Finding the best cheap audio interface under $100 for recording guitar can be difficult. There are a few budget guitar audio interfaces in the $100 price range, but you have to get the right one.
Not all affordable audio interfaces have the features and inputs that you might need for your home recording studio. For instance, some might only have a single mic jack and no input for recording guitar. Likewise, the tone and EQ settings might be limited. That’s why we reviewed all of the audio interfaces on the market and compared their features to make this list.
Let’s check out the top-rated audio interfaces under $100 that you should add to your computer recording setup.
Top 5 Best Audio Interfaces Below $100
Contents
Here’s a list of the best $100 audio interfaces that won’t destroy your $100 recording budget.
- Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2
- Tascam US-1×2
- M-Audio M-Track 2X2
- PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2
- Behringer U-phoria UMC204HD
- Steinberg UR12
- Line 6 Sonic Port
Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2
Specs, features, and benefits
The Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2 audio interface is an entry-level audio interface that comes for a very affordable price.
On the front of the interface, you can find an XLR input with a +48 phantom power button and a Gain control knob with a Signal peaking led indicator; a 1/4 Line/Instrument input with a Gain control knob and a Signal/Overload button, and a Hi-Z button; a direct Output monitoring button, a big Monitor volume control knob (this one controls the 1/4 jacks on the back of the interface), a Headphones Volume control knob, and a 1/4 Headphones output.
On the back of the interface, you can find the USB 2.0 port, and two 1/4 Line Outputs for monitoring.
The Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2 offers a Bit Depth of 24-bit, a sampling rate of 192kHz, and a +55db of Gain. The preamps on the interface sound pretty clear and the fact that you can monitor them with zero latency is a huge deal!
The interface is built in a metal chassis, it feels sturdy, and it seems like it can take some beatings.
The Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2 comes with a Tracktion T7 DAW included in the price, and it is compatible with every single DAW. It is compatible with both MAC and PC machines.
Pros and Highlights
- Great sound – The preamps are clean!
- Zero-latency monitoring – You can monitor your voice/instrument through the onboard headphones out or the balanced monitor jacks and hear yourself without any latency!
- Built like a tank – The chassis is made out of metal, and all the knobs and the jacks feel pretty sturdy.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- No Midi interface, no Mix knob for Monitoring – If you like to use Midi device, you can’t with the Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2, as it only has audio inputs. Also, there is no Mix control knob for Monitoring – this means you can’t set how much volume you’ll get from your computer, and you will have to adjust it in your DAW.
Bottom line
If you are a beginner in the recording world, check out the Mackie Onyx Artist 1-2. It has its limitations, but for the price – it is a fairly decent audio interface. It is mostly recommended for singer-songwriters and podcasters. It records in a good sampling rate, and it sounds good. It also has two inputs, one for a microphone, and one for an instrument.
Tascam US-1×2
Specs, features, and benefits
The Tascam US-1×2 is an affordable audio interface with great features for beginner recording lovers. The Tascam US-1×2 on the front has two inputs, an XLR input with HDDA preamp and Gain control knob, a 1/4 input with a Line/Instrument switch and a Gain control knob, a Line Out Volume control knob, and a Headphones jack with its Output control knob.
On the back of the interface, you can find the USB port for your computer, a Micro USB port for use with Tablet, a Direct Monitor on/off switch, Front/Rear Input Select switch, RCA Line-in and Line Out jacks, and a +48V phantom power on/off switch for channel 1.
The Tascam US-1×2 has an A/D resolution of 24-bit/96kHz. It comes with a licensed Steinberg’s Cubase LE and Cubasis LE software included in the price. It is built in an aluminum chassis, and it has side panels that make it easier for seeing the controls.
Pros and Highlights
- Affordable – The Tascam US-1×2 won’t break the bank!
- It is compatible with MAC and PC – You can even use it with an Ipad or an iPhone!
- A good set of features for the money – Microphone channel with a good preamp, a TRS Line/Instrument input, Direct Monitoring, RCA Inputs, and Outputs, Compatible with many different devices, it comes with software…
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Driver Problems – Many owners are having driver problems on their Windows machines.
Bottom line
If you are a singer-songwriter that wants to start recording or a budding podcaster, check out the Tascam US-1×2. It is certainly not the best audio interface on the market, but for beginners – it gets the job done. It has a good set of features, it feels sturdy, and it is compatible with many different devices. Oh, it is affordable too! However, many owners are complaining about driver problems on their Windows machine with the Tascam US-1×2 audio interface. Do your research before purchasing it!
M-Audio M-Track 2X2
Specs, features, and benefits
The M-Audio M-Track 2×2 is a cool looking affordable audio interface with two channels. This audio interface has these controls on top: separate Gain control knobs and meters for input one and input two, big Monitor Volume control knob for adjusting the output volume in the Main Outs on the rear of the card, a Mix control knob for setting USB/Direct volume, Headphones Volume control knob, power indicator, and +48V phantom power indicator.
On the front of the interface, you can find the Hi-Z 1/4 input, a +48V phantom power switch, and a Headphones output jack. On the back of the sound card, there is the USB port, Left and Right 1/4 Monitor outputs, and Mic/Line input. The M-Audio M-Track 2X2 has a 24-bit Bit Depth and a Sampling Rate of 192kHz. It comes with Pro Tools software included in the price.
Pros and Highlights
- Easy to use – With the M-Audio M-Track 2×2 you can start recording within seconds after you set it up with your computer. Great for beginners.
- Good quality audio – The A/D resolution is a 24-bit/192kHz. This says a lot to those who know little about recording.
- Cheap – The M-Audio M-Track 2×2 is a very wallet-friendly sound card.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Some owners are having driver problems – Please do proper research to see if the M-Audio M-Track 2X2 is compatible with your machine. Also, there is a chance of getting a dud. Many owners reported having huge noises coming out of their monitors when they use their M-Audio M-Track 2X2…
Bottom line
The M-Audio M-Track 2X2 is a simple, modern-looking sound card with great features and performance. It is very affordable, and many beginners love it. However, some owners reported that they are having issues with the drivers needed to use the sound card. Do your proper research before purchasing one of these.
PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2
Specs, features, and benefits
If you are on a tight budget, and you want to start a home studio project, you should check out the PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2.
On the front panel, The AudioBox USB 2×2 has two XLR/TRS inputs, a +48 phantom power button, Volume control knobs for each channel with led indicators that light up when you are overloading the card with your signal, a Mix control knob (Inputs/Playback), Headphones Volume control knob, a power indicator showing you if the interface is working, and Main Outputs Volume control knob.
On the back panel of the audio interface, you can find the USB port for connecting with your computer, Midi Input and Output, two 1/4 Main Output jacks, and Headphones output jack.
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2 has a 24-bit Bit Depth and a sampling rate of 44.1kHz/48kHz. With it, you will get Studio One Artist software, plug-ins, and sample packs included in the price.
Pros and Highlights
- Great for beginners – Many newbies are loving this unit. It is simple and affordable.
- Sturdy – The construction of the unit is very solid!
- Gets the job done!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- White noise, driver problems, complicated software installation – Many owners are complaining of having these problems with their PreSonus AudioBox USB 2×2…
Not recommended.
Bottom line
There are a lot of good reviews on this interface on the internet, but there are also a lot of bad ones too. Our recommendation is to look for a better audio interface, to avoid nerve breakage, and disappointment. It seems like PreSonus needs to learn a lesson or two from its customers, and resolve the problems they are dealing with.
Behringer U-phoria UMC204HD
Specs, features, and benefits
The Behringer U-phoria UMC204HD is a very affordable audio interface (like pretty much all Behringer products are), with a lot of features.
On the front panel you can find the two XLR/TRS Inputs, and their separate control clusters with Gain control knob, Line/Instrument push-button switch, PAD button-switch, Signal indicator, and Clip indicator; Stereo/Mono Output switch, Mix control knob, Main Out Volume control knob, Monitor A/B button-switch, Phones Volume control knob, Headphones input jack, Power led indicator, and +48 phantom power led indicator.
On the back of the unit, you can find the USB port, Midi Input and Output ports, a +48V phantom power switch, two sets of RCA Playback Outputs jacks, Main Out jacks, and Insert one and two jacks. The UMC204HD by Behringer has a 24-bit Bit Depth, a sampling rate of 192kHz, and Midas Mic Preamplifiers.
Pros and Highlights
- Wallet-friendly – If you are on a tight budget, and you need to start recording as soon as possible check out the Behringer U-phoria!
- Great set of features – Two channels, Headphones out, Monitor Outputs, Midi ports…
- Perfect for beginners – If you want to start learning the craft, you don’t want to spend a fortune on an interface. The Behringer U-phoria is great for that situation. Also, if it dies, your nerves will stay in one piece – it won’t hurt your wallet at all.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Problematic Drivers Installation and Performance issues – Many owners are complaining about problems with the Drivers. It seems like Behringer is not trying to fix the issues.
On the other hand, many other owners are completely satisfied with the unit.
It is a hit and miss.
Bottom line
If you are ready to gamble, and you have some extra money on the side, maybe you want to try out the Behringer U-phoria UMC204HD audio interface. However, it seems like many owners are having problems with it. We can’t recommend this interface to serious recording beginners.
Steinberg UR12
Specs, features, and benefits
The Steinberg UR12 audio interface is set at a price point right under $100, and it seems like is of decent quality. On the front of the interface, you can find Gain control knob for input one, XLR input with D-PRE preamp and Peak and +48V led indicators, Hi-Z input with Peak led indicator, Gain control knob for the input two, Output control knob, Direct monitoring button-switch, and Headphones output. On the back of the unit, you can find a USB-C port, a 2.0 USB port, a switch for setting the port, a Line Output RCA jacks, and a +48V phantom power on/off switch.
The Steinberg UR12 has an Analog to Digital Resolution of 24-bit Bit Depth and 192kHz sampling rate. The Steinberg UR12 comes with Cubes Al software included in the price. It is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices.
Pros and Highlights
- Great performance for the price – The Steinberg UR12 is one of the best in the price range! Especially the Mic input sounds fantastic!
- Stable drivers – Follow the instructions carefully and you’ll have a pleasant experience with it!
- Cubase Al – With the Steinberg UR12 you get a free Cubase Al DAW, which is an awesome one for beginners!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- The Hi-Z input peaks with Gain set at zero! – The input two on the Steinberg UR12 is no good. However, if you plan to use it with a microphone only, go for it. Channel one sounds fantastic!
Bottom line
Great set of features, Cubase Al included in the price, good performance on channel one – The Steinberg UR12 is great for recording a microphone, and not so great for recording guitars. If you plan to use it with a microphone only, you should go for it. You won’t be sorry.
Line 6 Sonic Port
Specs, features, and benefits
The Line 6 Sonic Port audio interface is an affordable sound card, designed for use with IOS devices such as iPod, IPad and iPhone. On the front of the interface there are one 1/4 Input, one 1/4 Monitor Output, one 1/8 mp3 input, and one 1/8 Headphones port. On the back of the Sonic Port, you can find the USB port.
The Sonic Port doesn’t have any onboard controls; instead you control everything from your device. It comes with a free Mobile POD app – this gives you thirty-two model amplifiers, sixteen cabinet simulations, a lot of effects, and ten thousand presets.
The Line 6 Sonic Port also comes with two cables, the one used with older IOS devices, and the one used with current models of IOS devices. It has an A/D resolution of 24-bit Bit Depth and sampling rate of 48kHz.
Pros and Highlights
- Compact, extremely portable – You can have your studio on the road! It charges from your device!
- Great quality audio – With the Sonic Port you can have an awesome sound from your guitar in your headphones anywhere in the world.
- Affordable – The Sonic Port Line 6 comes for a fairly low price!
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Loud pops and clicks! – Some users are complaining on having loud pops and clicks when they use the interface. However, Line 6 stated that they are working on a solution for the problem together with Apple.
Bottom line
If you are traveling a lot, you can find a good use for the Line 6 Sonic Port. It is of good quality, it sounds nice, and it is easy to use. Of course, it has its limitations. It is not designed for professional use – I mean common, are you really going to release an album that you recorded on your iPhone? Some users are complaining on pops and clicks, but Line 6 states that they are working on resolving that problem.
What We Recommend and Why
If you are planning to start recording, it is always better to save up a bit more money, and get a better interface. However, if you are on tight budget, and you feel like you have to start recording as soon as possible, we recommend the Mackie Onyx Artist 1×2 audio interface. It is great for the price! It offers a good audio quality, it is durable, affordable, and it has a good set of features. Of course, it has its limitations, but when compared with the others in this list – it is the best one!