It works both ways, where it turns analog signals into digital and digital signals into analog. Think of it as a device for analog and digital to match-make. Obviously some professional audio interfaces sell for several thousand dollars, but you don’t need something with a gazillion inputs and outputs if you’re just recording a direct input guitar signal or a mic’d amp.As it name states, an audio interface is a device to connect your microphones, guitar, keyboard, and other audio sources to your computer. This is more of a starter list for home studio recording than a best of list covering every possible scenario. In fact, music tech brands are now producing guitar-specific audio interfaces a far cry from the early days of these devices.Audio Interface Basics – What Is It & Why You’ll Need It What Is An Audio InterfaceYou can also click the Controls button and further customize any of the presets using the custom graphical interface. The capabilities of audio interfaces and digital audio workstations (DAWS) these days means it is incredibly easy and cost-effective to produce great sounding guitar tones in your own home.
Guitar Audio Interface Software Using MicrophonesEssentially an audio interface is a sound card on steroids, made for producers, DJs, and musicians. Also if you’re looking for better sound quality when producing music, an audio interface is usually a must. You’ll also need an audio interface if you want to connect your computer to your studio monitor speakers. Audio interfaces come in different sizes and prices as well – so which one really is the best and which one should you consider getting?Guitar Interfaces Jack to USB Audio Interface Cable, 5m by Gear4music TC Helicon GO GUITAR Interface for Mobile Devices Behringer UCG102 Guitar Link IK.You’ll basically need an audio interface if you want to record to your computer software using microphones, guitar or your keyboard. Some of them come built with Firewire, USB and even PCI connections.Instrument level instruments like the guitar will require a line-level input on the audio interface. There a few types of inputs on an audio interface that you should look out for though. InputsIf you’re recording your own playing and performances, say using only one microphone or one instrument, you’ll only need one input. We’ll come to why you should buy an interface with at least 2 inputs later. It really depends on what you’re planning to record and the style of music you produce. Why? There are many different types of audio interfaces from interfaces that comes with only 1 input/2 outputs to interfaces that boasts up to 18 inputs and more.However though it’s promoted as a 2 input device, it doesn’t record 2 inputs simultaneously.Coming back to why you’ll need at least 2 inputs (that records simultaneously) on an audio interface, it is basically because I believe 2 inputs give you bigger versatility. The Focusrite iTrack is a nice audio interface that works even with the iPad itself. Also check if the audio interface has Phantom Power as you’ll need it to run condenser microphones. For microphones, you’ll need an audio interface that have a mic pre-amp built in.OutputsIt’s common to see 2 outputs on an audio interface. And if you’re a DJ, you can get away with an audio interface with only 2 inputs. The 8-input interface is probably the minimum you need to record a band. Bigger audio interfaces such as the M-Audio Profire 2626 which has 8 built in pre-amps allows for expansion, where you can stack another one or two units and have over 24 mic pre-amps able to record simultaneously. That means you can plug a guitar or a microphone into the same input.Being more ambitious? Well, go for the bigger audio interface that offers more inputs. Most audio interfaces these days come with combo jacks with built in pre-amps. ![]() ![]() Thunderbolt Audio InterfacesApple implemented a new input and output technology called Thunderbolt. You’ll want to check the ports that your computer accepts and get an audio interface that matches the port on your computer. Hot-plugging an audio interface with Firewire can lead to damage on the interface.There are two types of Firewire types, Firewire 800 and Firewire 400. Always only turn the computer on after plugging in the Firewire cable. Reformat windows my passport for macHowever PCI-e connections on computers are quickly becoming obsolete. Search the internet for proof and you’ll find claims that most producers experience the lowest latencies and be able to achieve lower buffer size with PCI-e audio interfaces. In the beginning, the Thunderbolt audio interfaces were expensive and considered luxury products, but turn to companies such as Apogee and you’ll be able to find audio interfaces at consumer-level prices.The best type of audio interface are the PCI-e. They are replaced by Thunderbolt – the newer protocol. The newer Macs do not have Firewire ports built-in anymore. ![]() This is so you can route your sound setup to play on the main speakers (main mix), while having a separate stereo track for your monitoring purpose via headphones. You’ll get what you pay for thoughAs a DJ you’ll need an audio interface with at least 4 outputs, with two of them being stereo. Zoom R24 – Lots of inputs/outputs in one affordable unit.
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