6 Best Audio Interfaces for Mac

I’ve long been an admirer of PreSonus audio interfaces, mainly because they feature unique designs that make recording, monitoring, and playback simple. The PreSonus Quantum 26/32 is an extensive, reliable option that works perfectly with macOS.

Thunderbolt 2 connectivity is renowned for its almost non-existent latency, and overall efficiency. 

Even when you load up an array of VST plugins in your chosen Mac-compatible DAW, and use the highest possible sample rates, this audio interface can carry the burden with no issues. 

In addition to the selection of convenient controls and features installed on this PreSonus interface, it also includes eight high-end XMAX preamps and ten balanced outputs. 

Furthermore, this can be expanded considerably by using the two ADAT lightpipe inputs, allowing you to connect a further 8 channels if required. 

If you’re serious about getting the best possible recordings and production capabilities from your audio interface for Mac, in my opinion, the RME Fireface UFX+ is in a league of its own. 

It is one of the priciest options featured in our guide, but anyone who experiences its impeccable performance will likely agree that the cost is justified.  

With a total of 94 channels, including 4 pristine microphone and instrument preamps, 16 ADAT channels, and 64 MADI channels, the RME Fireface UFX+ can be used for any type of recording on a Mac, no matter how ambitious. 

Reliable thunderbolt connectivity allows this interface to run smoothly. RME has improved the AD/DA converters from previous models in the range, which boosts the clarity and accuracy of the audio. 

Finally, the onboard FX mixer makes it easy to adjust the dynamics of each channel, and add effects like reverb, EQ and delay in real-time. 

Over the past three decades or so, Focusrite has steadily built its reputation as an innovator in the field of recording equipment. 

I’ve had the pleasure of using their legendary Scarlett interfaces on many occasions, and they never disappoint in terms of functionality and quality. 

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface features some impressive improvements on previous models in the range. Most significantly, I was impressed by the upgraded mic preamps, which capture audio in a clean and detailed manner. 

I’d highly recommend this USB interface to musicians or producers looking for an affordable hub for their home studio, without compromising on quality. 

While it may not be capable of recording a full band simultaneously, at under $170 this Focusrite device is great value for money especially if you only intend to record a couple of sound sources at once.  

The 3rd generation Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 is one of the best audio interface for Mac users who need to record multiple sound sources simultaneously. 

With a very reasonable price tag, this all-in-one recording and monitoring hub provides great value for money and in use it is very easy to operate. 

One aspect of the Scarlett 18i20 that we were particularly impressed by is its visual display. With detailed LED meters for each of the eight channels, monitoring the levels as you record is made very simple indeed. 

The onboard Air feature allows you to instantly increase the high-end frequencies of your recordings, which is useful if you’re capturing everything from bass guitar to vocals. 

Eight high-end Focusrite preamps facilitate the open-sounding recording of microphones and instruments, with an abundance of headroom and minimal latency. 

The next audio interface for Mac I’d like to bring to your attention is the affordable M4 by MOTU. This is a perfect option for Mac users who don’t have a Thunderbolt port on their computer or Macbook, as it uses USB-C connectivity. 

MOTU has generously included an array of useful recording and production features on this compact interface. Firstly, it boasts a dynamic range of 120dB, which is coupled with optimally-designed drivers for low-latency performance and pristine recording clarity. 

An additional capability of this MOTU audio interface that is worth noting is its loopback function. If you like to live stream the process of making music, this feature is essential. 

To further enhance the smoothness of the M4’s performance, MOTU has included hardware monitoring, which can be used to route all of the inputs to the analog outputs, ensuring zero latency. 

To conclude our list of the best audio interfaces for Mac, we have the sophisticated MOTU 1248. This thunderbolt and USB-compatible device is in my opinion one the perfect example of MOTU’s expertise and attention to detail. 

With an extensive selection of 32 inputs and 34 outputs, 1248 can record even the largest number of sound sources at the same time when paired with a mixer. What’s more impressive, is that it does so without falling victim to latency issues. 

A feature that I found very impressive when analyzing this Mac-friendly audio interface was its onboard mixer. 

Powered by DSP, this tool makes it easy to route channels, adjust levels, and tweak the sound of your recordings using built-in compression, EQ, reverb, and noise gates. 

Finally, the four mic preamps sound incredibly transparent whether you’re using a condenser, dynamic, or ribbon microphone.