Our Special Selection of Stylish Audio Interfaces for Winter 2023!

Audio interfaces are the core behind computer music production and recording. While many artists are always in the pursuit of better sound quality, there are many artists who perform live or in livestreams and take great care in their sense of fashion. These artists usually want hardware that matches their entire aesthetic.
The look of equipment has nothing to do with sound quality directly, but personally, I believe that design and functionality are one and the same. Since functionality is greatly related to the manufacturer’s design concept, functionality can greatly depend on their commitment to sound quality. For this reason, I feel that products with sophisticated designs usually have a refined sound quality as well. It could be said that not compromising on the sound quality means that the company will not compromise on every physical detail.
Now, let’s take a look at my selection of stunning audio interfaces.

APOGEE / Duet 3

The Duet 3 is synonymous with style when it comes to stylish audio interfaces that have refined sound quality and design! I myself have the first version of this Duet, and when I first bought it, I remember being very happy with the design since it matched perfectly with my Mac and it had an extremely high-quality sound to boot. Lol.
The Duet then evolved into the Duet 2 and 3 with a glass and aluminum design that further added to this model’s beauty.
In addition to its excellent portability that allows anyone to take it anywhere, the Duet Dock (sold separately) provides great usability as a stationary audio interface for your home studio.

ARTURIA / MiniFuse 1 WH

Next up is the MiniFuse, an audio interface from the French manufacturer Arturia, which is what immediately comes to my mind when I think of a stylish audio brand.
While most audio equipment is black, this MiniFuse 1 WH catches your eyes with its beautiful white housing. There are icons and only minimum lettering on the housing, making it a minimalist lean design.
The MiniFuse 1 may be priced on the lower end in terms of audio interfaces, but it has all the basic features such as direct monitoring, phantom power, and Hi-Z input. It also comes with a software bundle that includes the ABLETON Live and the Arturia FX. In addition, its USB hub allows for a neat setup while effectively making use of the few USB ports on the computer.

UNIVERSAL AUDIO / VOLT 276

The Duet and the MiniFuse have sleek, minimal designs, but when it comes to the Volt series from UNIVERSAL AUDIO, this one is a prime example of a design with a warm vintage feel.
At first glance, the wooden side panels look fresh and original! The buttons, knobs, and LED meters also have a retro flair in a modern design.
Just by looking at it, the Volt 276 has the legendary UNIVERSAL AUDIO 610 mic preamp and has a function that can easily apply emulation effects from the famous 1176FET comp to add warmth.
The Volt 276 is a complete product with function that perfectly matches the design!

FOCUSRITE / Scarlett 2i2 (gen. 3)

The MiniFuse normally comes in white, but this Scarlett series symbolizes the Focusrite brand in a distinctive scarlet red.
The classy color combined with a glossy black front panel gives the Scarlett series an elegance that looks more like a designer bag rather than a piece of audio equipment.
The base of the input knob emits a beautiful light according to the input level, which also enables for a quick reaction time.
The Scarlett 2i2 doesn’t just sit pretty on your desk. The sound is transparent and satisfying at first listen, which is what one can expect from the time-honored Focusrite brand. It’s no wonder why this product is loved all around the world.

ANTELOPE AUDIO / Discrete 4 Pro Synergy Core

The Discrete 4 Pro Synergy Core from ANTELOPE AUDIO is the standard audio interface that has been perfected in its sound and design with the new Discrete Pro series!
The IPS display screen and logo are now unframed, and the knob and buttons are black, giving this interface a sleek look. The exterior now even feels more luxurious than it did before.
The sound is also transparent and extremely separated. Once you experience this sound, you will never want to go back to anything else.
Hats off to the Discrete 4 Pro Synergy Core for reaching the point of perfection with their product!

I think you can see that there are various directions that the product design concept can go!
It’s better to use gear that best suits your taste in terms of design, functionality, and of course sound, don’t you think?
I’m sure that you will be able to express your own creativity to the fullest by using gear that you are satisfied with. Never compromise when choosing an audio interface!