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In this article, we’re going to be talking about the top 7 best audio interfaces for iPhone in 2021.
We wanted to create this buyers guide, as we feel that there isn’t a lot of information around for those who want to buy an iPhone-compatible audio interface, for recording.
Therefore, we’ve done all of the research and condensed it all in an easy-to-read format, all in this article.
We realize that everyone’s requirements and budget will be different.
Because of this, we’ve done our best to outline the unique features of each interface, and we’ve ordered the products based on cost, whilst providing our top picks.
All of this information is nicely summarized within the table found directly below, so for you readers who just want to get the information and be on your way, there you go!
However, we advise that for those who are serious about choosing an iPhone-compatible audio interface, take a read through the article and watch/listen to some of the video demonstrations for a full indication as to how the interface sounds and how it is operated.
Best Audio Interfaces For IPhone
Korg plugKey Audio Interface
Features
- Only for those wanting a mobile MIDI
- “Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad” certification obtained from Apple
- One of the most affordable devices
- Extremely small in size
- Connects via Apple Lightning cable
Technical Specifications
- 24 bit / 48 kHz audio sound quality
- 1 x MIDI Input
- 1 x Headphones output
- 2 x (L + R) 1/4″ jack outputs
- microUSB Charging Port
- Weight : 0.09kg
- Dimensions : 2.9″ x 1.5″ x 6/0″ inches
Summary
The Korg plugKey is the first audio interface to feature on our list, and whilst this unit is technically an audio inteface, it’s only useful for those who are soley looking for a MIDI interface, which can in turn be used to connect their MIDI keyboard to their iPhone as well as being a good audio interface for ipad recording as well!
The unit itself is extremely easy to use, as you can see from the demonstration video below. It consists of an Apple Lightning cable, headphones output, L & R main output, a microUSB charging port (handy as it’s not relying on battery from you iPhone), a MIDI input and a volume knob.
All of this, alongside its affordable price-tag makes it ideal for the musician, who just wants a MIDI device
Who is this pedal for?
The Korg plugKey is definitely for the electronic musician, looking for a MIDI interface which is portable and affordable.
Therefore, for those musicians who also want XLR input functionality, this is not the unit for you, but for those who don’t require XLR functionality, and are just happy with MIDI input, this may be the ideal iPhone audio interface for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very Portable MIDI device
- L & R Main Outputs
- Highly Affordable
- Compatible with most iPhone & iOS devices
Cons
- No XLR inputs
- Only for MIDI
Line 6 Sonic Port Channel Audio Interface
Features
- iPhone Compatible Audio Interface (Link to all compatible models)
- Also Compatible with iPad, iPod, Mac & PC
- Least expensive item on the list
- Very small in size, making it ideal for portability
- Easy to use controls
- Compatible with Garageband and other CoreAudio music apps
- Powered by iPhone or other iOS device
- Includes detachable lightning connector cable
Technical Specifications
- 2-in/2-out interface
- 24 bit / 48 kHz audio sound quality
- 1 x 1/4″ TRS input
- 1 x 1/8″ stereo line input
- 1 x 1/4″ TRS output
- 1 x 1/8″ stereo headphones output
- Powered by iOS device, i.e no additional power is required
- Weight : 0.19kg
- Dimensions : 4.2″ x 1.6″ x 1.8″ inches
Summary
The Line 6 Sonic Port Channel Audio Interface is the next to feature on our list of the best iPhone compatible audio interfaces, and that’s because of it’s very affordable price.
What’s noticable about the interface is the size of the unit itself, measuring to approximately 4.6 x 2.5 x 5 inches… making it extremely portable.
We’ve linked to the official Line 6 website (above), to show all of the iPhone versions that the unit is compatible with… And that’s every iPhone (from the 4S onwards) including the latest iPhone X.
The interface is bus-powered, and therefore it gains power from the connected device… So you won’t need a battery or any kind of power supply. It also comes with a detachable Lightning connector cable.
As for the interfaces inputs, it’s a 2-in/2-out unit, with 1 x 1/4″ (TRS) Guitar / Bass input and 1 x 1/8 stereo line input. It also has 1 x 1/4″ mono-stereo guitar/line level output and a 1/8″ stereo headphones output.
The unit is comtaible with main DAWs such as Garageband and other CoreAudio music apps, as well as the Line 6 Mobile Pod app.
Who is this pedal for?
This interface is for a musician on a budget, who primarily wants to record guitar/bass and other 1/4″ jack compatible instruments.
Therefore, for those vocalists, this is probably not the unit for you, and you may be more interested in the similarly priced MeloAudio TS Mini unit, which comes with an XLR input and 48v phantom power (for powering those condensor microphones).
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly Portable
- Very Affordable
- Compatible with most iPhone & iOS devices
Cons
- No XLR inputs
- Several reviews have described sound pops and clicks whilst recording
MeloAudio TS Mini Audio Interface for iPhone
Features
- Multifunctional iPhone compatible audio interface
- Compatible with iPhone 5’s and later, as well as iPad, Mac, Windows and Android
- Able to record guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, etc
- One of the most affordable devices
- Extremely high sound quality and resolution
- Supports XLR & MIDI
- Built-in 48v Phantom Power and Preamp
Technical Specifications
- 24 bit / 192 kHz audio sound quality
- 48dB Preamp
- 1 x XLR input
- 1 x Line (TRS) input
- 1 x MIDI Input
- 1 x Headphones output
- 1 x Balanced Main Line Output
- USB port for connectivity
- Weight : 0.09kg
- Dimensions : 2.9″ x 1.5″ x 6.0″ inches
Summary
The MeloAudio Tone Shifter Mini is our first encounter with the company MeloAudio, and our first impressions of the product and the company weren’t wrong… We were extremely impressed!
So what exactly were we impressed by? Well, we’re aware that there are usually a select few companies within the audio interface industry that provide high-quality products for a reasonable price… These companies are like IK Multimedia, Korg, etc… And whether or not its because of a combination of factors, for example, their testing methods and economies of scale when producing their products, they’re simply able to provide excellent value for money, where a new entrant or smaller company would struggle.
However, the MeloAudio Tone Shifter Mini completely satisfies our expectations from a number of aspects, but more importantly from a functional aspect, and from its price-point.
The unit provides the best sound quality (192 kHz / 24-bit) of any other iPhone-compatible interface at this price point and is suitable for recording guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, etc… due to its XLR and MIDI inputs.
Not only this, but the unit also provides 48v phantom power, for those musicians who are looking to plug in a condenser microphone, and thus require operating power.
If this all sounds good, take a look at the video demonstration below, to hear the unit in action.
Who is this pedal for?
Overall, we think that this unit is fantastic for those musicians who want a versatile audio interface for their iPhone… Capable of recording all of your instruments, whilst offering ultra-high recording quality, all in a portable unit.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly Portable
- Incredible Value for Money
- Ultra-high Sound Quality (196 kHz / 24-bit)
- Extremely Versatile with XLR & MIDI inputs
- 48v Phantom Power
Cons
- Would have liked to see a L & R output
IK Multimedia iRig HD 2
Features
- iPhone audio interface specifically for recording Guitar & Bass
- Compatible with most iPhone and iOS devices (See here for information)
- High-quality audio recording
- Extremely portable interface
- Includes Amplitude iOS for recording on iPhone
- Includes Lightning and USB cables
Technical Specifications
- 24 bit / 96 kHz audio sound quality
- 1 x 1/4″ (TRS) input for guitar, bass, and other instruments
- 1 x 1/4″ (TRS) output
- 1 x 1/8″ headphone output
- USB port for connectivity
- Weight : 0.051kg
- Dimensions : 1.5″ x 3.9″ x 0.83″ inches
Summary
The iRig HD2 from IK Multimedia is the second iteration of the iRig, and has received a widely acclaimed amount of positive feedback since its release.
The unit is perfect for those who are looking to record guitar, bass and other line input instruments… Although, it does not come with an XLR input, so recording vocals is out of the question… Other than if you’re only looking to get some ideas down with a dynamic mic with a line output.
The iRig HD2 is priced at a very affordable price-point, and comes with everything that you’ll need to get started recording, including the Apple Lightning cable to plug it into your iPhone, alongside USB cables. It also comes with the Amplitude iOS app, which offers a tuner, looper, drum machine, DAW and more.
Who is this pedal for?
The iRig HD2 is definitely for musicians/guitarists/bassists who are looking to get their ideas and recordings into a DAW. As we mentioned, it only comes with a 1/4″ line input (TRS), so it’s designed with the singular purpose to be used by guitarist and bassists.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Highly Portable
- Good Value for Money
- Great sound quality (96kHz / 24-bit)
- Compatible with most iPhone & iOS devices
Cons
- No MIDI input
- Reviews suggest that customer service is challenging to contact
IK Multimedia iRig PRO DUO
Features
- iPhone audio interface specifically for recording Guitar & Bass
- Compatible with most iPhone and iOS devices
- High-quality audio recording
- Ultra-low noise preamps
- Powered by 2 x AA batteries or DC input
- Includes Lightning and USB cables
- Provides 48v Phantom Power
Technical Specifications
- 24 bit / 96 kHz audio sound quality
- 2 x combination inputs (XLR & TRS)
- L & R main outputs
- MIDI input/output
- 1 x 1/8″ headphone output
- A USB port for connectivity
- Weight : 0.18kg
- Dimensions : 3.0″ x 1.4″ x 5.0″ inches
Summary
The iRig Pro Duo is the iRig HD 2’s older brother… A little more expensive, but comes with much more functionality!
The Pro Duo is capable of recording at 96kHz, 24-bit and therefore doesn’t disappoint on the sound-quality front. However, it features 2 combination inputs (XLR & TRS) which means that you can plug in and record vocals, guitar, bass and near to any other instrument. For those musicians who are looking to plug in condenser microphones, this unit provides 48v phantom power.
It also comes with a MIDI input/output, so for those who are looking for an iOS/iPhone audio interface capable of connecting your MIDI keyboards, controllers and more too, well you’ll be delighted to hear that it even comes with the break-out cables.
As for connectivity, the unit includes all of the lightning cables and USB cables, so that you can connect it to your iPhone, iOS, Mac, and PC.
Not only this, but the unit can be powered by 2 AA batteries, a DC power supply, or bus power (when connected to a laptop).
All in all, we are very impressed with IK Multimedia’s efforts when creating this interface.
However, before you make your decision to potentially purchase the iRig Pro Duo, take a look at the video demonstration below, to hear the unit in action.
Who is this pedal for?
It’s primarily for someone with a medium budget, looking for a 2-in iPhone compatible audio interface, capable of microphone, phantom power and MIDI connectivity.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ultra portable
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Awesome functionality
- High Sound Quality (96 kHz / 24-bit)
- Extremely Versatile with XLR, TRS & MIDI inputs
- 48v Phantom Power
Cons
- Not much
Line 6 Sonic Port VX Audio I/O and Stereo Microphone
Features
- Audio interface and built-in Microphone
- Compatible with iPhone (reviews have suggested up to iPhone 7 is supported)
- Decent sound quality & Zero-latency monitoring
- Integrates with all major DAWs
- Bus-powered
Technical Specifications
- 24 bit / 48 kHz audio sound quality
- 1 x TRS input
- 1 x Aux input
- L & R main outputs
- Condenser Microphone
- A USB port for connectivity
- Weight : 0.54kg
- Dimensions : 7.8″ x 2.2″ x 7.9″ inches
Summary
The Line 6 Sonic Port VX is an audio interface and built-in condenser microphone, all in one physically small unit.
Now, despite this audio interface being a few years old, it still works with iPhones (up t0 the iPhone 7 as we’re aware from customer reviews/feedback), and it provides decent sound quality, operating at 24-bit / 48kHz.
Now, why have we featured this unit within this list, well because everyone has different requirements, and therefore this may suit the musician who wants a microphone built-in to their interface, for portability sake.
However, this unit does only come with a TRS (1/4″) and an Aux (1/8″) input… but as we mentioned, it comes with the condenser microphone built-in, so you can record vocals, mic up a guitar amp, etc, via this method instead of using an external microphone.
Who is this pedal for?
The Line 6 Sonic Port VX is only really for someone who’s desperate for an iPhone compatible audio interface, which includes a built-in condenser microphone.
If this is you, then take a look at the video demonstration below.
However, for those who are able to use external microphones, we would suggest taking a look at the iRig Pro Duo or MeloAudio Tone Shifter Mini… All of which provide better value for money… Not to mention are a lot younger.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Includes built-in condenser
- Zero-latency monitoring
- L & R output
Cons
- May not work with new iPhones
- No XLR inputs
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 the last unit that we’ve featured on here, but definitely not one to miss!
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.
Who is this pedal for?
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.
If this is you, then take a look at the video demonstration below.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Includes built-in microphone
- Two combination (XLR & TRS) inputs
- Optional battery power
- Optional standalone usage
- Easy sharing, backup options
- Highly portable
Cons
- A little pricey
In Conclusion – Which iPhone-Compatible Audio Interface do we recommend?
For us, there are two major outliers, both from a functionality standpoint and from doing research into the customer reviews and feedback received by both units.
Those are, the MeloAudio TS Mini and IK Multimedia iRig PRO DUO.
If you want to know which one to purchase, of the two, the iRig Pro Duo allows for you to plug in 2 XLR inputs simultaneously, as opposed to the TS Mini’s 1 XLR input and 1 TRS input. Therefore, if you’re looking at using two microphones simultaneously, the iRig may be more suited for you.
However, if we had to choose one, we’d pick the MeloAudio TS Mini, as it’s so affordable, and hence provides incredible value-for-money.
