Bus-powered USB-C audio interface with Air-enabled mic preamp, 24-bit/192 kHz conversion, and direct monitoring for streamers, songwriters, and podcasters.

Scarlett Solo has lived on my desk for two years and it remains my grab-and-go interface. The 3rd gen Air preamp gives dynamic mics a pleasing lift without extra EQ, and the 24-bit/192 kHz converters stay clean even when I push guitars straight into the instrument input. Direct monitoring with the blend knob keeps latency nonexistent for voice-over sessions, and Focusrite's drivers have been rock-solid on macOS, Windows, and my iPad Pro. The anodized shell still looks new despite being tossed in backpacks, and setup is literally plug, register, and track. You only get one mic and one instrument channel and there’s no MIDI, but for solo creators the reliability and sound quality punch well above the price.

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

USB-C cardioid condenser microphone with 24-bit/96 kHz capture, capacitive mute, Wave Link mixing, and Clipguard anti-distortion for streaming, podcasting, and hybrid work.

Wave:3 has lived on my boom arm for 18 months and it’s still my go-to USB mic. The 24-bit/96 kHz capsule sounds clean out of the box, and Elgato’s Clipguard circuit has saved multiple loud laughs from clipping on stream. The capacitive mute pad and multifunction dial make gain, headphone level, and mix adjustments effortless mid-call, and Wave Link gives me virtual faders so OBS, Spotify, Discord, and game audio stay isolated. I routinely switch between macOS and Windows machines and the mic reconnects without driver drama. It does pick up room reflections if you’re in a bare office, so I keep a small foam panel behind my monitor, but the overall sound and software integration outperform other USB mics I’ve owned.

USB-C condenser microphone with 24-bit/96kHz capture and Clipguard anti-distortion. Capacitive mute and Wave Link software perfect for streaming and podcasting.

Elgato Wave:3 Premium Studio Quality USB Microphone

Elgato Wave:3 - Premium Studio Quality USB Condenser Microphone

Hand-picked gift for podcasters tools and resources we actually use in production. Each item tested by developers, for developers.

Gift for Podcasters Products

Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface

Elgato Wave:3 - Premium Studio Quality USB Condenser Microphone