#Recommended Interface and Headphones for Mac Book Air (Apple M1)

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torpid garden
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Any recommended microphones, headphones, interface for my MacBook Air (Apple M1)?

sage moat
torpid garden
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Hmmmmmm, that's what I'm figuring out too.

Maybe $100-300

sage moat
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Additionally I would like to know if you're wondering if you plan to do anything beyond just recording yourself. Do you imagine yourself getting another microphone in the future and hosting a podcast or something like that?

torpid garden
sage moat
# torpid garden I am considering podcasting

If you're very budget conscious I'd strongly consider going used.
Also, as far as budget I try to recommend getting the best you can reasonably afford and I usually tell people to stretch their budget as much as possible.
These recommendations could be used for the entirety of a career (apart from maybe an older Focusrite Scarlett.

Also, I'm only listing the most recent versions of these devices, which are of course going to be the highest in price. Check older versions and used for better prices).

Bold = I have personal experience with them

Interfaces

Scarlett Solo 4th gen ($120)

  • The lowest I'd go, but you can look for used 3rd gen Scarlett Solo interfaces for cheaper. __Only has 1 microphone input. __

Universal Audio Volt 2 ($179)

  • Has 2 microphone inputs and a "vintage" mode which is supposed to colour your audio. May be nice for podcasts (but probably not VO). Only 1 headphone output.

Audient iD14 II ($200+)

  • Probably the best sounding of the lot, it has two headphone outputs (1 big 1 small). I have personally used the iD4 (the single channel version of this) and you will never need to upgrade this interface, even for 2 person podcasts).
  • There is also the Audient EVO line which is cheaper and more plasticky.
  • Only frankly stupid quirk with this one is it doesn't "remember" headphone volume so you have to set it every time you plug it in.

SSL 2 MK2 ($250+)

  • two headphone outputs, a fancy "4k mode" which is a bit like the vintage mode of the Volt 2 but unlikely to be something you use for VO.
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I'll write more later

sage moat
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Microphones

Yes, you can save money on Maono or Tonor or copycat brands but, beyond concerns about sound quality I cannot vouch for their durability at all.

Rode NT1 (not NT1A) (variable price)

  • There are quite a few versions of the NT1, but the key thing is it's a fine sounding microphone on a lot of voices.
    The NT1A is what I personally used, but it's a little bright and doesn't work great on a lot of voices.
  • Basically 0 internal hiss which is very rare for microphones at this price point).

You should be able to find many used.

Audio Technica AT2020 ($90+)

  • From what I've heard on many people this is actually a nicer sounding microphone on a lot of voices. It's more flat sounding.

Lewitt LCT 240 Pro ($150)

  • I've seen this being used as well. It sounds perhaps a bit bright but I expect it'll work.