Q: Can I get by with one interface for both my studio and my iPad?
A: These days, a lot of interfaces are boasting both iOS and desktop OS support (and Android interfaces are beginning to enter the market, too). If you own both a mobile device, such as an iPad, as well as a Windows or Mac desktop, this means that you can get a single interface that will work with both. But whether you should or not depends on a number of factors.
First of all, if you can only afford one interface, of course, be sure to get one that works with both your desktop and mobile devices — there are some great options available that cover both worlds. But if you can afford multiple interfaces, your options open up. For one thing, there are a lot more options for desktop-only interfaces. Since desktop-only interfaces aren’t trying to be portable or to use bus power only, they can afford to add more ins and outs, higher-end preamps that draw more power, have onboard high-end DSP capability, and so on. So if you want the best interface you can afford, it’s very likely going to be a desktop-only interface.
With mobile interfaces, if you’re not worried about it doing double duty, you can double down on portability and durability without worrying about suitability for a studio job.
So in the “best of both worlds” scenario, you might want to get a mobile-only (or mobile-first) interface just for your mobile device, and even if it’s capable of working with your desktop computer, buy a dedicated interface for your studio that offers studio-only functions and features.