamic range became 106 dB. The body color has become more saturated and bright, and the red tint distinguishes Scarlett Solo from ordinary black and white models. At the bottom, the round soft feet have turned into two rubber strips, but the grip of the card with the surface is still at a high level.

Connection to a PC is via USB 2.0. With stuffing, things are more interesting. The new preamps feature linear and smooth gain support for precise level adjustments. In addition, protection against accidental power surges is implemented.

Among the Chinese representatives of the budget and middle segment, a model from Japan, the Zoom UAC-2, wedged in. Its main advantage is the presence of a USB 3.0 interface, which greatly speeds up data transfer. According to the characteristics, the sampling rate is 24/192. Dynamic range - 118 dB for A / D and 120 dB for D / A.The power rails are more than enough, so you can do without external adapters when working with a PC, but when using it with a tablet, you will have to buy more.

The drivers are doing great. The manufacturer has launched its own website where you can download licensed software absolutely free. Along with this, you will be able to manage both all the options placed on the case, and a number of functions wired into the hardware. The program itself is called Mix Efx and allows you to fine-tune all interface parameters.

This model is an intermediate option in the UR line. On its body there are 4 inputs that support both JACK and XLR connectors. Two of them are low-resistance specifically for the guitar. There are two headphone outputs and phantom power. On the reverse side there is a line-in, 4 outputs, MIDI, USB 2.0 and iPad control. There is a virtual remote control and a pack of built-in plug-ins from Yamaha. Also of interest, it is worth mentioning convenient control in the form of a separate adjustment of the sound output to monitors and headphones, high-quality preamps, stable operation of drivers and low latency.

There are no major flaws in the card. It is perfect for recording music, both in a home studio and in a professional one. The only problem is that the software key (VST-DSP) is tied to a specific model, which makes it impossible to activate it for other devices.

The Studio 68c boasts a completely new sound quality.Such heights have been achieved thanks to the introduction of class A preamps and high-quality converters, which has led to a warmer sound and detailed sound of music. The body of the device is completely made of metal. The assembly is very solid, the manufacturer did not stint even on the handles. Connects via USB 2.0 interface. The maximum sampling rate is 192 kHz with a depth of 24 bits.

Special attention should be paid to the A / B button, which is responsible for wiretapping. It depends on which channel will be fed into the headphones. There are 4 gain controls, main output and headphone controls. Requires external power, as indicated by an additional port and an on / off toggle switch. A bright and pleasant display is responsible for the visualization of signals.

The Apogee brand is among the leaders in the production of convenient and portable sound cards for professional sound work. The Quartet model stands out for its compact dimensions, stylish design and good elaboration of the functionality of the controls. The gadget received 4 analog inputs and 6 outputs, a separate microphone jack, supports MIDI, XLR, ASIO and ADAT, has an external synchronization function. Of course, there is an instrument input, phantom power and a high-quality DAC with a dynamic range of 123 dB.

Users talk about the ease of use of the Apogee Quartet, the good quality of music processing and the availability of everything you need for recording in a small studio. Separately, excellent integration with Mac OS X and iOS is mentioned.Specialists do not single out any particular shortcomings, therefore, the list of significant disadvantages only includes the need to connect additional power, i.e. A simple USB cable from a PC is indispensable.

The main advantage of this interface is the presence of unique DPS chips that work in conjunction with their own plugins. At a high level, they emulate all the legendary and top-end audio processing devices. In other words, you get plug-ins that are almost indistinguishable from expensive hardware at a much more affordable price. The interface allows you to use this software not only when mixing material, but also at the stage of recording in real time with minimal delay.

The bonus will be another unique technology called Powerful UAD-2 QUAD PROCESSING, which has 4 processors at once. This way you will be able to use more plugins than usual. Twin MKII is also a monitor controller, the functionality of which has been expanded compared to the first generation. In particular, functions such as checking in mono, dimming, turning on alternative monitoring are now placed on the front of the device.

UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid got into our rating due to its wide functionality. Its rear is littered with analog inputs and outputs (8 each), and the front has a few toggle switches combined with a simple but nice screen. USB bus power is not provided for this device, so either through the adapter or via FireWire 400.In the second case, nothing else needs to be connected to the computer - data transfer and power pass through one cable.

Additionally, the simultaneous presence of USB and FW interfaces, low latency, excellent build quality, clear sound without crackles and noises, as well as a proprietary and convenient graphical interface for managing the card are noted. It is possible to control all interfaces without a computer - as a separate switching unit.

German quality, coupled with a high (but adequate) price, immediately hint that we have a professional-level device. As a result, Fireface UCX is one of the most super stable and reliable products. This card was the first device capable of recording 8 tracks simultaneously from the iPad with quality up to 96 kHz. It is not surprising that after years the model confidently holds the bar and still sells well. Despite the non-monolithic assembly of several metal plates, the case feels solid and reliable.

The main critical omission is the only control knob. One click - one setting. After the purchase, it is recommended to carefully read the manual, otherwise the setup process will turn into a continuous pain. Inside are some of the best in class converters with a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz, 24 bit depth and a dynamic range of 114 dB. In total there are 18 inputs and the same number of outputs.

A very high-quality and quite inexpensive sound card, which is suitable for both home and small professional recording studios. Connects to a PC via a USB 2.0 port, has a 24-bit DAC with support for frequencies up to 192 kHz. There are 8 analog channels plus an independent headphone output, a Hi-Z instrument input, and a phantom mic power option. An additional bonus is the support for MIDI and ASIO 2.0, but the gadget is devoid of EAX.

According to reviews, the card shows the best balance of price and features in its price segment, offering all the necessary tools, with some functions working at the level of much more expensive gadgets. It also notes the ease of management, both manually and through a software interface for a PC, although the latter takes time to get used to. As for the obvious shortcomings, in the top of the minuses is the combined volume control for the headphone output and Main Out.