The 5 Best Audio Interfaces for Guitar by Recording Setup
Plugging a guitar straight into a laptop's headphone jack is an easy way to make an amp-sim setup harder than it needs to be. What you want is a proper high-impedance instrument input, a headphone path you can monitor without distracting delay, and enough inputs for the way you actually record. One guitar at a time is a different purchase from a guitar-and-vocal session.
My starting pick is the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen: one Hi-Z instrument input and a separate mic preamp cover a common home-recording desk. The Audient iD4 is for someone who prioritizes its monitor controls, while the MiniFuse 1 cuts the footprint and cost. If two microphones or two instruments must record together, skip every one-input promise and check the Scarlett 2i2 instead.
Our top 5 audio interfaces for guitar by recording setup
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Focusrite Scarlett Solo 4th GenDetails ↓ | $159.99 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best guitar-and-vocal starter |
02 Audient iD4 MKIIDetails ↓ | $179.99 | 4.5/5Amazon | Best hands-on monitor control |
03 Arturia MiniFuse 1Details ↓ | $119.00 | 4.7/5Amazon | Best small single-input desk |
04 EVO Audient EVO 4Details ↓ | $158.00 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best guided gain setup |
05 Universal Audio Volt 1Details ↓ | $139.00 | 4.6/5Amazon | Best vintage-voiced option |
01 — Focusrite
Best guitar-and-vocal starterScarlett Solo 4th Gen
The Scarlett Solo 4th Gen separates its front Hi-Z guitar input from the rear XLR microphone input. That layout makes a simple electric-guitar-and-vocal recording setup possible without repatching one combo jack. You still get one mic preamp, so a two-microphone session needs a different interface.
I put it first because the physical input layout matches the most common solo musician's next step, not just the first guitar take. iD4 has a strong monitor-control case and MiniFuse 1 is cheaper, but neither replaces the Solo's straightforward separate guitar and mic path for this buyer.
Specifications: Focusrite Scarlett Solo hardware guide ↗
View on Amazon ↗One guitar plus one microphone.
You need two mic preamps.
What I like
+Separate Hi-Z and XLR paths.
What to weigh
−Only one microphone preamp.
02 — Audient
Best hands-on monitor controlAudient iD4 MKII
Audient's iD4 MKII pairs a microphone preamp with a dedicated instrument input and a prominent monitor control. Its headphone and speaker workflow suits a guitarist who records near studio monitors and wants tactile level changes. It is still a compact two-channel desk interface, not a multi-mic band recorder.
Second place reflects that monitoring ergonomics can matter every day, but the Solo has a lower-friction default input layout at its current offer. I would move iD4 to first for a buyer who specifically values its large monitor knob and Audient's desktop workflow.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗Guitar recording at a monitor-speaker desk.
You need several simultaneous microphones.
What I like
+Dedicated instrument path and monitor dial.
What to weigh
−Small input count for a band.
- Mic inputs
- 1
- Instrument inputs
- 1 JFET
03 — Arturia
Best small single-input deskArturia MiniFuse 1
MiniFuse 1 keeps the desk footprint small with one combo input that can accept guitar or microphone, plus loopback and a USB hub connection. That is a useful bargain for overdubbing one part at a time or sending computer audio into a stream. The single input means guitar and vocal cannot be captured independently together.
I rank it third for the player who works in layers. It costs less than the first two and offers a clever loopback path, but its one-input limit is a real reason to pay for the Scarlett Solo if simultaneous singing and playing is central.
Specifications: Arturia MiniFuse 1 product details ↗
View on Amazon ↗Overdubbing one instrument at a time.
You need guitar and voice on separate tracks together.
What I like
+Compact interface with loopback.
What to weigh
−Only one recording input.
- Mic inputs
- 1
- Loopback
- Yes
04 — EVO
Best guided gain setupAudient EVO 4
EVO 4 offers two combo inputs, instrument recording and Audient's Smartgain setup. It fits a guitarist who switches between a mic and instrument and would appreciate help setting initial levels. The controls are more menu-like than the iD4's traditional monitor knob, which may slow someone who wants direct hardware access.
Fourth is for a buyer who wants two-input flexibility and assisted gain more than a familiar control surface. I place the Solo higher for its obvious guitar-plus-mic layout and iD4 higher for monitor ergonomics; EVO 4 remains a distinct workflow choice.
Specifications: Exact Amazon product listing ↗
View on Amazon ↗A two-input setup with assisted levels.
You prefer dedicated controls for each action.
What I like
+Smartgain and two combo inputs.
What to weigh
−Less direct tactile control than iD4.
- Mic inputs
- 2
- Features
- Smartgain / loopback
05 — Universal Audio
Best vintage-voiced optionUniversal Audio Volt 1
Volt 1 gives a single combo input with a Hi-Z instrument mode and a switchable vintage preamp character. That makes it appealing for one guitar take at a time, especially if you like shaping the input before the amp simulation. A one-input box cannot record a separate vocal microphone simultaneously.
I leave Volt 1 fifth because its character feature is a preference, not a universal guitar advantage. For a player recording one source at a time it may be the most enjoyable choice; for the broader home musician I would buy the Solo's separate inputs first.
Specifications: Universal Audio Volt 1 product details ↗
View on Amazon ↗One-at-a-time guitar takes with input color.
You record guitar and vocals together.
What I like
+Switchable vintage preamp mode.
What to weigh
−One input limits simultaneous recording.
- Mic inputs
- 1
- Resolution
- 24-bit / 192 kHz
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 18, 2026, 9:01 AM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Audio Interfaces for Guitar by Recording Setup
01What is a Hi-Z input?+
It is an instrument input designed for the signal from a passive guitar or bass pickup. Check that the exact interface has one rather than assuming every audio input behaves the same way.
02Can I record guitar and vocals at the same time?+
The Scarlett Solo has a dedicated guitar input and an XLR mic input. Other one-input models in this list cannot take two independent sources at once; check input layout before buying.
The short answer
Start with the Scarlett Solo 4th Gen.
I recommend it for one guitar plus one microphone. Choose something else if you need two mic preamps.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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