FL Studio is one of the most popular recording software nowadays. The amount of versatility and usability that this music production software offers puts it among one of the best of its category.
FL Studio is very easy to learn so it’s a success with beginners. But, sooner or later music producers will want to invest in a good quality audio interface so that they can record music, instruments, vocals, and playback audio at optimal quality.
With a large number of options nowadays, it can be hard to choose the perfect device. When deciding the best for your particular use case, you should take into account factors such as input and output channels, portability, and quality of the components.
In this article, we are going to review 7 devices to find the best audio interface for FL Studio, so as to help with your decision. We divided our top picks into 3 categories: overall best, best budget, and best portable option.
Related: Be sure to check our Best Audio Interface article to learn about more interface models.
We Tested 7 Products and Found the Audient Evo 4 to be The Overall Best Audio Interface for FL Studio
What We’ve Considered for This Roundup
While deciding the best choice of USB audio interface for FL Studio users, we considered a few things such as:
- Usability, or how much each interface helps with the average FL Studio user’s workflow
- How many inputs and outputs it has
- Quality of components, to ensure a high quality recording
- Durability
- Portability
- +48V power, for use with condenser mics
- Value for money
- Compatibility with the FL Studio recording software
Below, we are going to review in detail each of these 7 best audio interfaces. At the end of this article, we will divide our top picks into 3 categories: overall best, best budget, and best portable; As well as explain our choices on each one.
Best Audio Interface For FL Studio in Our Tests
Table Of Contents
- Audient EVO 4
- Behringer UM2
- Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2
- PreSonus Revelator io24
- Tascam SERIES 208i
- M-Audio M-Track Solo
- IK Multimedia iRig Pro
The 7 Best Audio Interface For Fl Studio Reviewed in Detail
1. Audient EVO 4
The first thing that will probably catch your eye on the Audient EVO 4 is the design. Apart from looking great, it is very portable without setting aside any features you would expect from a quality audio interface, such as +48V phantom power and dual combo XLR inputs.
Product Specifications
- 2 Combo XLR Inputs
- 1 JFET Instrument Input
- Stereo Line Outputs
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- USB Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Easy to use audio interface with most of the important buttons presented in a simple manner (on top of the device).
- Direct monitoring feature.
- Smartgain feature (green button) that will automatically set the gain of both connected microphones.
- Professional, clean-sounding EVO mic preamps for optimal sound recordings.
- JFET instrument input for improved sound quality and better audio conversion to analog signals.
- EVO Control App feature, where you can control the parameters on your audio device such as gain and volume directly from your computer.
Cons
- Fragile casing made mostly out of plastic. Be careful when transporting it inside a backpack.
- You may need a separate headphone preamp if using it with higher-impedance headphones.
Verdict
The Audient EVO 4 is a very good choice for music producers that favors portability. Even though the materials seemed fragile to us, it is a great USB interface if you’re constantly traveling or producing with your laptop. It is impressive to have such a large number of features in a small device, such as two combo XLR inputs and one JFET instrument input.
The EVO 4 also comes with an array of interesting music production software such as the Cubase LE DAW, 2GB of free samples on LoopCloud, 3 free online courses from Produce Like A Pro, and many others. This and the affordable price makes the audio interface a great option for beginners.
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2. Behringer UM2
Behringer is known to bring accessible and budget-friendly audio equipment to the public. At the time this article was written, the UM2 was costing around $50, making it a great option for beginners who want a reliable option without investing too much.
Product Specifications
- 1 Combo XLR Input
- 1 Instrument Input
- Stereo RCA Outputs
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- Xenyx Mic Preamp
- USB Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- One of the most budget-friendly options in the market today.
- Portable and lightweight design.
- Easy to set up and operate, especially considering that beginners are the main target of this audio interface.
- Considerably latency free recording.
Cons
- The audio interface is almost entirely made out of plastic, which can give it a cheap and fragile feel.
- Doesn’t come with any additional software (at least it is not specified on the company’s website).
Verdict
Despite being a cheap audio interface, Behringer does a great job at making quality audio equipment more affordable to beginners. The UM2 has everything one will need to start recording instruments and microphones, and professional features such as the +48V phantom power.
The only drawback we found in the product is that it doesn’t come with any additional software. This is justifiable by the UM2’s low price, but it would be a great feature considering the unit is targeted at beginners. On that matter, it may be great to consider investing a little more in a more complete option.
Tip: If you’re looking for a portable solution, it may be useful to read our Best Portable Audio Interfaces article.
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3. Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2
Native Instruments is a household name in the music production business. Probably one of their most famous products is the Komplete bundle of instruments and plugins. Bearing the same name, the Komplete Audio 2 audio interface is certainly one of the best designs on the list and comes with an impressive list of additional software.
Product Specifications
- 2 Combo XLR Inputs
- Stereo Line Outputs
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- Dedicated Line/Inst Switches
- USB Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Professional, well-built design.
- A great value for the price if you consider all of this device’s pros.
- Easy to read gain display in the form of LEDs on top of the unit.
- High-powered headphone outputs for use with a high-impedance pair of headphones without the need of an external amplifier.
- Bundled with an impressive collection of additional software and virtual instruments including the Monark synth, the Komplete Start bundle, and two months of access to Native Instruments Sounds, a platform with millions of samples and loops.
Cons
- Not as portable as other options on the list.
- Limited compatibility with the 7 and 8 versions of the Windows operating system.
Verdict
By the time this article was written, the Komplete Audio 2 was priced at around $140. It is not the most budget-friendly price there is, but considering the quality of the interface and all of the additional software bundled with the product, it has a very great value for the price.
Other than not having the portability as other options on the list, we haven’t found any downfalls with this particular audio interface.
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4. PreSonus Revelator io24
The PreSonus brand is considered to be very reliable among music creators. The Revelator audio interface really stands out among other units due to its unusual, almost futuristic design and a built-in LCD screen; As well as dedicated onboard processing of effects, something rare to find in that price tag.
Product Specifications
- 2 Combo XLR Inputs
- Midi In/Out
- Stereo Line Output Channels
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- LCD Screen
- Dedicated Onboard Processing
- USB Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- This audio interface features dedicated onboard processing with preset support. The feature gives you access to a number of presets that can enhance your sound and help you during the mixing process.
- If you’re also doing live streams, the Revelator io24 has a stream mix mode to make the routing process easier; As well as a hassle-free loopback function to stream sounds from your computer.
- The XMAX preamps are one of the best mic preamps in this price tag. Excellent for recording vocals. The unit features two mic preamps.
Cons
- Doesn’t include as much additional software as other options on the list.
Verdict
The PreSonus Revelator io24 is a one-of-a-kind audio interface. After the unusual design, probably one of the most interesting features is the dedicated onboard processing (DSP). With this feature, the unit can process audio effects in real-time for improved audio quality. DSP is usually only available on more expensive audio interfaces such as the ones from Apollo.
If you’re also doing or planning to do live streams, the USB audio interface has a stream mix mode and a loopback feature. With loopback, you can stream audio directly from FL Studio without much hassle.
Tip: If you plan on also doing live streams using your interface, our Best Audio Interface for Streaming article may come in handy.
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5. Tascam SERIES 208i
We’ve decided to include the Tascam SERIES 208i on the list since it can be a great option for those with a larger home studio, looking to record multiple instruments or microphones at once. It features not only a large number of inputs and outputs but also digital audio data compatibility (through the optical inputs).
Product Specifications
- 4 Combo XLR Inputs
- 8 Line Output Channels
- MIDI In/Out
- Word In/Out
- 2 Optical Inputs
- Two Headphone Outputs
- +48V Phantom Power
- USB Connectivity
- External Power Supply
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Despite its multiple connections and a large number of inputs and outputs, the size of this audio interface is considerably small.
- This audio interface features two headphone jacks, unlike the other options on the list that only features one. This is something great if you’re recording musicians in your home studio.
- Built-in effects such as reverb, compressor, and four-band EQ.
- Bundled with the Steinberg Cubase DAW and guitar amp plug ins from IK Multimedia.
- Low-noise preamps, for improved sound quality.
Cons
- Requires an external power supply.
Verdict
The Tascam SERIES 208i is a great audio interface for a small to mid-sized recording studio and for FL Studio users who need a large number of inputs and outputs, as well as extra headphone jacks. For beginners and bedroom producers, though, these features may be too much.
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6. M-Audio M-Track Solo
The M-Audio M-Track Solo is a simple audio interface that gets the job done. Even though it has only one combo XLR input and one instrument input, this interface will be enough to cover most of a beginner’s needs.
Product Specifications
- One Combo XLR input
- One Line/Inst Input
- Stereo Line Outputs
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- USB Cable Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- Being simple to use and compact, this interface is perfect for beatmakers who occasionally record vocals and instruments.
- It is one of the best priced audio interfaces on the market, considering its features.
- M-Audio preamps are one of the best in their price range. They’re considered to be very neutral so there’s room for adding effects and plugins.
Cons
- None that we’ve found.
Verdict
The M-Track Duo ended up being our top pick for the best budget audio interface for FL Studio. The price factor (around $50 by the time this article was written), compared to the ease of use, compactness, and the number of features you get on such a small device is hard to beat; Making it perfect for beginners and beatmakers who need a solution for occasional recordings.
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7. IK Multimedia iRig Pro
The iRig Pro, by IK Multimedia, is all about portability. Judging by its small size you can see that this external audio interface was made with mobile and touring artists in mind. However, this doesn’t mean that the device lacks anything that you would expect to find on a regular-sized audio interface. It is impressive how much the company was able to fit in such a small casing.
Product Specifications
- One Combo XLR Input
- Line Stereo Output
- Headphone Output
- +48V Phantom Power
- USB and Lightning Cable Connectivity
Advantages & Disadvantages
Pros
- If you favor portability, you probably won’t come across an audio interface that is as compact and small as this one.
- This interface is also compatible with Android and iOS, meaning you can use it with FL Studio Mobile on your smartphone or tablet.
- Despite its size, this device has all the common features of a professional audio interface such as +48V phantom power.
Cons
- The line outputs are for ⅛ jacks, unlike ¼ jacks as most other audio interfaces. This can be a hassle if you want to connect it to certain studio monitors.
Verdict
The IK Multimedia iRig Pro is certainly the best option if you’re looking for a compact audio interface and would like to connect it both to the desktop and mobile versions of the FL Studio digital audio workstation. Despite its size, it has all of the features you would expect to find on any professional interface and good sound quality.
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Conclusion
Audient EVO 4 – Overall Best Audio Interface for FL Studio
The Audient EVO 4 was our top pick because its features align perfectly with what most FL Studio users are looking for in a USB audio interface. The unit is simple to use yet powerful, featuring 2 combo XLR inputs and 1 JFET instrument input.
Whether you’re a beatmaker who occasionally records vocals for your beats or a songwriter looking to be able to record vocals and acoustic guitar at the same time, this unit will suit you well.
M-Audio M-Track Solo – Best Budget Audio Interface for FL Studio
By the time this article was written, this audio interface was priced at around $50. This is a bargain especially considering all of the professional features packed inside the M-Track Solo. You can expect this unit to be useful for a good few years before you need to upgrade, especially if you’re a beginner beatmaker.
IK Multimedia iRig Pro – Best Portable Audio Interface for FL Studio
Are you always on the move as a beatmaker? Would you like to use FL Studio mobile along with the desktop version? If so, the iRig Pro is an awesome choice: it is small, packed with all of the professional features, and can connect both to your computer and your smartphone/tablet.
How to Buy
If you became interested in any of these audio interfaces, you can find them on Amazon by clicking the link on the title of each respective unit.We hope this article was useful in helping you find the best audio interface for your particular use case with FL Studio. Be sure to research extensively and read our related articles about audio interfaces before you make your choice. Feel free to get in touch if you want to ask us any questions or have any suggestions for our content!
Ian Sniesko is an experienced music producer and musician who loves to share his knowledge about the best audio equipment for making and enjoying great music. For the past 6 years, Ian has written extensively about the audio equipment industry and has contributed to many of the top music magazines.