What is an audio interface? It is the piece of audio gear that provides your precious personal computer and mic together and makes recording possible.
It bridges the analogue sound of a persons mic or instrument in the digital field in which it is recorded by a digital audio workstation on your computer.
Pre amps are built in that make amplify the sound from a microphone know as "mic level signal" and boosts it to "line level signal" therefore it can be recorded easily.
"Without an audio interface recording to the digital domain and into a desktop computer could not be possible.
All of us could still be recording on analog tape and home recording would definitely not be as accessible as it is now.
" Here are some essential things to consider How many inputs / outputs? If someone is recording drums or a group someone will need more inputs to record everything.
If someone is like myself they may only need two inputs for microphones and a couple of outputs.
As a rule of thumb if you do not foresee yourself utilizing the inputs and outputs do not get them.
Spend your some cash on a better quality before amplifier and analog to digital converters.
Having 10 inputs and not making use them and by using low quality pre amps is going to not help your music production, it will only hurt it.
How will you connect everything? There are three main methods to attach to your computer to your audio interface, each have their own benefit and downsides.
If you are using a Pro Tools or Logic studio, make sure that it will work by checking the manual or manufacturer's website.
We will be going more into this in a future post along with computers for music production.
Firewire - Principally made use of along with Apple computer systems.
This is what I use with my Apogee duet.
USB - Mac and Desktop - Most universal way to connect PCI - Each of these varieties of interfaces is going to link directly into your computer systems PCI slot.
Portability, expansibility and relatively easy to utilize.
In which and what do you plan to record? This is a question that in fact should not be taken lightly.
I say this because it would make a vast distinction if someone strategy to actually record your band's drummer in a practice area, while recording the remainder of the group simultaneously verses recording singing in a person's bedroom.
One requires more inputs and outputs and portability while the other does not.
In the next two to four years what do you think your recording needs will be? I suspected in my studio I could only record beginners guitars and singing principally.
I plotted out to actually book studio time at a bigger studio if I required to firmly record drums, or something with more inputs.
You want to try to future proof your investment as much as possible.
Hopefully you have a better understanding of audio interfaces and why they are so important to your music production.
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