Top 10 Best Low Latency Audio Interfaces (2021 Review)

In this article, we’re going to be discussing and reviewing the top 10 best low-latency audio interfaces of 2021.

Here at Sustain Punch, we pride ourselves on providing the most informative and helpful product buyers guides for our readers.

This is why we write articles which are often over 5000+ words in length, so all of your possible FAQ’s are answered in one article.

With that being said, let’s talk more about low latency audio interfaces, shall we?

What is a Low Latency Audio interface?

Low latency audio interfaces are audio interfaces which are designed to minimize the issue of audio latency.

Audio latency is simply the time difference made audibly apparent when an input signal is recorded, and the monitor signal is then heard. Usually, this delay is in ms, and so some may think that this will not be noticeable.

However, the ear and brain is particularly good at recognizing delays and differences in sound. Hence if the latency time is above 10ms, it will be heard.

Low latency is most commonly caused during the following stages:

• Recording stage (analog to digital conversion),
• During playback (digital to analog conversion)
• Dsp (Digital Signal Processing)
• During transit (Cables, mixers and hard drives)

Why is it important to use a low-latency interface for recording?

It’s important to use a low-latency audio interface, especially when recording because most musicians and singers will want to listen to a monitor mix (in real-time).

And therefore, if there is a delay between the input signal and the heard monitored signal, it can really be distracting and throw the entire performance.

What’s the difference between a low latency and zero latency audio interface?

The only difference here is the phrasing. Both phrases describe an audio interface with near to zero latency.

Now, although some interfaces will boast that they provide zero-latency recording/playback, there will always be some latency, but for as long as it’s below 10ms, humans will not be aware of it.

What to look for when buying a zero-latency audio interface?

There are several aspects of a zero/low latency audio interface that are important, before deciding on purchasing one.

Firstly, looking at the audio interface’s latency metrics will provide a clear impression as to the facts on whether it can truly perform, especially when it comes to providing minimal levels of audio latency.

Secondly, we usually advise that our readers stick to well-known brands, who have been established within the audio interface industry for a while. These brands can usually pass on their economies of scale to the end-consumer, and hence you can get a lot of bang for your buck! Not only this, but there’s a reason why these brands have been established for so long, and it’s because they usually provide the best products and customer support.

Finally, always look at customer reviews! These opinions provide invaluable insight into what’s good and bad about the product, brand and their experience when purchasing the product.

Thankfully, we’ve done all of this work for you, and therefore, we’ve only provided the most well-known, reputable, tried-and-tested products for you, our readers!

What are the best zero latency audio interfaces?

We’ve featured a list of the top 10 best zero latency audio interfaces below, alongside all of the key information that you’ll be curious about, including whether or not the interfaces are compatible with Mac, PC and the type of connection port, i.e Thunderbolt, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, etc.

So, let’s go ahead and talk about the top zero-latency audio interfaces!

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M-Audio – AIR 192|4 2X2 AUDIO INTERFACE

Compatibility

• Mac / Connectivity via USB

Features

• A beginner-friendly, clear user interface
• Pro-grade metal chassis
• Includes DAW Software: Pro Tools | First M-Audio Edition, Ableton Live Lite, Eleven Lite, the Avid Effect Collection, AIR Creative FX Collection (20 world-class FX AU/VST plugins), 2 GB of sample content from Touch Loops, Strike, Xpand!2, Mini Grand, Vacuum, BOOM from Air MusicTech
• High Quality ‘Crystal’ Preamps for professional audio recording
• Low-Noise, Low Latency
• +48v Phantom Power Switch for microphones which require it (condenser mics)

BUNDLE

• In a Complete Recording Bundle, for someone looking to have everything they need to record in one package; What exactly does this include:
  • Includes M-Track 2 x 2 USB Audio Interface: +  Software Suite
  • M-Audio’s HDH40 Closed-Back Headphones
  • Nova Black large-diaphragm condenser microphone
  • Shock mount
  • XLR Cable

Technical Specs

• 2 inputs x 2 outputs USB audio interface with or without MIDI
• 24 bit /192 kHz resolution
• Two XLR and 1/4 inch TRS combo inputs
• Two 1/4 inch (Guitar/Bass) instrument inputs
• Includes standard USB and USB-C connections

This Audio interface comes in two versions (all shown under the same Amazon listing), which are:

• Without Midi functionality
• With Midi Functionality

Although it was hard to find the perfect demo of someone using the M-Air 192, we were able to find this unboxing and demo video of the 192|8, which should give you some idea of the quality of the 192|4:

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 [3Rd Gen]

Compatibility

• Mac [Mac 10.12 and onwards] / Connectivity via USB

Features

• Amazon’s most popular & best selling audio interface, with over 1000 reviews averaging 4 stars
• Solid metal chassis for protection
• Incredibly simple to use, with a clear display user interface
• 2 combination (XLR/Instrument) inputs
• 2 outputs (left and right output)
• Comes with the following software
  • Pro Tools|Focusrite Creative Pack
  • Ableton Live Lite
  • Focusrite Control
  • Softube Time and Tone Bundle
  • Focusrite’s Red Plugin Suite
  • 3 Month Splice subscription
  • One free XLN Addictive Keys Virtual Instrument
• Lowest latency of any audio interface on the market

BUNDLE

The Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 audio interface is also available in a full recording equipment bundle, which includes the following

• Focusrite Scarlett Solo Studio (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface
• Microphone suspension boom scissor arm with basic microphone shock mount
• CM25 MKIII condenser microphone
• HP60 MKIII closed-back headphones
• Pop Filter

Technical Specs

• Class-leading conversion & sample rates up to a 192kHz/24 bit.
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz 0.1dB
• Super-low latency for using plug-ins in real-time without the need for DSP
• 2 combination XLR/Instrument Inputs for singular or simultaneous recording.
• 2 Line Outputs
• Provides 48v Phantom power for active microphones
• Does not need a power supply, runs and is powered directly from the USB connection
• 3-Year Purchase Warranty
• Designed in England and manufactured in China

Summary

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is, what Focusrite consider, “The world’s best-selling audio interface”, at least that’s what they state on their website.

Now, we believe them! Why exactly, well because Focusrite has been an industry-leading audio interface manufacturer for years on end, and their Scarlett range has been particularly successful. You only have to take a look at the number of positive Amazon reviews [which we’ve linked to further below] to see how popular the 2i2 interface is.

As for the product specs, it’s a 2-in/2-out interface, which features 2 XLR/TRS combination inputs, making it perfect for those who want the versatility of using the interface to connect either two microphones, two instruments or one of each.

Additionally, it too has some impressive specs, supporting a sample rate of up to 192 kHz / 24-bit.

The interface is also fairly compact, making it ideal for those who may want to take this on the road for recording.

Now, as far as latency goes, we’ve read that it’s around 6ms, from users who have tried it.

For a 1st-hand view of the recording quality of the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Generation) take a look at the video demonstration below:

Overall, Focusrite is an extremely reputable audio interface provider, known for creating quality interfaces. With that being said, we think that this interface is ideal for the musician/singer who wants a 2-in/2-out interface, with the versatility to be able to plug in both XLR or TRS via each input port. If this is you, why not take a look at the product reviews for yourself, directly below.

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PreSonus Studio 24c 2×2, 192 kHz, USB-C Audio Interface

Features

• 2-in/2-out interface with Midi
• Sleek design
• Reputable company
• Affordably priced
• Compatible with all major DAWs
• Zero-latency monitoring (Around 3ms – reference)
• Includes Pro Tools & additional software
• 1-year limited warranty

Technical Specifications

• 2-in/2-out
  • 2 XLR/TRS Combination inputs
  • L & R output
  • Midi I/O
  • Phone Output
• USB C connectivity (Bus Powered)
• 2 XMAX-L preamps
• 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
• 48v Phantom power
• 24-bit/192kHz
• Weight : 0.45kg
• Dimensions : 7.1 x 6.3 x 1.8  inches
• Compatible with Mac & PC

Summary

The PreSonus Studio 24c 2×2 is their flagship 2-in/2-out low-latency audio interface.

From a physical standpoint, the interface is designed to look very sleek, with its black center chassis, surrounded by deep blue side compartments.

As for the functionality, it features 2 combination (XLR/TRS) inputs at the front of the unit, and five control knobs for general volume/mixer parameter changes.

As for the back of the interface, it has a MIDI input/output, which other cheaper interfaces do not have. Additionally, it has 2 main TRS outputs, alongside a phones TRS output.

The unit is bus-powered and connects to both a Mac and PC via a USB-C cable.

Now, when it comes to latency, the company have said that the unit has a roundtrip latency of around 3ms, which is extremely low.

Take a look at the video below that shows a demonstration of using the Presonus 24c to record a song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix87RnYsPno

Overall, we think that readers who are looking for a 2-in/2-out interface, with the versatility to be able to plug in XLR or TRS into each port, as well as MIDI input and output capability and a phones output, will most certainly want to take a look at the PreSonus Studio 24c 2×2 interface. Not only does it provide a lot of functionality for an affordable price, but the latency levels are very low.

If you’re interested in learning more about what customers think about the unit, take a read of some of the product reviews for yourself that we’ve linked to on Amazon.

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Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface

Features

• 8 Analog inputs / 6 Analog outputs
• Solid design & build quality
• Incredible value for money
• Highly reputable brand
• Comes with the following software:
  • Pro Tools|Focusrite Creative Pack
  • Ableton Live Lite
  • Focusrite Control
  • Softube Time and Tone Bundle
  • Focusrite’s Red Plugin Suite
  • 3 Month Splice subscription
  • One free XLN Addictive Keys Virtual Instrument
• Lowest latency of any audio interface on the market

Technical Specifications

• 8-in/6-out
  • 4 XLR/TRS Combination inputs
  • 4 TRS inputs (back of interface)
  • 2 phone out (front of interface)
  • 4 main/monitor outputs (back of interface)
  • Midi I/O
  • SPDIF I/O
• USB C connectivity (Not Bus Powered)
• 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
• 48v Phantom power
• 12v power supply powered
• 24-bit/192kHz
• Weight : 2.12kg
• Dimensions : 6.28 x 9.49 x 2.4 inches
• Compatible with Mac & PC

Summary

The Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 (3rd Gen) is another Scarlett unit that we’ve featured within our list of the top low-latency recording audio interfaces.

The unit is physically quite a large unit, weighing in at around 2.12kg, and this is because, under the sleek chassis, there’s quite a lot of functionality… All of which provides great value for money.

It comes with 4 XLR/TRS combination inputs on the front of the unit, and 4 TRS inputs on the back of the interface, ideal for those musicians/studio engineers who want to be able to comfortably record up to 8 inputs simultaneously.

Not to mention, the MIDI I/O and SPDIF I/O may also be a selling point for some musicians.

Additionally, the unit has 2 phones outputs on the front of the interface, and 4 monitor outputs at the rear of the interface.

To get a good idea of the high quality of the recording capability of the Scarlett 18i8, take a look at the video below:

Overall, this is a great audio interface for those musicians who don’t want to break the bank, whilst getting a lot of audio inputs/outputs in the process. As for the unit’s latency, it’s around 7ms which is still very good, and the customer reviews of the audio interface (linked to directly below) indicate that the overall verdict on the unit is very good.

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M-Audio M-Track 8X4M Audio Interface

Features

• 8 Analog inputs / 4 Analog outputs
• Sleek black and grey design
• Affordable pricing
• Established, reputable brand
• Compatible with all major DAWs (comes with Pro Tools First Edition)
• Zero-latency monitoring (Around 2.59ms – reference)
• Includes Pro Tools (First Edition) & additional software
• 2-year limited warranty

Technical Specifications

• 8-in/6-out
  • 4 XLR/TRS Combination inputs
  • 4 TRS inputs (2 located on the front, 2 located on the back)
  • 4 TRS outputs (located at the rear of the unit)
  • MIDI I/O

• Featured Crystal Preamps (MAudio developed)
• USB-C connectivity
• 20Hz to 20kHz frequency response
• 48v Phantom power
• 12v power supply powered
• 24-bit/192kHz
• Weight : 1.36kg
• Dimensions : 9.4 x 2.4 x 7.7 inches
• Compatible with Mac & PC

Summary

The M-Audio M-Track 8x4M audio interface is the older brother to the M-Audio M-Track 2X2 C-Series, which we talked about earlier, and comes with the same rugged metal chassis,.

This older brother is packed full of functionality, and has more inputs, outputs and upgraded technology inside, with M-Audio boasting their newly developed Crystal Preamps.

The interface has 4 XLR/TRS combination inputs located on the back, alongside 4 TRS inputs, which are split between the front and back of the unit

Additionally, the audio interface has 4 TRS ouputs, which are located at the back of the unit. All of which makes for a sleek-looking, highly functional unit.

It has a MIDI I/O, and can be connected to your Mac / PC via USB-C connectivity.

However, the unit is not bus-powered, and requires a 12v power supply.

Take a look at the video below to get an idea of the recording quality of the M-Track 8x4m:

Overall, the unit really delivers in providing ultra-low latency times (being around 2.59ms), and combined with the amount of inputs/outputs, really makes for an appealing audio interface.

Therefore, if you’re able to deal with 8-inputs and 4-outputs, at this affordable price, then the M-Audio M-Track 8x4M interface may be the one for you.

We recommend taking a read of the customer reviews on Amazon (linked to directly below), which are extremely positive.

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iZotope Spire Studio (2nd Generation)

Features

• 2 phantom powered combo inputs / 2 analog outputs
• Onboard studio-grade mic
• Highly compact & portable audio interface
• Wireless connectivity to phone or tablet
• Sleek design with nice LED lights
• Simple user interface
• Sleek black and grey design
• Optional battery power
• Only compatible with Spire App for recording
• Zero-latency monitoring (Exact amount not specified)
• 45 days limited warranty

Technical Specifications

• 2-in / 2-out
  • 2 XLR/TRS Combination inputs
  • 2 1/8″ outputs (headphone outs on front and back)
• Custom preamps
• 8 hours of onboard audio recording storage
• 48v Phantom power
• Battery-powered (4-hour life) or 5v power supply powered
• 24-bit/48kHz
• Weight : 1.6 pounds/0.73kg
• Dimensions : 4.8 x 4.4 x 3.4 inches
• Compatibility
  • 64-bit iOS devices running iOS 13 or higher
  • Samsung Galaxy device models S7 or higher
  • Android devices running Android 8.0 or higher

Summary

The iZotope Spire Studio is an audio interface designed with the traveling musician in mind.

Physically, the unit is very small, making it very portable and thus, able to be transported almost anywhere.

The unit has 2 XLR/TRS combination inputs so it’s perfect for the singer/songwriter who wants to record vocals and an accompanying instrument simultaneously, such as guitar or piano.

Where the unit differs when compared to most audio interfaces, is in it’s connectivity to the DAW (which happens wirelessly).

The iZotope Spire Studio is only compatible with the Spire app, which can be downloaded onto your android or iOS application, and so this may be a limitation for some.

The audio interface can be powered through a 5v power supply, or it can be battery-powered, which allows for up to 4+ hours of usage.

Take a look at the demo video below to get an overview of the Spire Studio:

Overall, This unit is definitely suited for the musician on the move, who are looking for an easy way to record, without necessarily being fussy about the specific DAW they record on.

However, for the price, we think that this is quite expensive, considering the functionality. If you can deal with a unit which is slightly larger, such as the M-Audio M-Track 8X4M Audio Interface, which provides better functionality and higher quality recordings, then we recommend taking a look at that instead.

None-the-less, Spire Studio has created a product which suits the specific criterion of being highly portable.

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Tascam US-20×20 USB 3.0 Audio Interface

Features

• 20 analog inputs / 20 analog outputs
• Large interface with multiple I/O
• Three operational modes (Audio interface, Digital Mixer & 8-Channel Digital Mic Preamp)
• Eight Ultra-HDDA preamps
• Zero-latency monitoring (Around 11ms when using USB 2.0 – reference, USB 3.0 latency is unknown)
• 1-year limited warranty

Technical Specifications

• 20-in / 20-out
• Thunderbolt connectivity
• MIDI I/O
• Coaxial I/O
• Optical S/MUX I/O
• 48v Phantom power
• 24-bit/96kHz
• Weight : 2.7kg
• Dimensions : 5.2 x 2.3 x 8.7 inches
• Compatible with PC & Mac

Summary

The Tascam US-20×20 audio interface is a unit designed for those who require many inputs and outputs for a reasonable price (when costing it per input/output).

Tascam have been in the industry for years, and are known for creating more affordable audio recording equipment.

With that being said, the Tascam US-series has received a large amount of positive feedback, all of which can be seen from the customer reviews featured on Amazon (we’ve linked to those below).

The unit itself has three operational modes, which include the Audio Interface, Digital Mixer and 8-Channel Digital Microphone Preamp.

Additionally, it comes with a MIDI I/O for those who may want this.

However, the saying goes that “you get what you pay for”, and regarding the unit’s roundtrip latency, it stands at around 11ms (when using USB 2.0), but this is USB 3.0 compatible, so we’re guessing that it must be faster (which would make sense considering the positive customer feedback).

Take a look at the review and demo video below to get an overview of the Spire Studio:

Overall, The interface has fantastic customer reviews (which we’ve linked to below), and therefore if you’re looking at an affordable interface which provides more inputs/outputs, then this unit may be ideal for you.

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Universal Audio Apollo Twin X QUAD 2×6 Heritage Edition

Features

• A special edition of UA’s acclaimed Apollo Twin X interface
• Includes a premium suite of 5 award-winning plug-in titles from Teletronix, Pultec, and UA
• Sleek design
• Dual core processing – 4 DSP core processors
• Compact and portable
• Download low-latency app
• Features two Unison™ enabled mic preamps
• Sturdy aluminum chassis
• Ultra high-resolution sound quality with Apollo AD & D/A converters
• Near zero latency
• Up to 8 channels of additional digital input via optical ADAT/SPDIF inpu
• Monitoring & built-in talkback mic
• Comes with a selection of UA plugins

Technical Specifications

• Thunderbolt 3 connectivity
• 2 x XLR/TRS (combined) inputs
• Switchable phantom power
• 2 (left and right) line outputs
• 2 x phone output (left and right monitoring)
• A 12V power supply is required for operation
• 24-bit/192kHz
• Weight : 1.95 kg (4.29 pounds)
• Dimensions : 9″ x 8″ x 8″ inches
• Compatible with Mac & Windows

Customer Review Rating

Read Amazon Customer reviews for the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Quad Heritage Edition.

Summary

The Apollo Twin X Quad is a 2 input, 6 output audio interface, with Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.

The Apollo Twin X Quad comes in two variations, Duo and Quad (this one), with each one referring to the number of DSP power cores that it has, which provides processing power to run software plugins.

If you’re looking to use this device just as an audio interface, alongside your DAW plugins and the “free” Universal Audio plugins, then the Duo version is ideal…

However, be mindful that as you add more tracks and enable more plugins, the core is being utilized harder.

Therefore, for those who are looking to run more plugins within your recording & live sessions, you’re probably going to be better off with this Quad unit.

The way we see it is, if you’re considering this unit, it’s clear that you’re looking for ultra high-quality sound quality and have the budget to pay for it.

Therefore, what’s the additional hundred or so more, when it means that you can upgrade and get the Quad?

So that you can access the full potential of the audio interface without being limited by processing power.

Take a look at the recording demonstration of a song using the Apollo Twin X Quad:

Overall, if you’ve got a large budget, and you’re not looking for an audio interface that has a lot of processing power, then the Apollo Twin X Quad may be for you.

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MOTU UltraLite AVB USB & iOS Interface

Features

• Highly reputable company MOTU
• Heavy-duty casing
• 36-simultaneous audio channels
• 10 analog inputs / 8 analog outputs
• 8-channel Optical I/O
• IOS & Android support (wireless control from devices)
• USB 2.0/USB 3.0 compatible
• DSP powered mixing – 48 channels & 12 busses
• Zero-latency monitoring (5ms latency –  referenced from Amazon Reviews)
• 2-year limited warranty

Technical Specifications

• 18-in / 18-out
  • 2 TRS Guitar inputs
  • 2 XLR inputs
  • 6 line inputs
  • 8 line outputs
  • 8-channel optical I/O
  • MIDI I/O
• USB Connectivity
• 48v Phantom power
• Powered by a 15v power supply
• 24-bit/192kHz
• Weight : 1.13kg
• Dimensions : 8.6 x 7.o x 1.75 inches
• Compatible with PC & Mac

Summary

The MOTU UltraLite AVB interface is truly the interface for professional musicians and engineers. Why do we say that, well because everything about it leans towards large-scale recording functionality.

It provides 36 simultaneous recording channels, offering 10 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs, which are a selection of XLR and Line ports. The optical I/O also provides even more input and output capability.

The unit connects to either a PC or Mac via USB 2.0 / USB 3.0, offering high data transfer speeds.

Additionally, the digital mixer for the Ultralite AVB, provides 48 channels and 12 busses, all of which can even be controlled with your Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android device, by using the web app served by the physical hardware itself.

Not to mention, the UltraLite AVB can be further expanded, using the MOTU AVB Switch, which enables you to connect up to five MOTU interfaces, so the possibilities are endless.

Although we couldn’t find a great demonstration of a song recording using the Ultralite AVB, we did find a detailed review that could help you decide whether this product is right for you. Take a look at the video below:

Overall, the MOTU UltraLite AVB is an interface which is ideal for live setups, professional studios, and aspiring home studios… All of which comes at a cost, but considering it’s made by MOTU, you know that it’s an interface that will provide ultra high-quality recordings and last for a long time.

None-the-less, MOTU is such a reputable brand, that combined with the 2-year limited warranty and the low latency time, it will certainly be an interface to consider.

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Universal Audio Apollo Twin MKII Heritage Edition

Compatibility

• Mac / Connectivity via Thunderbolt – Not all units on this list have thunderbolt audio interface mac protocols, so this is a huge bonus.

Features

• A special edition of UA’s acclaimed Apollo Twin MkII interface
• Includes a premium suite of 5 award-winning plug-in titles from Teletronix, Pultec, and UA
• Free LUNA recording system download for Mac users
• 2×6 Audio Interface with Thunderbolt connectivity
• Sleek design and high build quality
• Built-in Talkback microphone for easy communication between the engineer and the musician
• Comes with real-time analog classics UAD plugin bundle: Including UA 610-B Tube Preamp Legacy Pultec EQ, LA-2A and 1176 compressors, Marshall Plexi Classic, Ampeg SVT-VR Classic, and more
• Runs with all major mac-compatible DAWs
• Requires 12DC mains power

Technical Specifications

• UAD-2 Core DSP Acceleration (three different cores to choose from SOLO, DUO or QUAD)
• 2 high-quality mic/line preamps (inputs)
• 6 outputs (2 line outputs, 2 monitor L & R outputs and 2 line/XLR outputs)
• S/PDIF can be used for a single optical input socket, or for up to 8 channels of digital audio via ADAT format.
• Thunderbolt Connectivity

A device for someone looking for a compact, high-quality audio interface with Thunderbolt connectivity, alongside 6 outputs.

If you happen to have a setup where the singer is separated from the engineer i.e in a recording booth, this is the ideal audio interface with it featuring a talkback microphone for direct contact.

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Conclusion

As you’ve realized, we’ve done our very best to provide a range of low-latency audio interfaces to suit any readers budget.

So while we cannot necessarily provide one specific product recommendation, all of the above products are excellent in providing low-latency audio recording and monitoring.

If you have any questions, feel free to access our contact us page, or leave a comment and we’ll do our best to reply as soon as possible.