Best 10 & 12 Channel Audio Interface [2024 Reviewed]

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Thumbnail	10 & 12 Channel Interfaces	ProRec Score	Price
	Solid State Logic SSL 12	9.5	Check Price on Amazon
	Roland UA-1010 OCTA-CAPTURE	8.4	Check Price on Amazon
	Zoom H8	8.2	Check Price on Amazon

Best 10 & 12 Channel Interface Reviews

All text and image links lead to Amazon unless stated otherwise. All product scores are based on ProRec’s in-house scoring model

9.5

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SSL 12 is a 12 x 8 USB 3.0 interface with a 32-bit / 192 kHz audio resolution which can take on most recording situations with innovation and versatility. Its improved in/out connections, impeccable performance, and upgraded SSL 360 software make the workflow easier than ever. Spectacular preamps, per-channel legacy switches and phantom power, USB loopback, talkback mic, and DC coupling – it has all the deadly features that will take care of your audio and deliver superior quality at all times!

The top panel is dedicated to Input and Monitor Controls. On the right side, each input channel gets its own individual set of controls that includes a +48 V phantom power switch, line switch, and Hi-Pass filter switch. These are followed by LED metering and gain control, and lastly a legacy 4K switch at the bottom. On the left side, there are monitor controls including a large blue knob for monitoring levels. Also you will see two controls for each headphone out on the top left. Below these are the CUT, ALT, and TALK buttons.

On the front panel, you will find a pair of Hi-Z instrument inputs on the right and two headphone outputs on the left. The rear panel features a power button and a USB-C connector on the right side. These are followed by ADAT ins and outs and MIDI connectors. Next, you will see four 1⁄4 inch TRS jack outputs followed by four XLR/ TRS input combo jacks.

The unit has a solid build and features a nice-laid elegant design. The controls have a fancy appeal and give a satisfying rotary experience. We had no trouble setting up the SSL 12 on our MacOS setup. The driver installation was pretty straightforward and the interface was up and running in no time.

To evaluate the unit, we paired it up with our Shure SM58 microphone and AKG C214 condenser microphone. The preamps sounded phenomenal and their low noise was definitely a striking observation. They delivered excellent clarity even at high gains making sure each nuance is captured in detail. While the amps themselves gave a raw uncolored edge to the sound, we had the 4K legacy switch at our disposal that added subtle coloration and character to our mixes. It worked like a sonic glitter that added a nice sheen to the dull signals thus bringing our mixes to life.

The latency results confirmed a round trip latency of 7.8 ms with 32 samples at 44.1 Hz. As we went ahead to 96 Hz, the numbers dropped to 3 ms. While the built-in mixer does add a millisecond or so to the latency, it’s actually worth it given that the mixer itself really surpassed our expectations. It is remarkably well-thought and boasts some extraordinary features including pre/post‑fade switching, level trim speaker switching, channel polarity reversal and so much more. Not only are they rare on large rack-mount consoles, they are almost unheard of on a desktop interface. But the way SSL has sneaked in these highly professional-grade features at such a humble price point is truly admirable.

In contrast with its predecessor 2 and 2+, 12 has further stepped up its game. For starters, there’s an upgrade in the audio resolution with the 24-bit converters of 2 and 2+ being brushed up to 32-bit. While the inputs work pretty much the same as they did on the predecessors, it’s the line outputs that got the impressive upleveling to +24 dBu analog level from the former +12.5 dBu. And yes, unlike most USB interfaces in the same category, SSL 12 does deliver a true +24 dBu operating level. You also get the SSL 360° software over those smaller interfaces and with that comes the access to route all features from the desktop.

And of course, 12 brings double the ins/outs as the twos. Plus you have the option to expand further with the ADAT!

One shortcoming with the SSL 12 audio interface is that it doesn’t cater to backward USB feasibility, meaning that you need USB 3.0 to power up an otherwise 2.0 device. Also, as the mic input level is +6.5dBu max, you need inline pads for drumming. The bright side to this however is that the noise level is significantly low.

It’s evident that 12 is a feature-studded interface that’s impeccably capable of being your studio’s centerpiece. Record, mix, produce – with one of the best yet ever-expanding technologies at hand. SSL 12 does not disappoint and it shows!

SSL 12 Benefits

Comes with exceptional extras (4K legacy switch, talkback mic, 8 channel digital expansion, DC-coupled outs, USB loopback)

Flexible console-like mixing and routing with SSL 360

SSL Production Pack with virtual instruments, plug-ins, samples (SSL complete, Ableton, Celemony etc)

SSL 12 Drawbacks

Need USB 3.0 power for an otherwise USB 2.0 device

Not suitable for recording drums

All text and image links lead to Amazon unless stated otherwise. All product scores are based on ProRec’s in-house scoring model

8.2

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Zoom H8 is a 8 x 12 USB audio interface that comes with 24-bit /96kHz audio resolution, interchangeable mic capsules and 12 simultaneous recording tracks making it a perfect fit for most recording situations. Offering 24+/48+ V phantom power for all six XLR pins, along with individual gain control knobs and -20dB pads – the unit gives all the features you need for a perfect recording session. Plus, with the large LCD screen, you can enjoy the app-driven interface all with the touch of your finger, which is super convenient especially if you are on the go.

The front panel features a mic input volume right above the mic track button. In the center, you will see the four PAD switches that reduce the input signals by 20 dB – along with other controls including input volume knobs, track indicators, and Hi-Z switches. While the topside has a mic capsule that is capable of swapping for different applications, the bottom features a touchscreen allowing touch control of various settings, right above the stop/home and play/pause buttons.

Inputs 1, 3, and A are on the left side panel while inputs 2, 4, and B are on the right side panel. The numbered channels are XLR plug connectors whereas A/B support XLR and 1/4-inch phone (unbalanced) jack. The left side panel also features an SD card slot and the right side panel includes MIC/LINE IN input jack speaker output for project playback. The bottom panel includes the Power/Hold switch, next to the remote connector and USB Micro B port. It also features Line and Phone out jacks along with strap attachment holes. The back panel has attachment points for the mic connector cap as well as the tripod mounting threads and battery compartment cover.

Being tech-savvy ourselves, setting up H8 on our Mac wasn’t difficult at all and the device was up and running in no time. It has a unique robotic insect kind of look, but regardless of its compact build, Zoom has managed to squeeze in as many functionalities as possible in this portable unit. The package also includes an XYH-6 X/Y Mic Capsule.

The app-driven interface comes with three apps for various recording situations, and in our case, we went for the Music App to record our tracks (other options are Podcast / Field Recording apps). We were able to connect a Shure SM58 and a Sennheiser MKE 600 to record individual tracks alongside its XYH capsule mic. It is a solid condenser mic that picks up reasonable surrounding sounds. But what sets this unit apart are its brilliant preamps. They are quiet and transparent, with enough headroom to take on a live recording. The signals remained quiet and significantly peaked around -6bBFS. It is worth mentioning that the number of channels is within reason despite portability being a viable factor of its design. You get 10 tracks, and with the capsule, you get two more to stereo-mix the individual ones (eventually, a total of 12 tracks).

When we added the sound files on IZotope RX7, we didn’t encounter any disturbing frequencies. According to our testing, equivalent input sound measured around -124dB – which is surprisingly good for such an affordable recorder. The headphone out sounded pretty detailed as well, particularly with our low impedance SHP9600. Its easy-to-use compressor was soft and gradually progressive and all the highpass filters, EQ bands, and dynamic processors worked as per our expectations. Playing with the tracks in Logic was fairly convenient and it’s safe to say that all our mixes blended well together.

Zoom H8 shares preamps and monitoring similar to those of its predecessor H6. However, both units have some significant differences. The main upgrade in the H8 is that it can support up to a total of 12 input/output channels. This unit also features an additional shotgun microphone as well as dual XLR/TRS capsule input while the H6 only comes with an X/Y mic and a mid-side mic. The newer model offers better touch functionality with its bigger and more elaborate display screen.

However, one thing that makes H6 take precedence over the newer model is the fact that it has almost 20 hours of battery life in contrast to H8’s 10 hours. For us, however, this wasn’t exactly a deal breaker as ten hours itself is fairly a good number for us regardless.

However something that we didn’t personally like about H8 is that it comes with a single headphone output. Using splitters is an option here but that just makes things unnecessarily exhaustive. The unit itself allows only one person to monitor at a time. Also, the fact that it uses a micro USB connector instead of USB-C despite being a recent model didn’t make much sense to us.

Regardless, its low cost and extraordinary capabilities make it a value-added investment. It has smooth functionality and the sound quality is indeed better than most interfaces in a similar price range. If you are looking for a multitrack portable recording, Zoom 8 might just be what you need.

Zoom 8 Benefits

Comes with customized applications for field recording, music production and podcasting

Interchangeable mic capsules and 12 simultaneous recording tracks

Multiple format support

Zoom 8 Drawbacks

Single headphone output

Micro USB connector

All text and image links lead to Amazon unless stated otherwise. All product scores are based on ProRec’s in-house scoring model

8.4

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Roland Octa-Capture UA-1010 is a 10 x 10 USB 2.0 interface powered by a transparent 24-bit/192 kHz audio resolution. It has eight high-quality mic preamps made with the same components as those of Roland’s V-STUDIO 700. Each of those comes with its independent phantom power, digital compression, low-cut filters, and phase invert. Also, it features Auto-Sens technology that enables automatic input level adjustment which can be a great fail-safe for most recording situations. The fusion of high-grade components and outstanding sound quality undoubtedly makes it a pro set.

The front panel features four combo input jacks on the right which are compatible with both XLR and phone-type plugs and accept both balanced or unbalanced devices. These are followed by the Preamp control section with various parameters for all eight audio inputs. Next to these is the LCD that displays the selected status. The left side of the front panel is dedicated to controls and buttons including the Mix Sel button (to select the input mixer to be shown on the screen), Input Mix knob, Power button, and Main out knob. It also includes the monitor select switch that selects the monitor output; either phone jack, main out jack, or both. The phone jack is present in the bottom right corner.

Moving on to the rear panel, you will first see a DC jack and a USB connector. Next comes the ground terminal that can be connected to the external ground in case you encounter a mild electric charge in a particular setup. Below this are the MIDI in/out connectors. Next to these, you will find coaxial digital input/output jacks, followed by the balanced TRS phone jacks and two main outs. Lastly, on the right, there are combo input jacks (5-8) that accept both XLR and phone-type plugs.

The metal case is sturdy and the high-resolution display is bright and clear. Setting up Roland UA 1010 on our Mac Pro turned out to be smooth. As the device isn’t class-compliant we had to download the drivers and control panel software from the CD that comes with the package. Also, an AC adapter and a USB connector were included as well.

We began our testing and our first impression of the VS preamps was that they are pristinely transparent and have an impressively low noise. For vocals, we used our Shure SM7B which is a bit power-hungry but the amps not only powered it up effortlessly but even had a 20 dB to spare. We also connected an electric guitar and it was evident that the interface picked up the chords really well and our tracks had every nuance of sound captured flawlessly. The headphone outs are loud and clear too and the monitoring was smooth with our pair of Audeze LCD-2. Also, at first glance, we believed that the phantom button is universal for the entire unit but it is actually configured for each input individually – a neat Roland trick that almost got us.

As for the latency testing, we achieved a round-trip latency of approx. 6 ms at 128 samples buffer size. It was within an impressive range and we didn’t face any driver or software glitches. The killer selling point of this unit is its Auto-Sens technology. It auto-sets levels on channels where you can leave it on the device to figure out the gain level that matches well with your instrument. That’s what we did, and we were impressed by the unit’s ability to pick on a good match. Definitely, a time-saving feature that can keep us from running back and forth to tweak the right mic levels. Also, with the onboard reverb and compression, getting the perfect headphone mix was easier than ever.

Octa Capture is a slightly toned down version of its successor Studio Capture. The latter version offers 16 inputs, 12 preamps, and 10 outputs, however, at an audio resolution similar to that of Octa Capture. Also, both units feature the similar Auto Sens technology and four independent software controlled monitor mixers. While the audio performance and monitoring of these units are pretty much the same, you might want to incline towards Octa Capture if you require additional in/outs configuration than what the predecessor has to offer. If that’s not the case, there’s no denying that Studio Capture is one of the best 10 channel interfaces there is and we wouldn’t recommend you to spend extra dollars on the upgraded version.

There’s one downside that we noticed during our recording session. The Hi-Z inputs began getting a little noisy as we started turning up the gain levels and eventually sounded like an apparent high-end hiss, something that wasn’t an issue at mid and low gains. Also, the lack of ADAT connections was a bit disappointing.

Regardless, Roland Octa Capture is a solid choice with its straightforward setup, great in/out compatibility, amazing sound quality, and low latency performance. Having this interface will only be a valuable addition to your studio, especially with the Auto-Sen technology.

Octa-Capture UA-1010 Benefits

Exceptional features including independent phantom power, digital compression, low-cut filters, and phase invert.

Comes with Auto-Sens technology and monitor mixes

Low latency monitoring with VS drivers

Octa-Capture UA-1010 Drawbacks

Hi-Z inputs have background hiss at high gains

Lacks ADAT compatibility

Verdict

According to the scoring model above, the two categories with the highest variance are the Price to Performance and Sound Quality categories. SSL 12 excels in both of them with the premium features it offers at a reasonable price tag while delivering top-notch audio performance at the same time. While Zoom H8 takes the second lead for Price to Performance, it’s Octa-Capture being the runners up for the Sound Quality category. SSL scores consistently as the top contender for the remaining three categories, including Additional Features where the other two interfaces compete neck to neck with each other.

With a solid 10 for the Price to Performance category, SSL 12 has shone through as a professional audio interface that serves every penny you spend. It stands out with its 32-bit/192kHz audio resolution, whereas UA1010 and H8 have 24-bit/192kHz and 24-bit/96kHz to offer respectively. This, along with the high-quality SSL preamps, 4K legacy switch, talkback mic, DC-coupling, and USB loopback explains its exceptional sound quality as well. The USB 3.0 host protocol and ADAT compatibility make it better than the other two interfaces as both of them lack these features. Also, SSL 12 comes with 360 software with features similar to rackmount consoles alongside its outstanding plug-ins / virtual instruments bundles.

The runner-up is the Octa Capture UA1010 with an average scoring of 8.4 points. While both have pretty much similar ins/outs, it takes the lead over H8’s micro USB connection with its own USB 2.0 connectivity. Apart from having better converters, its audio performance is also backed up by high-quality mic preamps made with the same components as those of Roland’s V-STUDIO 700, independent phantom power switches, and Auto-Sens technology. Being on the pricier side compared to Zoom 8 is a disadvantage but its Additional Features such as monitor mixes and Ableton serial number card help it make the cut after all.

The best 12-channel audio interface with the highest average score of 9.5 is the Solid State Logic 12. The only downside of this interface is that it lacks MIDI compatibility. But the fact that it’s the only interface here that offers digital expansion, the latest host protocols (USB 3.0), and a Production Pack (with virtual instruments, plug-ins, samples from SSL complete, Ableton, Ceremony, etc.) explains its rightful position based on our analysis. Its exceptionally powerful conversion, along with the 4k Legacy switch and outstanding SSL preamps makes it a worthy purchase overall. And that too, at a reasonable price. Needless to say, we highly recommend it!

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