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If you’re looking to incorporate a MIDI controller or keyboard into your workflow, you’ll want to make sure that your audio interface also features MIDI in / out connectivity. Some widely-used interfaces that feature these connections include the Focusrite Scarlett 4i4, Roland Rubix22, and MOTU M4. Audio interfaces with DSP effects We're big fans of the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X here at MusicRadar, and this super interface has some incredibly powerful features that will offer a serious upgrade to anyone’s home recording experience. It comes in two formats, Duo and Quad which are named for the amount of DSP processing chips they possess. Two inputs and two outputs; two 3rd Generation mic pres, switchable to line or Hi-Z instrument inputs, with two balanced outputs.
Feel free to use the table of contents below to easily navigate to a specific section. What you’ll learn:An audio interface takes the signals from your instruments or microphones and digitizes them before sending them to your computer. You can relate it to an external sound card that is equipped with extra features. Have you used any of these audio interfaces before, and if so, what were your thoughts on them? Do you have any favorites that weren’t on this list? Start a conversation with other music creators on the Splice Discord. Universal Audio used to focus on the high-end market with interfaces that boasted both a quality signal flow and also acted as hosts and accelerators for the company’s very well-regarded plugin range. That changed with the Volt range, a set of four units that eschew the plugin hosting in favour of value and more standard features. The more expensive 176 and 276 are reviewed later in this buyer’s guide, but the Volt 1 and 2 offers most of what they deliver bar their extra 1176-style compression. The Element 46 Thunderbolt Audio Interface by Apogee is specially designed for Mac as they have a Thunderbolt interface port. With elite hardware features and stunning software advancements, this audio interface delivers the ultimate recording experience. Audient has also managed to improve the iD44’s Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) THD+N figure by an impressive 9dB to a class-leading 112 dB. The Digital to Analogue Converters (DACs) are similarly pristine, with imperceptible noise and 126dB of dynamic range. The four mic pres are exactly the same as you’ll find in Audient’s pro-level consoles.
On the front panel, there's a Neutrik combination input for connecting line and instrument level signals along with the microphones. This makes it the best for recording the digital stage piano along with the electric or acoustic guitar. It's also equipped with unique halo indicators which let you know about the signal strength. If it outputs red then it means your signal is experiencing interference and you should reduce the gain. When a healthy signal is achieved, it will turn to green. It also has a large monitor dial for providing tactile control for volume control. A high-quality amplifier provides clean yet loud sound to your headphones. Both interfaces use M-Audio’s Crystal Preamp design, and this provides you with plenty of clean neutral gain, great for lower output dynamic mics or weedy passive guitars. Both can sound pretty nasty when they’re overloaded so we kept well away from the red clip LED. The main purpose of an audio interface is to convert the analog signal to digital to transfer it to the computer. Interface connectors are used to connect the audio box to the computer. Explore royalty-free one-shots, loops, FX, MIDI, and presets from leading artists, producers, and sound designers.
Basically, an XLR input will be powered by a preamplifier while the TRS/Hi-Z power will bypass it. The modern audio interface includes gain knobs for controlling your microphone volume. In many interfaces, you’ll find a +48v phantom power button which is a small electrical charge that will run up to your microphone through an XLR cable. In high-end or mid-range microphones you will probably find an external power supply. If it isn't available then you can use phantom power without worrying about over-powering or damaging your microphone. Most audio interfaces will work regardless of whether your computer is a PC or Mac. However, when it comes to connecting an audio interface to your specific computer, you’ll want to make sure that the connector types match. The most common connection types include USB, Thunderbolt, and FireWire, though more obscure options like PCle also exist—we’ll take a look at all of these next. On the input side, it has 4 Combi mic/line/instrument inputs with mic preamps and selectable 48v phantom power. On the output, this audio interface features 2 balanced L/R XLR monitor outputs & 2 independent ¼’ stereo headphone output. Last but not least, some audio interfaces include onboard DSP effects, which allow you to process effects like reverb, delay, and EQ right within the device. While these tend to be more expensive, some great interfaces with DSP effects include the Universal Audio Apollo Twin X and Antelope Audio Discrete 4 Synergy Core. Is there a connection type that’s essential to my laptop or other gear that I’ll be connecting with my interface?
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