Best Audio Interface for Vocals [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

ThumbnailAudio Interface for VocalsProRec ScorePrice
Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core

Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core

9.4
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UA Apollo Solo Heritage Edition

UA Apollo Solo Heritage Edition

8.9
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Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

8
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Introduction

Choosing an audio interface is not an easy job, especially if you’re not familiar with them. After all, an interface plays an important role in terms of both audio quality and workflow. There many different kinds of interfaces available in the market. While they all have the same core function, your specific use case (vocals) can help narrow down a few choices.

When choosing the best audio interface for vocals, as long as the interface supports recording at 24 bit / 48 kHz, has Phantom power (which most interfaces do) and an XLR combo jack, you are good to go! These are the basic requirements for recording vocals. Of course you’ll need a mic, a condenser such as an AT-2020 or a Shure SM7B will get the job done. You can also go for Blue Yeti or even the Razer Standalone mics.

The input / output configuration on audio interfaces is one of the most important things to consider. If you are just recording vocals or one instrument at a time, then a solo interface will do just fine. However, anyone that takes production beyond just a hobby is going to want something with at least 2 channels or more. Even if you don’t think you need it right now, you will want it as you grow your studio setup. It’s perfectly fine to go for a solo interface if you are on a budget since higher quality and more channels will cost you some money.

Whatever you do, don’t get an interface without an XLR jack, those USB to XLR adapters are weak! You want something that will let you plug in an XLR mic, it will make a world of a difference! The other thing you want to look out for is good preamps, those are just as important as the frequency of your mic Finally, you want to get an audio interface that has stable drivers. This will make your life a hell of a lot easier. Driver issues can cause latency and other problems that you really don’t want to deal with.

The truth is that any modern interface with a good mic will let you record vocals to a good standard. However, the secret to getting a good recording lies in your vocal technique as well as your mix. If you are good at EQing your vocals and getting rid of the clashing frequencies then it will help improve your overall sound and your recordings will come out clean, on a more professional level.

Best Audio Interface for Vocals Reviews

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

8ProRec Score
Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen
Price to Performance
9.5
Input / Output
7.5
Sound Quality
7.5
Connectivity
8
Additional Features
7.5

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a USB-C interface that features two inputs and two outputs, perfect for recording vocals and/or one instrument at a time. The unit offers a max sample rate of 192 kHz and a 24-bit depth.

The front panel features two inputs (an XLR and a line/instrument input), a phantom power switch right next to the XLR input, as well as two gain controllers for each of the inputs with halo LED indicators. You’ll also find push button selectors for the Air and Direct Monitoring features and a ¼” TRS headphone jack here. The back of the interface is simple and features the USB-C port (the unit is bus powered), a Kensington lock and two balanced outputs. Encased in aluminum, the unit has a sturdy build and weighs only 320 grams. The knobs are very satisfying and easy to use and the unit overall feels highend due to its brushed red metal exterior.

The videos provided by Focusrite are pretty comprehensive making the setup a breeze. We got the interface up and running in no time. We connected a Shure SM-58 and a Gibson Lespaul, and began monitoring through a pair of PreSonus Eris E5. The sound was clean, there was barely any noise. We could track the output in real time since there was no noticeable latency, especially when using the Direct Monitoring function.

The preamp on the interface is really warm and transparent, and the varying amp colors, which are actually customizable, add a fun element to the interface. We pushed the interface up to the maximum sample rate, and did not experience any significant lags. The Air function works great, especially on vocals, making them sound bright and natural.

For a two input interface, the Scarlett Solo provides good value for money. However, since the interface is relatively inexpensive, it offers lesser features than what you might need for hardcore music production. But for people looking to record vocals and/or one instrument, the Solo is a great option.

Compared to it’s Gen 2 predecessor (released in 2016), the 3rd gen has undergone some noticeable changes. The USB-B connection has been replaced by a USB-C connection and the RCA outputs on the rear of the unit have been upgraded to TRS outputs. The gain range has also increased from 50 dB to 56 dB. Most other specs such as dynamic range, maximum sample rate and bit depth remain the same in both models.

Although the overall experience of recording with the Scarlett Solo was great, we did come across a few drawbacks. When monitoring through a pair of medium impedance headphones (80 ohms), the signal seemed weak. Adding gain didn’t really do much unless we maxed out the knob, which added a lot of noise to the recording. If you run into the same issue, using an active preamp is a good solution, however, if all you’re doing is recording vocals, then it really isn’t a concern at all.

The only other thing (a slight annoyance) is the absence of an off switch. Although the device is bus powered and doesn’t get too hot while plugged in, an on/off switch would have been great since plugging and unplugging the interface after every use gets a little annoying.

Over all, even though the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is a budget interface, it proves its excellence in its sound quality and practicality. Whether you are a budding musician or a professional vocalist, the Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen is an option you must consider especially if you are looking for something cheap and portable that is also reliable and delivers every time!

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Benefits

The sound recorded via the unit is clean and natural. The AIR feature is great for use with vocals.

The Direct Monitor feature allows you to monitor your sound with almost no latency.

The unit is cheap, simple and beginner friendly.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen Drawbacks

Adding too much gain to an instrument signal can add noise to your recordings.

No separate on/off switch, the interface needs to be plugged in every time.

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

8.9ProRec Score
UA Apollo Solo Heritage Edition
Price to Performance
8.5
Input / Output
8
Sound Quality
9
Connectivity
10
Additional Features
9

The UA Apollo Solo Heritage Edition is a 2×4, Thunderbolt 3 audio interface with a 24 bit depth and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. The unit has a sleek design, weighs about 2.65 lbs, and has well placed controls for an easy workflow.

The top panel features a level knob for controlling a variety of functions that you can select using the monitor and preamp buttons on the side. The LEDs around the knob indicate the selected function levels and six adjacent push buttons control the preamp options. A display panel shows the different functions and indicates their status at all times.

On the rear you’ll find a pair of XLR/TRS combo inputs and two ¼” outputs. The interface is bus powered and draws power from your computer via the TB port present on the back. The front is relatively simple and features a ¼” headphone output and an Hi Z instrument input.

Physically, the unit is pretty solid and is covered with cast aluminum that protects the interface. The body has a nice frictionless surface that allows for easy handling. while the unit is well designed, there is no vent to dissipate heat. This may be an issue over long recording sessions when the device gets hot.

UA audio interfaces are known to be sonically superior and we put this to the test with the Apollo Solo HE. We plugged in a Sennheiser 416 shotgun mic and began recording. Sure enough, the interface had incredible A/D conversion. The preamps on the Apollo are fantastic, our recordings were very clear and crisp, without any distortion or hissing. The high pass filter works nicely and removed all rubble from our recordings, making them sound super clear.

The inputs offer great dynamic range, we could clearly hear the nuances in our recordings. Monitoring through a pair of Yamaha HS8, we couldn’t detect any lag even when running multiple plugins. The direct monitoring is great and allowed us to monitor our recordings in real time without any delays.

The headphone amps are also pretty decent and can power high impedance pairs easily. We used the Sennheiser 650 when laying vocal tracks and the playback was clean and transparent.

The Heritage Edition was released after Apollo Solo. While both are the same in terms of hardware, the new version comes with a vast collection of plugins. The notable ones include upgraded versions of the UA 1176 and the LA-2A, which are drastically better than the legacy versions.

The actual predecessor of the Solo series is the UA Arrow which was technically incompatible with Windows since it only came with a TB3 port (uncommon in Windows machines but can be found in most Macs). The Apollo Solo, however, is available in both TB3 and USB versions which means that you can connect the interface easily to any computer. Additionally, the TB3 version of the Apollo Solo also comes with Luna, which is a Mac-only recording application.

While we didn’t run into any major issues with the Apollo Solo, there are some things that could have been better. For starters, the unit is expensive, and while the plug-ins more than make up for it, it still costs a lot more than your average audio interface. At this price, UA should have included a TB3 cable, however, none comes with the package and we had to use our own.

The interface is bus powered and will draw a lot of power from your laptop. To ensure that our laptop didn’t shut down in the middle of a recording session, we had to free up a port for charging every 2-3 hours, by unplugging something vital which was kind of annoying.

All in all, the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition not only offers great sound quality but also comes with a bundle of plugins that can help you take your recordings to the next level. The high pass filter and direct monitoring feature can help you tailor your recordings and nail your vocals. The interface is a solid investment, highly recommended!

Universal Audio Apollo Solo HE Benefits

The interface has very good A/D conversion and preamps

The audio output is clean, and nuanced. High pass filter removes rumble effectively.

The Apollo Solo comes with a great bundle of five plug-ins, notable ones include upgrades of the UA-1176 and LA-2A.

Universal Audio Apollo Solo HE Drawbacks

It is expensive and there is no TB3 cable included with the interface.

The unit draws a lot of power from your laptop which means you have to charge the laptop consistently.

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

9.4ProRec Score
Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core
Price to Performance
9
Input / Output
9
Sound Quality
9.5
Connectivity
10
Additional Features
9.5

The Zen Go Synergy Core is one of the most feature packed interfaces you will find in a higher price bracket. It offers a 4×8 I/O configuration, a sampling rate from 32 kHz up to 192 kHz, and a 24-bit depth. The unit is bus powered, has a TB3 connection and comes with the Synergy Core plugins.

The top panel features an LCD display, a large knob and three function keys i.e. the gain, HP/MON and the Antelope keys. The keys can be used to adjust feature settings or access the Control menu, the details of which appear on the display. The knob is used to adjust the gain, volume or level of your selected function.

The rear panel features the TB3 port, two combo XLR/Hi Z jacks, dual monitor outputs (balanced TRS and unbalanced RCA), S/PDIF I/O and a Kensington lock. The front panel is very simple and has only two ¼” TRS jacks which are the headphone outputs, labeled HP1 and HP2.

Right off the bat, we noticed the unit’s excellent build quality especially the solid metal body despite its low body weight. The design is clean and easy to use. And while the volume knob is large and easily reachable, it makes a loud clicking sound when you turn it.

The unit allows for a hassle free setup. We connected the interface to our Mac and selected the Zen Go as an aggregate device in Logic, setup the clocking system as the master and plugged in a CAD E100SX to record some vocals. Monitoring through a pair of Alpha E80 monitors, there was absolutely no lag. We found the preamps and converters on the interface to be excellent. The sound from our monitors was immaculately detailed; it was warm at places yet completely transparent at others. The preamps have huge headroom and everything sounds really crisp.

This interface provides insane value for money, especially for recording vocals. We found it really easy to use, not only in terms of hardware but software as well. The Synergy Core software bundle that comes with the interface gave us a lot of options in terms of presets and AFX. Regarding hardware, the double headphone outs were also a great help in monitoring the unprocessed, and the individual volume control was a definite bonus.

We also tested the interface with a J-45 Gibson acoustic. The unit was able to amplify even the weakest piezo pickups, there was a lot of detail in the playback. We were able to hear things in a dynamic that is not present on interfaces in a similar price range.

The predecessor of the Zen Go SC is the highly acclaimed, and far more expensive, Zen Tour SC. While the Zen Tour has four line/XLR combo inputs, and four high-impedance inputs, the number has been decreased to two of each on the Zen Go. The Synergy Core bundle, which includes a built in mixer and various plugins, is included with both interfaces. However, the Zen Go, which is believed to be a budget version of the Zen Tour, comes with more AFX. It includes no less than 37 free AFX, 32 of which can be used simultaneously.

Although the interface overachieves in many aspects, we believe that it can improve in some areas. One such aspect is the design, especially the screen. At a distance, it is very hard to see the screen and this gets worse if you have a reflection (you’ll have to stand up and see the screen from above). Placing the interface vertically also doesn’t work because there are ports on the front and back panels.

The other thing that could have been better is the knob configuration. There are only three keys and a volume knob to control all of the combinations. The knob controls the volume of all three outputs (individual control is selected via buttons) which is fine if you are working with designated pairs of headphones/monitors. However, since we were frequently switching up different pairs, the experience wasn’t the best.

Overall, the Zen Go is a great bundle deal. Not only is the I/O configuration and general ease of use a unique selling point, the Zen Go also comes with the Synergy Core plugins which will not only help you record pristine vocals but also mix them according to your liking. If you are looking to take your recordings up a notch, this unit will give you the ultimate bang for your buck!

Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core Benefits

Excellent preamps and converters. This interface can drive gain hungry mics and pick up weak signals as well.

The sound is warm, clean and detailed.

Ample I/O channels for a small recording system.

Comes with the 37 free AFX as part of the Synergy Core plugins.

Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core Drawbacks

The screen is hard to see from a distance, and amidst reflections.

More knobs and buttons could have been included to make control settings easier.

Verdict

Based on our scoring model, there is a difference of 1.4 points between the highest and the lowest scoring interface. If you look at the scores in individual categories, you will find the highest variation in the Additional Features and Connectivity categories, as well as in the most important one, the Sound Quality category. In two of these, the Zen Go takes the lead and the Scarlett Solo falls last. In the Connectivity category, the stage is shared by the Zen Go and Apollo Solo both.

Compared to the other two units, the Zen Go has the highest number of I/O channels, boasting an admirable 4×8 configuration. Zen Go’s TB3 connection, excellent sound quality and the amazing plugin bundle it comes with places it at the top in the Connectivity, Sound Quality and Additional Features categories, respectively. It only falls second, that too by only 0.5 points, in the Price to Performance category but still succeeds over the Apollo Solo which is almost similarly priced.

The Apollo Solo performs consistently well in all categories, and even rivals the Zen Go in the Connectivity category, since it comes with the superior TB3 port which greatly reduces latency. The Solo features a 2×4 I/O and falls second in terms of Sound Quality, by only 0.5 points. Its collection of Heritage Edition plugins, as well as its amazing direct monitoring feature and high pass filter, places it just behind the top performing interface in the Additional Features category.

While the difference between the highest and lowest performing interface is only 0.5 points, after a thorough analysis the Zen Go emerges as a clear winner as the best audio interface for vocals with the highest average score of 9.4. The unit’s supreme sound quality, highest number of I/O channels, thunderbolt connectivity, the Synergy Core plugins and mixer level processing it comes with establishes its superiority as an excellent interface for recording vocals. The Zen Go is definitely one of the best interfaces you can spend your money on!

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The most important aspect for choosing an audio interface for vocals is making sure the interfaces features Phantom power and an XLR port for hooking up a mic. You need both of these options to properly record vocals. Additionally, you also want your interface to have a headphone out for playback when laying down vocal tracks.

What I/O configuration should I consider for an interface to record Vocals?

A solo interface is a good place to start, but having a 2x2 I/O configuration will give you more flexibility, especially if you want to record an instrument along with your vocals at the same time. If you’re okay with tracking one input at a time then a single channel will do just fine. While a single output is okay, we recommend getting an interface with at least 2 inputs.

How much should I spend on an Audio Interface for Vocals?

$200 is a good budget, but if you can afford more then it is always better to invest in a unit that you won’t have to replace as your production demands increase. Something $400 or above will come with more options that will cover a variety of situations and different use cases, saving you from the hassle of upgrading constantly.

Should I use a USB or an XLR mic for Recording Vocals?

XLR mics are much more superior than USB because they are clear, crisp and free of any noise. If you go the XLR route you will notice a world of a difference in your recordings. USB mics are never used in professional studios, they won’t give you the same output.