Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2.
Bundled with a massive selection of NI instruments and effects, the Komplete Audio 2 offers unmatched software value for electronic music.
The Verdict.
Gavler Meta-Score
“The Komplete Audio 2 is the obvious choice for electronic music producers. The bundled NI instruments and effects — Massive, Monark, Reaktor, Guitar Rig — represent hundreds of dollars in software that no competing interface matches. The hardware is capable, but the software is the reason to buy it. For electronic music production, the value is unmatched.”
The Gavler Verdict
The Gavler Review.
Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 Review: Buying the Software, Getting the Interface Free
The Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 ranks number 9 on Gavler's Best Audio Interfaces list with an 8.4, and the reason to buy it has almost nothing to do with the hardware. It's for electronic music producers who want an immediate creative ecosystem — Massive, Monark, Reaktor Player, Guitar Rig, and Kontakt libraries — bundled with a competent-if-unremarkable interface. The trade-off is exactly that: the preamps and converters do their job without distinguishing themselves. As MusicTech's review puts it, the Komplete Audio 2 "is both stylish and great value... though the features are basic it does what it sets out to do admirably."
What it is
Two combo XLR/TRS inputs with 54dB of gain and 24-bit/192kHz conversion form the hardware core, connected via bus-powered USB-C. The front panel adds a headphone output and a level meter with peak indication; the rear carries the outputs and a unique Input-Host crossfade pot for direct monitoring. Build quality uses a metal chassis that's solid without matching the tactile refinement of pricier interfaces in the category.
The real product is Komplete Start — the bundled software package including Massive and Monark (industry-standard synths), Reaktor Player, Guitar Rig, and a selection of Kontakt libraries. Ableton Live Lite is included for anyone without a DAW already. Gavler's own longDescription is blunt about the value calculus: "No other audio interface at any price bundles this quality and quantity of production software."
In use
MusicRadar's hands-on review found the ergonomics well thought out for a compact unit: "The Audio 2 features tactile rubberised knobs that overcome the somewhat compact layout, and the main output level is controlled from a large output level knob on the top panel." That's a small but telling detail — a lot of budget interfaces cram controls together without regard for how they feel in daily use, and NI clearly didn't.
The Input-Host crossfade feature drew specific attention: "The Komplete Audio 2 has two combi XLR/jack inputs, both phantom-powered and independently switchable between instrument and line levels. A unique feature is the Input-Host crossfade pot — Komplete Audio 2's take on direct monitoring." MusicTech's overall impression tracked closely with MusicRadar's: "performance was as slick as its looks... feeling robust enough to handle regular use." Nobody who tested this interface came away disappointed with the hardware — but nobody came away calling it exceptional, either. It does its job cleanly and lets the bundled software carry the value proposition.
Strengths
- Komplete Start is a legitimately valuable bundle. Massive, Monark, Reaktor Player, Guitar Rig, and Kontakt libraries represent industry-standard tools that electronic producers would otherwise buy separately for real money.
- Thoughtful ergonomics in a compact chassis. MusicRadar specifically praised the "tactile rubberised knobs" that make the small layout easy to use.
- The Input-Host crossfade pot is a genuinely useful, distinctive feature for direct monitoring that most competing interfaces at this price handle less elegantly.
- NI ecosystem integration pairs naturally with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware for producers already invested in Native Instruments gear.
The trade-offs — who should skip it
Gavler's own scoreNote doesn't sugarcoat the hardware assessment: "Experts note the hardware is competent but unremarkable compared to interfaces that invest more in preamp quality." If preamp character and headroom are your priority — say, for serious vocal or acoustic instrument tracking — this isn't the interface to build around. It's also a poor fit if you have no interest in NI's software ecosystem; paying $139 largely for a synth bundle you won't use is a bad trade when the Arturia MiniFuse 2 offers comparable or better hardware plus its own software bundle for less.
How it compares
The Komplete Audio 2 sits at rank 9, directly behind the Arturia MiniFuse 2 at rank 8 and ahead of the Steinberg UR22C at rank 10 — all three compete on software-plus-hardware value rather than pure preamp specs. Against the PreSonus Studio 24c at the identical $139 price point, Gavler's own data frames the decision cleanly: "PreSonus for Studio One and general production, NI for electronic music and NI ecosystem integration." If you make electronic music and want synths and samplers ready to go, buy the NI. If you want a full-featured DAW and MIDI I/O for general production, buy the PreSonus.
The Gavler verdict
An 8.4 for an interface that is, by its own design, a software purchase with hardware attached. The Komplete Audio 2's preamps and converters won't wow anyone, but they don't need to — Massive, Monark, Reaktor Player, and Kontakt are the reason to own this box, and for electronic producers, that reason is compelling. Buy it if you're building an electronic production setup and want NI's tools without buying them separately. Skip it if you already have a plugin ecosystem you're happy with, or if preamp quality matters more to your workflow than bundled software.
Common Questions
Mainly for electronic producers who want the bundled software. It ranks ninth on Gavler's Best Audio Interfaces list with an 8.4. MusicTech calls it 'both stylish and great value,' but Gavler's own scoreNote is candid that the hardware is 'competent but unremarkable' — the NI software bundle (Massive, Monark, Reaktor Player, Kontakt) is the actual selling point.
They're priced identically at $139 and the choice is entirely about workflow. The Studio 24c bundles Studio One Artist, a full DAW; the Komplete Audio 2 bundles Komplete Start's synths, samplers, and effects for electronic production. Neither hardware is class-leading — both are competent — so pick based on which software ecosystem you'll actually use.
MusicRadar describes it as 'Komplete Audio 2's take on direct monitoring' — a crossfade pot that blends your live input signal with computer playback, letting you dial the monitoring mix by ear rather than through software controls.
Where to Buy.
Prices checked regularly
90-day price history
Price History
Steady at $139 for the entire 90-day tracking window — no increases, no discounts, across 74 tracked days.
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Precision Engineering
Komplete Start Bundle
Massive, Monark, Reaktor Player, Guitar Rig, and Kontakt libraries included — hundreds of dollars in professional NI software.
Clean Preamps
Two preamps with 54dB gain provide transparent, noise-free capture for vocals, instruments, and electronic sources.
NI Ecosystem Integration
Pairs seamlessly with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware for a unified production environment.
Technical Specifications
The Scoreboard
Community values the NI software bundle enormously — electronic producers consider it the best value in the category. Experts note the hardware is competent but unremarkable compared to interfaces that invest more in preamp quality.
Cast Your Vote
Do you think Native Instruments Komplete Audio 2 deserves the #9 spot in Best Audio Interfaces?
Global Critique
“The Audio 2 features tactile rubberised knobs that overcome the somewhat compact layout, and the main output level is controlled from a large output level knob on the top panel.”
“The Komplete Audio 2 has two combi XLR/jack inputs, both phantom-powered and independently switchable between instrument and line levels. A unique feature is the Input-Host crossfade pot — Komplete Audio 2's take on direct monitoring.”
“The Komplete Audio 2 is both stylish and great value, performance was as slick as its looks, and though the features are basic it does what it sets out to do admirably, feeling robust enough to handle regular use.”
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