Best Audio Interface for DJ (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Oct 24, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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The Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen leads this list: 2 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs and 24-bit/192kHz conversion in a 1.3 lb USB-C box. If you run more gear at once, the Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen is the pick with 4 inputs, 4 outputs and MIDI in and out.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C Audio	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB-C Audio	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	SINWE Live Sound Card Audio Mixer	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Players who want 2 mic preamps and 2 Hi-Z inputs in one box: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C Audio See pick 1
Players who want 4 inputs, 4 outputs and MIDI in and out: Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB-C Audio See pick 2
Streamers who want to run any XLR mic over USB-C: Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface See pick 3More picks: Best Audio Interface with USB
Players who want 24-bit/192kHz conversion in a 1.2 lb box: Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Audio Interface See pick 4
DJs who want DJ mixer effects and a voice changer: SINWE Live Sound Card Audio Mixer See pick 5More picks: Best DJ Audio Interface

Want the full range? Best Audio Interface ranks the top audio interfaces for every buyer, or browse all 59 guides.

The 5 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C Audio

Inputs: 2
Mic preamps: 2
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
Software named in listing: Pro Tools Intro
3-year warranty stated

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 2 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs, 24-bit/192kHz conversion and a 3-year warranty.

Who it suits

Players who want 2 mic preamps and 2 Hi-Z inputs in one box
Buyers who want Pro Tools Intro and Ableton Live Lite included

Skip it if

You need more than 2 inputs
You want a 4-in 4-out interface instead

The 2i2 is a 2-in interface with 2 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z instrument inputs and 24-bit/192kHz conversion. It adds Auto Gain, Clip Safe and Air modes, plus a 120dB dynamic range figure. The box holds the interface and a USB-A to C cable, and it works with Mac OS, Windows and iOS. Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE come with the Hitmaker Expansion, and it carries a 3-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB-C Audio

Inputs: 4
Mic preamps: 2
Outputs: 4
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
Software named in listing: Pro Tools Intro
3-year warranty stated

9.6Spec score View on Amazon

It takes Runner-Up with 4 inputs, 4 outputs, 2 mic preamps and MIDI in and out for larger setups.

Who it suits

Players who want 4 inputs, 4 outputs and MIDI in and out
Buyers who want a 3-year warranty on a 4-in 4-out interface

Skip it if

You only ever record one or two sources
You want fewer than 4 inputs

The 4i4 is a 4-in 4-out interface with 2 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs, 4 line inputs and MIDI in and out. It runs 24-bit/192kHz conversion with Auto Gain, Clip Safe and Air modes. The box holds the interface, a USB C-C cable, a USB C-A adaptor and a USB-C 5V 3A power supply. The same Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite and Cubase LE bundle is included, with a 3-year warranty.

3Also Great

Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface

Inputs: 1
Mic preamps not stated in the listing
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
48V phantom power
2-year warranty stated

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great as a 0.2 lb XLR-to-USB-C interface with 48V phantom power and up to +60 dB clean gain.

Who it suits

Streamers who want to run any XLR mic over USB-C
Podcasters who want 48V phantom power and Auto Level Mode

Skip it if

You need two mic preamps at once
You want more than 1 input

The MVX2U is a single-XLR to USB-C interface for any XLR mic, with up to +60 dB of clean gain and 48V phantom power. It runs onboard DSP with Auto Level Mode, a Real-Time Denoiser and a Digital Popper Stopper. Tone choices include Dark, Natural and Bright, and the MOTIV apps add EQ, compression and a limiter. It weighs 0.2 lb and carries a 2-year warranty.

4Also Great

Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Audio Interface

Inputs: 2
Mic preamps: 0
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
1-year warranty stated

9.4Spec score View on Amazon

It holds Also Great with 24-bit/192kHz conversion, a Vintage mode and LUNA recording software.

Who it suits

Players who want 24-bit/192kHz conversion in a 1.2 lb box
Buyers who want Vintage mode and the LUNA workstation

Skip it if

You want 4 inputs and 4 outputs
You want a 3-year warranty instead of 1 year

The Volt 1 is a 2-in interface with 24-bit/192kHz conversion and a Vintage mode based on UA's 610 preamps. It works with MacOS, Windows, iPad and iPhone, and buyers get the LUNA Digital Audio Workstation for recording and mixing. Supported software includes Ableton and Melodyne. It weighs 1.2 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

5Also Great

SINWE Live Sound Card Audio Mixer

Inputs not stated in the listing
Mic preamps not stated in the listing
Bit depth: 24-bit
12 month warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Also Great for DJs with DJ mixer effects, a voice changer and Bluetooth accompaniment.

Who it suits

DJs who want DJ mixer effects and a voice changer
Streamers who want Bluetooth accompaniment and three phone inputs

Skip it if

You want a longer warranty than 12 months
You want a lighter unit than 0.9 lb

The SINWE is a live sound card with DJ mixer effects, 16 background special effects and 4 voice changer modes. It takes XLR, 3.5mm and Bluetooth audio input, with a 3.5mm headphone jack on the output. Up to three mobile phones can connect for multi-platform streaming, and it works with Windows, Mac OS and iPad/iPhone. It weighs 0.9 lb and carries a 12-month warranty.

Side by side

Product	Inputs	Mic preamps	Outputs	Max sample rate	Bit depth	48V phantom power	Software named	Weight	Warranty
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th Gen USB-C Audio	2	2	Not stated	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Pro Tools Intro	1.3 lb	3-year
Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 4th Gen USB-C Audio	4	2	4	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Pro Tools Intro	2.2 lb	3-year
Shure MVX2U Gen 2 XLR-to-USB-C Audio Interface	1	Not stated	Not stated	192 kHz	Not stated	Yes	Not stated	0.2 lb	2-year
Universal Audio Volt 1 USB Audio Interface	2	0	Not stated	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	1.2 lb	1-year
SINWE Live Sound Card Audio Mixer	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	0.9 lb	12 month

How we ranked these audio interfaces

Every pick has at least 100 customer ratings on Amazon and a listing with real specifications. The order mixes two things: how each model compares on the specs below (higher share of the best value in this group scores more), and how widely it is bought. The spec score runs from 9.0 to 9.8 and only compares these picks with each other. A spec the listing does not state is left out and the other specs are re-weighted; a listing with fewer than 2 stated specs is scored at half. We do not test gear in person. Full method.

Inputs weight 3
Mic preamps weight 2
Outputs weight 1
Max sample rate weight 2
Bit depth weight 1
48V phantom power weight 2

Buying advice: audio interface for DJ

Count the inputs before you buy

For DJ work the input count decides what you can plug in at once. The Scarlett 2i2 gives 2 inputs with 2 mic preamps, and the Scarlett 4i4 gives 4 inputs with 4 outputs and MIDI in and out. The Shure MVX2U is a single-XLR path for one microphone, and the Volt 1 gives 2 inputs. Match the input count to the mics, instruments and line sources you run together.

Check phantom power for condenser mics

Condenser microphones need 48V phantom power, and dynamic mics do not. The Shure MVX2U is the one here that names 48V phantom power with up to +60 dB of clean gain for any XLR mic. If your mic is a dynamic model, phantom power does not matter, and you can compare inputs and outputs instead.

Look at the software in the bundle

A first interface can double as your first recording software. The Scarlett 2i2 and 4i4 boxes include Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and the Hitmaker Expansion. The Volt 1 works with the LUNA Digital Audio Workstation and names Ableton and Melodyne as supported software. The Shure MVX2U uses the MOTIV apps for settings, EQ, compression and limiting. If you already own recording software, compare inputs and outputs instead.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an audio interface to DJ?

For recording or streaming your sets, yes: the interface turns mic and line signals into digital audio. The Scarlett 2i2 gives 2 mic preamps and 2 Hi-Z inputs for mics and instruments, and the SINWE adds DJ mixer effects with Bluetooth accompaniment.

What is the difference between the Scarlett 2i2 and 4i4?

The 2i2 is a 2-in interface with 2 mic preamps. The 4i4 is a 4-in 4-out interface with 2 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs, 4 line inputs and MIDI in and out. Both run 24-bit/192kHz conversion and carry a 3-year warranty.

Can I plug any XLR mic into the Shure MVX2U?

Yes. It is an XLR-to-USB-C interface for any XLR mic, with up to +60 dB of clean gain. It provides 48V phantom power, so it covers dynamic and condenser mics, and the MOTIV apps handle EQ and compression.

Does the SINWE sound card work with phones?

Yes. It connects up to three mobile phones for multi-platform live streaming, and it works with Windows, Mac OS, iPad and iPhone. Audio input runs over XLR, 3.5mm or Bluetooth.