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Audio interfaces and how to choose them

The audio interface is the product of the highest importance in any recording studio. Interfaces serve as the gateways into the computer, both in the music industry, motion pictures and television production. As such, they receive signal from sources such as guitars, synthesizers and microphones and converts it to virtual data in order for it to be recognizable by your computer.

All non-electric sound sources will have to be translated from acoustic pressure into electrical energy. Therefore, for recording any acoustic source - wheather it is a vocal performance or an instrument such as a saxophone, a microphone is a prerequisite. The mic’s inner components vibrate as a result of the sound waves hitting them and subsequently produce an electric current that you can feed directly to the audio interface. Instruments that already have an amplification solution built in, such as an electric guitar, can be connected straight to the interface with nothing in between.

The actual job of the interface will be translating the electric currents coming from the different sources into machine language so it can be recorded into a music production software. It accomplishes this goal by utilizing an internal component known as “ADC” – analog/digital converter. Such an apparatus produces much more accurate resluts and is by far easier to operate than the tape machines that were used in commercial music studios back in the day.

Given that you want to record your own music at home, the most significant determination you’ll have to make is how many input channels will you need. The most frequently used connectors in music studios are as follows:

XLR jack, which is a 3-pin connector that has a male and female version, and is the connector of choice for 99% of microphones. 1/4" jack, a type of connector most people know from electric guitars and basses, this is the most common connector type for musical instruments. Combo jack, a hybrid of the 2 connectors mentioned above that can be utilized for both the connection of microphones as well as musical instruments and other sources.

The crucial thing to note about the first couple of options is the fact that microphones always need their signal amplified. The electric energy produced by mics is much weaker than most other sources, therefore wherever there’s a mic inputs there are also internal components known as PREAMPS that are responsible for amplifying their signal. Third on the list is a mixture of XLR and 1/4" that is able to route the audio on the basis of what kind of cable is hooked up. The combo jack is most likely the most popular connector on audio interfaces today thanks to it’s convenience and versatility.


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