AKARSH SHEKHAR
How To Choose The Right
AUDIO INTERFACE
In order to find the right audio interface, we need to first
understand why we need an audio interface: The old fashioned
recording method of using analog or digital tapes in quickly
going out of style and even high-end, expensive studios use
computer based rigs. As a matter of fact, tape based recording
studios have become so rare that it's hard to find them even
when you have free-flowing money. So working on computer-
based recording rigs is the way to go in today's technology
driven world. This means is that we simply need to get audio
from the “air-based soundwave” world into the “virtual, ones-
and-zeroes-based digital world”. In order to do this, we use an
audio interface. In simple words, enriching or upgrading the
quality of your recordings may be as easy as upgrading your
interface.
In simplest of terms, an audio interface is a device that accepts
analog signals from a microphone and line-level signals, then
converts them to a digital format for storage and processing in
a computer, and vice versa: it can accept digital audio signals
from the computer and convert them back to analog signals
to drive studio monitors, headphones, and analog processing
gear. This is practically the most basic level of an audio
interface's function. But other audio interfaces add:
• sophisticated monitor control capabilities
• flexible routing options
• multiple digital audio I/O formats
will go a long way toward determining which interface will be
best for you. One thing you can do is to sit down and make a
list of everything you do where the interface is involved.
2. Connection Format
Are you going to hook up the audio interface to your computer
through a USB/ Thunderbolt/FireWire? Certain “hybrid”
interfaces support more than one protocol, but this connection
step will narrow your search considerably.
3. Number of Simultaneous analog ins/outs/
preamps
Take into consideration how many signals you need to get into
the audio interface at the same time. One for a guitar? One for
vocals? A drum kit? A full band? Do they require microphone
preamps? Will you use external microphone preamps into
line inputs? How many monitors do you have? How many
simultaneous headphone feeds are required for tracking? Do
you incorporate external analog compressors/EQs/effects
when mixing? Make a list of every in/out you need and its
format.
4. Additional I/O
Ask yourself if you need MIDI in and out? S/PDIF, AES, or
ADAT optical digital ins and outs? Dante, AVB, RedNet or
other network connectivity?
• MIDI I/O, 5. Onboard DSP
• onboard digital signal processing (DSP) for latency-free
monitoring or processing signals. Many manufacturers offer onboard DSP for latency-free
monitoring mixes and running plug-ins It’s not necessary for
many applications, but it’s a valuable addition if it fits your
needs.
If this is confusing, just know that there are many
considerations and questions we need to ask (and find the
answers to) when choosing a new audio interface. So let’s take
a look at some of the most significant considerations:
1. Your Purpose
If you are wondering “Which audio interface should I buy,” ask
yourself this question: “What do you want to do with it?”
Once you know what your needs are — whether stereo mobile
recording, recording guitar/vocal overdubs, composing using
virtual instruments or making quick song demos, your purpose
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Score Magazine
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6. Sound Quality
Sound quality is important because nowadays even the
cheapest audio interface is capable of delivering great sound
quality IF used properly. There may be differences in the
tonality offered or the audio quality depending on various
manufacturers, but this is rarely the deal-breaker or deal-
maker when choosing an interface.