Stop Buying New Audio Interfaces
Everyone thinks upgrading their audio interface is the next logical step.
Most of the time… it isn’t.
Come in closer kids, let me tell you why buying a newer or more expensive audio interface rarely improves your actual sound quality, especially in home studios. We look at what an audio interface really does, including microphone preamps, A/D and D/A conversion, monitoring outputs, and why those specs are often misunderstood, overemphasized, and even used as Cannon fodder for marketing.
I also explain why upgrading from one budget or mid-range interface to another (for example, moving from an older generation to a newer generation of the same interface) usually results in little to no real-world improvement, despite marketing claims around better converters or higher bit depth.
This is not an anti-gear video. Audio interfaces absolutely matter. But if you’re chasing better recordings, clearer mixes, or more professional results, your interface is often not the bottleneck. In many cases, your microphone technique, room acoustics, monitoring, or front-end signal chain will make a much bigger difference.
Interfaces Under $750 that you can bypass the preamps (links are affiliate, thanks for the support!)
Focusrite Scarlett (4i4, 16i16, 18i18 but NOT the solo, 2i2, or 18i20)
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/4GORbZ
zZounds: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
Audient iD24:
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/qz5kRL
zZounds: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
Heritage Audio i73 Pro One (A 1073, dedicated line in and it's affordable? Yes please!):
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LKAojY
zZounds: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
Presonus Quantum 2626:
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vPG1Be
zZounds: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
Motu M4/M6:
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/7aRL4Q
zZounds: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
A quick note on the SSL 2 / 2+ : I haven't been able to get a square answer on this. I spoke with someone at SSL who said the signal still goes through the preamp circuit, but I spoke with someone in marketing that said otherwise... Still wanting to get clarity on this.
#audiointerface #interfacereview #musicproduction #audioengineering #recording #homestudio #homerecording #focusritescarlett2i2 #focusrite
What I Typically use for audio: (affiliated unless noted otherwise)
My Voiceover Mic:
https://www.dachmanaudio.com?sca_ref=...
Roswell Mini K87:
https://roswellproaudio.com/chapman
My VoiceOver Preamp:
http://sweetwater.sjv.io/kO6NWN
My Chandler TG2:
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/aOajEM
My Interface:
https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
My Main Monitors:
https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
My Headphones:
https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
My LiN76 Compressor:
https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
Plugins:
https://pluginboutique.com/?a_aid=691...
My Camera Gear:
My Main camera: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/RGQarg
My Main Lens: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/554z7L
My Main On Camera Microphone: https://www.zzounds.com/a--3993776/it...
My B Lens: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/qzPo2L
My Softbox: https://amzn.to/3EyfA2Q
My Video Lighting: https://amzn.to/4oISvMC
Subscribe for real-world, no-hype recording insights: / @andrewchapmancreative
Patreon: / andrewchapmancreative
Follow me on TikTok/IG: @andrew_chapman
Business inquiries: [email protected]
Timestamps:
Intro: 0:00
The Misconception: 0:20
Component 1 The Preamp: 0:52
The Other Components, Converters, Headphone amps and more: 5:30
The TLDR, How could you know?: 6:56
Is Upgrading Worth It?: 7:45
What ACTUALLY Would Be An Upgrade?: 12:36