For this Edition, the Komplete Audio 2's price went low enough to get featured in the sub $100 segment. This means you're getting even more value for the money with this unit.

Here's the scenario: You're inspired to start music production after being fascinated by the music production process or absorbed into a genre you want to make yourself. You look up tutorials on making music, see these producers with a massive collection of virtual instruments and plugins, and run them on professional-looking DAWs.

Software is a significant barrier to entry into music production that quite a few people want to pursue. Electronic music makes use of these virtual instruments and plugins for their sound. That said, even the best audio interfaces often include essentials, such as a watered-down DAW and some rudimentary plugins.

Many USB audio interfaces come with bundled software, but Native Instruments' Komplete Audio 2 interface feels more like a software package with a free bundled interface.

On the hardware, the Komplete Audio 2 sports two combo XLR jacks with line / instrument switches. This enables recording with a stereo pair of microphones or stereo out from keyboards.

It also includes a direct monitor blend knob to tweak the signal you hear between input and playback. A large volume knob sits on top of the interface.

A high visibility VU meter up top lets you see how much gain you run your inputs with.

It is an incredible value package that includes plugins and virtual instruments, effects, and amp simulations. This is great for those who want a complete software suite right out of the box without purchasing anything else.

While the mic preamps may be slightly noisy, they are generally suitable for most applications. Enclosed in plastic, worrying about long-term durability wouldn't be irrational.

While the mic preamps may be slightly noisy, they are generally suitable for most applications. Enclosed in plastic, worrying about long-term durability wouldn't be irrational.

Tech Specs

• A/D Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Preamp: 2
• Channels: 2
• Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line/Hi-Z)
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS, 1 x 1/4" Headphone
• MIDI: No
• Power: USB bus powered
• Phantom Power: +48V
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live 10 Lite, Maschine Essentials, Komplete Start

Focusrite has become a household name since its compact audio interfaces were introduced. The Scarlett Solo is one of their best-selling and most well-known product lines.

The Solo sports a basic set of outputs: a pair of L/R 1/4" outputs for studio monitors and a 1/4" stereo headphone out.

New for the 3rd gen is the addition of Focusrite Air. Focusrite describes Air as an emulation of their ISA preamp tonality. This follows the trend of adding console functions to a budget USB audio interface.

It adds upper midrange and high-frequency harmonics to my ears on top of your signal. This is great if you're using warmer-sounding microphones and dynamic mics.

The Scarlett Solo has a new "Air" feature. See more pictures in this Extended Focusrite Scarlett Solo Review.

The Solo shared a similar recording quality to more expensive recording equipment, like my 18i20. I felt the Solo had just a bit more mic gain on tap, enough to drive my Shure SM57 properly without an inline preamp. The 3rd gen Solo was also noticeably quieter with dynamic mics than the 18i20.

With condenser mics, the Solo shines with delicate-sounding vocals with just the right amount of high-end crispness to help a solo vocal stand out from a piano or acoustic guitar instrumental.

The DI tracks are slightly underwhelming for line-in sources and instruments compared to the preamp's performance with vocals. It's alright, but not entirely on par with the dynamics and clarity of other instrument/DI inputs from other interfaces.

I have mixed opinions towards the Solo's "Air" feature. Focusrite describes Air as an emulation of their ISA preamp tonality. It adds upper midrange and high-frequency harmonics to my ears on top of your signal. This is great if you're using warmer-sounding microphones and dynamic mics.

It does have a tradeoff of raising the noise floor a bit and making some mics sound brittle on the high frequencies. Some mics are harder to mix into a full instrumental because the result sounds more "polished." This presents a problem with specific genres that favor more warm-sounding vocal tonalities. In such situations, I deactivate the Air feature.

The "Air" feature, while nice on some mics, has a tradeoff of raising the noise floor a bit and making some mics sound brittle on the high frequencies.

The Headphones and Speaker outs share a volume, so you must turn off your speakers when you want to mix on headphones. The headphone out also could not efficiently drive my 250 Ohm Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro headphones. I recommend headphones of up to 150 Ohms to efficiently drive them with the Solo without distortion.

With the Air preamp feature and additional gain on tap, the Scarlett Solo still earns its way into the desks of tens of thousands of musicians, voice-over artists, podcasters, and streamers worldwide.

It's one of the best budget audio interfaces if you want a compact audio interface for PC and Mac that pairs well with different types of mics. Thanks to its preamp and Air feature, it works well with the most expensive microphones.

Tech Specs

• A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
• Preamp: 1
• Channels: 2
• Inputs: 1 x XLR combo (mic), 1 x 1/4" (Hi-Z)
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS
• MIDI: None
• Power: USB bus powered
• Phantom Power: +48V
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack, Focusrite Red plugin suite, several more

Solid State Logic is known for high-quality audio recording components, including consoles and outboard gear. They have since leaped into the entry-level audio interface market and have been having much success with the SSL 2.

Instead of the compact rack profile typical among interfaces, the SSL 2 takes a more modern approach with a tabletop-friendly profile. All the controls and metering are on its inclined top, making it look more like a miniature mixer. This makes the SSL 2 a straightforward audio interface, easy to integrate into modern computer-centric music production and content creation setups.

It also helps that the unit looks good and integrates cleanly, with all the cables plugged into the back. However, this can be an issue if you constantly have to unplug cables for different headphones and instruments.

But it's not just about style because the SSL 2 audio interface ticks every box for functionality and quality. It meets modern-day sample rate and audio quality standards. The controls and metering are very intuitive, much like a mixer.

The 4K Legacy mode also shapes your sound like the SSL 4000 series analog console. It boosts the highs in a musical way, which helps push vocals or instruments up front in a mix. It also adds a warm harmonic distortion that injects old-school personality into your recordings.

The buttons are a bit springy, but they get the job done. And it would've been nice if it had mute buttons.

The Solid State Logic SSL 2 is an exemplary interface for desktop setups. It can cater to the needs of musicians and has enough functionality for basic streaming and podcasting needs.

Tech Specs

• A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
• Preamp: 2
• Channels: 2
• Inputs: 2 x XLR Combo (Mic/Line/Hi-Z)
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS (L/R)
• MIDI: None
• Power: USB bus powered
• Phantom Power: +48V
• Bundled Software: SSL Production Pack, 3rd Party Bundled Software

The Scarlett series has long been a darling with the project studio community for its excellent sound quality, solid build, and incredible plugin bundles.

The 3rd Gen release of the line makes minor tweaks that improve the overall capabilities of each model, especially the way they handle high-gain inputs from mics and instruments.

The 2i2 is no exception to these improvements as the unit now includes Focusrite's proprietary "Air" technology from their more expensive ISA series preamps. This improves the basic audio quality of this cheap interface.

The Scarlett 2i2 makes for an excellent first "serious" interface, being the best at this price point for many use cases.

With no compromises made regarding the preamp and signal converters, the 3rd Gen 2i2 is a wise upgrade for small home studios and mobile setups. It is also a good audio interface for podcasts and live streaming. I didn't have access to a USB mixer, but the 2i2 served as a suitable option for my live streaming interface. This setup served me well for a year, and I found no problems. I especially love the visual feedback the ring lights provide.

The headphone output is also an upgrade from the Scarlett Solo. Adjusting the headphone output separately is a major factor in getting this over the Solo.

Not having MIDI is a bit of a letdown but you can always get a separate MIDI interface if you need one later. If you're doing basic recording and streaming, the 2i2's analog inputs are more than enough.

This is THE interface to get if you want pristine recordings for voice, instruments, and more. With the tweaked gain response of the preamp, even the highest output metal pickups get the same red carpet treatment to your hard drive as the nicest vintage T-style guitar.

It is also a handy interface for live recordings.

Tech Specs

• A/D Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Preamp: 2
• Channels: 2
• Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line/Hi-Z)
• Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TRS
• MIDI: No
• Power: USB bus powered
• Phantom Power: +48V
• Bundled Software: Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First Creative Pack, Red Plug-in Suite, Focusrite Collective access