Want to know an answer to the question, what does an audio interface do? You’ve come to the right place.
An audio interface is a great tool that is used to create quality sound and songs in almost all recording studios in the world today. The main task of an audio interface is to convert signals from a microphone and other instruments into a format that your PC or Mac can recognize.
In addition, the interface is also capable of routing sound from your computer to headphones and studio equipment for later use. The interfaces can be connected in different ways: using USB cables, Thunderbolt, Firewire, or even an Ethernet cable.
Types of audio interfaces
Among the many products that you can find on the market, there are two main types of audio interfaces: desktop and rackmount.
Desktop interfaces are a great solution for those who need to record good sound while indoors. Thus, this category includes podcasting and DJ creativity, where multiple audio tracks are required for compositions. The music interface provides the ability to control audio monitoring and also features several connectors for additional equipment in the form of headphones and other things.
Rack-mount interfaces are more used for more complex recordings that require a lot of power and are used in narrower niches and specializations. Often the device itself looks much more laconic due to the fact that 99% of its control is carried out with the help of a computer, in view of the fact that it has a huge variety of features. These devices are perfect for reputable recording studios.
How to use an audio interface
In fact, the rules of use are absolutely not complicated. You don’t need to know a lot to work with the interface, you just follow the basic rules.
Firstly, you need to connect it to a laptop or PC using USB or another type of connection, if possible. Then, you definitely need to install the drivers that are supplied by the manufacturer, necessary for work. Often the process of updating / installing the driver happens automatically, but if not, do it manually.
After installation, connect powered speakers to the audio interface outputs. Then, you need to decide on the software that you will use to record or play sound. Specify the output of your audio software.
The next step is to routinely test all the components of the system. Try playing the recorded sound using the software you installed. Also, do not forget about all the external devices you need: microphones, headphones, a headset, all kinds of cables, and so on.
