🎚️ Audio Interfaces
Audio interfaces convert analog signals (like vocals or instruments) into digital data for your computer. They are crucial for recording and playback in any studio setup.
🔹 Entry-Level & Home Studio Interfaces
Ideal for beginners, podcasters, and home musicians.
- Focusrite – Scarlett Series (e.g., 2i2, 4i4)
- PreSonus – AudioBox USB, Studio Series
- Behringer – UMC Series (e.g., UMC22, UMC404HD)
- M-Audio – AIR Series
- Tascam – US Series
- Steinberg – UR Series
- Mackie – Onyx Series
- Audient – iD4, iD14, EVO 4, EVO 8
- IK Multimedia – iRig Series
- Zoom – UAC Series(Pitchfork, Sweetwater, Decibel Peak, Wikipedia)
🔸 Mid-Range & Semi-Pro Interfaces
Suitable for more advanced home studios and semi-professional setups.
- Audient – iD22, iD44, EVO 16
- Focusrite – Clarett+ Series
- MOTU – M2, M4, UltraLite mk5
- Universal Audio – Apollo Twin X
- Apogee – Duet, Quartet
- SSL (Solid State Logic) – SSL2, SSL2+
- Antelope Audio – Zen Go, Zen Q
- RME – Babyface Pro FS(Wikipedia, Pitchfork)
🔺 High-End & Professional Interfaces
Designed for professional studios and high-fidelity recording.
- Universal Audio – Apollo X4, Apollo x8p
- RME – Fireface UFX II, Fireface UCX II
- Apogee – Symphony I/O Mk II
- Lynx Studio Technology – Aurora(n) Series
- Burl Audio – B16 Mothership
- Avid – HDX Systems
- Antelope Audio – Orion Studio(Pitchfork)
🎛️ Audio Mixers
Mixers are used to combine, route, and adjust audio signals. They are essential in live sound, broadcasting, and recording environments.
🔹 Compact & Budget Mixers
Great for small setups and live gigs.
- Behringer – Xenyx Series
- Mackie – Mix Series, ProFX Series
- Yamaha – MG Series
- Allen & Heath – ZED Series
- Soundcraft – Notepad Series
- Alesis – MultiMix Series
- Peavey – PV Series
🔸 Digital & Streaming Mixers
Ideal for content creators, podcasters, and streamers.
- Rode – RodeCaster Pro II, RodeCaster Duo
- Elgato – Wave XLR, Stream Deck +
- BEACN – Mix Create, BEACN Mix
- Yamaha – ZG02, AG03
- Tascam – Mixcast 4
- Zoom – LiveTrak L-8, L-12(GamesRadar+)
🔺 Professional & Live Sound Mixers
Used in large venues, studios, and broadcast environments.
- Midas – M32, PRO Series
- Allen & Heath – dLive, SQ Series
- Soundcraft – Si Series, Vi Series
- DiGiCo – SD Series, Quantum Series
- Yamaha – CL Series, QL Series
- Lawo – mc² Series
- Solid State Logic (SSL) – Live Series
- Calrec – Apollo, Artemis(Decibel Peak, Wikipedia, AVNetwork, LANDR Blog)
🔌 Inline Microphone Preamps (Mic Boosters)
Inline preamps, like the Cloudlifter, are used to boost the signal of passive microphones (especially dynamic and ribbon mics) without adding noise.
- Cloud Microphones – Cloudlifter CL-1, CL-2, CL-Z
- sE Electronics – DM1 Dynamite, DM2 TNT
- Triton Audio – FetHead, FetHead Phantom, FetHead Germanium
- Soyuz – The Launcher, Launcher Deluxe
- Royer Labs – dBooster, dBooster2
- Warm Audio – Warm Lifter
- ART – Dual RP
- Shure – RPM626
- Radial Engineering – McBoost
- Triton Audio – FetHead Broadcast(Higher Hz, Sweetwater, B&H Photo Video)