About Audio Interfaces





If you use a computer you probably need an audio interface for your digital studio. From your mum’s basement to Abbey Road, audio interfaces serve the vital function of passing audio from the outside world into your computer and back again (more on this later). For many artists and engineers, the audio interface is the single most important piece of hardware providing headphone distribution, microphone preamplifiers, direct instrument inputs, digital converters, metering, probably digital signal processing (DSP), god damn MIDI and mains out all in one unit. In more sophisticated setups, high-channel-count audio interfaces completely replace the role of traditional recording consoles.





Now why might you want a device to do any of the above listed functions? Music production and engineering is about control. Without the signal in our hands and being manipulated it is merely at arms length. An audio interface allows you to control the signal however and more importantly wherever you want.

The key benefits to adding an audio interface to your setup;

Instruments - adding an electric guitar and your weird uncle's old synth to your studio will give your music a more realistic composition. This is especially valuable if you have skills already in a particular instrument that you want to now utilize. Keep in mind you’ll want at least 4 inputs if you want to record your whole band.

Microphones - similar to instruments adding either talking or singing to your studio will take your tunes to the next level. With autotune and vocoders you don’t need to be able to sing. I also recommend looking inside your mouth for special effects. Need a custom woosh just grab the microphone.

External Routing - the feeling when utilizing external effects cannot be conveyed. There is just an extra degree of control when you are turning a knob or even riding a wah-wah pedal. The connection between our brains and the DAW is best shortened. Using our tactile skill provides superior results to dragging a mouse. Not to be downplayed by recording what comes back in makes you feel like a professional.

Multiple Listening Options - Got cans for late night and monitors for when the neighbours are at work? Maybe you are doing a collab or simply just need to hear that bass through something different. Have your monitors plugged into mains out and the headphones into the monitoring on most devices. Some may have options for playback & recording routing as well.

What Are You Paying For?

Latency - the delay caused by the time it takes audio to pass from the input to your audio interface through the ADC (analogue to digital converter) through your DAW and then out via the DAC (digital to analogue converter) - is one of the major factors engineers consider when choosing a new audio interface. Largely dictated by the connection type between the interface and the computer, this is a particularly important consideration if you plan to record with plug-in effects and processors or if you're dealing with high track counts. In general, the faster the connection, the better performance you can expect from your audio interface.





I/O - you will pay more to have more inputs as this requires more preamps and components in general.





Internal Routing - Want to have the guitar go into the DAW back out to the external amp and back into the DAW? This will require an effects plug and usually a Y cable. Look to your manual for more specifics. Also important for if you want stereo/mono control and control of how the I/O behaves.





External Effects - as stated above you will require special Y insert cables and insert plugs in your interface. These are also found on DJ desks. They truly unlock the device.





MIDI - old proper multi pin MIDI may be needed if you have vintage kit, individual midi to USB can be used but it is nice to have it all controlled by your audio interface.

My Audio Interface Configurations