In this article, we're choosing 8 channel audio interfaces that have at least 8 analog inputs. So you can rest assured you'll have the capacity to fully mic a drum kit, or capture your 8-piece kazoo orchestra as it performs its latest opus. This interface is capable of exactly 32 simultaneous channels overall, with the 16 built-in as well as 2 ADAT connections (capable of 8 digital channel a piece). But you won’t be able to connect any S/PDIF or MADI or AES/EBU or MIDI.

The Volt range has the affordable market in its sights, and here we're looking at the Volt 176 and 276. These look very different from other UA interfaces and have a very different remit. There’s no plugin hosting, onboard software processing, or Console software. These are plug-and-play, with UA’s excellent preamps and, in the case of the two units here, the benefit of onboard analogue processing. I noticed a level of richness at higher gain settings similar to how analog consoles tend to drive. Cymbals and other instruments with high-frequency content do not sound brittle or harsh. While the saturation may be a plus, the preamps color the sound too much for some situations. Delivering 8 analog channels of audio, with additional digital connections available, the Scarlett 18i20 is an affordable solution for the producer who needs more inputs without breaking the bank.in/12-out design includes periodic, front-mounted I/O to keep essentials recording-ready without sacrificing connectivity for special instances of use The Fireface is a top of the line interface with professional quality, loads of features and is capable of up to 94 simultaneous channels. But it’s expensive. The updated connectivity options guarantee future-proofing for the unit - it will enjoy relevance for many years. Before we dive headfirst into the features of each one, it's worth noting that some interfaces are described as having 16, 24, or more, simultaneous inputs. While the blurb isn't an outright lie, often the total number includes an ADAT or other digital audio input, as well as the analog connections. Audient EVO 16 too, has a very similar profile to 16R and while it isn’t a flagbearer for the best sound, it does have a new and intuitive display/interface as well as a higher number of inputs/outputs. This actually makes EVO 16 a premium option if you don’t want mixer features, have a limited budget but still want a reliable unit with smart features. It even looks the best!

Universal Audio used to focus on the high-end market with interfaces that boasted both a quality signal flow and also acted as hosts and accelerators for the company’s very well-regarded plugin range. That changed with the Volt range, a set of four units that eschew the plugin hosting in favour of value and more standard features. The more expensive 176 and 276 are reviewed later in this buyer’s guide, but the Volt 1 and 2 offers most of what they deliver bar their extra 1176-style compression.

Focusrite claims the AD/DA converters are new and improved. They weren't bad in the first place, but they now offer a higher dynamic range signal-to-noise ratio, ensuring a nice clean sound (which you can choose to f**k up later). These specifications describe the resolution of your converted digital audio, and the general idea is that the higher the Sample Rate, the more details are captured. The Bit Depth determines the maximum dynamic range (difference between loudest and softest), and the Sampling Rate determines the highest frequencies that can be recorded. The MOTU 16A (I assume this stands for 16 analog inputs), is another interface with 16 analog inputs, which is honestly pretty rare these days. All that said, this model from Tascam is one of the best value USB audio interfaces your money can buy if you're after a multi-input model. You're not going to get the sound quality of Abbey Road, but on the other hand that album was recorded using way fewer channels of audio. The space between the gain pots on the front panel is small and may prove problematic when fine-tuning input settings. There's also no monitoring meter, so you'll need to listen to see if your signal is clipping.