Best 24, 32 & 48 Channel Audio Interface [2024 Reviewed]

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

Thumbnail	24, 32 & 48 Channel Interfaces	ProRec Score	Price
	Orion 32+	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
	Neumann MT 48	9.3	Check Price on Amazon
	MOTU 24Ao	9	Check Price on Amazon

Best 24, 32 & 48 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

MOTU 24Ao is a highly versatile audio interface that can operate as a standalone mixer as well as a portal to an expanded audio system of a well equipped studio. It offers 24 x 48 I/O configuration, with options to expand digitally via three 8-channel banks. The unit operates through its exceptional 24-bit conversion at sample rates ranging from 44.1 to 192 kHz and also features a powerful DSP engine similar to that of large format mixing consoles.

On the front panel, 24 Ao houses a large backlit LCD that displays metering for up to 24 ADAT optical ins/outs and 24 analog outputs. The clock section displays the clock mode and its operating sample rate. On its left, there is a power switch while on the right there is SEL button (to enter the LCD menu) and ID button (to display network settings for the device).

The rear of the unit features an auto-switching power supply, right next to the BNC word clock jacks. It also caries three ADAT optical jacks that offer 24-channel access at 1x sample rate and 12-channel access at 2x sample rate. Here you will also find the USB 2.0 port and AVB ethernet port. The major portion of the rear panel is occupied by three 8-channel banks that provide 24 channels of balanced analog output which support both 8-channel DB-25 cable or the two 4-channel Phoenix connectors.

Built wise, 24Ao is more towards the practical side rather than attractive. It might look a bit intimidating at first glance but it’s clear that MOTU’s primary goal was the quality of the product instead of its physical look. Made from hard plastic, the unit is both lightweight and portable to carry.

Setting up MOTU 24Ao was surprisingly straightforward. We hooked it up with our Mac Pro through the AVB Ethernet and the system was up and running within a few minutes. We plugged in SM7B to test the advertised 118dB dynamic range and almost instantly noticed that the 24Ao’s digitally controlled preamp features an exact 1dB gain increment that’s both gradual and well-balanced. It is a refreshing advance over the non-linear and clumsy gain controls that are common in most interfaces. We settled for a sweet spot at 76dB which was a perfect match to boost our signal without unnecessary noise.

We laid down a few vocals that we monitored by directly connecting the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro to the headphone out. The sound production was transparent and noise-free, and the clarity in our audio was super apparent. At a buffer size of 128 samples, the convertors sounded clean and there wasn’t any perceptible latency on playback.

It is worth mentioning that the input channels on Ao24 boast a high-pass filter, a highly versatile compressor inspired by the legendary Teletronix LA2A, and four band equalizer similar to that seen in the SSL interfaces. All of this, along with switchable pre/post faders, a gate, and a built-in reverb. Another feature that makes its standout is its extensive hardware metering, which when compared to most interfaces makes MOTU 24Ao a straight up bargain. It offers greater detail and you wouldn’t have the need for bank swaps (except for that between ADAT banks).

24Ao (along with 24Ai) was released in October 2014 followed by the release of its three predecessors 1248, 8M and 16A back in July. While the newer models have the familiar industry-recognized analog design, it’s the ADAT equipment that got its upgrade. Both 24Ao and 24Ai can optically expand up to 24 channels as compared to their predecessors’ 16-channel expansion.

Also, these earlier devices feature Thunderbolt connectivity with the newer interfaces having USB 2.0 protocols. However, all of these interfaces share a lot of common features including a 48-in digital mixer, with 12 stereo busses and four onboard DSP effects delivering virtually unlimited headroom. And of course, the option of AVB networking makes the dream of an extended studio setup an easy reality.

Even though the interface has amazing sound quality, there are certain areas that call for improvement. The unit lacks analog inputs which might be a bit limiting to certain recording situations. Also, the web-based interface is a bit sluggish when switching between different web pages as they do take several seconds to load up. We personally found fader motions and scrolling a bit unattractive to use as the controls were somewhat slower and jerky than those corresponding in the DAW.

Needless to say, if you want to invest in a 24 channel audio interface with special attention to detail to its sound performance at good value – Motu 24Ao is your safest bet.

MOTU 24Ao Benefits

ADAT upgrade in contrast to predecessors

Powerful DSP engine similar to that of large format mixing consoles

Auto-switching power supply

MOTU 24Ao Drawbacks

Lacks analog inputs

Sluggish web-based interface

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

Undoubtedly renowned when it comes to industry-leading conversion and clocking, Antelope Audio once again hit the nail with its Orion 32+ high-end multichannel interface. This unit offers a sampling rate of 192 kHz and a bit-depth of 32-bit while accommodating both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2.0 connectivity. It’s an 1U interface that features 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking technology, massive in/out configuration with flexible routing, and universal main supply making it stand out amongst most interfaces with similar configurations.

The front panel has a rather elegant design with its trapezoid center featuring information displays such as sample rates, volume levels, and output levels. The right side features a power stand-by button, next to LEDS that indicates the oven clock, lock, and automatic clock light status. The panel also carries the Frequency buttons that set up the sample rate and the Antelope button to access the control menu. Lastly, you will find five preset buttons that can store your favorite setups on the left.

The rear panel features a mains power connector, followed by the jacks for World Clock ins/outs and a BNC Input connector for oscillator accuracy. It also houses S/PDIF connectors right next to the pair of TRS-balanced Monitor outputs. Towards the center, there are ADAT connectors that provide 16 channels of digital audio and dual optical MADI ins/outs that further accommodate 64 more channels. Also, here you will see the Thunderbolt 3 port and a type-B USB 2.0 connector. Four 25-pin AES59 format D-sub connectors are on the left side. Each carries eight balanced line-level audio, thus providing a total of 32 channels ins and outs.

This 1U studio centerpiece is made from a steel chassis that gives it its sleek and sturdy design. The rear panel is efficiently laid out with enough spacing that lets you plug everything up without any hassles.

Setting up Orion 32+ was super user-friendly as expected from an AA interface. The drivers are installed without a hitch and the interface is seamlessly integrated into our Mac Pro setup. We connected our Neumann U87 and in an instant we noticed that the preamps shone through, offering both transparency and low noise.

We monitored the vocals by plugging in our Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphones. The unit accommodated them with ample power and headroom. Sound-wise the converters delivered a subtle richness at the bottom end. However, for us, it’s the mid-range and high-end that stood out offering neutrally precise and clean audio throughout. We achieved the dynamic range performance of 116dB which gave us quite the bang for our buck on a per-channel conversion with this studio-quality sound set.

For latency tests, we used CEntrance ASIO which revealed 7.82 ms round trip latency at 44.1Hz through Reaper (at 64 samples). As we upleveled to 96Hz, the latency dropped to 6.13 ms. Also, it’s important to note that Antelope claims an even lower latency with other DAWS while our experience was admittedly through Reaper.

Orion 32, its predecessor, is the original interface of the series that also features 32 channels of high-definition AD/DA audio. However, with the release of Orion 32+ in 2015, the latest version retained the best features of the original model but stepped up the game by meeting the ever-growing demand.

The predecessor, for example, lacks Thunderbolt connectivity that is now accommodated by the 32+ series. The newer device also features MADI compatibility, which adds up to 64 further optical channels, which can be a selling point for more elaborate studio setups. Another big feature that 32+ has included master grading the dedicated output, something that the original didn’t have.

Although Orion 32+ is one of its kind and we don’t generally see an interface that has as much to offer as this sleek device does, there are a few gripes. For starters, if you are using a Mac device (which we were), note that it can’t support more than 24 channels at quad sample rates via USB. The lack of a Monitor control knob also feels a bit limiting as we had to rely on the software for volume controls. Lastly, we would have preferred the headphone socket on the front panel instead.

All in all, Orion 32+ is a home run interface that has repeatedly proved its place in the top recording studios. Given its high-end features, the unit is remarkably cost-effective. If you need a high channel count in a 1U rackmount case, no one does it better than AA’s Orion 32+.

Orion 32+ Benefits

MADI, SPDIF, ADAT connectivity with flexibly routing

Built-in low latency mixer

Both Thunderbolt 3 and USB 2.0 connectivity

Orion 32+ Drawbacks

Can’t support more than 24 channels at quad sample rates via USB on Mac

Lacks onboard monitor control

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

Neumann collaborated with Merging Technologies in early 2023 and debuted their MT 48 multichannel interface. Supporting sample rates up to 192 Hz and USB 2.0 connectivity, this new unit sounds spectacular, performs with class, and has the potential to expand further. Unlike most audio interfaces, MT 48 gives you full on-board control, saving you from the toggles between hardware and software.

It houses a massive touch display on the top, next to which there is a multifunction rotary control for setting up volume levels. The top panel also features various buttons such as home button, selector buttons, mute control, and talkback control. As for the front panel, there are two quarter-inch Inst/Line inputs and dual headphone sockets.

The rear panel features a pair of TRS combo Mic/Line input sockets and a pair of Main Outs on the right. These are followed by dual Line Outs and GPIO/MIDI ins and outs. It also carries the optical ADAT connectors, a single RJ45 Ethernet port, and two USB C ports (the other one is labeled as Power). On the far right, there is a power switch and Kensington Lock.

MT 48 has an eye-catching design with an elegant color scheme housed within an aluminum shell. The contemporary touch screen and highly responsive encoders and buttons definitely gave the interface its satisfying feels.

The unit seamlessly integrated with our MacOS system. The built-in class-compliant Core Audio driver was smooth to run, and while we were at it we also installed the MT toolkit app that made monitor control pretty convenient. Without any hassles or glitches, the unit was up and running in no time.

Sonically, MT 48 did not disappoint at all. We plugged in Rode NT1-A to do a vocal test and the preamps sounded clean and noise-free. The slight headroom was actually enjoyable and the crystal clear stereo imaging clearly brought out the best from the connected microphone. Our monitoring with Sennheiser HD 600 also sounded appealing with minimal noise and accurate transients.

Next, we went in with our Gibson SG guitar and sure enough the sounds were well-rounded. The slight restraints on the lower ends only added on to the audio clarity and the sound remained punchy overall.

We also ran our latency tests. At 44.1 kHz and 32 samples, we observed the round-trip latency under 5ms. While it doesn’t exactly match that of most Thunderbolt interfaces, it is still safe to say that these results are still good enough for most practical uses.

Being the first of its line, the unit doesn’t have a direct predecessor. However, MT 48 closely resembles Merging Anubis – a compact desktop interface. The collaboration between the two manufacturers resulted in the production of a slightly more modified version of the older sibling. While MT 48 retains most features of Merging Anubis, the differences become apparent when it comes to the connections in the rear panel.

While Anubis has two Ethernet connections as opposed to the latters only single port, MT 48 steps up with dual USB connections allowing plug-and-play feature for the newer unit. It also additionally houses ADAT digital ports offering eight more channels in either direction that the Anubis lacks. Both units do have similar preamps but the gain parameters are more advanced for MT 48. However, the fact that both raw and conditioned signals are available as inputs for the DAW is something exclusive for this newer interface. Also, if you are looking for the interface on the go, MT 48 makes a stronger case.

Even though it’s the first of its kind and delivers outstanding performance, there are a few aspects where MT 48 could use a few improvements. We personally expected another pair of ADAT connectors to keep with channel counts at higher samples as well as a clock source especially at this price point. Also the mixer doesn’t allow you to send multiple outputs simultaneously which is pretty inconvenient, particularly when we were using both headphones at the same time.

To sum it up, Neumann has made its strong place in the realm of audio interfaces with its debut of MT 48. It is a well equipped device that is capable of fitting in most sonically demanding situations including audio mastering and classical production. If you need an aesthetically pleasing interface with top-notch audio quality, MT 48 is your device!

Neumann MT 48 Benefits

Plug and play USB connectivity and ADAT compatibility

Top-notch audio quality with preamps similar to those of Merging Anabis

Great for on-the-go purposes

Neumann MT 48 Drawbacks

Limited ADAT connectors

Lacks clock source

Verdict

According to our scoring model, the category with the highest variance is the Price to Performance with Orion 32+ taking a clear primacy followed by Motu 24Ao and MT 48 respectively. For the remaining categories, the units compete neck to neck with each other and share a corresponding variance in scores particularly in the Input/Output, Sound Quality, and Additional Features categories. Its evident that all three units offer real class with their close to call competition throughout.

Orion 32+ performs consistently in most categories, particularly Price to Performance and Additional Features where it scores a solid 10. It stands out amongst the other two interfaces with its dual connectivity options (both TB3 and USB 2.0), exceptional 32-bit / 192 kHz audio resolution, MADI compatibility, and five preset buttons. In terms of Sound Quality, Orion 32+ shares its top score with MT 48. While 32+ offers comparatively lesser dynamic range but better conversion and clocking, MT 48 features a better dynamic range with lesser audio resolution and lacks clocking. Overall, the two deliver an exceptionally similar audio quality regardless and if that is your priority, both these interfaces fit those terms.

The runner-up is the Neumann MT 48 with an average score of 9.3 points. It makes the mark in the Input/Output category with its solid 10 given its 48 channels in comparison to MOTU 24Ao’s 24 channels. The only caveat is that this unit is a bit more pricier, which doesn’t necessarily align with its performance, whereas you can see the MOTU 24Ao surprisingly take precedence in this category. But it makes up in the other categories and it is actually refreshing to see an interface perform equally well both in terms of audio quality and channel configuration.

Finally, after careful analysis, the best 24, 32 & 48 channel interface is Antelope Audio’s Orion 32+ (32 channels) with the highest average score of 9.7 points. It is an absolute high-end multichannel interface that is a hub of most professional recording studios. The unit is feature-packed with 64-bit Acoustically Focused Clocking technology, extensive metering with master grading, and MADI compatibility which can add up to 64 optical channels! This unit is a great penny worth with its per-channel conversion and pristine audio throughout. We most definitely can vouch for Orion 32+ as a complete studio set.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need an audio interface for music production?

If high quality audio, low latency performance, and expanded configuration is your priority, it is essential to have an audio interface for music production. It plays a crucial role in achieving professional sound quality while recording vocals and live instruments. However, if you are just starting and have a super limited budget you can start without one and purchase it as your needs evolve.

How many channels do I need on my audio interface?

The number of channels on your audio interface depend on your recording needs. For solo producers, two (stereo) channels will do the job. If you are a small band, we recommend going for 4-8 channels and if you want to produce on a larger scale, you need more than 16 channels at least.

How many audio channels can USB handle?

The exact number of audio channels a USB can handle depends on the manufacturer's specs. But generally, USB 2.0 can smoothly handle 10-30 channels while USB 3.0 and newer interfaces can support over 32 channels with ease.

How much should I pay for an audio interface?

Your budget for an audio interface should align with your needs and long-term goals. Basic home studios can start around $100-$200. High end interfaces can range up to $300-$800 while the professional ones can range over $1500.