{"niche":"Which USB audio interface is best for beginners?","description":"Which USB audio interface is best for beginners?","products":[{"brand":"Audient","model":"iD4 MkII","price_gbp":201.0,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"latency":"DSP mixer round-trip 44.1kHz 0.65ms; 48.0kHz 0.6ms; 88.2kHz 0.33ms; 96.0kHz 0.31ms","bit_depth":"24-bit","sample_rate":"24-bit/96kHz","phantom_power":"48V ±4V @ 10mA/Channel","number_of_inputs":"2 (1x XLR mic/line, 1x 1/4in JFET instrument)","number_of_outputs":"2 analog line outputs (1/4in TRS), 2 headphone outputs (1/4in and 1/8in)"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"Compact 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface with an Audient console mic preamp, JFET instrument input, 32-bit AD/DA conversion and dual headphone outputs. Suited for solo musicians, podcasters and home studios needing low-latency monitoring and high-quality preamps.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Audient (support page lists product; purchase links on main site)","url":"https://audient.com/products/audio-interfaces/id4-mkii/","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":269.99,"price_gbp":201.0,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:06.626148"},{"label":"ZenPro Audio","url":"https://www.zenproaudio.com/audient-id4-mkii","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":269.99,"price_gbp":201.0,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:09.382880"},{"label":"Sweetwater","url":"https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/iD4MKII--audient-id4-mkii-usb-c-audio-interface","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":299.0,"price_gbp":222.6,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:12.258566"}]},{"brand":"Universal Audio","model":"Volt 2","price_gbp":115.39,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"latency":null,"bit_depth":"24 bit","sample_rate":"44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz","phantom_power":"+48V (switchable)","number_of_inputs":"2 mic/line/instrument combo (XLR/TRS)","number_of_outputs":"2 monitor line outputs, 1 stereo headphone output, MIDI In/Out"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"Compact 2-in/2-out USB audio interface with two combo preamps, vintage preamp mode, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, direct monitoring and switchable 48V phantom power. Suited for home studios, podcasters, singer-songwriters and mobile recording on Mac, PC, iPad and iPhone.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/universal_audio_volt_2.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":155.0,"price_gbp":115.39,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:23.059960"},{"label":"Strait Music","url":"https://www.straitmusic.com/products/universal-audio-volt-2-usb-audio-interface","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":199.0,"price_gbp":148.15,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:25.824037"},{"label":"Thomann (alternate listing)","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/universal_audio_volt_2.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":155.0,"price_gbp":115.39,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:28.584083"}]},{"brand":"Behringer","model":"U-Phoria UMC202HD","price_gbp":43.92,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"latency":"Zero-latency direct monitoring; ~4ms with ASIO drivers (reported)","bit_depth":"24-bit","sample_rate":"44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz","phantom_power":"+48V switchable","number_of_inputs":"2 x XLR/TRS combo (mic/line/instrument)","number_of_outputs":"2 x TRS line outputs, 1 x 1/4in stereo headphone output"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"Compact 2-in/2-out USB 2.0 audio interface with two MIDAS-designed mic preamps, 24-bit/192kHz converters, direct (zero-latency) monitoring and switchable +48V phantom power. Suited for home studio recording, podcasting, and solo musicians needing affordable, portable I/O.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Guitar Center","url":"https://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringer/U-PHORIA-UMC202HD-Audiophile-2x2-24-Bit-192-kHz-USB-Audio-Interface-1428935660246.gc","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":86.9,"price_gbp":64.69,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:55.740220"},{"label":"Markertek","url":"https://www.markertek.com/product/beh-umc202hd/behringer-u-phoria-umc202hd-audio-interface-2x2-24-bit-192-khz-usb-audio-interface-with-midas-mic-preamps","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":86.9,"price_gbp":64.69,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:58.500136"},{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/behringer_u_phoria_umc202hd.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":59.0,"price_gbp":43.92,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:20:01.258274"}]},{"brand":"MOTU","model":"M2","price_gbp":148.86,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"latency":"2.5 ms round trip (32 sample buffer at 96 kHz)","bit_depth":"24-bit","sample_rate":"44.1 to 192 kHz","phantom_power":"+48V individual per input","number_of_inputs":"2 x XLR/TRS combo mic/line/Hi-Z","number_of_outputs":"2 x balanced 1/4 in TRS, 2 x RCA, 1 x 1/4 in headphone, MIDI in/out"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"The MOTU M2 is a compact 2-in/2-out USB-C audio interface with ESS Sabre32 converters, separate preamp gain and individual 48V phantom switches, full-color LCD metering, and MIDI I/O. It suits solo musicians, podcasters, and home studio users who want low-latency recording and high-quality converters in a bus-powered unit.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"Thomann","url":"https://www.thomannmusic.com/motu_m2.htm","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":233.0,"price_gbp":173.46,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:39.312800"},{"label":"zZounds","url":"https://www.zzounds.com/item--MOTM2","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":199.95,"price_gbp":148.86,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:42.073107"},{"label":"Newegg","url":"https://www.newegg.com/p/2ZB-0041-00005","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":199.99,"price_gbp":148.89,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:19:44.832459"}]},{"brand":"Steinberg","model":"UR22C","price_gbp":93.06,"origin_country":null,"specs":{"latency":null,"bit_depth":"32 bit","sample_rate":"192 kHz","phantom_power":"2","number_of_inputs":"2","number_of_outputs":"2"},"confidence_score":null,"summary":"Compact 2-in/2-out USB‑C audio interface with Yamaha D‑PRE mic preamps, onboard DSP effects and 32‑bit/192 kHz AD/DA. Suited for singer‑songwriters, mobile producers and home studios needing portable, high‑resolution recording and latency‑free monitoring.","pros":null,"cons":null,"ideal_for":null,"sources":[{"label":"AVLGEAR","url":"https://avlgear.com/products/steinberg-ur22c-2-x-2-usb-3-0-type-c-audio-interface","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":194.99,"price_gbp":145.16,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:20:11.985387"},{"label":"Music Villa","url":"https://musicvilla.com/products/steinberg-ur22c-usb-audio-interface","currency":"USD","source_country":"US","price":125.0,"price_gbp":93.06,"scraped_at":"2026-06-06T00:20:14.742311"}]}]}