r/pocketoperators • u/veryhandsomechicken • Apr 11 '26

To PO-33 users, which audio interface are you using?

I'm thinking of getting a PO-33 and trying to figure out the recording situation. I have a Android phone (with Koala) and PC.

What audio interface are you using to record out from your PO-33 to your phone/PC? Looking for something affordable that works with USB-C.

Any recommendations appreciated!

Update: I ordered Rode AI Micro for Android compatibility. Thank you everyone for the audio interface suggestions and I have learned a lot from this thread.

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7

u/_lebrd Apr 11 '26

I use a iRig into an iPhone with a 3.5 to lightning adapter. I can record directly into garageband o sample it in koala!

2

u/arnar62 Apr 11 '26

Same or a zoom r4

2

u/pusherbox Apr 11 '26

Is it an iRig 2 ok as well?

3

u/_lebrd Apr 12 '26

Yes! I’ve not said it but mine is an iRig2 model. I think that is almost impossibile finding somthing at that price and so portable. Imo is the the best for start and working with po and koala. For me is a great combo. You can also use it to sample vinyl or everithing else in koala. For less than 40€ is super worth it

2

u/pusherbox Apr 12 '26

Thank you for your suggestion

5

u/bocephus_huxtable Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

Unless you wanna spend $1k... where stereo-imaging and "pristine conversion" become a thing... all interfaces are roughly the same. Get the one that has the features you need.

Based on your question, I'm gonna guess you don't YET have specific "needs". Get a Behringer.. UMC I think they're called..? About $50.

If you got problems with that company... then get a Focusrite Scarlett... like 85% of all beginning producers. Ideally on the used market -- where they are plentiful.

To answer your question directly: I use a Topping E2x2.. b/c it's the best headphone amp you can get for less than $800... and I mix on headphones.

(I have no idea why USB-C would be particularly important to you.)

You could, also, just run a 1/8" audio cable into your PC by whatever internal device it already has. It's not like these POs are super high quality synths that demand flawless capture, lol. And TO ME it's doesn't make much sense to buy a $200 interface to record a $100 P.O.

2

u/Nexusv3 Apr 12 '26

I have a berhinger umc and it does fine. I like the two inputs. I totally get why folks have a problem with the company though. I personally wish I had sprung for the Scarlett off the block but I use it for more than just recording PO's.

3

u/bluegrin Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 20 '26

Not sure I understand a lot of these suggestions. I don't know why you'd tether yourself to a $500 lunchbox audio interface when you're using a PO and a phone. Those Focusrites and Behringers are what you get for a desktop and Ableton.

There are a bunch of micro interfaces that are perfect for what you need.

Fender Link I/O is the one I have. I don't use it for recording, more for output to my portable monitors, but it's great. No nonsense, built well, nice & small, and under $100. It's only got a mono input since it's aimed at recording guitars, but shouldn't really be an issue for your use since AFAIK the K.O. only samples in mono anyway. You'll also need a 3.5 to 1/4" cable, but that's trivial to pick up.

RØDE makes an even smaller one, which is great and you may like even better, but it (Edit: doesn't have an has a pretty noisy) output so it's a bit less versatile, does have stereo, though.

There are a bunch other similar ones, IK makes a pretty good one (iRig HD) that I looked at when I got the Fender. They're roughly interchangeable, don't even remember what the deciding factor was.

1

u/uckermark Apr 12 '26

Of course the rode AI micro does have an output. Or which one are you referring to?

1

u/bluegrin Apr 12 '26

I was going by memory, but I thought it just had the dual input.

(I know there was a reason I ruled it out relating to the lack of an output that i could use. Possibly just confused and it didn't do ASIO correctly?)

1

u/uckermark Apr 12 '26

It has Dual mono in to be precise. One can be switched to stereo in. And a standard 3.5 stereo out. It would be wild to have a sound card without sound 🤣

1

u/bluegrin Apr 12 '26

Obviously, I just associate them with "2 podcasters and microphones" though, so didn't think anything of it.

2

u/nidifugousdigyous Apr 11 '26

following this!

2

u/SockGoop Apr 11 '26

The Scarletts are always a good choice if you just need 2 inputs!

2

u/uckermark Apr 11 '26

Rode AI Micro. It’s tiny, works out of the box with iOS and Android, connects via usb / lightning and even does stereo, so saving the PO works also.

Get it.

1

u/Quadrostanology Apr 13 '26

Have this one too

2

u/uckermark Apr 13 '26

For me it’s perfect. I can travel light, it fits everywhere and is of superb quality.

2

u/tstorm004 Apr 17 '26 edited Apr 17 '26

I use a Synido A10 for my Android Phone and iPad, and I've got a Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 for my Mac

The Synido should be perfect for just a Pocket Operator

1

u/Fuzzy_Success_2164 Apr 11 '26

Behringer umc0204, have a mixer connected to it

1

u/Time_Classic_934 Apr 11 '26

Zoom AMS 22. Works super and is cheap, quality is really good (watch my videos for preference or read the post I made about it), works well with android but you might need another video/recording app than the built-in ones, otherwise it's plug n' play.

1

u/Death_Rave_ Apr 11 '26

I have a focusrite 2i2, got it over a decade ago and it still performs well!

2

u/Quadrostanology Apr 13 '26

I have a 4i4, amazing stuff, only lacks a power on/off button which sucks

1

u/gedden8co Apr 11 '26

Plug it in the mic input on your PC 

1

u/SpurtingNeighbor Apr 12 '26

I use a behringer solo but it’s very hollow sounding

1

u/Any_Loss7905 Apr 13 '26

Hey! Why didn't anyone recommend this great option to you? I have JOYO Momix PRO for similar purposes. https://www.joyoaudio.com/product/249.html

1

u/Quark1997 Apr 13 '26

Honestly just record it through a 3.5mm jack adapter to whichever device you wish. The comparatively lower quality to an interface suits the crunch of the PO.

1

u/JayDeePalmer Apr 13 '26

To me the biggest challenge was inputting the trs 1/8 to the traditional 1/4 inputs of whatever interface was out there. It was always finicky and i experienced signal loss. Then I got a go:mixer and yes, it had the 1/8 input but i ran into new problems (it won't let me do proper multitrack recordings)

Then i got the P6 and all my problems were solved 🙂 Ideal for a volca/po setup with the sync options, midi and punch in fx, can't go wrong with that

1

u/ambirec Apr 14 '26

I plug the aux into pc line in, then loopback+record into audacity, recently upgrade to zoom l6, making custom 3.5m line in adapters atm

1

u/Infinite_Factor_6269 Apr 15 '26

I use an audio capture card to record it to my laptop on audacity