Audio Interfaces & Mixers
An XLR mic is only as good as what it plugs into. An audio interface (or podcast mixer) is the box that turns your mic into clean, professional digital audio — and adds the controls that make recording painless. Here are our tested picks.
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Two clean preamps, a brilliant Auto Gain feature that sets your levels for you, and famously stable drivers. The default recommendation for almost any creator stepping up to an XLR mic.
The same clean Focusrite sound with a single mic input — ideal for a solo podcaster or streamer who only ever needs one XLR mic. The smartest way to save money without losing quality.
An all-in-one podcast production studio: multiple mic inputs, faders, sound-effect pads, onboard processing, and multi-track recording to a memory card. If podcasting is your main focus, nothing else comes close.
A two-input interface with a switchable vintage-tube preamp mode that adds warmth and helps quiet dynamic mics reach a strong level. A favorite for creators who care most about character and tone.
A rugged, no-nonsense two-input interface that bundles recording software. A reliable, affordable entry point for anyone who wants to start recording with an XLR mic today.
The cheapest sensible way to get an XLR mic into your computer. It won't drive a quiet SM7B to full glory, but for a louder dynamic or condenser on a shoestring budget, it gets the job done.
If you record into software like Audacity, GarageBand, or OBS and edit afterward, a simple interface (Scarlett 2i2) is all you need. If you run a multi-person podcast, want sound-effect pads, and prefer to mix live, a podcast mixer like the Rodecaster Pro II is worth the jump.
One mic, ever? The Scarlett Solo saves money. Plan to add a co-host or instrument? Get two inputs (2i2, Volt 2). It's much cheaper to buy the second input now than to replace the whole unit later.
Quiet dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B need lots of clean gain. The Volt 2 and 2i2 handle them well; budget interfaces may need an inline preamp (a Cloudlifter or FetHead) to avoid hiss.
A 2-in/2-out USB interface such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 covers most streamers. If you want to mix game, chat, and mic audio, pick one with loopback or a stream mixer built for OBS.
Solo hosts are well served by a one- or two-input interface; multi-mic shows want four inputs or a podcast mixer so each guest has a channel. Look for plenty of clean preamp gain for dynamic mics.
Yes. A clean single-input interface with quiet preamps gives voiceover work a low noise floor. Prioritize preamp quality over channel count.
Only if you use an XLR microphone. USB mics connect directly to your computer and need no interface. If you've chosen an XLR mic like the SM7B, an interface is essential.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (4th Gen) and Universal Audio Volt 2 both provide enough clean gain for the SM7B. For the absolute quietest result, add an inline preamp like a Cloudlifter.
A 2-in/2-out USB interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 routes your mic cleanly into OBS and Twitch, with low-latency monitoring so you hear yourself without delay. If you also want to capture game and chat audio, choose an interface with loopback or a stream-focused mixer.
Solo podcasters do fine with a one- or two-input interface. Multi-host shows want four inputs or a dedicated podcast mixer so each voice gets its own channel. Either way, strong preamp gain matters for dynamic mics like the Shure SM7B.
Voiceover work rewards clean, quiet preamps and a low noise floor. A simple single-input interface is plenty here — spend on preamp quality, not channel count.
Look for a Hi-Z instrument input, which most 2i2-class interfaces have, so you can plug a guitar or bass in directly with enough headroom for hot pickups.
See how connections compare in our USB vs XLR microphone guide, or build a full setup with our creator starter kit.
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