Best Audio Interface for Recording Drums (2026): 5 Picks Compared

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

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links on this page costs you nothing extra. Full disclosure

The Behringer UMC404HD leads for best audio interface for recording drums, with 4 Midas mic preamps and 24-bit/192kHz conversion. Its 4-in/4-out layout and USB 2.0 connection keep a small kit session simple.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD 4x4 USB Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
2	Most Inputs	Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB-C Audio	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Behringer ADA8200 Audiophile 8 In/8 Out ADAT	Check on Amazon
5	Lightest Pick	Universal Audio Volt 476p USB Audio Interface	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Drummers who want 4 mic preamps at once: Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD 4x4 USB Audio Interface See pick 1
Engineers who want 8 mic preamps: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB-C Audio See pick 2
Producers who want 2 mic preamps with ADAT: Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio See pick 3
Owners who want 8 more preamps via ADAT: Behringer ADA8200 Audiophile 8 In/8 Out ADAT See pick 4
Players who want UA 610 preamps with Vintage mode: Universal Audio Volt 476p USB Audio Interface See pick 5

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

Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD 4x4 USB Audio Interface

Inputs: 4
Mic preamps: 4
Outputs: 4
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit

9.8Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Best Overall with 4 Midas mic preamps, 4-in/4-out and 24-bit/192kHz in a 2.7 lb box.

Who it suits

Drummers who want 4 mic preamps at once
Players who want MIDI I/O with their interface

Skip it if

You want 8 mic preamps
You want a USB-C connection

Four Midas mic preamps feed a 4-in/4-out layout at 24-bit/192kHz. MIDI I/O links keyboards and drum machines, and the interface runs on USB 2.0 with macOS and Windows. It weighs 2.7 lb.

2Most Inputs

Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB-C Audio

Inputs: 18, the most here
Mic preamps: 8
Outputs: 20
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 earns Most Inputs with 8 mic preamps, 18 inputs and 20 outputs plus dual ADAT for full-kit sessions.

Who it suits

Engineers who want 8 mic preamps
Users who want talkback and word clock

Skip it if

You want a 2.7 lb interface
You want 4 inputs total

The 18i20 has 8 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs and 8 line inputs across 18 inputs and 20 outputs. Dual ADAT, S/PDIF, MIDI, word clock and a talkback mic cover expansion. It weighs 8 lb and carries a 3-year warranty.

3Also Great

Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio

Inputs: 16
Mic preamps: 2
Outputs: 16
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
Software named in listing: Pro Tools Intro
3-year warranty stated

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

The 16i16 keeps the 4th Gen preamps with 2 mic preamps, 6 line inputs and ADAT in a 3.3 lb unit.

Who it suits

Producers who want 2 mic preamps with ADAT
Players who want a 3.3 lb interface

Skip it if

You want 8 mic preamps
You want 18 inputs

Two 4th Gen mic preamps with 69dB of gain pair with 2 Hi-Z and 6 line inputs. ADAT and S/PDIF expand the 16-in/16-out layout, and Auto Gain plus Clip Safe speed up setup. It weighs 3.3 lb and carries a 3-year warranty.

4Also Great

Behringer ADA8200 Audiophile 8 In/8 Out ADAT

Inputs: 8
Mic preamps not stated in the listing
Outputs: 8
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

Eight Midas mic preamps with ADAT optical output add channels to any interface with an ADAT input.

Who it suits

Owners who want 8 more preamps via ADAT
Users who want 24-bit conversion at 48kHz

Skip it if

You want a direct USB connection
You want 192kHz conversion

The 8-channel preamp runs 24-bit conversion at 44.1 or 48kHz with ADAT optical output. It weighs 4.6 lb and takes XLR inputs.

5Lightest Pick

Universal Audio Volt 476p USB Audio Interface

Inputs: 4
Mic preamps: 0
Outputs not stated in the listing
Max sample rate: 96 kHz
Bit depth not stated in the listing
Software named in listing: Ableton Live Lite
1-year warranty stated
2.1 lb, the lightest here

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

It earns Lightest Pick with UA 610 preamps, Vintage mode and a 1176-style compressor in a 2.1 lb box.

Who it suits

Players who want UA 610 preamps with Vintage mode
Mobile recordists who want iPad and iPhone support

Skip it if

You want 8 mic preamps
You want more than 4 inputs

The Volt 476p runs UA 610 preamps with Vintage mode and an analog compressor based on the 1176. Ableton Live Lite is included, and it works with MacOS, Windows, iPad and iPhone. It weighs 2.1 lb and carries a 1-year warranty.

Side by side

Product	Inputs	Mic preamps	Outputs	Max sample rate	Bit depth	48V phantom power	Software named	Weight	Warranty
Behringer U-PHORIA UMC404HD 4x4 USB Audio Interface	4	4	4	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	2.7 lb	Not stated
Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen USB-C Audio	18	8	20	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Pro Tools Intro	8 lb	3-year
Focusrite Scarlett 16i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio	16	2	16	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Pro Tools Intro	3.3 lb	3-year
Behringer ADA8200 Audiophile 8 In/8 Out ADAT	8	Not stated	8	48 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	4.6 lb	Not stated
Universal Audio Volt 476p USB Audio Interface	4	0	Not stated	96 kHz	Not stated	Not stated	Ableton Live Lite	2.1 lb	1-year

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 recording drums

Count the mic preamps first

Mic preamps decide how many mics you record at once. The Scarlett 18i20 has 8, the UMC404HD has 4 and the 16i16 has 2. The ADA8200 adds 8 more through ADAT, and the Volt 476p has 4 inputs with UA 610 preamps. Match the preamp count to the number of mics in your kit.

Check how it expands

The 18i20 has dual ADAT and the 16i16 has ADAT, so the ADA8200 can add 8 Midas preamps to either. ADAT carries 8 channels of digital audio on one optical cable. Choose the expander route when your channel needs grow.

Look at the software bundle

The 18i20 and 16i16 include Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and the Hitmaker Expansion. The Volt 476p includes Ableton Live Lite and LUNA. If you need recording software in the box, the Focusrite pair and the Volt 476p include it.

Frequently asked questions

How many mics can the UMC404HD record?

Four at once, through its 4 Midas mic preamps. The 4-in/4-out layout also takes line-level sources.

What is ADAT for?

It carries 8 channels of digital audio on one optical cable. The ADA8200 sends 8 Midas preamps to any interface with an ADAT input, and the 18i20 and 16i16 both have ADAT.

Which interface is the lightest?

The Volt 476p at 2.1 lb, then the UMC404HD at 2.7 lb.

Do these work with Windows and Mac?

The UMC404HD works with macOS and Windows, the 18i20 and 16i16 with Mac OS, Windows and iOS, and the Volt 476p with MacOS and Windows. The ADA8200 connects over ADAT to a host interface.