Guitar Interface For Mac
IK Multimedia iRig HD2 Studio-Quality Guitar Interface for iOS/MAC. Much like its predecessor, the iRig HD 2 has an input gain control that can be adjusted to provide optimum sound quality when using different instruments and mobile devices. IRig HD 2 comes with AmpliTube, a powerful multi-effects processor with an integrated music player. Opens up a world of free or commercial guitar amp and stomp box modeling plugins for your guitar sound (find reference links on behringer.com) Directly works with your PC or Mac computer—ultra-low latency ASIO. driver for PC audio optimization available at behringer.com. Apogee JAM is a premium digital converter featuring PureDIGITAL technology which delivers your guitar's true tone to your iPad or Mac without compromise. JAM is the first high quality interface that makes a digital connection to both iOS devices and Mac. You will notice the sonic difference between JAM and other similar products immediately. Buy Apogee JAM 96k Guitar Interface Input for iPad, iPhone and Mac: Audio Interfaces - Amazon.com FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases. Line 6 is a brand well-known for creating some of the most affordable guitar accessories on the market, including everything from amplifiers to audio interfaces – such as their Sonic Port. Only compatible with Mac OS DAWs, this guitarist-focused interface is the most niche on this list, but it still has its uses. Jun 12, 2017 If you love hot guitar pickups this is the audio interface to go for because of its newly designed instrument input. Compatible with Windows and Mac, so that you can use it with any kind of operating system. Connect an audio interface to your computer’s USB or FireWire port, then connect an electric guitar to the audio interface. Connect the electric guitar to a channel on the audio interface or the adapter cable, using a standard 1/4-inch tip-sleeve instrument cable.
Here’s a list of some of the best audio interfaces to get for playing and recording guitars through a Mac or PC computer.
This is more of a “starter” list for home studio recording than a “best of” list covering every possible scenario. Obviously some professional audio interfaces sell for several thousand dollars, but you don’t need something with a gazillion inputs and outputs if you’re just recording a direct input guitar signal or a mic’d amp.
Last year when I first started getting into home recording, I had no idea what exactly was required to play and record guitars using a computer.
It turns out the #1 most important thing to start with is an audio interface.
An audio interface lets you connect guitars and microphones to a computer via USB or Firewire, and there are some PCI and thunderbolt interfaces as well.
USB audio interfaces have become the most common in recent years, and they’re also quite affordable.
You definitely want to get a proper audio interface for recording and monitoring because a computer’s sound card and line input aren’t nearly good enough. You need something with a proper Hi-Z input for guitars.
You can get a cheap Behringer interface for as little as $30. But you’re better off buying something better from the get-go because an audio interface is an integral part of audio production.
A number of brands have problems running at low latency and that’s a problem because it’s very important to avoid any extra delay when it comes to recording guitars. The 2nd gen Scarlett interfaces are the best low cost interfaces with low latency.
A $99 Scarlett Solo is going to be a good entry-level interface at the very minimum. If you can afford to spend a little bit more, in the $250 range, you can get something with more inputs and outputs and some extra features like the Roland QuadCapture.
If money is no object just save yourself the trouble and get an RME audio interface. Many consider RME’s interfaces “the best” when it comes to recording guitars, with super low latency, reliable drivers, and crystal clear output. However, RME stuff isn’t cheap. Their entry-level model, the Babyface Pro, sells for $750.
You can also use a DI box to connect a guitar to a computer, like the Radial Pro48, but that’s only part of the equation because an audio interface is still needed. DI boxes are nice for getting a clearer sound and for splitting signals (like listening through an amp while DI recording on a computer), but they aren’t required.
If you’re getting an audio interface for playing and recording guitar with a computer, you’re also going to need a set of studio monitors or a good pair of headphones. Plus here’s a list of some of the best free and paid guitar amp sims to get started.
Best Guitar Audio Interfaces
RME Babyface Pro Audio Interface
The RME Babyface Pro is widely regarded by professionals that know what they are talking about as one of the best portable audio interfaces currently available for guitars. I wouldn’t know because I’m neither rich nor a professional but I’d suggest looking into it if you want a high-end audio interface because people rave about RME. 🙂
Quality: up to 24-bit, 192 kHz
I/O: 12 x 12
Other: four analog inputs, four analog outs, ADAT/SPDIF, MIDI port, 48V phantom power, relay-driven PAD, low latency AD/DA converters.
Included Software: TotalMix software, with some included effects, available for Windows, Mac OS X, and iOS.
Price: $749
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 USB Audio Interface
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a really good mid-level audio interface for recording guitars and vocals. The signal is very clear, it has solid build quality, and it comes with a good software bundle. You want to avoid the 1st gen 2i2 and Solo units for guitars because they don’t have enough headroom for active/hot pickups; the 2i4 and higher up models add a pad button to remedy this and the 2nd gen Scarlett models have 8dB extra headroom so it’s not a problem anymore with them.
Quality: up to 24-bit, 192 kHz
I/O: 2 x 2
Other: Dual XLR/TRS connectors, phantom power, direct monitor, halo light indicators, low latency.
Included Software: Pro Tools First Focusrite Creative Pack with 12 stompbox pedals and Ableton Live Lite 9, Focusrite Control, Softube Time and Tone Bundle, Focusrite’s Red Plug-in Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples.
Price: $149
See my Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 review for more information and a video demo.
Steinberg UR22MKII 2-Channel USB Interface
The Steinberg UR22MKII is another popular model in the “affordable” category for beginners. Steinberg interfaces have a solid reputation and a lot of positive reviews. Their drivers are known for being pretty good but the latency isn’t quite as low as Focusrite’s interfaces.
Quality: up to 24-bit, 192 kHz
I/O: 2 x 2
Other: 2 XLR/TRS connectors, MIDI in and out, Hi-Z switch for input 2, phantom power, compatibility with Windows, OS X and iPad.
Included Software: Cubase AI and Cubasis LE.
Price: $139
Behringer UCA202/UCA222 Audio Interface
The Behringer UCA202 and the nearly identical red version with some extra software, the U-CONTROL UCA222, are among the least expensive audio interfaces that’ll you find on the market capable of recording and playing guitar through a PC or Mac computer. One way to get started if you can’t afford to spend $100 on something better.
Quality: up to 16-bit, 48 kHz
I/O: 2 x 2
Other: RCA inputs and outputs (need adapter to connect guitar), S/PDIF optical output, no drivers required.
Included Software: KRISTAL Audio Engine, Audacity, energyXT2.
Price: $29
You can connect an electric guitar or another electric instrument to your computer to play and record in an audio track, and use the included amps and pedals to shape your guitar sound. There are several ways to connect an electric instrument to your computer.
After you connect an electric guitar, you choose the input source for the track you want to record in, and optionally turn on monitoring. Monitoring lets you hear yourself play so that you can hear the part you want to record as well as the rest of the project.
Connect an electric guitar to your computer
Do one of the following:
Connect an audio interface to your computer’s USB or FireWire port, then connect an electric guitar to the audio interface.
Connect the electric guitar to a channel on the audio interface or the adapter cable, using a standard 1/4-inch tip-sleeve instrument cable.
If your computer has an audio input port, connect an electric guitar to the audio input port using an adapter cable. Choose Built-in Input as the track’s input source.
If you connect an electric instrument to an audio interface, check the manufacturer’s specifications to make sure the interface is compatible with macOS and Core Audio. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which might include installing the correct driver on your computer.
Connecting an electric guitar to your computer’s audio input port may result in a low-level input signal. To increase the input signal, you can connect the guitar to a preamplifier, and connect the preamplifier to your computer.
Set the input source for an electric guitar
Select the audio track.
Click the Smart Controls button to open the Smart Controls pane.
In the Recording Settings area, choose one of the following from the Input pop-up menu:
If the guitar is connected to your computer’s audio input port, choose Built-in Input.
If Built-in Input doesn’t appear in the menu, choose GarageBand > Preferences, click Audio/MIDI, and choose Built-in Input from the Audio Input pop-up menu.
If the guitar is connected to a USB port, choose the microphone.
If the guitar is connected to an audio interface, choose the channel number for the microphone.
If the audio interface channels don’t appear in the menu, choose GarageBand > Preferences, click Audio/MIDI, then choose the audio interface from the Audio Input pop-up menu.
Make sure the format matches the input. Choose a mono input for monophonic instruments (with a single channel), and choose a stereo input for stereo instruments (with a pair of channels). To change the input format, click the Format button to the left of the Input menu.
Drag the Recording Level slider to change the input volume level for the sound source.
Ip scanner for mac. If the Recording Level slider is dimmed, you can’t change the input volume in GarageBand. In this case, use the device’s own volume control.
Turn on monitoring for an electric guitar or bass
Best Guitar Interface For Macbook Pro
In the Recording Settings area, click the Monitoring button .
The Monitoring button lights orange to indicate that monitoring is turned on.
Best Guitar Recording Interface For Mac
To avoid unwanted feedback, you should usually turn off monitoring when you’re not playing or singing. Using headphones rather than speakers to listen to your projects can also help eliminate feedback.