The best audio interfaces depend on how you record: a solo instrument setup calls for different controls than a co-host podcast or phone-connected stream. These five options range from compact PC recording interfaces to feature-rich mixers, so choose by your input needs, routing, and sound controls.
Quick Top Products
MAONO PS22 Lite
- Records at 24-bit/192kHz and has a 106dB dynamic range.
- XLR preamp offers up to 56 dB gain and 48V phantom power.
- ProStudio software adds virtual channels and loopbacks.
Best For: Solo musicians, podcasters, and streamers who want a compact interface with software routing.
MAONO P1 USB Audio Interface
- Dual USB ports connect a computer and phone or iPad simultaneously.
- Provides up to 70dB gain and 24-bit/192kHz recording.
- Auto-Gain and built-in loopback support streaming workflows.
Best For: Solo creators who need high gain and want to connect a computer and mobile device together.
MAONO P2 Hybrid USB Audio Interface
- Dual XLR inputs work with most condenser and dynamic microphones.
- Dual USB ports connect a computer and phone or iPad simultaneously.
- Records at 24-bit/192kHz with up to 56dB gain.
Best For: Creators who want two XLR inputs and simultaneous computer and phone or tablet connectivity.
MAONO MaonoCaster E2 Gen2
- Two XLR combo inputs and preamps offering up to 60dB gain suit co-hosts.
- Eight customizable sound buttons support up to 20 seconds each.
- Built-in battery offers up to 8 hours of use.
Best For: Podcast co-hosts who want two XLR combo inputs, sound effects, and portable operation.
MAONO MaonoCaster AME2
- The 10-channel mixer offers 11 customizable sound pads.
- Its preamps offer up to 60dB gain and 48V phantom power.
- A 6.35mm instrument input supports guitar and bass connections.
Best For: Podcasters and streamers who want configurable sound pads, effects, and instrument input.
Compact PC and Mac Recording
MAONO PS22 Lite USB Audio Interface for PC: Interface with XLR Input 24-bit/192kHz Routing Software LOOPBACK ASIO Driver for Recording Music, Home-Studio, Guitar, Podcast, Streaming, DAW(Black)
The MAONO PS22 Lite is a compact USB interface for recording guitar, vocals, podcasts, and streams on a computer or iPad. It records at 24-bit/192kHz and pairs an XLR input with a dedicated instrument input, so a solo creator can connect a microphone or guitar.
The preamp provides up to 56 dB of gain and 48V phantom power for compatible condenser microphones. ProStudio routing software adds virtual channels and loopbacks, while ASIO support and direct monitoring suit recording and broadcast setups.
Its small footprint and beginner-oriented modes keep the hardware simple, though its compact format is aimed at individual setups rather than multi-person podcast mixing.
Best For: Solo musicians, podcasters, and streamers who want a compact interface with software routing.
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Choose the PS22 Lite for a compact computer-centered setup that needs one XLR microphone path, an instrument input, and software loopback routing. Its included features cover solo recording and streaming without the added sound pads and mixer controls of the podcast consoles here.
Before buying, confirm that one microphone input fits your recording sessions and that your chosen DAW is set to the MAONO ASIO driver when appropriate.
High-Gain Hybrid Creator Setup
MAONO P1 USB Audio Interface with 70dB Gain for PC, Phone, iPad & Guitar
The MAONO P1 focuses on hybrid recording and streaming. Its dual USB ports support simultaneous computer and phone or iPad connections, while the interface also works with Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, and cameras.
It provides up to 70dB gain for dynamic microphones and records at 24-bit/192kHz. Auto-Gain can set a microphone level for OBS Studio, and loopback can capture instruments, voice, backing tracks, and desktop audio.
Direct monitoring, signal indicators, and independent headphone and monitor controls give creators hands-on recording feedback. The compact zinc-alloy housing and angled controls suit a desk or mobile setup; check that its routing supports the devices and software you plan to use.
Best For: Solo creators who need high gain and want to connect a computer and mobile device together.
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Pick the P1 if simultaneous computer and mobile connections and high gain for a dynamic microphone matter to your workflow. Its Auto-Gain, loopback, and monitoring controls are aimed at creators who record and stream from one compact interface.
Confirm the microphone input count and your software routing needs before choosing it for a multi-person recording; the product details emphasize creator workflows but do not give a simultaneous XLR input count.
Dual-Mic Mobile and Computer Recording
MAONO P2 Hybrid USB Audio Interface Dual XLR for PC Phone iPad Guitar
The MAONO P2 is a hybrid USB interface with dual XLR inputs and dual USB connections for a computer plus a phone or iPad. That combination suits creators who record in a desktop application and also stream or upload from a mobile device.
It records at 24-bit/192kHz, supports up to 56dB gain, and includes direct monitoring, signal indicators, and independent headphone and monitor controls. Stream Mode sends voice equally to both channels, while built-in loopback captures instruments, voice, backing tracks, and desktop audio.
Its compact aluminum-alloy body and 15° tilt suit a home studio or mobile desk. Check that the gain range and software routing match your microphones and recording plan.
Best For: Creators who want two XLR inputs and simultaneous computer and phone or tablet connectivity.
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Choose the P2 when dual XLR inputs and simultaneous computer-to-mobile connectivity are central to the session. It provides more clearly identified microphone inputs than the solo-focused P1 and includes routing and monitoring functions for streaming.
Its gain is rated for up to 56dB, so compare that with your microphone’s needs. Phantom-power support is not specified; check compatibility if you plan to use a condenser microphone.
Battery-Powered Two-Host Podcast Mixer
MAONO Podcast Equipment Bundle: Audio Interface mixer with Dual XLR Input for Podcast Streaming - MaonoCaster E2 Gen2
The MAONO E2 Gen2 combines dual-input audio interface with hands-on podcast mixer features. Two XLR combo inputs and preamps offering up to 60dB gain make it a fit for co-hosts, while its USB-C and 3.5mm connections support phones and computers.
Eight customizable sound effect buttons can each hold up to 20 seconds of audio. The mixer also has one-touch mute, loopback, six preset reverbs, and pitch-changing effects.
Its built-in 1500mA battery offers up to 8 hours of use, making it useful where a powered desk setup is inconvenient. Choose it for podcast controls and onboard effects; check whether its mixer-oriented workflow suits your music recording needs.
Best For: Podcast co-hosts who want two XLR combo inputs, sound effects, and portable operation.
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The E2 Gen2 fits co-host podcasts that benefit from two XLR combo inputs, onboard sound effects, and battery operation. Its 8-hour maximum battery-use figure adds flexibility for sessions away from a conventional desk, while the six reverbs and pitch effects provide direct sound shaping.
Choose a different style of interface if you mainly need detailed DAW-focused recording specifications; the product details do not state its resolution or sample rate, so confirm those before buying.
Podcast Mixer with Custom Sound Pads
MAONO Audio Interface, MaonoCaster 10-Channel Podcast mixer with Pro-preamp, 48V Phantom Power, Bluetooth, 11 Customize sound pads for Recording, Streaming, Youtube, TikTok, PC, Guitar (AME2)
The MAONO MaonoCaster AME2 is a 10-channel podcast mixer and interface with XLR microphone inputs, a 6.35mm instrument input, and connections for computer, tablet, smartphone, and camera workflows. Its preamp supports up to 60dB gain and 48V phantom power.
For live content, it offers 11 customizable sound pads, reverb modes, tone controls, auto-tune, and loopback. The instrument input also makes it relevant to guitar and bass recording alongside podcasts or streams.
USB microphones are not supported, so it suits users with compatible analog microphones. Its many performance controls offer flexibility, though the larger set of mixer functions may be more than a simple solo recording setup requires.
Best For: Podcasters and streamers who want configurable sound pads, effects, and instrument input.
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Choose the AME2 if you want a podcast mixer with sound pads, vocal effects, loopback, and an instrument input for guitar or bass. Its 10-channel design and multiple connection paths fit a more involved streaming or recording setup than a basic solo interface.
It does not support USB microphones, so check that your microphone is an analog model with a compatible connection. If you need a simpler computer recording interface, its range of mixer controls may be unnecessary.
How to Choose Audio Interfaces
How We Picked Audio Interfaces
These five products all serve recording, podcasting, or streaming, but their controls and connections target different workflows. The selection includes compact computer interfaces for solo guitar or vocals, hybrid interfaces that connect a computer and mobile device, and podcast mixers with dual microphone inputs, sound effects, and onboard routing.
The useful distinction is not simply whether a device is called an interface or mixer. Input count, instrument connections, gain, phantom power, loopback, and mobile connectivity determine whether it fits solo recording, co-host sessions, or live content.
Comparing Audio Interfaces
The PS22 Lite is a compact option with a dedicated instrument input and ProStudio routing. The P1 emphasizes up to 70dB gain and simultaneous computer and mobile connections, while the P2 adds dual XLR inputs and Stream Mode.
The E2 Gen2 and AME2 have hands-on podcast mixer controls, including customizable sound effects; the E2 Gen2 also includes battery operation, while the AME2 adds guitar or bass input and vocal effects.
| Product | Standout features | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| MAONO PS22 LiteCheck Price |
| Solo musicians, podcasters, and streamers who want a compact interface with software routing. |
| MAONO P1 USB Audio InterfaceCheck Price |
| Solo creators who need high gain and want to connect a computer and mobile device together. |
| MAONO P2 Hybrid USB Audio InterfaceCheck Price |
| Creators who want two XLR inputs and simultaneous computer and phone or tablet connectivity. |
| MAONO MaonoCaster E2 Gen2Check Price |
| Podcast co-hosts who want two XLR combo inputs, sound effects, and portable operation. |
| MAONO MaonoCaster AME2Check Price |
| Podcasters and streamers who want configurable sound pads, effects, and instrument input. |
Choosing an Interface for Music and Voice
For solo guitar and vocal recording, look for an instrument input as well as an XLR microphone path. The PS22 Lite has a dedicated instrument input, and the AME2 accepts guitar or bass through its 6.35mm jack.
For microphone choice, compare gain and phantom power: the PS22 Lite and AME2 specify 48V phantom power, while the P1 and P2 emphasize their gain range and creator routing features.
If you plan to record two hosts at once, the E2 Gen2 and P2 are the candidates with two microphone inputs called out. The E2 Gen2 uses XLR combo inputs and adds sound pads and battery operation.
The P2 pairs dual XLR inputs with computer-and-mobile connectivity. Confirm any microphone power needs and the number of simultaneous inputs before choosing.
Routing, Monitoring, and Mobile Streaming
Loopback is useful when a stream needs to combine a voice or instrument with desktop audio. The P1 and P2 include built-in loopback, while the PS22 Lite pairs loopback with ProStudio routing and ASIO support.
The podcast mixers add more direct performance controls: the AME2 has independently controlled mic inputs, sound pads, and effects, and the E2 Gen2 adds one-touch mute and multiple output paths.
For recording on a phone or tablet as well as a computer, the P1 and P2 explicitly support simultaneous dual-USB connections. The E2 Gen2 supports computer, smartphone, and tablet connections through its listed ports.
Check that your chosen interface, cable, and recording app support the workflow you want, especially if you plan to route multiple sources during a live stream.
Who Should Buy Which Audio Interface?
Choose the PS22 Lite for compact solo recording with an instrument input and software routing. The P1 suits creators who want high gain and computer-to-mobile connectivity; the P2 fits those who need two XLR inputs alongside hybrid connections.
For co-host podcasting with onboard effects and battery use, consider the E2 Gen2. The AME2 fits streamers and podcasters who want a 10-channel mixer, customizable sound pads, and an instrument input, provided their microphones are not USB models.