Have you ever wondered how our computers process sound? Because no, it's not just record the melodies to then reproduce them, there is much more between the outside world and our computer. If we want to have a optimal resonance and nice is necessary a tool called audio interface that will allow us in a few words, to make our CPU able correctly process a sound.
But what about audio interfaces? What are they and what are they used for exactly? If you still don't understand it, below we will easily explain why you need to have one. good audio interface, if you want to create a small home studio or improve work of your CPU and in addition, we bring you some tips for buy the best audio interface quality price.
What is an audio interface?
Audio interfaces are a physical support (Hardware) that allows transform the signal electric into a digital one, so that it can be used in a Digital Workstation (or DAW in English) and provide a better equalization sounds, increasing the capacity of your PC's sound card.
What is an audio interface used for?
Audio interfaces are mostly used by music workers, which seek to get the most out of the melodies produced by instruments or human voices. This hardware is like a tool that allows transform physical sounds (Instruments, voices...) to a digital signal or a language that our PC can understand.
In a nutshell, we could say that an audio interface works like a sound translator between our outside world and a computer. It also allows:
- Provide outlets for a studio monitor and headphones.
- Provide connectors for instrument inputs and microphones.
- Perfecting your CPU's performance.
- Provide a continuous power supply (phantom power) for all the microphones you need.
- Being able to amplify the audio signal.
Guide to buying the best audio interface
If you are interested in creating recordings of the best quality, Choosing a good audio interface is essential for recording instruments and produce music. We have created a list of characteristics that a DJ should have. good audio interface, plus recommendations that They will help you make a good decision when purchasing.
A good number of entries and exits
The amount of entries that contain An audio interface is extremely important, however, to make a good choice you must take into account that it is what you are going to record. For example: if you were to only record your voice with one microphone and do different takes for each of the instruments, with an audio interface that contains 1 or 2 entries that's enough.
On the other hand, if you wish record a band or 4 different voices at the same time for a podcast, you will need an interface that has an input for each of the signals and in these cases there are interfaces from 4 to 16 different inputs.
Pay attention to compatibility
This is one of the points that most people leave aside, however, always before buy an audio interface You should ask yourself if the drivers for that device are compatible with your system operating or if they are only available for MAC or Windows.
Mostly those brands that have good reputation and are very well known, they did not present this problem, since most of them create drives available for any operating system.
Be sure to check out the previews
Pre-amps are probably one of the the most important things As for sound interfaces, because this allows to display the quality of your recording. You should make sure before purchasing an interface that it contains excellent previews that transmit a clean and clear sound.
See the connectivity you need
Most sound interfaces are built with a connectivity via USB, which means that they were designed to be connected from a computer to record musicHowever, you may need other outputs depending on the device we have such as: Thunderbolt, Firewire, PCIe or MIDI.
Keep the price in mind
Another factor to take into account when purchasing is the cost, it all depends on how professional your work should look and if you are willing to spend a high amount, or if you only require an interface to start learn to use it in your home studio, and you don't want to spend a lot of money.
Nowadays an audio interface costs between about 100 and 300 Euros approximately, however, everything It will depend on your budget and the quality of the sound interface that works for you.