If you use hardware synths, drum machines, or older controllers, an audio interface with MIDI saves you buying a separate MIDI box. The key feature is a pair of five-pin DIN MIDI in/out ports built into the interface. Plenty of popular interfaces include them — here’s what to look for and which real models do MIDI well.
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| Pick | Best for |
|---|---|
| MOTU M4 | Most home studios |
| Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 | Reliable four-input all-rounder |
| PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 | Best budget pick |
| Steinberg UR22C | Affordable two-input setups |
| Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 | Larger hardware setups |
What to look for in an audio interface with MIDI
- Five-pin DIN MIDI in and out. This is the must-have. Note that many modern controllers connect over USB and don’t need DIN MIDI at all.
- Enough audio I/O. Match inputs/outputs to your sources and any external gear you record back in.
- Clean preamps and conversion. The same quality basics apply — see sample rate and bit depth.
- Low latency. Important when playing software instruments from a hardware controller. See what audio latency is.
If you’re new to this, start with how to set up an audio interface.
How MIDI ports on an interface actually work
DIN MIDI carries musical data, not audio. The five-pin connector sends note-on and note-off messages, velocity, pitch bend, modulation, clock, and program changes between your computer and external hardware. The audio from a synth still travels separately down a normal instrument or line cable into one of the interface’s audio inputs. In other words, MIDI tells the synth what to play and when; the audio inputs capture the sound it makes. Keeping those two paths clear in your head avoids a lot of confusion when you first wire up a hardware rig.
A single MIDI out and a single MIDI in is enough for most home setups. The out lets your DAW trigger a hardware instrument; the in lets you record the keys, pads, or knobs of that instrument back as MIDI. If you own several pieces of gear you can chain them using each unit’s MIDI thru, or add a dedicated MIDI hub later. You rarely need more than one pair of DIN ports on the interface itself unless you are running a large, clock-synced hardware studio.
Best for most home studios
The MOTU M4 includes DIN MIDI in/out alongside four audio inputs and praised conversion — a great all-rounder for a studio with one or two hardware synths. The Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 also includes MIDI I/O and the reliable Scarlett feature set. Both sit comfortably among the best 4-channel audio interfaces if you want a little extra input headroom.
Best budget pick with MIDI
The PreSonus AudioBox USB 96 bundles MIDI in/out with two audio inputs at a friendly price, making it a solid entry point for connecting a synth or drum machine. The Steinberg UR22C is another affordable two-input interface that includes DIN MIDI, and both rank well among the best 2-channel audio interfaces for small setups.
Best for larger hardware setups
If you run several pieces of outboard gear, step up to something like the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, which combines high channel counts with MIDI I/O for routing multiple synths and external instruments. This suits producers who treat hardware as a core part of the workflow.
Do you actually need DIN MIDI?
Be honest about your gear first. If all your controllers and synths connect over USB, you may not need DIN MIDI at all — a standard USB-C interface plus USB MIDI devices will do. DIN MIDI matters specifically for older or hardware-only instruments without USB. If you’re choosing between an interface and a mixer, see audio interface vs mixer.
How to choose the right one for you
Confirm you genuinely need five-pin MIDI, then choose on audio I/O and preamp quality as you would any interface. A two-input unit with MIDI suits a small synth setup; bigger rigs need more channels. Build a sensible chain around it using our home studio gear checklist.
A useful way to size your purchase is to count your sound sources and your hardware instruments separately. Add up everything you want to record at the same time — microphones, guitars, line-level synth outputs — and make sure the interface has at least that many inputs. Then check that a single MIDI pair covers your hardware, which it usually does. Buying one or two channels of headroom is sensible; buying an eighteen-channel unit for a single synth is money better spent on a microphone or treatment.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming USB MIDI and DIN MIDI are interchangeable. They carry the same data, but a USB-only controller cannot plug into a DIN port, and a DIN-only synth cannot plug into a USB host port without an adapter. Check the connectors on your actual gear before buying.
- Forgetting the audio cable. A common beginner trip-up is connecting MIDI and expecting to hear the synth. MIDI alone is silent — you still need an audio cable from the synth into an interface input to record or monitor its sound.
- Mismatching MIDI in and out. The interface’s MIDI out goes to the synth’s MIDI in, and the synth’s MIDI out returns to the interface’s MIDI in. Crossing them is the most frequent reason nothing responds.
- Over-buying channels. High channel counts add cost and desk space. Only step up to a large interface when you genuinely track many sources at once.
Frequently asked questions
What is DIN MIDI on an audio interface?
It’s the traditional five-pin round MIDI connector used to send note and control data to and from hardware synths and drum machines that lack USB MIDI.
Do I need MIDI ports if my controller uses USB?
No. USB controllers connect directly to your computer. DIN MIDI ports are only needed for hardware that uses the classic five-pin connection.
Can I add MIDI to an interface that doesn’t have it?
Yes. A separate USB-to-MIDI adapter or a standalone MIDI interface adds DIN MIDI to any setup, so a built-in port is a convenience rather than a strict requirement.
Does built-in MIDI affect audio quality?
No. MIDI is a control protocol that carries performance data, not sound, so it has no bearing on the audio fidelity of the interface. Conversion and preamp quality are what determine how your recordings sound, and those depend on the audio circuitry rather than the presence of MIDI ports.
What is a MIDI audio interface?
A MIDI audio interface is a standard audio interface with five-pin DIN MIDI in and out ports built in. The audio inputs record microphones, guitars, and line signals, while the MIDI ports send and receive note and control data for hardware synths and drum machines. It replaces a separate USB-to-MIDI adapter, keeping your whole rig connected through one box.
What is the best budget audio interface with MIDI?
We recommend the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96, which pairs two audio inputs with DIN MIDI in and out at an entry-level cost. The Steinberg UR22C is a strong alternative with the same two-input-plus-MIDI layout. Either one covers a small setup with a synth or drum machine, so choose whichever layout and workflow suits your setup.
Can one audio interface handle both audio and MIDI at the same time?
Yes. Audio and MIDI travel on separate paths inside the interface, so you can record a vocal through a mic input while your DAW sequences a hardware synth over the DIN ports simultaneously. The synth’s sound still needs its own cable into an audio input, but the interface manages both streams at once without any conflict.
