Creative
Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface with Direct Monitoring
Bottom line: The Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface with Direct Monitoring is a specs-and-price decision rather than a crowd-consensus one in the streaming gear category. Check the specification table below against one or two close alternatives — on price and spec fit, not on star ratings.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Backed by Creative's warranty and support channels
Cons
- ✗ Check the listed dimensions, connectors and platform compatibility against your setup before ordering
- ✗ Price, stock, shipping and returns are set by the retailer and may have changed since this page was last updated
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface with Direct Monitoring using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the streaming gear category. Creative's streaming gear lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for streaming gear of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Key Features
- HIGH-RES PLAYBACK AND RECORDING - Supports high resolution audio playback and recording up to 24-bit 96kHz, so you can savor audio recordings with unparalleled clarity and fidelity
- VERSATILE 4-CHANNEL AUDIO MIXER - Creative Live! Audio A3 also provides convenience for on-the-go creators with a dedicated mobile device channel. This enables seamless audio mixing directly to your smartphone
- BALANCED STEREO OUTPUTS WITH LEVEL CONTROL - Featuring balanced stereo outputs with level control, ensuring your audio signal is pristine and adaptable to various playback systems
- ZERO LATENCY DIRECT MONITOR - Allowing you to monitor your sound in real-time without any annoying delays, making it perfect for live recording and streaming
- PRECISE CONTROL OVER YOUR AUDIO SOURCES - Creative Live! Audio A3 has individual input volume control with indicators so you can easily customize your audio experience
Full Specifications
| Brand | Creative |
|---|---|
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Audio Input | USB |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | SB1890 |
| Compatible Devices | Guitar, Headphone, Keyboard, Microphone, Personal Computer, Smartphone, Tablet |
| Frequency Response | 48 KHz |
| Number of Channels | 4 |
| Supported Software | DAW software |
| Included Components | Item |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 96 KHz |
| Warranty Description | 1 year limited warranty. |
| Connectivity Technology | USB |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 70SB189000000 |
| Item Dimensions D x W x H | 4.72"D x 9.29"W x 6"H |
| Full listing title | Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface with Direct Monitoring | USB Audio Interface, Direct Monitoring, 24-bit/96kHz, Hi-Res Audio, Audio Recording |
Ready to buy?
Creative Live! Audio A3 USB Audio Interface with Direct Monitoring | USB Audio Interface, Direct Monitoring, 24-bit/96kHz, Hi-Res Audio, Audio Recording is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
Related Streaming Gear
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- GPT and Claude Flunked Bridgewater's Finance Test — Why a Local RAG Box Fills the Gap
- Best CPU Cooler for AM4 Ryzen Overclocking (2026 Edition)
- RTX 3060 12GB at 3440x1440: Is It Enough for a 34-Inch Ultrawide?
- How to Decode Modern Monitor Names: A 2026 Buyer's Translation Guide
- Ryzen 7 5800X vs Ryzen 7 5700X for 1440p Gaming: Is the Premium Worth It?
- Why a Red Hat Engineer Ditched ARM64 for AMD Ryzen (Linux AI Builds)
- Best GPU for Local LLMs in 2026: Why the RTX 3060 12GB Still Wins on Value
- AI-Driven Vintage Driver Install on WinXP: Using Vision-LLM to Walk a Voodoo + Audigy Setup
- Raspberry Pi LLM Projects: What Actually Runs in 2026
- RTX 5070 Ti vs RTX 5090 for Local LLMs: 16GB vs 32GB
- Best Budget PC Upgrades Under $250 in 2026
- Samsung 256GB microSD Drops to $47.99 — 40% Off Storage Deal
- Can a Raspberry Pi 4 8GB Run Local LLMs in 2026?
- China Mobile JT-4.1 Flash 236B: A Token-Efficient MoE and What It Takes to Self-Host
- Ryzen AI Max vs RTX 4060: Which Fits Your Build?
- Best Wireless Controller for Sega Genesis Mini and Retro Emulation in 2026
- Best USB Microphones for Streaming and Podcasting (2026)
- Intel Arc for Stable Diffusion: ComfyUI + A1111 setup (2026)
- llama.cpp vs vLLM for Single-User Local Chat in 2026: Which Wins on a 12GB GPU?
- Do You Need a USB Sound Card for Gaming? Recon 50 + Sound Blaster G6 (2026)
- Samsung's 2026 Odyssey Lineup Adds 5K, 6K and a 360Hz 4K QD-OLED
- AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Bundle: DDR5 + MSI B850 Wi-Fi 7 Guide
- Best Storage Upgrades for Gaming and Retro PCs in 2026
- ComfyUI on an RTX 3060 12GB: SDXL Throughput and VRAM Tuning
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090