An audio interface is an essential piece of equipment if you want to unlock the full potential of Logic Pro X. These give you the ability to record multiple tracks at once and get professional-sounding projects out into the world.
There are many audio interfaces available, and knowing which of these is the best can take time and effort. You always want to explore options that best match your needs and preferences in the studio, alongside any other parameters you might have.
My name is Donovan, and I’ve worked in the music industry for years. I love to write, record, and produce as often as possible and primarily work with Logic Pro X. I have used many different audio interfaces with the DAW.
This post will explore the best audio interfaces for Logic Pro X. I’ll provide you with critical information about each interface and explain why it is a recommended option. My goal is to give you everything you need to make an informed purchasing decision.
Let’s get to it.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- An audio interface is essential for multi-track recordings and a must if you want to use Logic Pro X in a professional capacity.
- Audio interfaces will help increase the sound quality of your recordings by providing preamps and other external hardware features.
- The nicest, high-end audio interfaces will typically provide you with the best sound quality. There is still plenty of variation between higher-end models.
- There are also plenty of affordable options out there to meet the needs of beginner or budget-minded musicians and producers.
There are many different audio interfaces that can work well with Logic Pro X. I think the Apogee Symphony is one of the best options out there and provides impressive sound quality and other features that can boost your audio projects.
Do you need an audio interface for Logic?
You don’t technically need an audio interface to use Logic. But if you want to record multiple tracks simultaneously, you will need an interface. And a good interface will help you unlock the full potential of the DAW.
What audio interface do professionals use?
Professional musicians and producers use many different types of audio interfaces. It really just depends on the needs and preferences of each person. But most of them use a higher-end model with multi-track capabilities.
What interface do I need for Logic Pro?
As long as you choose an interface that is compatible with macOS, it will work with Logic Pro X. From there, you should use the option that best meets your needs or preferences in the studio and match it to any budget or feature considerations you have.
What Makes the Best Audio Interface for Logic Pro X?
Here are a few important factors to keep in mind when looking for the best audio interface for Logic Pro X.
Compatibility
While most audio interfaces feature universal compatibility, you need to ensure that the option you choose will work with macOS if you want to use it with Logic Pro X. You can check for compatibility in the manufacturer’s specs on the product.
Number of Inputs
The number of inputs an audio interface has is another essential thing to look for. The most basic options will come with two channels. Larger options can have eight or more inputs, allowing you to record more extensive projects and have more capabilities in the studio.
Features/Functions
The features and functions of an audio interface dictate what you can do with it in Logic Pro X and how it can benefit your recordings. Features like preamps will increase the sound quality, while headphone inputs will allow you to monitor recordings easily.
Cost
There is a wide range of audio interfaces and a wide range of costs associated with them. Sometimes the best option is the one that meets your budget needs. And with so many options available, that’s typically easy to accomplish.
The Best Audio Interfaces for Logic Pro X Reviewed
| Best Overall | Audient Evo 16 |
| Best for Beginners | PreSonus AudioBox |
| Best for Vocals | Universal Apollo Heritage Edition |
| Best Budget Option | Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 |
| Best for Guitar | Apogee Jam |
| Best for Travel | Apogee Duet 3 |
1. Audient Evo 16
- 24 total channels provide the ability to record large projects.
- Eight mic preamps for increased sound quality.
- Very low latency for responsive control in the studio.
- Affordable price yet still delivers excellent sound quality.
The Audient Evo 16 is my pick for the best overall audio interface for Logic Pro X. This is a solid unit all-around and provides everything you need to make great-sounding multitrack recordings in your home-based studio.
The Evo 16 gives you 24 total inputs, which is plenty to handle nearly any recording project. You also get eight EVO mic preamps that offer excellent sound quality and authentic dynamic representation for high-quality mic recordings.
Another big benefit of this one is that it’s relatively affordable for everything it offers, which is great for most musicians and producers. The low-latency design also makes it a reliable interface you can count on to deliver during any recording.
There aren’t too many downsides to mention here, but the preamps are not extremely high-end. They sound great, but if you are looking for the best of the best with preamps in mind, you’ll probably need to purchase an external preamp to meet those needs.
My Verdict: A quality option all around and hits a sweet spot relating to price and performance. It can help you handle larger audio projects easily and is packed with features that beginners and experienced producers can take advantage of.
2. PreSonus AudioBox
- Affordable price and easy-to-use interface that is great for beginners
- Comes with two mic preamps
- Studio-grade converters for high-quality sound in a budget box
- Includes software bundle that adds value
Beginners will love everything that the PreSonus AudioBox has to offer. This affordable and easy-to-use interface will get the job done without being overly complex. You don’t need a lot of skills or experience in the studio to put this one to use.
The AudioBox is a small and compact unit, making it a good option for smaller spaces or your first home studio. And it comes with two channels, allowing you to record several tracks at once. You also get two pretty solid mic preamps on those channels for increased audio quality.
Another boost to overall audio quality is the studio-grade converters built into the interface, giving you high-quality 24-bit recording. A software bundle is also included, which can be a good learning tool for beginners.
You don’t get extremely high-quality audio with this option, which is to be expected with a budget-friendly and beginner-type interface. As your skills in the studio progress, you will probably be ready to graduate to something better soon.
My Verdict: A sweet option for beginners thanks to its affordable price and very decent sound quality. The compact size makes it easy to set up, and it doesn’t require much skill or experience to put into action.
3. Universal Apollo Heritage Edition
- Excellent quality preamps and preamp emulators make this a great option for recording vocals.
- High-end option that is packed with features and can be used in many professional studio situations.
- Comes with professional-level converters to give you fantastic sound quality and a wide dynamic range – another boost for vocals.
- Comes with a talkback mic and other features for easy integration into your home studio.
The Universal Apollo Heritage Edition is my pick for the best audio interface for Logic Pro X when recording vocals. If you want those vocals to pop and need a little extra control over what’s possible with recording them, this is the option to choose.
This one is excellent for vocals because it gives you eight channels with preamps and preamp emulators. You can get a wide variety of sounds out of this and have the ability to make any mics you choose to use shine.
The interface also comes packed with many other features that can be used in professional studio settings. World-class converters give you extremely high-end audio quality, and a built-in talkback mic is another nice touch.
You will pay quite a bit to access all of these features and the preamps. This is the most expensive option on the list. But if you need a reliable way to help boost all of your vocal tracks and want a lot of other features, it’s more than worth it.
My Verdict: Excellent professional audio interface, especially with vocal recording in mind. Works well in many other studio situations but comes with a price tag that is not very budget-friendly.
4. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
- Solid budget option that gives you access to audio recording without breaking the bank.
- Two line inputs with mic preamps for good-quality recordings.
- Balance outputs deliver low noise playback.
- Easy to set up and control.
The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a very affordable audio interface that works well with Logic Pro X and is easy to use. That makes it my pick for the best budget option, and it comes recommended for anyone who wants to save a little money without sacrificing much.
This is another two-channel unit that is small enough to work with any home studio but still allows you to handle multi-track recordings. The line channels also feature preamps, so you get a nice boost in audio quality as well.
The Scarlett 2i2 is also very easy to use, so you can get it set up and working without much skill or experience. But it’s also easy to take advantage of increased audio quality thanks to balanced outputs and performance converters.
Although affordable, you only get two channels to work with here, so it’s not the option to roll with for larger multi-track recordings. And the preamps are decent but far from the best, so you might need to explore more options to get pro-level vocals.
My Verdict: Extremely affordable option that still provides excellent audio quality. Two channels allow you to record basic multi-track recordings, but you can’t get too expansive with larger projects.
5. Apogee Jam
- Single channel unit designed as a guitar interface.
- Great way to explore the built-in amp designers in Logic Pro X.
- Quality sound and very easy to use.
- Can also be used to connect bass guitars, keyboards, and other instruments to Logic Pro X and other DAWs.
If you want to take advantage of all the cool guitar features and virtual amps in Logic Pro X, the Apogee Jam is a sweet little interface to explore. This one is designed with guitar players in mind and can help all your licks stand out in the box.
The Jam gives you a one-channel interface and stereo output to use with Logic Pro X. It’s a simple and effective way to start jamming with your electric guitar and pairs very nicely with all the features that come in the DAW.
You can also connect other instruments to the Jam, increasing its functionality and making it a welcome addition to any home studio. And it’s very affordable as well, so this can work as a second interface dedicated to your guitars if you want it.
Since the Jam is designed as a guitar-focused interface, it is somewhat limited in what you can do with it. This isn’t a traditional audio interface that will allow you to record microphones and everything else you need in an entire song.
My Verdict: Quality guitar interface that is very easy to set up and use within Logic Pro X. Affordable and reliable, but not a complete interface for larger scale or complete recording projects.
6. Apogee Duet 3
- Small and compact interface that is easy to travel with.
- Two channels that feature world-class preamps for excellent sound quality.
- Easy to use and set up with Logic Pro X.
- Can work with iOS devices if you want to record on the road outside of Logic.
The Apogee Duet 3 is another excellent audio interface with Logic Pro X. This very capable but compact unit makes it easy to throw in a bag and travel with. That can be ideal for traveling musicians or anyone who often hits the road.
The Duet 3 gives you two channels to work with, and both of them feature an excellent preamp. This allows for high-end recordings whether you are working from your home studio or in some random location on the road.
This is also a very easy-to-use option that is basically plug-and-play, so you don’t need to worry about a long setup. You can even use it with iOS devices, although you obviously can’t use Logic Pro X in those situations.
I’m a big fan of every Apogee product I’ve ever used, but they are pretty expensive. This isn’t a budget option, which might keep it out of reach for some musicians and producers. Two channels also aren’t enough for larger projects.
My Verdict: Awesome audio interface to travel with thanks to a compact size and two-channel design. The preamps are fantastic and will deliver high-quality sound, but it comes with a higher price tag than other similar options.
Final Thoughts
Every musician and producer needs an audio interface to make higher-end recordings and have more tools available to work with. These are essential pieces of studio equipment and can open up many doors in your recordings.
All of the audio interfaces on this list are recommended for various reasons. There should be an option for just about every, so read each review carefully and decide based on your specific needs in the studio.
Do you have any favorite audio interfaces for Logic Pro X that I didn’t include here? What do you like about it and why? Let me know in the comments below.
