Best Audio Interface with Adat (2026): 5 Picks Compared

Updated Nov 14, 2026 · By Jonah Mercer · Ranked from listed specifications · How we rank

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Focusrite leads this list for ADAT: the Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen gives 4 mic preamps, 18 inputs and 16 outputs with ADAT, S/PDIF and MIDI in a 3.8 lb box. If you need more preamps, the Clarett+ 8Pre steps up to 8 Clarett preamps with 18 inputs and 20 outputs, while the ADA8200 adds 8 ADAT channels at 48 kHz.

The picks at a glance

#	Pick	Product
1	Best Overall	Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio	Check on Amazon
2	Runner-Up	Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre 18-In/20-Out USB-C Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
3	Also Great	Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 USB	Check on Amazon
4	Also Great	Solid State Logic Harrison FleX-10 10-in/ 2-out USB-C Audio Interface	Check on Amazon
5	Also Great	Behringer Ultragain Digital ADA8200 Audiophile	Check on Amazon

Which one should you buy?

Producers who need 4 mic preamps and ADAT: Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio See pick 1
Producers who need 8 mic preamps and ADAT: Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre 18-In/20-Out USB-C Audio Interface See pick 2
Singers who want tone shaping preamps: Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 USB See pick 3
Buyers who want a 32-bit/192kHz interface: Solid State Logic Harrison FleX-10 10-in/ 2-out USB-C Audio Interface See pick 4
Buyers who want 8 ADAT channels at 48 kHz: Behringer Ultragain Digital ADA8200 Audiophile See pick 5

Want the full range? Best Audio Interface ranks the top audio interfaces for every buyer, or browse all 61 guides.

The 5 picks, ranked

1Best Overall

Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio

Inputs: 18
Mic preamps: 4
Outputs: 16
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

Best Overall for ADAT: 4 mic preamps, 18 inputs and 16 outputs with ADAT, S/PDIF and MIDI, plus Auto Gain and Clip Safe.

Who it suits

Producers who need 4 mic preamps and ADAT
Buyers who want Auto Gain and Clip Safe

Skip it if

You need more than 4 mic preamps
You want more than 16 outputs

The interface has 18 inputs and 16 outputs, with 4 mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z inputs and 8 line inputs, plus ADAT, S/PDIF and MIDI. The 4th Gen preamps give 69dB of gain, and the converters run at 24-bit/192kHz with a 122dB dynamic range. Auto Gain sets levels, and Clip Safe watches gain in real time. The box includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion, and it carries a 3-year warranty.

2Runner-Up

Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre 18-In/20-Out USB-C Audio Interface

Inputs: 18
Outputs: 20
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
3-year warranty stated

9.5Spec score View on Amazon

Runner-Up for ADAT: 8 Clarett mic preamps, 18 inputs and 20 outputs with ADAT expansion and 24-bit/192kHz converters.

Who it suits

Producers who need 8 mic preamps and ADAT
Buyers who want 10 balanced outputs

Skip it if

You want an interface under 9 lb
You want 32-bit audio

The interface has 18 inputs and 20 outputs, with 8 Clarett mic preamps, 2 Hi-Z JFET inputs and 10 balanced outputs. ADAT optical input adds 8 channels of digital expansion for ADAT-compatible outboard gear. Air mode runs on every preamp through relay-controlled analogue circuitry, and it has two analogue headphone outputs. Focusrite Control software covers Mac and PC, and it carries a 3-year warranty.

3Also Great

Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 USB

Inputs not stated in the listing
Outputs not stated in the listing
Bit depth: 32-bit
1-year warranty stated

9.4Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great for ADAT: 32-bit audio with ADAT input expansion, MIDI, auto-gain and clip protection.

Who it suits

Singers who want tone shaping preamps
Buyers who want 32-bit audio

Skip it if

You want a 3-year warranty
You want 24-bit audio

The Volt 4 Gen 2 runs full 32-bit audio with tone shaping preamps. It captures vocals and instruments at the same time, connects instruments over MIDI, and adds inputs over ADAT. A smart display shows channels and levels, and auto-gain with clip protection guards signal peaks. It carries a 1-year warranty.

4Also Great

Solid State Logic Harrison FleX-10 10-in/ 2-out USB-C Audio Interface

Inputs: 10
Outputs: 2
Max sample rate: 192 kHz
Bit depth: 32-bit
1-year warranty stated

9.2Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great for ADAT: 10 inputs and 2 outputs with 32-bit/192kHz USB/ADAT audio and a bundled Mixbus 12 DAW.

Who it suits

Buyers who want a 32-bit/192kHz interface
Buyers who want Mixbus 12 in the box

Skip it if

You need more than 10 inputs
You want more than 2 outputs

The FleX-10 has 10 inputs and 2 outputs with 32-bit/192kHz USB/ADAT audio. Two independent channels take XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, and the unit shapes tone with smooth analog tone shaping and classic saturation. It runs class compliant on Mac OS and on Windows with the provided ASIO driver. Harrison Mixbus 12 DAW and the Harrison Creator Pack come bundled, and it carries a 1-year warranty.

5Also Great

Behringer Ultragain Digital ADA8200 Audiophile

Inputs: 8
Outputs: 8
Max sample rate: 48 kHz
Bit depth: 24-bit
1-year warranty stated

9.0Spec score View on Amazon

Also Great for ADAT: 8 ADAT channels at 44.1/48 kHz with 8 XLR mic inputs, plus two 25 ft XLR cables in the bundle.

Who it suits

Buyers who want 8 ADAT channels at 48 kHz
Buyers who want two 25 ft XLR cables included

Skip it if

You need a sample rate above 48 kHz
You want more than 8 mic inputs

The bundle holds the ADA8200 with 8 XLR microphone inputs, 8 1/4-inch TRS line inputs and 8 XLR line outputs. ADAT optical input and output carry 8 channels of 24-bit audio at 44.1/48 kHz, with word clock input for sync. MIDAS-designed microphone preamps serve the 8 XLR inputs. Two H&A 25 ft XLR cables come in the bundle, and it carries a 1-year limited warranty.

Side by side

Product	Inputs	Mic preamps	Outputs	Max sample rate	Bit depth	48V phantom power	Software named	Weight	Warranty
Focusrite Scarlett 18i16 4th Gen USB-C Audio	18	4	16	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Pro Tools Intro	3.8 lb	3-year
Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre 18-In/20-Out USB-C Audio Interface	18	Not stated	20	192 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	9 lb	3-year
Universal Audio Volt 4 Gen 2 USB	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	32-bit	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	1-year
Solid State Logic Harrison FleX-10 10-in/ 2-out USB-C Audio Interface	10	Not stated	2	192 kHz	32-bit	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated	1-year
Behringer Ultragain Digital ADA8200 Audiophile	8	Not stated	8	48 kHz	24-bit	Not stated	Not stated	10.3 lb	1-year

How we ranked these audio interfaces

Every pick ranks in Amazon's best-seller list for its category and has 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 with adat

Count the preamps before the inputs

Mic preamps decide how many microphones you record at once. The Clarett+ 8Pre has 8 Clarett preamps, the Scarlett 18i16 has 4, and the ADA8200 has 8 XLR microphone inputs with MIDAS-designed preamps. The FleX-10 has 2 independent channels with XLR and 1/4-inch inputs, and the Volt 4 Gen 2 captures vocals and instruments at the same time. ADAT adds channels later: the Scarlett 18i16, the Clarett+ 8Pre and the Volt 4 Gen 2 all take ADAT input, so an 8-channel ADAT unit like the ADA8200 grows the setup.

Check the sample rate and bit depth

Sample rate and bit depth set the ceiling for the files you record. The Scarlett 18i16 and the Clarett+ 8Pre run at 24-bit/192kHz, and the FleX-10 runs at 32-bit/192kHz. The Volt 4 Gen 2 runs full 32-bit audio. The ADA8200 runs at 24-bit and tops out at 48 kHz, with ADAT carrying 8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz. If your sessions run at 192 kHz, pick an interface that states it; if they run at 48 kHz, the ADA8200 covers the ADAT side.

Look at the software in the box

Bundled software can save a separate purchase. The Scarlett 18i16 includes Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion. The FleX-10 comes with Harrison Mixbus 12 DAW and the Harrison Creator Pack. The Clarett+ 8Pre comes with Focusrite Control software and a bundle of mixing plug-ins and virtual instruments. If you already own recording software, ignore the bundle and compare preamps, inputs and outputs instead.

Frequently asked questions

What is ADAT on an audio interface?

ADAT is an optical connection that carries 8 channels of digital audio into an interface. The Scarlett 18i16, the Clarett+ 8Pre and the Volt 4 Gen 2 all take ADAT input, and the ADA8200 sends 8 channels over ADAT at 44.1/48 kHz. It lets you add preamps later without replacing the interface.

How many mic preamps do I need?

Count the microphones you record at once. The Clarett+ 8Pre has 8 Clarett preamps and the Scarlett 18i16 has 4, while the ADA8200 has 8 XLR microphone inputs with MIDAS-designed preamps. Match the preamp count to the microphones you record at the same time.

Can I use the ADA8200 on its own?

The ADA8200 is an ADAT unit that adds 8 channels to an interface with an ADAT input, like the Scarlett 18i16 or the Clarett+ 8Pre. Connect it over ADAT optical input and output, and let the interface handle the computer connection.

What software comes with the Scarlett 18i16?

Pro Tools Intro+, Ableton Live Lite, Cubase LE and Hitmaker Expansion. The FleX-10 comes with Harrison Mixbus 12 DAW and the Harrison Creator Pack, and the Clarett+ 8Pre comes with Focusrite Control software. If you already own recording software, compare preamps and inputs instead.