M-Audio M-Track Duo – USB Audio Interface for Recording, Streaming and Podcasting with Dual XLR, Line & DI Inputs, plus a Software Suite Included

fantastic value. I see complaints about gain, and it's true, you will end up using things at about 60-80% gain, but it still leaves more modulation on the table. Also, I think that the gain is calibrated this way to give you some flexibility for mics that are really hot. I use it to record instruments and vocals with XML 770 mics, which are also a great value. If you use your ears, you can make studio quality recordings with that combo. As far as durability, I have dropped mine and abused it so it's definitely well built. I also have used this for teaching online piano lessons where one channel captures the piano and the other captures my voice, and the interface provides adequate mixing for a good-sounding call. I really like that it doesn't require any interface software; on windows and Mac you can just plug it in and use it.

The unit works well to digitize the sound which can be limited by Do-It-Yourself recorders such as phone, computer inputs or MICS. I tried so many things before jumping in to record correctly with appropriate hardware. OLD school items such as phones, or even high dollars MICs with plug-ins are not worthy of publishable recordings since the clipping is eliminated by forcing software limits on input (without your desire, as most items do this as a precautionary measure - to NOT ruin the PC, sound card, guts of the equipment, etc... The M-Audio, as well others, was researched and matched quite well with the higher priced items. It also had equal HZ ratings as some that were 5X the cost. I used this specific piece of equipment to record 20 songs for copyright with very good clarity and response. The CONS - the clipping adjustment is peaked at 9 or 10, which keeps you hopping on sound adjustments for various inputs (singing vs. instrument). It is a SOLO output regardless the hookups, which means, all SOUND (even if singing and playing two instruments) is blended to ONE OUTPUT (which is the input to DAW/Software). The drivers, which are FREE to download as well the software does NOT work on older PCs. I have an i5 rockin' PC that runs like a race horse, BUT will not run this stuff. So, even though the compliance online stated various modern WIN Platforms included, it will not on WIN 7 Home Premium. The FREE software will not either. However, it is running, and did run successfully on my Win 10 computer system. Generically speaking - it worked, and worked well!

In the past I had a large home studio with all sorts of stuff. I sold everything but regretted selling my Apogee audio interface, I could only lay down a track with Mac mics and speakers, the result was not good. I decided to buy a new input device but couldn’t justify spending hundreds on it. I stumbled on this perfect two input M-Audio audio interface and immediately bought it, I owned many M-Audio devices and was happy with their performance. This unit is no exception, it is the perfect songwriters tool or excellent for doing quick demos, acoustic or the whole band. I plugged it in my Mac and it instantly worked and with decent mic the sound was great. I’ve never bought an audio interface that was this easy to install, plug it in and you’re done. I highly recommend this unit for anyone that needs a simple easy to install audio interface.

Packaging - Comes with everything you need, including the cable to plug into a computer. It comes with a paper with the information about the free software you get from buying it. I haven't tried it though.Build quality - Fine, no metal. Completely plastic box.Noise - I don't hear any buzz or hiss when monitoring with my headphones, even with gain all the way up.Inputs - Good, having 2 XLR ports in this price seems pretty good compared to others. Headphone port alters sound a bit using it on my PC, so I only use it for direct monitoring. I don't use the speaker outputs on the back either, so can't comment on that.Design - Good, I like the small size. I put it underneath a little lift on my desk that my monitors are on, and it slides under nicely. But since the knobs are on top it's not very easy to adjust them, but I never need to.I only use this to plug my Shure SM57 into, and I don't hear any noise or buzz of any kind when monitoring my microphone with my headphones.I also have to have the gain all the way up for my SM57 to be loud enough, and even then I'd like it to be a little louder. But even with the gain all the way up there's no noise or buzz of any sorts.I tried plugging a guitar into it but I didn't switch it from line to guitar mode, so maybe that's why it didnt sound very good. I'm too lazy to test it again right now.When you get the gain knob to 90% and greater, the gain gets extremely sensitive. 95% - 100% is a huge jump in loudness. I've seen other people say that too, so I'm not sure why it does that.I don't require the phantom power for anything so I can't comment on that.When plugging my headphones into it to use it on my computer, it seems like it alters the sound compared to when I just plug my headphones directly into my computer, and I don't like it as much, so I don't use it for that.The direct monitoring is good though, no latency or anything. I'm not sure if the monitoring knob is sensitive like the gain because I have no reason to turn it that high.

Nice one, i got some noise but, it's okey by its price!

Immediately superior in every way to the Behringer UM2 I was using before. The drivers for the M-Audio device are far superior to the ASIO4ALL driver functionality was with the Behringer UM2 (Behringer doesn't make specific drivers for their device). I get NO snap crackles or pops with my new M-Audio device whatsoever, even with low buffer settings and real-time MIDI editing in a complex project with several high-CPU plugins on my tracks. Flawless experience so far! Love the separate monitor and headphone volume control, the fact that both inputs can support condenser mics, dynamic mics, or instruments.