Global Audio Interface Market Size :
Global Audio Interface Market Size is estimated to reach over USD 315.96 Million by 2031 from a value of USD 198.73 Million in 2022 and is projected to grow by USD 205.14 Million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2031.
Audio Interface Market Scope & Overview :
An audio interface refers to an electronic equipment that enables users to record digital and analog audio signals and transfer the signals into the computer for processing. Moreover, they offer a range of benefits including latency free monitoring, improved preamps, better sound quality, and others. Their aforementioned benefits are major determinants for increasing its utilization for personal and professional applications.
Audio Interface Market Insights :
Audio Interface Market Dynamics - (DRO):
Key Drivers :
Rising utilization of audio interface in live streaming.
The widespread adoption of social media and video-sharing platforms has resulted in a surge in the popularity of live streaming. Live streaming has become a new approach for individuals, businesses, and organizations to connect with audiences in real-time and in an effective way to engage with customers, fans, and followers. They play a crucial role in live streaming and usually work in integration with a mixer for sending and receiving audio signals between audio sources, computer, and output devices. Moreover, they work together with mixer for mixing and controlling the audio sources and further sending the mixed signal to the computer for live streaming.
Analysis of market trends concludes that factors including the growing consumer shift towards digital content for learning and entertainment activities and increasing penetration of social media for content distribution are key determinants for driving the adoption of live streaming.
For instance, according to Oberlo, there has been an increasing trend of U.S. consumers spending more time consuming digital media every year. In 2022, the average consumption of digital media content in the U.S. reached 439 minutes per day, depicting an increase from 421 minutes per day in 2021.
Additionally, according to Restream, in 2020, approximately 54% of users live-streamed about gaming and e-sports while 17% of users live-streamed about entertainment and 9% live-streamed about professional content among others. Therefore, an increase in global demand and consumption of live stream content is increasing their adoption for controlling the audio sources and sending the audio signals to the computer for live streaming, thereby, driving the audio interface market demand.
Increasing popularity of podcasting
Audio interfaces are utilized in podcasting for connecting headphones, microphones, and computers for transmission of audio signals. Moreover, their use enhances sound quality, enables real-time monitoring, and adjusts input levels to ensure optimum audio quality during podcasts. Their above mentioned benefits are primary determinants for increasing its adoption for recording, editing, and streaming podcasts.
Analysis of market trends concludes that factors including increasing penetration of smart devices, rising popularity of on-demand audio content, and growing availability of high-quality podcast content are key prospects driving the proliferation of podcasting sector.
For instance, according to the Podcast Host, there are approximately 460,080 active podcasts on Apple Podcasts as of October 2023, representing an increase of 2.5% from 449,041 podcasts in January 2023. Additionally, over 87,667,963 episodes of podcasts have been published in Apple Podcasts as of October 2023, depicting a significant growth of 65.4% as compared to 52,990,000 episodes in June 2021.
Hence, the increasing popularity of podcasting is fostering the utilization of interfaces to ensure optimum audio quality during podcasts, in turn proliferating the audio interface market demand.
Key Restraints :
Prevalence of stringent regulations and standards
Audio interface manufacturers have to compulsorily comply with various stringent standards and regulations, which is a prime factor restricting the market expansion.
For instance, audio manufacturers have to comply with various standards such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) Directive, IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard – IEC 60958-3:2021, and others.
Additionally, materials used in interfaces must comply with RoHS in relation to Directive 2011/65/EU, including the amendment to Annex II, 2015/863/EU. Furthermore, IEC 60958-3:2021 standard specifies guidelines for consumer application of the interface used for inter-connection of digital audio equipment as defined in IEC 60958-1.
Examination of market trends concludes that the prevalence of the aforementioned standards associated with the interfaces are constraining the proliferation of the market.
Future Opportunities :
Rising innovations associated with interfaces.
The rising innovations associated with interfaces is expected to present potential opportunities for the development of the market. Its manufacturers are constantly investing in the development of new technologies integrated with new features to ensure the efficient utilization in several personal and professional audio applications among others. Hence, companies are launching new products with updated features and advancements.
For instance, in August 2023, Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited launched its new generation of Scarlett audio interfaces. They are integrated with premium features, including a new headphone amp, 120dB of dynamic range, and other additional features.
Additionally, in November 2023, Universal Audio Inc. launched its new Apollo Twin X model of USB audio interface. It features an elite-class A/D and D/A conversion and USB 3 connectivity for Windows. Therefore, the increasing innovations associated with the interfaces are projected to emerge as one of many audio interface market opportunities that drive market expansion during the forecast period.
Global Audio Interface Market Report Insights :
| Report Attributes | Report Details |
| Study Timeline | 2017-2031 |
| Market Size in 2031 | USD 315.96 Million |
| CAGR (2023-2031) | 5.5% |
| Based on the Type | Universal Serial Bus (USB), Thunderbolt, Firewire, and Others |
| Based on the Component | Hardware and Software |
| Based on the Application | Professional and Personal |
| Based on the Region | North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa |
| Key Players | Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited, Audient Limited, PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc., Universal Audio Inc., Zoom Corporation, Roland Corporation, Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, IK Multimedia Productions SRL, Akai Pro, ESI Audiotechnik GmbH, TASCAM |
Audio Interface Market Segment Analysis :
By Type :
Based on the type, the market is segmented into universal serial bus (USB), thunderbolt, firewire, and others. The universal serial bus (USB) segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 41.83% in the year 2022. USB interface refers to a compact device used for connecting to a computer through USB and is designed for facilitating high-quality audio input and output. It enables recording and playback of audio signals from instruments, microphones, and speakers, while enhancing sound quality for tasks including podcasting, music production, live streaming, and others. Moreover, USB interface offers a range of benefits including faster speed, high reliability, low-latency performance, improved sound quality, lower cost, and support for multiple devices among others.
For instance, Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited offers a broad range of USB interfaces including Scarlett Solo Studio, Scarlett 2i2, Scarlett 4i4, and other models in its product portfolio. The company's interfaces are designed for utilization in a range of personal and professional applications. The audio interface market analysis concluded that rising innovation associated with USB interfaces for personal and professional applications is among the prime factors driving the expansion of the market.
The thunderbolt segment is anticipated to register fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. It refers to a hardware interface that is designed for connecting several external peripherals for fast data transfer between a computer and multiple attached peripherals. Moreover, thunderbolt interface offers multiple benefits including lower latency, higher bandwidth, and faster speed among others. Analysis of market trends concludes that it is primarily used for professional applications among others.
For instance, PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc. offers Quantum series of thunderbolt audio interfaces in its product portfolio. It features extremely high-quality audio conversion with seamless multi-platform workflow. Therefore, rising advancements related to thunderbolt interface for deployment in professional applications are anticipated to boost the proliferation of the market during the forecast period.
By Component :
Based on the component, the market is segregated into hardware and software. In 2022, the hardware segment accounted for the highest audio interface market share. The primary hardware components used in interfaces include microphone preamplifiers, analog to digital/digital to analog converters, and others. The hardware components of interface are used for linking the audio elements and help in conversion of analog/digital signals into electronic audio information.
For instance, in October 2023, Solid State Logic launched its new studio tools including the Pure Drive Octo and Pure Drive Quad microphone preamplifiers. The microphone preamplifiers are available in 8-channel and 4-channel configurations. Therefore, the increasing innovations associated with hardware components of an interface is a vital factor proliferating the audio interface market growth.
The software component segment is anticipated to register fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. Interface software features a multi-format audio engine that enables users to obtain the required interface program to make recordings sound clearer with improved audio quality.
For instance, Adobe Audition, Total Studio 2 MAX, Virtual Audio Cable are among few of the audio interface software available for personal and professional applications. The audio interface market analysis concluded that the increasing availability of software is a key factor projected to drive the expansion of the segment during the forecast period.
By Application :
Based on the application, the market is segregated into personal and professional. In 2022, the professional segment accounted for the highest audio interface market share. Assessment of market trends suggest that factors including increasing popularity of on-demand audio content, rising online music production, and growing demand for podcast content from the music industry are among the major aspects driving the utilization of interfaces for professional application.
For instance, Universal Audio offers Apollo series of audio interfaces that are specifically designed for professional applications. They are designed for professional studios and musicians among others. Therefore, the rising development of interfaces for use in professional applications is accelerating the audio interface market growth.
Personal segment is expected to witness fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. The development of personal application segment is primarily driven by multiple factors including growing consumer shift towards digital content for learning and entertainment activities, increasing penetration of social media for content distribution, and rising popularity of live streaming among others.
For instance, TASCAM offers MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42B series of audio interface, particularly optimized for personal broadcasting application. The interface supports Windows and Mac OS along with audio resolution up to 96 kHz. Analysis of audio interface market trends concludes that the growing innovations associated with interface for deployment in personal applications are projected to drive the market expansion during the forecast period.
By Region :
The regional segment includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.
North America is estimated to reach over USD 112.39 Million by 2031 from a value of USD 70.13 Million in 2022 and is projected to grow by USD 72.44 Million in 2023.
The market growth in the North American region is mainly driven by multiple factors including rising popularity of podcasting, increasing penetration of social media, and rising consumption of live streaming content among others. Analysis of audio interface market trends concludes that the rising integration of interfaces for podcasting to enhance sound quality, enable real-time monitoring, and adjust input levels to ensure optimum audio quality during podcasts has been a prevalent factor for market expansion in the region.
For instance, according to Forbes, the total number of podcast listeners in the United States reached up to 100 million active listeners in 2022, depicting a rise of 25% in the share from 82 million listeners in 2021. Hence, the increasing popularity of podcasting is fostering the utilization of interfaces to adjust input levels and ensure optimum audio quality during podcasts. The above factors are driving the proliferation of market in North America.
Asia-Pacific is expected to grow with the highest CAGR growth of 6.0% and is estimated to reach over USD 83.60 Million by 2031 from a value of USD 50.66 Million in 2022 and is projected to grow by USD 52.46 Million in 2023. In addition, in the region, the China accounted for the maximum revenue share of 34.20% in the same year.
Factors including the development of media & entertainment sector along with rise in online music production and live streaming are driving the market proliferation in the Asia-Pacific region.
For instance, Tencent Music Entertainment, a Chinese company which currently consist of over 47 million online-music subscribers, recently launched a live-streaming platform called TME Live that provides high-quality virtual concerts to its audiences. Hence, the growing popularity of live streaming is driving the adoption of interfaces for controlling the audio sources and sending audio signals to the computer for live streaming, thereby, boosting the market expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.
Top Key Players & Market Share Insights :
The global audio interface market is highly competitive with major players providing products to the national and international markets. The companies operating in audio interface industry are adopting several strategies in research and development (R&D), product innovation, and application launches to hold a strong position in market. Key players in the market include-
- Focusrite Audio Engineering Limited
- PreSonus Audio Electronics Inc.
- Zoom Corporation
- Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH
- Akai Pro
- TASCAM
- Audient Limited
- Universal Audio Inc.
- Roland Corporation
- IK Multimedia Productions SRL
- ESI Audiotechnik GmbH
Recent Industry Developments :
- In February 2020, TASCAM introduced a primary update to its USB audio interface driver optimized for Windows. The upgraded product provides improved driver stability along with offering a low latency solution for streamlined workflow during audio mixing and recording for use in much industry and other applications.
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is audio interface? +
An audio interface refers to an electronic equipment that enables users to record digital and analog audio signals and transfer the signals into the computer for post-processing.
What specific segmentation details are covered in the audio interface report, and how is the dominating segment impacting the market growth? +
For instance, by type segment has witnessed universal serial bus (USB) as the dominating segment in the year 2022, owing to the increasing adoption of USB audio interface for podcasting, music production, and live streaming applications among others.
What specific segmentation details are covered in the audio interface market report, and how is the fastest segment anticipated to impact the market growth? +
For instance, by application segment has witnessed professional as the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period due to rising adoption of audio interface by professional studios and musicians among others.
Which region/country is anticipated to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period, 2023-2031? +
Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period due to growth of media & entertainment sector along with rise in online music production and live streaming among others.
