Best Audio Interface for Bass Guitar [2023 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	Audio Interfaces for Bass	ProRec Score	Price
	MOTU M6	9	Check Price on Amazon
	Steinberg UR-RT4	8.6	Check Price on Amazon
	Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD	8.1	Check Price on Amazon

Introduction

You can’t just record yourself playing bass by plugging in your instrument directly into the computer. Motherboards don’t really have the best mic channels. They aren’t meant for recording music. They don’t come with the required parameters such as gain controls and monitoring levels for recording bass guitar.

You either need a DI box or an Audio Interface (direct or miked) to record bass. If you go the DI (Direct Input) route, you can get a good sound without much processing. However, an interface gives you more options and flexibility. You can either plug in your bass directly or mic your bass amp. Most people use a combination of a DI box as well as an Audio Interface to get the perfect tone.

When choosing an interface for bass, you want to get one with a high impedance instrument Hi-Z ¼” input. All you have to do is plug in your bass into the interface and everything else can then be handed via the software. This eliminates the need for a DI box. You should always look for more I/O channels then you think you need, you’ll absolutely want them later down the road. This helps futureproof your interface when you need that extra input.

You also want to have a budget in mind when picking an interface. You can get something cheap, and it will work fine, but if you want more options and something that will stand the test of time then have a decent budget of about $300 or more, and you should be fine. The other thing you want to think about is the port selection, interfaces come with either USB or TB ports, so get whatever is compatible with your computer. There is a common misconception that older USB 2.0 ports impact latency, so don’t buy into any of that and just go with whatever is best for you.

Finally, good preamps and converters are going to impact your overall sound. The interfaces we have chosen in this guide are all tried and tested, they have awesome sound quality so you should be fine with either one! With recent advancements in technology, equipment isn’t as expensive as it used to be back in the day. To get something where you could notice a significantly better sound, you will have to spend a lot more money (diminishing returns) which isn’t always worth it!

Best Audio Interfaces for Bass Guitar Reviews

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

The Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD is an entry-level, budget-friendly audio interface with a 2×4 I/O USB 2.0 set-up and a sampling rate of up to 192 KHz with 24-bit depth.

Physically, the unit is portable with a sturdy metallic build, weighing in at only 1.5 lbs. The control knobs are plastic, yet have a premium feel. On the rear panel, you’ll find the USB 2.0 port, the MIDI I/O connections, ¼” TRS jacks, and other analog options such as the RCA inputs. There is also a phantom power switch directly under the Kensington lock.

The front panel includes two MIDAS preamps with combined XLR/TRS inputs featuring independent controls. Both inputs have a gain control knob with two light indicators. The channels consist of a Line/Instrument push-button selector and a pad control to manage gain.  The right side of the panel features indicator lights for the MIDI I/O, a push-button to select mono/stereo, and a ¼” headphone jack with volume control. You’ll also find a phantom power indicator, Main Out, and a Mix control knob.

To test the unit, we set up the interface and adjusted a few knobs. We used NI Kontakt 6 with VST instruments, the output was impressive and there weren’t any distortion or latency issues. The set-up was simple enough and we never had to reference the manual. The MIDAS preamps are extremely clean and sound great, something not usually seen at this price. The unit had enough gain to power our SM7B without using a cloudlifter. We never had any noise issues while using the device.

The unit offers steady gain control and the pad works well in managing it. We hooked up a Squier Precision bass and used an amp sim, the sound was clean and distortion-free. In all our tests, the recording output was extremely clear, natural and free of any drop outs. Moreover, with a substantial dynamic range of 110 dB, the interface captured an amazing amount of detail in the recordings with minimal signal loss. The noise floor came out to be -100.2dBu, which isn’t bad considering the price point.

Furthermore, the Mix control knob is a great addition to the budget interface as it allows you to monitor the headphones as well as the input from the computer. You have the option to cut off any unnecessary background noise while using your headphones but you’ll have to find a sweet spot where the two signals blend in to produce the best results. 

When compared to its predecessor, the U-Phoria UMC204, the newer UMC204HD has only one real upside which is its Sampling Rate. The UMC204HD features a professional-level maximum sample rate of 192 KHz, whereas the older version had a sample rate of up to 96 KHz. Moreover, the UMC204HD also fairs better than its cheaper counterpart, the UMC202HD, as the model lacks MIDI I/O and only monitors in stereo, as opposed to the mono/stereo monitoring available in our unit.

The UMC204HD does have a few drawbacks that are worth mentioning. The interface worked seamlessly with a MacBook, and is class complaint with iOS devices (plug and play). However, when we hooked it up to a Windows system, we had to install drivers. Even after we got the drivers, they didn’t really sit well with our system. We had to shift to AISO for recording and then move back to Windows for playback. This may be an isolated issue but it is something to consider when purchasing any hardware. Another problem is that the unit only supports USB 2.0, so it will not work on a modern Mac device with a USB 3.0 port.

Overall, the U-Phoria UMC204HD is one of the nicer beginner audio interfaces available today. The unit’s portability along with its tough exterior enables it to be used in a variety of scenarios. The price is definitely the unit’s strongest selling point as specifications such as the preamp quality and I/O options are rarely seen in this range. We recommend the UMC204HD as an extremely convenient budget-oriented interface that’ll help you produce excellent tunes in your home studio.

Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD Benefits

The MIDAS preamps are supremely clean.

The features certainly exceed anything that you can get at this price point.

The unit is extremely portable and strong enough to withstand rough use.

Class compliant with Mac and iOS devices.

Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD Drawbacks

The unit only supports USB 2.0, making it obsolete for USB 3.0 devices.

Driver installation for Windows can be a pain, limiting usage.

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

The Steinberg UR-RT4 is a powerful USB 2.0 interface featuring a 6×4 I/O configuration with a maximum sampling rate of 192 KHz and 24-bit depth. The premium D-PRE preamps combined with the Rupert Neve Designs transformers offer an excellent recording experience. An SSP2 DSP chip is also present to achieve zero-latency FX monitoring.

The unit has a strong tanky build, weighing a substantial 5.28 lbs. The Aluminum knobs look great and operate smoothly. On the rear side, you can find an array of TRS Input/Output pairs: Line Inputs 5 and 6, the Master Stereo Bus(main Outputs), and Line Outputs 1,2,3, and 4. You’ll also see a USB 2.0 port, MIDI I/O, two 48v power switches, and a switched power input here.

The front panel is decorated with four combo mic inputs( two Hi-Z, two mic/line) with indicator lights, 48v LED indicators, four Neve Design input switches for RND transformers, four gain control knobs for inputs 1-4, and a USB indicator. Additionally, you’ll also be seeing two headphone jacks with dedicated volume control knobs and level control for the main outputs. The unit also has a loopback function, perfect for streaming.

The interface was quite easy to set up and was instantly recognized by the rest of our gear. We used the same Fender Squire as with the UMC. The Neve transformers certainly live up to their name. They make the unit stand out when compared to similar interfaces in the market. When the transformers weren’t engaged, the output wasn’t much different than most competitors. However, engaging the transformers noticeably elevated the overall quality of the recordings.

We compared RT4 with the LA-610Mk external preamp. Surprisingly, most instruments sounded great except for the bass! However, using the UR-RT4’s built-in preamps adds a proper audio sparkle effect (thanks to the Neve transformers) and makes bass guitars, as well as other instruments with significant dynamic range, sound amazing.

The two headphone jacks are also quite useful, and the headphone amp sounds really good. Throughout our tests, the unit demonstrated great dynamic response and noise measurements were on the lower side overall.

The UR-RT4 is quite an upgrade from its predecessors such as the UR44 and UR242. Besides the obvious lack of Neve transformers in both the preceding models, the UR242 had a 4×2 I/O configuration and a single headphone jack. The UR44 looked similar in design to the UR-RT4 but obviously does not provide the same functionality due to the additional RND transformers in the newer, more expensive version. The more compact version released alongside the unit is the UR-RT2, which offers a 4×2 I/O set-up, single headphone jack with the added functionality of the Rupert Neve switches.

Now coming to the downsides, the UR-RT4 does have a substantially hefty price tag when compared to its predecessors, which may not be justifiable for some, even with the added benefit of the transformers. We did experience some feedback issues when sending the output to an LA2A amplifier and then back through the Line Input of our unit. This was due to the dspMixfx loopback switch being ON by default, we tried changing the settings but it returned to default whenever the unit was powered off, this can be a bit annoying but at least there is a workaround! Additionally, The DSP interface is relatively small, limiting the number of real-time plugins but this is a common occurrence with interfaces at this price point.

Overall, the Steinberg UR-RT4 is a superb audio interface that packs a lot of great features and serves remarkable quality sound. From the in-built DSP to the highly-acclaimed Neve transformers, the interface has a lot to offer if you can get the price down. We recommend the UR-RT4 as an excellent piece of equipment capable of dealing with high-quality vocals and instruments with a versatile dynamic range.

Steinbeg UR-RT4 Benefits

The unit offers the coveted Rupert Neve Transformers, enhancing the audio quality.

Inclusion of an on-board DSP is great!

You’ll be getting two headphone jacks that come in really handy.

The unit has excellent build quality and design.

Steinbeg UR-RT4 Drawbacks

Not a bang for your buck. The interface is pricey, even when considering all of the features.

The onboard DSP is non-resizable and limits plug-ins.

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

The MOTU M6 is an extremely compact yet powerful USB-C audio interface featuring a 6×4 Input/Output configuration with a sampling rate of up to 192 KHz and 24-bit Depth. The interface incorporates the coveted ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC technology along with a ton of other features such as real-time metering.

Physically, the unit has a rugged metallic build with aluminum alloy shell, but is extremely lightweight, weighing only 2.15 lbs. The design looks great and the knurled knobs offer great precision.

All 6 of the inputs are located on the rear panel, including 4 XLR/TRS inputs and 2 ¼” line INs. You’ll also see 4 DC-coupled Outputs, MIDI I/O, a USB-C port and a Kensington lock here. A 15v DC power adaptor is also included if you choose to utilize the unit’s standalone monitoring.

The front panel consists of 4 gain control knobs, 4 independent 48v switches, 4 MON switches, 1 A/B monitor switch for comparing mixes on two sets of studio monitors, and a Mix knob. You’ll also see 2 headphone jacks with dedicated volume control, a 3-4 switch for routing headphones and a 160x120p LCD with I/O level meters.

We found the unit easy to install, with easy to understand settings. The monitor switches directly route the respective input to the output, resulting in latency-free monitoring. This also enables the unit to act as a standalone mixer. We hooked up an LCT 540s microphone to the interface and recorded using Performer Lite, the output was amazing.

We then plugged in the Fender bass and the recordings came out very clean, without any sort of distortion. The Sabre32 DAC works very well, the conversion at the outputs is excellent, resulting in very detailed high-resolution signals from both the headphones and line Outs. Moreover, the unit has an impressive output dynamic range of 120dB, so the signal loss is minimal. Furthermore, we didn’t encounter any noise during our tests thanks to the unit’s -129dBu EIN.

The unit’s loopback support is also great, making it a no brainer for podcasts and live streaming. We found the Mix control(blend) knob to be a great addition!, it allows you to blend playback with live input for any overdubs that you may want to do.

The MOTU M2 and M4 were both released prior to the M6 in 2019, with the M4 being the more direct predecessor. In comparison with the M4, the M6 has two more inputs on combo XLR/TRS, as well as an additional ESS driven headphone output. The M6 also has the new A/B switch which is great for switching between two pairs of monitors when you’re working on a mix. The M4 also did not have support for 15v DC power, so there was no stand-alone monitoring option. However, it did have 4 RCA analog Outs, something not present in the new model.

While the MOTU M6 is a really versatile and flexible unit, we did run into some minor issues. We initially experienced some stalling. The audio would drop off for a few seconds and then resume again from the point of the initial drop. However, this was a firmware issue that was resolved with a basic update (highly recommended). The other thing that seemed a bit off was the LED display placement. You have great visibility looking at it head on, it is hard to view from further angles. We would have preferred if MOTU had installed an OLED display instead, that would make for better viewing angles.

Overall, the MOTU M6 is an exceptionally powerful audio interface that offers a lot of features and flexibility. Features like real-time metering, loopback, SabreUltra 32 DAC really make it stand out from its competitiors. We recommend the MOTU M6 as the go-to interface for podcasting, recording and streaming, especially if you don’t want to spend too much on high-priced gear.

MOTU M6 Benefits

The unit has independent gain switches for the combo inputs, which is great.

The 15v DC power adaptor makes it an excellent choice for stand-alone monitoring.

The unit is extremely lightweight and portable.

The ESS SabreUltra 32 DAC technology offers high-resolution output.

A/B Monitor switching can be really useful to compare your mixes on two sets of monitors.

The unit offers very low EIN, making it easier to avoid noise.

MOTU M6 Drawbacks

The LED display doesn’t have the best viewing angles.

May experience stalling issues if you don’t upgrade the firmware.

Verdict

Based on our scoring model, you can seethat there’s a 0.9 score variance between the highest and lowest scoring units. You’ll find the highest variance in the Additional features, Price to performance and Sound quality categories.

The MOTU M6 takes the lead when it comes to Additional features with attributes such as ESS Sabre32 Ultra DAC, loopback and A/B Switching, the Steinberg UR-RT4 follows closely with its coveted Neve transformers, whereas the UMC204HD falls behind. However, in the Price-to-performance category, the UMC204HD excels to the front, followed directly by the M6 and then the UR-RT4. The Sound quality category is dominated by the UR-RT4, beating the other two models.

Of the three units, the MOTU M6 remains quite consistent, scoring above 8 in all the categories. It also scores the highest in 2 categories namely Connectivity and Additional features, being the only interface in this list that features a USB-C port in addition to a ton of added functionality and specifications.

We should also mention that even though the UR-RT4 lags behind in the Price to performance category, it still scores the highest in Sound quality thanks to its transformer switches and is on par with the M6 with regards to Input/Output, both offering a 6×4 I/O configuration. It also scores well in the Additional features category, and has an average score of 8.6. If you feel like spending some extra cash, the UR-RT4 is a great unit for vocals and bass guitars.

However, when it comes to the best audio interface for Bass, with an average score of 9 the MOTU M6 the unit certainly beats the other two by a good margin and takes the crown. With its lightweight design, independent gain switches, stand-alone monitoring and low noise floor, the M6 tops the charts for versatility and added functionality. The unit features some major upgrades over its predecessor with features such as more input channels, an additional ESS-powered headphone jack, A/B switching and 15v DC support. So, the price on the new model is completely justified. If you’re aiming for a flexible interface with best in class features and top-notch sound, we recommend the MOTU M6 as a solid purchase that can offer all of the above!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plug my bass guitar directly into my computer?

Computers aren’t meant to record instruments directly, which is why there is no way to plug in your bass directly into your computer. You will either need an Audio Interface or a DI box to hook your bass or any other instruments/mics to your computer. There are other cheaper workarounds available but none of them will result in a coherent sound.

What is the most important aspect of choosing an Audio Interface for Bass?

When choosing an Audio Interface for Bass, you want to make sure the interface has a high impedance Hi-Z ¼” input, as well as good preamps and enough I/O based on your requirements. Even a single channel solo interface is sufficient to record bass directly.

Do I need a DI box or an Audio Interface for Bass?

Professional bass players, as well as hobbyists are always chasing the best tone. For that reason, they make use of both a DI box as well as an Audio Interface at the same time. If you want to pick one then an Audio Interface is a better choice. It will not only let you record bass but also any other instruments that you may have.

How do I plug my Bass into an Audio Interface?

The Interface has Inputs that will let you plug in your bass. However, for a better sound it is recommended that you instead plug your bass into a bass amp and then mic the amp. This is how most professionals record. At the end of the day, you want to experiment and go for whatever sounds best to you.