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• Setting Up Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 On Mac
• How To Set Up Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 With Garageband
• How To Set Up Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 On Mac Garageband Pro

2020-4-5  In this article today, I’m going to show you the two best interfaces for Garageband users, as well as offer an explanation of all their usual functions, including what those confusing specifications actually mean. The best audio interface for beginners to Garageband is the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, which is definitely the most suggested as well. 2019-2-14  The steps below will guide you through how to set up your Scarlett with FL Studio: Once you have installed the driver go to your computer's 'Control Panel' 'Sound' option. In the 'Playback' and 'Recording' tabs, make sure the Focusrite/Scarlett option is selected as the default device.

Contents

• 4 1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface – Best For Beginners
• 5 2. Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD
• 6 3. Audient iD4 High-Performance USB Audio Interface
• 7 4. Arturia AudioFuse 14 x 14 USB Audio Interface
• 8 5. Antelope Audio Zen Studio – Editor’s Choice

What’s an Audio Interface?

Before revealing the top 5 Best Audio Interface for GarageBand, we will discuss the brief history of an audio interface. This is simply a device used in making quality and good quality studio recordings at home it being an external sound card with inputs for mics and instruments like speakers and headphones for singing. What makes this device dependable is the function it supports inclusive of recordings of voice, keyboard, guitar much, much, more providing also metering and other important features. A type of external hardware capable to be connected to desktops or laptop computers via USB for modern pcs and older versions via ports like Ethernet as well. More to say is that these well-known audio interface devices work with both iOS and Windows Software, however, not forgetting the use of an additional adapter.
Now, having gotten that out of the way, what are the best audio interface devices available on market today?

Top Five Best Audio Interface for GarageBand

Reviews of Best Audio Interface for GarageBand

1. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface – Best For Beginners

The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface is one of the popular and trending easy to use devices working much to the efficiency suiting best any Garage-band and musician/podcaster. Why settle for the Scarlett 2i2? The device unlike other similar pieces of recording equipment is easy to use allowing the immediate recording with the exclusion of normal delays in setting up compared to the many others needing lots of software updates upon installation. So, looking at things from that angle, the robust design Scarlett 2i2 is a pretty dependable device and guess what? It’s small too! No need for the extra hustle carrying this little baby around! The Scarlett 2i2 back panel is finely furnished with the USB 2.0 connector and stereo line outputs with its front panel comprising of two Focusrite preamps presented with hybrid input ports reserved as the main action of the device. A device that can take an XLR cable or even a ¼ inched jack with a rocker switch below selecting Instrument as well as of course Mic inputs. More to say is that the Scarlett 2i2 comprises also of a 48V phantom power button glowing bright red whenever activated serving both inputs when connecting two microphones and a Direct Monitor button feeding input signals directly to the twin monitor options.

Additionally, for the user, there is a large grey dial controlling your speaker’s volume, as well as a separately driven headphone level dial having its own connector below. So, if you are looking for audio interface best working smoothly with your garage-band software don’t hesitate to get your hands loaded on this little baby!

Features and Specifications

• Two natural-sounding Scarlett mi preamps with plenty of even gain, conversion and sample rates up to 192kHz?24-bit, two instrument inputs specially design for the handling of seriously hot pickups super-low latency for using plug-ins in really having no need of DSP.
• Ideal for recording two mics at a go, crisp and clear conversion, recordings made easy especially for having Gain Halos around the gain knobs, instant recording, limited time offer, the inclusion of pro tools and much, much, much more!
• Item of Focusrite with the model number AMS-SCARLETT-2I2-2ND-GEN
• Weighs 1.32 pounds with product dimensions of 1.9 x 6.9 x 4.3 inches, USB 2.0 Hardware interface, size 2i2-2 Mic Pres, voltage of 240.

Pros

• Incredibly versatile, useful in both home recording and podcasting, live recordings. Ideal interface for daily use. It is a small, easy connection with Garage-band, ideal for beginner’s use not complicated to work with.
• Compact, has two Focusrite pres of ‘Safire’ quality, ideal for recording two mics at a go, also with a clear and crisp conversion.

Cons

• Has no digital I/O, low buffer setting produces popping and line noise, crackling and distortion after long time use.

2. Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD

The Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD is an audio interface designed with two channels for working with having complementary features you truly come to rely on usually found on the more expensive models out there. It is an audio interface model coming with multiple LED indicators making ease of monitoring, bundled up with EDM/DJ friendly DAW software Tracktion with complementary instrument as well as effect plug-ins. It being a reliable machine for your outdoor Garage-band it’s a great selection of the many models not just for being readily affordable but for its features such as the MIDAS-designed mic preamps and 24-bit/192kHz AD/AD conversion giving you the same sound quality as the popular mixers, however in a more portable form factor and at a fraction of the cost. The Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD is compatible with a wide array of the popular recording software of today, offering also zero-latency monitoring, with each of the machine’s features safely protected with the impact-resistant metal chassis. Further to say is that what makes this machine of great use is it featuring two versatile inputs of combined XLR/TRS ports, having also four outputs, not forgetting decent controls.

Features and Specifications

• U-Phoria UMC204HD, a studio in a Black Box for its cool recording features, has 192 kHz Precision, MIDAS producing great quality sound, has zero-latency monitoring, Tracktion to record, edit, mix and share.
• 2×4 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface for recording microphones and instruments, 2-state-of-the-art, MIDAS designed Mic Preamplifiers with +48V phantom power, compatible with popular recording software including Avid Pro Tools, Abbleton Live, Steinberg Cubase, etc.
• Audiophile 24-Bit/192 kHz resolution for professional audio quality can stream 2 inputs/4 outputs plus 1x MIDI/O with ultra-low latency to your pc, supporting Mac OS X and Windows XP or higher.
• Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD of weight of 1.37 pounds, product dimensions of 7.3 x 5.1 x 2 inches, USB Hardware Interface.

Pros

• Readily affordable, has impressively clear sound, is of versatile design, great for electric guitar, keyboard and even bass use making it ideal for Garage-band, Cool recording features.
• Zero-latency, Tracktion to record, edit, mix and share, 192 kHz precision.

Cons

• Other users are affected by driver issues and other software bugs fixable only after updating the main software.
• Though it’s affordable it’s rather at a price than it was intended to be for the best value of your money.

3. Audient iD4 High-Performance USB Audio Interface

Another on the list is the Audient iD4 which is undeniable to the best audio interface for your Garage-band you can get offered under $200! As it stands, the Audient iD4 is basically a simple two-input/two-output device featuring a mic preamp complete with phantom power for using condenser mics. It is the smallest and least complex member of Audient’s iD range of USB computer audio interfaces featuring two separate inputs: one mic/line input on a combination XLR/jack connector with switchable 48V phantom power, having also a J-FET-based instrument DI input, each of them having an individual gain control. It has an instrumental level DI for the plugging in of your bass or guitar, having also the main output for your speakers and dual headphone output, the whole device designed to be powered by USB and when using Apple’s camera connection kit, can also work with iPhone/iPad. More to say is that the Audient iD4 is one truly of great value for your money, basically ideal if you want to use it for your Garage-band.

Features and Specifications

• Audient iD4 USB Audio Interface OPEN BOX, has two separate inputs of which one is a mic/line input on a combination XLR/jack connector with switchable 48V phantom power, J-FET-based instrument DI input, each with individual gain control. The remaining I/O is made up of a headphone output on TRS jacks—mini and quarter-inch—and a pair of TRS jack loudspeaker outputs.
• Audient iD4 USB Audio Interface OPEN BOX weighing 1.63 pounds, dimensions of 8 x 7.2 x 3.9 inches, model number of 18-90008, voltage of 5 with USB 2.0 Hardware Interface

Pros

• One of the best models around,
• Is of the best value of your money,
• Has an excellent preamp, ideal for Garage-band.
• Has 2.0 USB Hardware Interface, has speaker output and dual headphone output, when using Apple’s camera kit, can also work with iPhone/iPad.

Cons

• Couldn’t find any

4. Arturia AudioFuse 14 x 14 USB Audio Interface

The Arturia AudioFuse is a somewhat classy audio interface with great sound and of a stylish design. Attractive as it is, the device is a portable Mac, PC as well as iOS-compatible interface having raft features and which despite having a compact frame, has plenty of connectivity on offer. Not only does this little device incorporate conventional mic, line and instrument inputs, but you can also connect a turntable, while one of the line outputs does duty as re-amp out for guitar recording. The Arturia AudioFuse is a square and somewhat heavy device coming in several colours festooned with buttons, white LEDS and dials, having also a snug fitting lid protecting it from damage whilst in transit. On the device, situated along the front edge are combi inputs and two fully independent headphone feeds, which, in turn, can accommodate both mini-jack and ¼-inch plugs. The back of the Arturia AudioFuse comprises of speaker outputs for two pairs of monitors, line connectors, MIDI/Out ports, which, because of size restrictions have been replaced by mini-jack connectors found in the box. When it comes to digital interfacing, both S/PDIF and ADAT In/Out, the device having also inserts for inputs 1 and 2 for the possibility of tracking through hardware compressors or channel strips.

Features and Specifications

• Arturia AudioFuse with 14 x `4 USB Audio Interface with 2 Mic Preamps, 2 phone Preamps, ADAT, SPDIF, Word Clock, and MIDI I/O, 24-bit AD/DA Converters at up to 192 kHz, and with Sampling Rate of Silver.
• Crystal-clear audio quality Exclusive, low noise Discrete PRO preamps Compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux Ultra-low latency as low as 3ms, Hi-Z inputs and outputs for easy guitar re-amping.
• 5dB A-weighted EIN rating guaranteeing the widest dynamic range for your audio, class-leading signal-to-noise ratios on the pre-amps and the purest discrete Analog signal paths to ever grace an audio interface. Has Pristine studio quality at the heart of AudioFuse, with each of its components promising the highest possible audio excellence. Its >131, AudioFuse set to be the centre of your studio by adding to this a host of connectivity options well as hands-on workflow approach.
• Arturia AudioFuse of weight 4.19 pounds, dimensions of 7.2 x 6.8 x 6.6 inches, model number of 810101_S, Classic Silver, with USB Hardware Interface.

Pros

• It is great for Garage-band, has great sound, allows loads of connectivity, stylish design, compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, with Linus Ultra-low latency as low as 3ms

Cons

• Highly priced, other interfaces with similar levels of I/O are available for a lower price.

5. Antelope Audio Zen Studio – Editor’s Choice

The Antelope Audio Zen Tour audio interface another of the available devices for your Garage-band, one considered as a high-end portable audio interface the guitarist would come to love if they grabbed hold of it! Incredibly flexible with a small but useful touchscreen enabling all the basic functions of the unit like input gains, headphone levels as well as talkback directly accessible using the front panel buttons and the large ‘soft knob’. More to say about the Antelope Audio Zen Tour is that is it is a portable Thunderbolt/USB 2.0 audio interface great at making an impressive front end for studio or mobile-DAW setup. A lovable device with the capability of handling 26 inputs and 36 outputs combining excellent sound quality with a large collection of built-in DSP-based effects, essentially latency free. The front of the Antelope Audio Zen Tour are two headphone outs, two re-amping outs and four line/Hi Z inputs, all on ¼-inch jacks. The back of the device comprises of four dual XLR ¼ inch inputs, two pairs of monitor outs on ¼-inch jacks, eight Analogue outs on a DB25, two RCA sockets for S/PDIF in and out, with a power connector and USB and Thunderbolt sockets. Further to the say, on the left-hand side, the device comprises of two ADAT pairs of ins and outs, having installed the software on your computer then you are all set and good to go! The Antelope Audio Zen is our choice for the Best Audio Interface for GarageBand.

Features and Specifications

• The Antelope Audio Zen Tour comprises of 4 mic pres & 4 line/hi-z ins with phantom power, 8 Analog outs, 2 headphone and 2 preamp outs, plus an array of digital I/O, built-in talkback, as well as also having a touchscreen control panel.
• Has 24-bit, 192 kHz audio and Antelope’s signature flawless conversion, guitar amp modelling and effects processing with virtually zero latency. It has FPGA-based hardware models of vintage gear and equalisers, at no cost at all, 32 channels via Thunderbolt and 24 on USB for zero-latency audio streaming.
• Antelope Audio Zen Tour with weight of 3.09 pounds, dimensions of 6.5 x 10 x 2.4 inches, model number of Zen Tour, screen size of 3.5 inches.

Pros

• An incredibly flexible audio interface, great for Garage-band.
• It is truly portable, has latency-free DSP, 24-bit, 192 kHz audio and Antelope’s signature flawless conversion.
• Has 32 channels via Thunderbolt as well as 24 on USB for zero-latency streaming.

Cons

• Comprises of only one compressor.

Conclusion and Recommendations:

Setting Up Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 On Mac

Of the viewed five products, I would recommend out of the three that I think would be ideal for you. If you are a beginner wishing to use the audio interface, the best to settle for is the Scarlett 2i2 USB 2ND-GEN interface. If you are more experienced and want an amazing to work with the sound device, I recommend the Behringer U-phoria UMC204HD which will work best for you. The Antelope Audio Zen Tour has great review rating from the users which is my third and final pick out of the five, for you, which would do if you have a little extra in your wallet. If not, then you either settle for any of the other two I left out or any other audio interface best suiting your Garage-band. Pick your choice for the Best Audio Interface for GarageBand today.

How To Set Up Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 With Garageband

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