Looking For The Best Audio Interface For FL Studio?
Here’s a look at our favorites, including our top pick the – PreSonus AudioBox.
#1 Best Audio Interface For FL Studio
FL Studio is a fantastic digital audio workstation (DAW) with an intuitive graphical user interface that’s based on a pattern-based music sequencer. It’s accessible across most major platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android), and it’s been around long enough to hone their software into a refined experience. Once you’ve got FL Studio on your device, you’ll need an audio interface to start recording music that you can edit with the software.
What Are The Best Audio Interfaces For FL Studio? (Updated 2018)
#1 PreSonus AudioBox USB 96: 2×2 USB 2.0 Recording System
#2 Tascam iXR USB Audio Recording Interface for iPad MacOS And Windows
#3 M-Audio M-Track 2X2 C-Series | 2-in/2-out USB Audio Interface (24-bit/192kHz)
#4 Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
What to look for in an audio interface for FL Studio
If this is your first time looking into an audio interface, don’t worry—some of them can look confusing, but they’re actually pretty simple to use once you get the hang of it. As you’re considering your options, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Durability – Metal-bodied interfaces will cost more, but they’re far more durable than plastic interfaces
- Portability – if you’ll be using your interface to record music in multiple locations, or if you’re on the road as a gigging musician, you’ll want to go with an interface that’s light and compact enough to fit in your bag
- Inputs – all audio interfaces should have a traditional ¼-inch jack. Some of the better ones offer a dual XLR / ¼-inch jack for more flexibility
- Outputs – you’ll see a variety of different outputs including ¼-inch, USB, XLR, MIDI, and RCA
- Phantom power – if you’ll be using an instrument that pulls power from the recording device, you’ll need an interface with enough phantom power to sustain the instrument
PreSonus AudioBox USB 96: 2×2 USB 2.0 Recording System
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This is a top pick for mobile podcasters and musicians. The dual-channel PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 is bus-powered, durable, compact, and it easily integrates with any Mac or Windows recording software. It’s a professional-grade system with a high-performance Class A mic preamp. You’ll enjoy 24-bit resolution, and 4 sampling rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.
- Bus-powered USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface
- Compatible with most recording software for Windows and Mac
- 24-bit resolution
- 1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz sampling rates
- Two combo microphone/instrument inputs with high-headroom, low-noise, high-performance microphone preamps
Tascam iXR USB Audio Recording Interface for iPad MacOS And Windows
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If you’ve got some breathing room in your budget and you’re looking for mobility, this is the one for you. The Tascam iXR is uniquely designed to bring mobile devices into the world of professional audio, as you can plug it into an iPad just as easily as a laptop computer. It offers a full recording studio at your fingertips, with the flexibility to create your music anytime, anywhere.
- Two-in, two-out USB Audio/MIDI interface for iOS, Mac, & Windows, making it great for professional quality recording on the go.
- Dual XLR-1/4” combo inputs with Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps, phantom power, & instrument-level inputs that make it simple to record vocals and instruments.
- An aluminum body for a sleek look and durability.
- Highly portable, as the Tascam iXR is the smallest audio interface with XLR connectors on the market.
M-Audio M-Track 2X2 C-Series | 2-in/2-out USB Audio Interface (24-bit/192kHz)
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The M-Track 2X2 C-Series is designed to be plug-and-play, so it’s super quick and easy to get started. The interface offers the convenience of premium high-speed USB-C with a USB/Direct Balance knob, offering latency-free recording and monitoring. If you’re looking for simple setup—especially for beginners—this is a fantastic choice.
- Two-in & Two-out USB Audio Interface with high speed USB connection
- 24 bit/192 kHz resolution for professional recording and monitoring
- Direct balance / USB knob for zero-latency monitoring
- XLR + ¼-inch TRS combo input, ¼-inch instrument input, stereo ¼-inch main outputs, ¼-inch headphone output with independent level control
- Package comes with 1 standard USB cable and 1 USB-C cable
Focusrite Scarlett Solo (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface with Pro Tools | First
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The Focusrite Scarlett Solo audio interface is engineered with guitar players and singer-songwriters in mind. The 2nd gen model has a 2 in / 2 out USB 2.0 audio interface, one Scarlett mic preamplifier, and one instrument input. The mic preamp has even gain structure, letting you accurately set your levels to record sound exactly the way you want it. The instrument input has also been re-engineered to handle even the hottest guitar pickups, so it won’t let you down.
You’ll be able to hear the difference with Focusrite converters when you convert your performance into digital audio and back again. The Scarlett Solo has a proven record of recording crisp and clear audio, even when you’re playing or singing softly. Mastering that delicate balance will let you amplify the quieter moments without the annoying hissing or buzzing that comes with cheap audio interfaces. And don’t let latency hold you down.
The Scarlett Solo’s unparalleled round-trip latency as low as 2.74ms will revolutionize your workflow, letting you work entirely inside your DAW for overdubbing and playback, and use your plugins during the recording, without the frustrating delay that other products can’t overcome.
- Mic preamp and instrument input
- Class-leading conversion and sample rates up to 192 kHz / 24 bit
- Low latency for using plug-ins in real time without DSP
- RCA phono stereo line outputs to connect with a home speaker system
- A headphone output with gain control
BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UM2
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If you’re looking for the most affordable audio interface, the Behringer U-Phoria UM2 is hands-down the best value on the list. Its all-plastic body makes it light and portable, though it won’t be as durable as a metal interface. Some users have reported slightly loose input jacks and wobbly gain controls, but all of those reviews indicated that it worked just fine once they dialed in on the sweet spot. It can also get pretty noisy if you get above 75% on the gain knobs, but that shouldn’t be a problem if you’re using a condenser mic.
The audio interface has 2 inputs—a combo jack (XLR or ¼-inch) and a traditional ¼-inch jack. Next to each input you’ll see two lights that let you know that the interface is picking up a signal and if the signal is too loud. It has +48v Phantom Power, which should offer enough voltage for most condenser microphones. The interface provides two outputs—a ¼-inch headphone jack on the front, and an RCA jack on the back that you can use to connect to a studio monitor or amp.
- USB audio interface for mics and electric instruments
- 2 Inputs – combo (XLR or ¼-inch), and traditional ¼-inch
- 2 Outputs – ¼-inch headphone, RCA
- +48v Phantom Power
- Gain control knob
- Clipping indicator light
Takeaways
With all of the options on the market, you shouldn’t need to spend more than about $150 on a good quality audio interface. Most of the options on this list are even under $100, making it even more affordable to start recording your music. If you need to buy a microphone separately, make sure the mic is compatible with the audio interface you choose.
I started Music Store Central with one simple goal, to help answer all the questions that I know other musicians have. I wanted to make buying new instruments and gear for your passion completely effortless.