If you are new to recording, you may be wondering, “What is a USB audio interface?”
The phrase “USB audio interface” is something we hear a lot,
and if you’re planning on recording with a computer,
this is one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll purchase.
Simply put, an audio interface allows us to record and
listen back to audio with a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
No matter what kind of content you’re creating, be it music, podcasts, or live streams,
if you’re recording audio, you’re going to need an interface.
Audio interfaces come in a lot of shapes and sizes, but they all have the same basic function.
These units convert the analog sound waves being input into the interface
into digital information that we can then record or stream.
And on the flip side of that, when we listen back, the interface is
converting digital information into sound waves that we can then listen to.
Part of the benefit of using an audio interface is the ability to use quality microphones,
many of which have been designed for specific applications.
That means whether we’re capturing a voice, guitars, or nature sounds,
we have options to use the best microphone for the job.
You might be thinking, “My computer already has a built-in microphone,
speakers, and headphone output. Why would I need an interface?”
Well, quality and versatility.
Let’s take a look at some of the features offered on audio interfaces
that illustrate why this is the way to go for recording.
Depending on our needs, interfaces have a variety of input options available to us.
For example, if we’re planning on creating a live stream or a podcast that features only our voice,
we can probably get by minimally with a single microphone input.
If we step it up just slightly and we want to include guests or a co-host,
we’ll need to have at least two microphone inputs.
Another thing to consider is the ability to use condenser microphones.
Those particular mics need power,
and interfaces that can provide 48-volt phantom power will be required.
Bigger plans call for a bigger interface.
If we want to be able to track a whole band or be able to fully mic up a drum kit,
we’ll want to have a lot of inputs to accommodate all the mics we’ll be using.
Likewise, if we invest in an interface with digital ADAT or S-MUX ports,
we’ll be able to expand our input count with more channels at a later date.
The same logic can be applied to the interface outputs as well.
For a smaller production, we won’t necessarily need a lot of options.
Maybe something as simple as RCA outputs will suffice for our speakers.
If we’re interested in higher-end speakers, we’ll want to
consider an audio interface that has quarter-inch outputs.
A lot of times, we’ll find that interfaces with higher input counts also have more output options.
For personal monitoring, make sure that the interface has headphone outputs.
Again, depending on the size of our production, we may only need one for ourselves,
or we may want to have several headphone outputs
if we intend on recording multiple musicians at once.
Some audio interfaces also have MIDI ports.
This allows users to connect gear such as keyboards and beat pads to control virtual instruments.
There are a lot of options when selecting the perfect interface for your needs,
so keep that in mind when shopping around.
Now that you know what a USB audio interface is,
you can start down the path to capturing great audio.