Rating TOP 7 best external sound cards: characteristics, reviews, price

Rating TOP 7 best external sound cards

It is difficult to make the right choice in this area, so after analyzing many factors we have compiled a rating:

• Steinberg UR242.
• Roland Rubix24.
• BEHRINGER U-CONTROL UCA222.
• CREATIVE Sound BlasterX G5.
• CREATIVE X-Fi Sound Blaster Surround 5.1 Pro.
• CREATIVE Sound Blaster X7.
• Audient iD14.

Let's consider each model separately.

Steinberg UR242

Steinberg UR242 is one of the best models designed for listening to music and instruments (guitar, violin, flute). Relatively low price from a fairly recognizable manufacturer Steinberg. The devices are aimed at professional use, although this model fits perfectly into the picture of home life.

Price: from 15,290 to 17,300 rubles.

• excellent sound (24 bit/192 kHz);
• many inputs/outputs (Jack, MIDI, USB, XLR);
• strong body (made of metal).

• problems with the standard driver package (they disappear when installing new versions).

All necessary connectors are present. There are two line inputs into which a Yamaha MOXF6 synthesizer is connected for latency-free monitoring in stereo mode. Works great under Mac OS. All bundled software works well. It seems that the monitoring settings are saved in the card itself and therefore the next time you start dspMixFx you don’t even have to turn it on again. In principle, I'm happy with the purchase.

Steinberg UR242

Roland Rubix24

The card is designed as an add-on to improve computer sound. She can record and process any music. There are two inputs and four outputs. There are also many other additions: direct monitoring, microphone phantom power, overload indicators and the like. It will fit perfectly into the workplace of a streamer/singer recording podcasts. High-quality sound, reliable design, compactness, affordable price and many functions - this is how you can describe this model.

Price: from 13,490 to 16,008 rubles.

• beautiful design (irridescent shades of red);
• excellent sound (no noise, 24 bit/192 kHz);
• ability to work without drivers.

• tight adjusters for headphones and monitors (difficult to turn).

So far I’ve only been using it for the second day, but I must note that it took me quite a long time to figure it out, because there are a huge number of incomprehensible switches. I haven’t installed any drivers these days, but the device shows its best without them. Nothing glitches, cracks, or sticks together. The sound of voices is recorded well. There is a convenient limiter, thanks to which you can now process tracks manually.

Roland Rubix24

BEHRINGER U-CONTROL UCA222

Inexpensive USB sound card for listening and creating music. It may surprise you with a high level of noise suppression, loud and fairly high-quality sound without defects. Separately, we can be pleased with the implemented support for ASIO 2.0, which is rarely found in similar audio cards. By the way, this model can work without official drivers from the manufacturer. Many people note that in this mode the sound is much better than with drivers.

Price: from 1,590 to 2,220 rubles.

• light weight (100 g);
• compact dimensions (172x129x25 mm);
• Huge functionality (ASIO 2.0, 2xRCA, 2xUSB, etc.).

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• low maximum sampling frequency (48 kHz).

An excellent option, for example, for laptops and netbooks. Suitable even for a beginning computer musician, because the card supports ASIO 2.0 drivers, which is unique in this price category. The set includes a disc with a variety of VST instruments and an Energy XT multitracker.

BEHRINGER U-CONTROL UCA222

CREATIVE Sound BlasterX G5

Ideal for typical gamers. The unit is capable of significantly increasing the sound level, and is portable and compact. It is used most often in games, as it completely immerses the player in the atmosphere of the events taking place. It is possible to fine-tune the operation of the device. The case is equipped with bright red backlighting, indicator lights and volume controls. Any manipulation is easy to perform even in pitch darkness.

Price: from 8,300 to 9,005 rubles.

• stylish design (bright lighting on a dark body);
• high-quality sound in games (the smallest details can be heard, there is no interference);
• enhances the sound in headphones (Movie Easy technology).

• gets very hot.

I use it with HyperX Cloud Core headphones. The device was specifically designed for watching movies, listening to music and playing games. No problems were noticed while watching movies. The sound is quite high quality, loud, no interference. I was pleased with the convenient control of presets with a button on the case (up to three presets). When the headphone power is 75%, the sound becomes very loud. The card is compact, beautiful, bright. I advise everyone to buy it.

CREATIVE Sound BlasterX G5

CREATIVE X-Fi Sound Blaster Surround 5.1 Pro

High-quality and clear sound is ensured by professional ProStudio technology. Today it is used by the world's most famous recording studios. It connects to any PC using an RCA cable supplied with the device. You can also use a USB port. The model has a microphone input and headphone outputs. There is a volume control on the case for ease of use. The necessary drivers are supplied included on a special disk.

Price: from 3,990 to 4,290 rubles.

• different basses (strong and soft);
• drivers are included (CD);
• light weight (450 g).

• not found.

I won’t recommend purchasing it for desktop computers; for that amount you can get a more interesting PCI solution. If you take an addition to a laptop/netbook, then it must have a normal processor and a sufficient amount of RAM to handle all the capabilities of this demanding but powerful unit. The device is excellent and compact. The only thing I recommend when purchasing is to immediately reflash it with new firewood. Overall I am satisfied and recommend it to you.

CREATIVE X-Fi Sound Blaster Surround 5.1 Pro

CREATIVE Sound Blaster X7

The most advanced model recommended for music and gaming lovers. This multifunctional unit, which provides high-quality HRA audio playback, functions as an external USB digital-to-analog converter and a powerful audio amplifier with minimal latency for connecting devices via Bluetooth and a Dolby Digital decoder. Creative design, discreet appearance and powerful internal components determine its position in our rating.

Price: from 22,000 to 25,390 rubles.

• built-in microphone;
• ability to connect to a phone (via Bluetooth);
• built-in amplifier (Texas Instruments TPA6120A2).

• not found.

I don’t know why, but the interesting and even brutal design of the device immediately makes you think about its good functionality and high-quality assembly. My intuition did not let me down and this is true. This beauty looks pretty impressive on the inside, and even better on the outside. The sound quality is excellent: there is no interference or noise. Yes, the price is high, but believe me, there is something to pay for. I recommend to everyone.

CREATIVE Sound Blaster X7

Audient iD14

The main features of this audio interface are: excellent internal equipment and the presence of an optical input that allows you to connect an external amplifier with an additional eight inputs. For the most part, the manufacturer did not skimp and installed high-end DACs and preamplifiers in this model. We get stable, high-quality work and low noise levels for little money. The appearance is quite interesting, but not at all ergonomic. Handles sticking out on the top panel are not the best transportation option.

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Price: from 12,900 to 14,900 rubles.

• high-quality sound (quiet preamps, DAC 24 bit/96 kHz);
• optical connection (S/PDIF connection providing eight additional inputs);
• strong body (made of metal).

• indication works with a delay;
• ergonomics suffer (the location of the controls on the top panel).

I was pleasantly impressed by working with the Audient sound card. The Audient iD14 model I recently purchased was a high-quality and compact solution. The main advantages of this unit compared to its younger brothers are: DSP mixer, DAC/ADC converters from Burr-Brown, digital ADAT input, a large number of indicators for monitoring system status and much more. Overall an excellent solution, I recommend it.

Audient iD14

Why is it needed and what are they?

The most necessary device for both home and professional studios, which should be in a computer or audio player, is a sound card. The functionality is to provide audio input and output - converting audio inputs from a computer to speakers and from a microphone to a PC. The functions of the card are identical to an audio interface, which combines all studio components - microphones, amplifiers, musical instruments and other necessary devices. Due to the importance of this component, you need to avoid making mistakes when choosing. The selection criteria are influenced by what goals you are pursuing when purchasing a card.

It’s worth saying right away that a built-in card is not the same as a card for a studio, home or professional. What are the differences? The usual built-in one, which connects to the motherboard, is not even suitable for a home studio. It can record only one sound source, does not guarantee the quality of the reproduced signal, delays it, transmits extraneous noise emanating from the computer during operation, consumes RAM and overloads the processor.

A studio card, the peculiarity of which is the ability to reduce the delay between pressing and sound playback while working and recording several sources simultaneously, is an external device with a set of interfaces and its own controls.

Depending on different parameters, types of cards are distinguished. By processor power:

• professional and semi-professional, which require a powerful processor;
• for home studio.

By type of task:

• for recording vocals and acoustic instruments;
• for recording electronic instruments;
• for mixing and mastering;
• for live performances;
• with the ability to connect additional devices;
• In vocal and instrument recording equipment, how many and what types of inputs and outputs are important because this determines the number of signals available for processing simultaneously. The number of separate mixes for monitoring depends on how many outputs there are. Selection tips:

1. for recording rap and pop music, one microphone input and one headphone output are enough;
2. to perform with a guitar, you need inputs for two microphones – vocal and instrumental;
3. for acoustic drums, 8 inputs are required (based on the number of drums);
4. recording a rock band performance will require adding inputs for bass, guitar and vocals - a total of 11 inputs will be needed;
5. a choir, like small musical groups, can be recorded with three microphones, but with the ability to monitor for all participants. That is, you need many outputs, which are not provided in the audio interface, so they purchase a separate preamp for headphones.

• To record electronic instruments, you need a device with a high-impedance input (labeled Hi-Z or INST - instrumental), which reduces the voltage of the signal, which, when coming from the pickups, is much higher than the voltage of the microphone signal. Among the new products are cards that, using the built-in DSP, make it possible to virtually connect various effects to the instrument, which are controlled by connecting pedals through two special inputs.
• For mixing and mastering, it is important to pay attention to the sampling rate and bit depth. For an audio interface for professional recording, 44.1 kHz\16 bits are mainly used. Modern devices have a large volume control, and some have additional features, one of which is to quickly check the result of mixing in mono using a button.
• Equipment for live performances must have a reliable design and stable drivers. Using the card, an arrangement or backing track is launched via a PC, so for a band with a drummer, two outputs are needed: to the line for playback, and to headphones for the metronome.
• Audio cards with the ability to connect additional devices allow you to connect a large number of devices via MIDI - controllers, hardware synthesizers and much more. With their help, the functionality increases - you can control other instruments, create remixes on the go, process them with a real synthesizer, etc.

Comparison of the presented models

For a more clear comparison of the models presented above, we use a comparison table.

Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD

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Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD When developing this sound card, the manufacturer was guided by the principle: “More of everything.” The result of these efforts was a device with high technical characteristics and an abundance of different connectors. This allowed the sound card to become a convenient tool in home recording studios.

Having a small size, the device has two mono RCA (one for each channel), a jack for connecting monitor headphones, as well as four input connectors, two of which have a 6.3mm form factor, and the remaining are XLR . Hi-Z is supported, as well as phantom power for devices, activated by a button on the device body.

The card is connected via USB 2.0. ASIO 2.0 supported. With identical sampling rates and bit depth, the DAC/ADC support 24-bit audio up to 192 kHz.

Price – 5500 rubles.

PROS:

• Price
• ASIO 2.0 support
• High sampling rate
• Two stereo inputs

MINUSES:

• No

VIDEO: BEHRINGER UMC202HD+UMC204HD - affordable sound cards

BEHRINGER UMC202HD+UMC204HD - affordable sound cards

TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

Best lists

Let us highlight models that differ from the rest in some characteristics:

• Budget.
• Autonomous work.
• Best sound quality.

Let's consider them separately.

ASUS Xonar U3 - budget

The Xonar U3 sound card model from ASUS is the most affordable offer on the market in terms of price. Only low-quality devices from China will cost you less. This product is compact and does not take up much space. In size it can be compared to a flash drive. Connects via USB cable.

Price: from 1,880 to 2,220 rubles.

ASUS Xonar U3

CREATIVE Sound Blaster E1 - battery life

This product has a wide range of interesting functions: voice recording from a microphone, karaoke, home audio system, long battery life and others. The company's proprietary software allows you to customize the operation of the device completely to suit yourself and not bother with this problem for many years.

Price: from 3,500 to 4,520 rubles.

CREATIVE Sound Blaster E1

ROLAND RUBIX24 - the best sound quality

Probably one of the most expensive cards in its segment. But its price is fully justified by its high-quality technical components and wonderful atmospheric sound. At home, the device will show its best side thanks to properly functioning software, a powerful signal and a built-in compressor.

Price: from 11,900 to 13,540 rubles.

ROLAND RUBIX24

Creative Sound Blaster Play! 3

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Creative Sound Blaster Play! 3 Creative is one of the pioneers of PC sound card manufacturers, and their Sound Blaster line will celebrate its 30th anniversary this coming year . Once a trendsetter, today she continues to create devices that are popular among gamers, but rarely interest professional musicians.

SBPlay! 3 is a compact device whose appearance can be described as a “flash drive on a lanyard.” The set of connectors is minimal - two 3.5mm minijacks. The output jack is stereo, and the microphone is mono.

Connecting via USB 2.0, the new Sound Blaster features a DAC with up to 96kHz sampling rates and 24-bit resolution . The ADC has the same bit capacity, but its frequency is lower – 48 kHz. The signal/noise at the DAC output is 93dB. There is no ASIO support, but there is EAX, the value of which is questionable on a stereo system.

The main purpose of this sound card is computer games and listening to music on headphones. For specialized purposes (recording, mixing music) it is very poorly suited.

Price SB Play! 3 – 2100 rubles.

PROS:

• Price
• EAX support
• Ease of use

MINUSES:

• No ASIO support

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TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

Tips for choosing

In the paragraph below we will look at what features should be taken into account when choosing devices in this category.

1. Number of connectors. As a rule, the more there are, the better. A good sound card should have the following connectors: connection to a computer/laptop, rear/front speaker output, subwoofer output, microphone, line output and headphone jack.
2. Signal and noise indicators. This parameter shows the level of sound distortion. To put it simply, the lower the noise level, the better. A figure of 100 dB is considered almost ideal.
3. Number of audio channels. Stereo sound is supported by all modern sound cards. However, to connect a multi-channel audio system, you need a device that supports 5.1 or 7.1 signal level.

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How to choose the right one

When choosing a sound card for your computer, be sure to pay attention to what ports it is equipped with. The more there are, the more functional and versatile the device can be used when building your own acoustic system. Look at the format supported by the card; the ideal option would be the ability to connect up to seven system elements; such cards are usually capable of providing surround sound, which will undoubtedly brighten up your pastime.

In addition, the way you connect the card to the PC matters; most computers are equipped with a USB 3.0 system, and many sound devices only support 2.0; due to this discrepancy, the device may malfunction. The sound quality directly depends on the sampling frequency, the most common indicator is 96 kHz, but there is also twice as high, which is, of course, better. The situation is similar with the sound range, the standard is no higher than 100 dB. If you have the opportunity to purchase a device with a value higher than the standard without sacrificing other parameters, then take it and don’t hesitate.

Creative X-Fi HD

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Creative X-Fi HD X-Fi HD is an unusual device. Although there are a number of atypical solutions, it suffers from a lack of ASIO support, which makes it inconvenient to use with Windows . Regardless, studios using hardware from Apple or running Linux-based operating systems may find this sound card useful.

Sound output is carried out both via RCA on the rear side and through a 6.3mm jack on the front panel. There is an optical S/PDIF output. The set of connectors for audio capture is absolutely identical - they haven’t forgotten about the optical input. There is no support for XLR, Hi-Z or those requiring phantom power.

Power is supplied to the device via miniUSB, through which it communicates with a computer or other device. The performance of the DAC and ADC is identical - 96 kHz maximum sampling frequency at 24-bit bit depth. There is a built-in phono stage. There is no ASIO or EAX support.

The price of the device from Creative is 7,000 rubles.

PROS:

• Availability of S/PDIF input and output

MINUSES:

• Price
• Lack of ASIO support
• No XLR

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Creative X-FI HD external sound card review

TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

M-Audio M-Track 2×2

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M-Audio M-Track 2x2 M-Audio has been developing solutions for DJs and musicians for years. If you consider yourself to be in one of these professions, you may find the M-Track 2x2 map useful . The small device contains everything you need to play and record high-resolution audio.

Two RCA are used for audio output. On the front panel it is possible to connect monitor headphones via a 6.3mm jack connector . Sound is captured both through the jack and using an XLR connector that supports phantom power, Hi-Z. The top panel of the device contains a number of indicators and controls with which you can control the level of the input signal, as well as simple mixing of audio supplied from the PC and line input.

The card is powered by USB, through which communication with the computer is carried out. No additional power source required. The DAC/ADC performance is identical - 24-bit resolution with a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz. ASIO 2.0 supported.

The price of the sound card is 8900 rubles.

PROS:

• Price
• ASIO 2.0 support
• Mixer
• High sampling rate

MINUSES:

• No

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TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

Steinberg UR22mkII

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Steinberg UR22mkII This device from Steinberg largely replicates the device from Roland. This applies to both appearance and functionality, as well as technical characteristics.

Sound output occurs through monitor headphones, as well as two mono 6.3mm jacks . Dual connectors on the front panel allow you to connect audio sources via XLR or jack connectors. There are two DIN-5s on the back for connecting a MIDI source and receiver.

Sources that support phantom power and Hi-Z, connect to a PC via USB 2.0. The frequency of the converters is 192 kHz, and their bit depth is 24 bits. ASIO 2.0 supported.

The price of the card is 10,000 rubles.

PROS:

• Price
• ASIO 2.0 support
• Availability of MIDI input/output
• High sampling rate

MINUSES:

• No

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TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

Roland Rubix22

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Roland Rubix22 In 1987, the Roland MT-32 device appeared, which became the first professional sound card for a PC. Rubix22 continues this tradition - with its help you can comfortably work with both analog audio and musical instruments that support MIDI.

Sound output is made using two 6.3mm mono jack connectors. For control, there is another stereo connector on the front panel. There is also a standard DIN-5 output connector for MIDI equipment. The signal is supplied via two independent 6.3mm jacks or two XLR jacks that support phantom power, as well as Hi-Z. On the back of the device there is a second DIN-5 for supplying an incoming signal from MIDI devices.

The ADC/DAC supports sampling rates up to 192 kHz at 24 bits. An ASIO 2.0 capable device is connected via USB 2.0, which is used as a power source. There are two possible connection methods – USB-B and microUSB.

Price – 9900 rubles.

PROS:

• Price
• ASIO 2.0 support
• Availability of MIDI input and output
• High sampling rate

MINUSES:

• No

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TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen

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Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd Gen Another “scarlet” device from Focusrite is designed to work with multiple sound sources. It includes a simple mixer and will appeal to fans of this company.

The rear panel of the device contains two monophonic connectors for audio output through jack connectors, as well as USB-B, intended for supplying power and connecting the device to a computer. On the front panel there are hybrid connectors for connecting jack/XLR sources, as well as a separate 6.3mm jack for monitor headphones. Incoming devices can use phantom power or Hi-Z.

The DAC/ADC capacity is 24 bits, and the maximum sampling frequency is 192 kHz. In Windows environment, ASIO 2.0 is supported.

The price of a sound card is 11,500 rubles.

PROS:

• ASIO 2.0 support
• Dual source support
• High sampling rate

MINUSES:

• Price

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TOP 12 Best external sound cards (Audio interfaces) | Rating of current models in 2021