JackTrip uses cutting edge technology that is not available in all audio interfaces. We recommend external USB or Thunderbolt interfaces released within the past few years for the best quality, low latency and glitch-free sound.
If you live within the United States, we strongly recommend contacting a Sweetwater sales representative to help. They are well trained to match your needs with the best audio gear available.
Always use analog headphones plugged into your interface via a 3.5mm, 1/4" or XLR jack. So far, we have not found any headset (USB or gaming) that is fast enough to use with JackTrip..
The audio interface built into your computer can work OK on Mac and Linux computers, but will always give poor results on Windows. Windows computers bundle low quality audio chips that don't support modern standards. Windows users also require ASIO drivers for low-latency sound (please see more about ASIO here).
When you are ready to upgrade to better sound, you can’t go wrong with a Focusrite Scarlett external USB device, with the 2i2 model being a reference that most others are compared to. Their solo model is good enough for most people who don’t need the extra inputs. Sweetwater also offers some great Scarlett bundles.
All audio interfaces add latency, and many add tens of milliseconds of latency. A prudent investment into a low-latency device will have an enormous impact on your ability to play with other people online. It will also level up everything you do with computer audio, not just when using JackTrip. When selecting a new interface, refer to this open, sourced database of round-trip latency measurements.
A few other models that we have thoroughly tested and recommend include:
- Arturia MiniFuse
- ESI Neva Uno
- FocusRite Scarlett
- FocusRite Vocaster Two
- IK Multimedia AmpliTube X-Drive
- Lewitt Connect 6
- Mackie ProFXv3
- Motu M Series
- Motu UltraLite mk5
- Presonus AudioBox Go
- Presonus AudioBox 96
- Presonus Quantum HD 2
- Presonus Revelator
- Solid State Logic SSL 2
- Steinberg UR22+
- Universal Audio Volt
- Universal Audio Apollo (see guide)
- RME Babyface Pro FS+ (see guide)
It's likely that other interfaces in the same series as these would also work well.
A few models that we have found do not work well include:
- Realtek ASIO
- Steinberg Generic Low-latency drivers
- Steinberg UR-RT4 (works OK but has minimum 512 buffer size)
- iConnectivity Audio4c (supports 44.1 khz only)
- Focusrite Saffire*
- Roland TD-07*
* Reported by users with 1.x; needs to be re-validated with 2.x
+ Requires manual buffer size adjustment on Windows