Recommendations for multi-output USB audio interfaces

[X1_BGD]

Hello friends, a faithful SONAR X1 everyday user here (still have my X1 Production Suite CD-ROM pack and the box they came in 😊). However, it's time to move on from my M Audio Fast Track C600, and I am now looking for a USB interface that can output separate X1 audio tracks to separate outs. Mainly, because I want to mix on an analogue desk, add outboard effects, route and compress particular groups and so on. Any recommendations or user experiences. My requirements are a minimum of 4 separate outs, phantom power, preferably 2 headphone sockets, nice and clean preamps... I am considering all sorts of devices going as far back as the Roland Edirol V100 and as recent as the Arturia MiniFuse 4 and Scarlett 4i4 (4th Gen).  Advice welcome.

Edited October 7 by X1_BGD

[Bass Guitar]

 

Go to Sweetwater and open the filters and scroll down to see the options for in/out. From there you can compare all the choices available for that configuration. 

There’s  lots of 4x4 interfaces. But it’s not clear if that is what you need? You mentioned sending your tracks out to a mixer? Possibly you then need additional outputs? 4 is pretty minimal. 
 

I made this video almost two years ago featuring 2x2 interfaces but most of the brands also have lots of in/ out connections. 
 

The main point is that when you ask for recommendations all you will get is a handful of people telling you what works for them. That’s a very small part of going about your research. Even watching all the dozens of reviews on YouTube is only to be taken with a grain of salt. 

This is because each person has different needs. 

You need to make a list of the features that are important to YOU! 
The inputs and outputs are definitely important. 
2 headphone jacks? Add that to the list and you’ll quickly eliminate 3/4 of the choices. 

I used Sweetwater for my research because they list the majority of lower priced consumer products. Beyond that you are adding zeros to the price. 

I also recommend that once you’ve chosen the one you like before you buy it go to the manufacturer website and make sure that they have updated drivers and also see what the free goodies are. You might choose one interface over another just because it was $40 cheaper and then find out the other one came with $300 worth of software. 
If all the pictures on the Webpage are Mac computers be careful about the drivers. We call them Mac-centric. 

 

In the end I bought the SSL 2 mostly because all the reviews said it had the best pre amp in that price range. It is a disappointment because the headphone volume is way too quiet. And I don’t really hear any difference in the sound quality. I mostly use my Zoom L8 because it has the best drivers and lots of connection options. 
I want to use the Motu M4 but sometimes it craps out and is distorted. It seems it’s related to the USB power. 

 

Edited Friday at 03:26 PM by Bass Guitar

[Alan Tubbs]

I use the Neumann mt 48 and is the best and clean in/out system I’ve used.  4x4 and one adat in/out.  The fx (except for reverb) are top notch and you can use it as a straight line from Sonar with no real latency from the builtin mixer.  Lastly, the touch screen is a killer for manipulation - goodbye to mousing vol and eq points etc (you can still mouse transport controls and editing).

the downside is cost, a cool $1800 list.

Audient is another good interface and their 4x4 unit is less than half the price The preamps are more analog sounding rather than the clean and crisp Neumann pres, which can repro any distortion saturation perfectly if you need that.

lastly I would buy a tascam unit for a less expensive option.  I used their 8 banger unit and it was solid and you can get a pro sound out of it, tho a nice transformer pre helps to expand your palate.

[X1_BGD]

On 10/8/2025 at 5:04 PM, Bass Guitar said:

 

Go to Sweetwater and open the filters and scroll down to see the options for in/out. From there you can compare all the choices available for that configuration. 

There’s  lots of 4x4 interfaces. But it’s not clear if that is what you need? You mentioned sending your tracks out to a mixer? Possibly you then need additional outputs? 4 is pretty minimal. 
 

I made this video almost two years ago featuring 2x2 interfaces but most of the brands also have lots of in/ out connections. 
 

The main point is that when you ask for recommendations all you will get is a handful of people telling you what works for them. That’s a very small part of going about your research. Even watching all the dozens of reviews on YouTube is only to be taken with a grain of salt. 

This is because each person has different needs. 

You need to make a list of the features that are important to YOU! 
The inputs and outputs are definitely important. 
2 headphone jacks? Add that to the list and you’ll quickly eliminate 3/4 of the choices. 

I used Sweetwater for my research because they list the majority of lower priced consumer products. Beyond that you are adding zeros to the price. 

I also recommend that once you’ve chosen the one you like before you buy it go to the manufacturer website and make sure that they have updated drivers and also see what the free goodies are. You might choose one interface over another just because it was $40 cheaper and then find out the other one came with $300 worth of software. 
If all the pictures on the Webpage are Mac computers be careful about the drivers. We call them Mac-centric. 

 

 

 

Many thanks, checked out the Zoom L6 and L8 interfaces and they look really cool. Also, absolutely loved your video, everyone considering a USB interface should watch it. Your really brought out some points that don't often get discussed. For instance, bus powered vs. external powered devices... Having gone through the issue of eliminating a USB ground noise loop (which I found could only be done by splicing open the USB lead, cutting the power + and - cables inside, and then powering the interface from the external PSU) I would now never get a device without a dedicated power input. Also,  love the monitoring on the MOTU. A bar-type digital LED meter is essential on an interface, in my opinion.  Great advice and great video!

Edited Friday at 03:47 PM by X1_BGD

[X1_BGD]

On 10/9/2025 at 3:50 PM, Alan Tubbs said:

I use the Neumann mt 48 and is the best and clean in/out system I’ve used.  4x4 and one adat in/out.  The fx (except for reverb) are top notch and you can use it as a straight line from Sonar with no real latency from the builtin mixer.  Lastly, the touch screen is a killer for manipulation - goodbye to mousing vol and eq points etc (you can still mouse transport controls and editing).

the downside is cost, a cool $1800 list.

Audient is another good interface and their 4x4 unit is less than half the price The preamps are more analog sounding rather than the clean and crisp Neumann pres, which can repro any distortion saturation perfectly if you need that.

lastly I would buy a tascam unit for a less expensive option.  I used their 8 banger unit and it was solid and you can get a pro sound out of it, tho a nice transformer pre helps to expand your palate.

The Neumann MT 48 looks amazing, and I mean literally. Wonderful design, would love something like that on my desk. And your post has prompted me to check out some of the reviews and videos of the unit. Re: price, it seems to be holding up, even on the second hand market. But then, all their stuff does. The Audient (I assume you meant Evo) I did not know much about previously, reading up on it now. 

[Alan Tubbs]

The Audient id44, which has the same pres as their big boards.  Really nice sounding pres and conversion.  Not transformer coupled but sounds thick like it.  I’ve never heard or used the evo line tho it should be fine.

[msmcleod]

I'm always on a budget (it's in the genes)... but for FWIW I've got:

Scarlett 18i20 - on its own you get 8 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs;  with something like a Behringer ADA8200, you'll get 16 analog inputs and 16 analog outputs.

RME Digiface USB - this has 4 ADAT inputs and 4 ADAT outputs, giving 32 inputs and 32 outputs (plus an additional 2 outputs for your main stereo mix).  As ADAT is the ONLY input format, you'll need at least one ADAT I/O interface (e.g. Behringer ADA8200, Focusrite Octopre etc).

The advantage of the DigiFace is that you can upgrade your converters/mic-pre's as needed. 

At present, I'm using my 18i20 as one bank of 8 inputs, and 3 x Fostex VC8's.  Two of them (16 inputs) come from the direct outs from my A&H MixWizard WZ3, and the other is switchable between a bunch of pre's... JoeMeek MQ3/TFPro P3,  GA Pre 73, and an Alice 828.

I've got another Digiface connected to the 32 direct outs from an A&H GL2400-32 via 4 x Fostex VC-8's.

I'd like better converters than the VC-8's, but to be honest, they sound great as they are.

 

[TracingArcs]

I can recommend you have a look at Julian's YT page. https://www.youtube.com/user/JayKayRause  Either before or after you make any choices, but before buying. He is very indepth and clear about interfaces.  And hopefully has looked at any you will be considering.

Edited Saturday at 09:52 AM by TracingArcs