There are few companies that make the settings of their audio interfaces accessible to blind and visually impaired people. However, it is possible to adjust most settings directly in Windows, making them easier to use.
Behringer
Behringer offers premium audio interfaces to very affordable prices. These interfaces are popular for their performance and reliability. The interface is not accessible but all settings are available directly in Windows. Instruction below.
The Behringer UMC series offers a range of audio interfaces designed for various recording needs. Below is a brief description of each model along with links to their product pages:
UMC202HD
The UMC202HD is a 2x2 USB audio interface featuring a studio-grade XENYX mic preamp, perfect for recording vocals and instruments with high-quality sound.
UMC204HD
The UMC204HD is a 2x4 USB audio interface with 24-bit/192 kHz resolution, MIDAS mic preamps, and additional MIDI I/O, suitable for musicians and producers who require more connectivity.
UMC404HD
The Behringer UMC404HD is a high-quality USB audio interface, perfect for musicians and producers looking for reliable performance. With 4 audio inputs and 4 outputs, as well as MIDI inputs and outputs, this interface allows you to record multiple audio and MIDI sources simultaneously with exceptional sound quality.
It is equipped with MIDAS preamps renowned for their clarity and sonic fidelity, as well as low latency, ideal for real-time recordings.
UMC1820
The UMC1820 is an 18x20 USB audio interface with 24-bit/96 kHz resolution, featuring eight MIDAS-designed mic preamps, ADAT I/O, and MIDI I/O, providing extensive connectivity for large recording sessions.
Audient
Audient offers completely accessible audio interfaces. Audient is recognized for the excellent sound quality of its products and their ease of use for blind musicians.
Click here to open the Audient product accessibility information page.
Focusrite
Focusrite is very sensitive to the needs of blind users and is committed to making their products accessible. Focusrite carefully listens to feedback from blind users and adapts its products accordingly. Their audio interfaces are very popular with blind musicians and producers of music or podcasts thanks to their high quality and reliability.
All information regarding the accessibility of Focusrite products is on this page:
Scarlett 4th Gen with Focusrite Control 2 and Screen Readers
Soundcraft
Soundcraft offers a range of very accessible mixers for blind users , the MTK Signature Series. These mixers allow you to record tracks directly to a computer via USB, while offering great sound quality and a multitude of features tailored to the needs of blind users.
How to modify your audio interface settings on Windows using the mmsys.cpl tool
To modify your audio interface settings on Windows using the mmsys.cpl tool, follow the steps below.
- Press Windows+R to open the "Run" dialog box.
- Type mmsys.cpl in the text field and press Enter. This will open the "Sound" window.
- Press Shift+Tab to select the first tab.
- Use the Right Arrow and Left Arrow keys to navigate between tabs. Make sure you are on the Playback tab.
- Press Tab to go to the dropdown list of devices.
- Use the Up Arrow and Down Arrow keys to navigate through the list of playback devices. Select your audio interface.
- Press Alt+P to open the Properties of the selected device.
- In the new window, use Ctrl+Tab to navigate between the following tabs:
- General: Displays general information about the device and allows you to enable or disable it.
- Levels: Allows you to adjust the output volume of your audio interface.
- Enhancements: Offers options to enable or disable audio enhancements.
- Advanced: Allows you to set the sample rate and bit depth for the device.
- Use the Tab and Arrow keys to navigate through the options in each tab and make the necessary adjustments.
- After adjusting the settings to your needs, press Alt+A to apply the changes, then press Enter to close the Properties window.
- Repeat the same steps in the Recording tab if you also want to modify the settings for your audio interface's input.
By following these steps, you can customize your audio interface settings to optimize your audio performance on Windows.