Testing The Cheapest Audio Interface on Amazon

The channel discusses affordable equipment with good price-to-performance ratios, but many viewers have requested the cheapest equipment possible.

• Behringer Euphoria USB audio interface • Price: $29.99 • Compared against a professional Audient interface

The interface claims to offer low latency, high audio file quality, and a state-of-the-art microphone preamp comparable to standalone boutique preamps.

The video includes extensive audio examples and a giveaway for viewers interested in the interface.

• XLR and line inputs with mic/line 1 and instrument 2 selection • Direct monitor button (essential for low-latency monitoring) • Headphone output with removable protective film

Three dials for input gain, instrument gain, and headphone output level adjustment.

• Two outputs for powering studio monitors • USB connection for data and phantom power • Phantom power on/off switch

Minimalistic design with plastic construction that is somewhat wobbly but functional.

Requires drivers to operate on Windows; ASIO4ALL was used as a free solution.

Difficult to achieve small enough buffer sizes for real-time effects processing through the computer.

The direct monitoring switch on the interface bypasses the computer, allowing latency-free monitoring of the input signal.

Without the direct monitoring feature, the interface would be completely unusable for practical recording scenarios.

The microphone preamp is noisy and not comparable to boutique preamps as claimed on the box.

Significant hiss and noise floor make it difficult to use the full gain range available on the preamp.

Cannot be pushed to full gain due to excessive noise; restricts recording flexibility for quiet sources.

Significantly inferior to the Audient interface's cleaner preamp performance.

The instrument input is average in quality with some background noise and slightly suppressed high-end response.

• Excellent power delivery for 250-ohm headphones (Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro and Sennheiser HD 650 Pro tested) • No need to maximize volume control • Only develops slight hissing at maximum levels

Designed primarily for headphone users rather than those powering studio monitors.

Headphone output is the standout feature of this budget interface.

Electric guitar recorded directly into the interface and compared against the Audient reference.

Less detail and noticeable hissing in the background signal compared to the Audient interface.

High-end response appears slightly suppressed and somewhat quirky, but the signal remains completely usable.

Adequate for basic recording but noticeably inferior to professional-grade interfaces in clarity and noise floor.

Evaluate how the preamp handles extreme dynamic variations from very quiet finger-picking to aggressive loud strumming.

• Clips and distorts before reaching zero dB (around minus 3 dB) • No limiter or compressor to prevent harsh clipping • Requires extremely careful gain staging to avoid distortion

The professional interface handles wide dynamic swings gracefully without clipping and maintains detail throughout the range.

Users must compromise between recording quiet passages with excessive noise or loud passages with distortion.

Applied compression and reverb effects to acoustic guitar recordings from both interfaces.

• Clean noise floor that remains unobtrusive with effects • Effects enhance the sound naturally • Reverb and compression work harmoniously with the signal

Background noise becomes more apparent and distracting when effects are added; compression and reverb amplify the existing hiss.

The interface is usable but disappointing for post-processing work due to the elevated noise floor compromising effect quality.

Completely usable for basic recording despite its limitations.

The marketing claims on the box are not accurate; the preamp is not comparable to boutique units, and audio quality is not pristine.

Not designed for long-term professional studio use (10-15 years); lacks durability for sustained professional applications.

• Better to invest in higher-quality equipment for serious recording • Still suitable as a budget giveaway for someone who needs a functional interface • Best used as a starter or backup device, not as a primary recording tool