Arturia MiniFuse Series Compared: MiniFuse 1, MiniFuse 2, MiniFuse 4 by Official Specs

Arturia’s “MiniFuse” series is a set of USB audio interfaces in three models, MiniFuse 1, 2 and 4, which differ in the number of inputs and outputs. In this article we compare the 3 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 18 audio interfaces on this site.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

In short: which one to choose

• MiniFuse 1 (rank B): a USB audio interface with 1 input and 2 outputs. Strong on ease of streaming.
• MiniFuse 2 (rank A): a USB audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs. Strong on ease of streaming and ease of recording guitar and other instruments.
• MiniFuse 4 (rank S): a USB audio interface with 4 inputs and 4 outputs. Strong on ease of streaming, ease of recording guitar and other instruments and number of inputs and outputs.

The highest score among the 3 models is MiniFuse 4 (rank S, average 4.2). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.

Main features of the Arturia MiniFuse series

The three models differ in the number of inputs and outputs

The MiniFuse 1 has one input for microphone or instrument, the MiniFuse 2 has two, and the MiniFuse 4 has two combo inputs plus two inputs for instrument or line. The MiniFuse 2 and 4 have MIDI in and out, and the MiniFuse 4 has four outputs and two headphone jacks.

Loopback and a USB hub

Every model has loopback (a virtual stereo channel) that lets you record or stream the computer’s sound together with your microphone voice. The body also has a USB-A port (up to 250 mA) where you can connect a MIDI keyboard and the like, saving the computer’s USB ports (two on the MiniFuse 4).

Quiet microphone inputs

The noise of the microphone preamp (EIN) is published as -129 dB and the gain range as 56 dB. The light around the knob reacts to the input and glows red when it is too loud.

A lot of included software

Analog Lab Intro (a collection of keyboard instruments), four effects (plate reverb, preamp, tape echo and chorus), Ableton Live Lite and more are included.

Where it is useful

• Combining the computer sound and your voice for game commentary or streaming
• Composing with a MIDI keyboard connected too (MiniFuse 2 and 4)
• Recording with two people listening on headphones at the same time (MiniFuse 4)

Differences in specifications (comparison table)

Model	Rank	Microphone input quality	Ease of streaming	Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs and outputs	Features for production
MiniFuse 1	B (2.8)	EIN -129dBu / Gain 56dB / DR 110dB (3 points)	loopback: yes (5 points)	1 Hi-Z input (3 points)	3 analog inputs and outputs (2 points)	0 of 3 (1 point)
MiniFuse 2	A (3.6)	EIN -129dBu / Gain 56dB / DR 110dB (3 points)	loopback: yes (5 points)	2 Hi-Z inputs (4 points)	4 analog inputs and outputs (3 points)	1 of 3 (3 points)
MiniFuse 4	S (4.2)	EIN -129dBu / Gain 56dB / DR 110dB (3 points)	loopback: yes (5 points)	4 Hi-Z inputs (5 points)	8 analog inputs and outputs (5 points)	1 of 3 (3 points)

How we score (Audio interfaces)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Microphone input quality	Quietness (EIN), gain range and dynamic range	Average 4.5 or more	3.5 or more	2.5 or more	1.5 or more	Under 1.5
Ease of streaming	Loopback (send the computer's sound together with the microphone for streaming or recording)	Yes	—	—	—	No
Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs that take a guitar or bass directly (Hi-Z)	3 or more	2	1	—	None
Number of inputs and outputs	Analog inputs plus outputs (headphones excluded)	≥8	≥6	≥4	≥3	<3
Features for production	Built-in DSP, MIDI ports and digital I/O	All 3	2	1	—	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer and the functions listed on the product page. Price and bundled software are not part of the score. "Microphone input quality" is the average of three scores: quietness (EIN: 5 points at -130 dBu or lower, 4 at -129, 3 at -128, 2 at -127), gain range (5 at 72 dB or more, 4 at 65, 3 at 57, 2 at 54) and dynamic range (5 at 118 dB or more, 4 at 116, 3 at 112, 2 at 108). It is scored when two or more numbers are published. "Ease of streaming" depends on whether the interface has loopback, which sends the BGM or game sound playing on the computer to the streaming software together with your voice.

Rating of each model

MiniFuse 1

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 1 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 1 Hi-Z input that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.

MiniFuse 2

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 2 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 2 Hi-Z inputs that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.
• It has MIDI ports. You can connect keyboards and gear that have MIDI jacks directly.

MiniFuse 4

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 4 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 4 Hi-Z inputs that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.
• It has MIDI ports. You can connect keyboards and gear that have MIDI jacks directly.

Compared with other audio interfaces

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Arturia MiniFuse series: connection and getting started

Connection	USB-C (USB 2.0) to a computer
Power	Runs on USB power
In the box	USB cables (USB-A to USB-C, USB-C to USB-C)
Other	Supported OS: Windows 10 or later (64-bit), macOS 10.13 or later (64-bit). Settings app: MiniFuse Control Center

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Related reading

• Audio interfaces compared
• USB microphone or XLR with an audio interface: which should you choose?
• How to choose an audio interface
• How we rate specifications