If you plan to record vocals and guitar together, start with a USB bus-powered interface that can record two independent analogue inputs. Then choose the gain-setting and monitoring controls that suit your session: bus power avoids a separate mains supply for the interface, but you still need a suitable computer USB connection and cable.
If you want vocals and acoustic guitar on separate tracks from the same performance, look for two independently recordable inputs and the appropriate microphone or instrument connection for each source. You will also need a way to hear the performance while recording.
A vocal-and-guitar arrangement or stereo acoustic setup can call for two microphone preamps. If either microphone needs phantom power, check how the chosen interface provides it and follow the microphone maker’s connection guidance.
A USB bus-powered interface does not need its own mains adaptor. Check the computer port, required cable and any driver requirements before choosing one; the USB connection still has to support the interface during recording.
Work out which sources must be recorded in the same take before comparing power connections, headphone monitoring and gain controls.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous inputs | Confirm two independently recordable analogue channels and the microphone, line or Hi-Z instrument modes needed for your sources. | I want vocals and guitar, or two microphones, on separate tracks from one performance. Around 31% of consumers put simultaneous recording first. |
| USB bus power | Check that the exact model is bus-powered and that your computer port and cable meet its connection requirements. | With mains sockets already occupied, I would rather not add an adaptor for the interface. Avoiding another mains supply comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Live monitoring | Look for direct or hardware monitoring, or a monitor-mix control; check how many headphone listeners can connect. | While performing, I need to hear the live input alongside playback without relying entirely on software monitoring. Around 25% of consumers prioritise that listening setup. |
| Initial level setting | Compare assisted gain controls with the physical meters and controls you would use to set and check recording levels. | Recording alone leaves me to perform and set the levels, so I want fewer adjustments before a take. Simpler setup is the primary need for around 19% of consumers. |
USB-C describes the connector, not every aspect of the port’s power or connection. Audient warns that older USB ports can cause intermittent behaviour with bus-powered equipment, particularly when phantom-powered condenser microphones are in use.
Check your computer’s ports against the interface’s requirements, and confirm the required cable and any guidance on connecting directly rather than through a hub.
If the supplied cable does not fit your computer, a compatible cable or adaptor may also be needed.
One independently recordable input cannot put a live vocal and guitar onto two separate recorded channels at the same time.
If you want to adjust those sources separately when mixing, check for two independently usable analogue input channels and the right input type for each source.
Otherwise, recording the parts separately takes another session rather than capturing the combined performance.
48 V phantom power is intended for compatible microphones that require it; its presence does not make it appropriate for every microphone or instrument connection.
Check the microphone maker’s requirements and the interface manual before enabling phantom power, and select the appropriate input for a guitar pickup or other instrument.
Software-monitoring delay depends on the computer, drivers and recording session as well as the interface. A headline figure alone cannot tell you how a particular session will feel while you sing or play.
Check for direct or hardware monitoring, or a monitor-mix control, and try your intended recording software setup before a time-critical take.
The Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen is a compact, USB-powered two-input option for recording microphones and instruments at a computer.
The EVO 4 is a compact 2-in/2-out USB interface for computer-based recording.
The bus-powered M2 offers front-panel metering and hardware monitoring for a two-input vocal or instrument session.
The SSL 2 MKII is a bus-powered two-input interface with instrument connections and two headphone outputs.
Choose two independently usable analogue inputs if you want vocals and guitar, two microphones, or two performers recorded onto separate tracks at the same time. Two inputs do not cover a larger group of microphones that you want to record independently in one take.
It eliminates a separate mains supply for the interface itself, not the need to power the computer. Check that the computer port and cable suit the model; Audient warns that older USB ports may cause intermittent bus-powered operation, particularly with phantom-powered condenser microphones.
Yes, if the interface has a suitable microphone input with phantom power for that microphone and a separate input appropriate for how you are recording the guitar. A guitar pickup needs a compatible instrument connection; an unplugged acoustic guitar recorded acoustically needs a microphone instead.
Look for documented direct or hardware monitoring, or a monitor-mix control, so you can hear the live input while recording. Set the balance against playback in your recording software and check the intended session rather than relying on a quoted software-latency figure alone.