Basic Recording | How do I choose the audio interface to suit our needs

Basic of recording, How do I choose the audio interface to suit our needs.

What do you plan to in the record to be one of the most important factor from other factors to determine which interface is best for you. Vocalist, solo, musician, DJ, hip-hop producer, artist and electronic bands all have different needs in the recording process. To select the Interface that will be resilient, be wise to consider what projects are going to do and likely direction of development of your studio in the future.

Several factors are taken into consideration are:


1. Input

2. Output

3. Integrated controller

4. Options Digitail I / O

5. Connection Options-PCI, USB, and Firewire

6. Forms of Physical Interface

7. Other things that need to be noticed



Here are details:
1. Input
Selecting the number of inputs and outputs may be the most important decisions
You must make when selecting an interface, and it all depends on what you plan in the recording process.
If you record two tracks at the same time-or if you produce music using Strictly loops, samples and soft synths, a two-channel basic interface will be more than enough. M-Audio ® Fast Track ® Pro and Firewire Solo
both have standard features XLR microphone input that allows you to record vocals and acoustic instruments using a dynamic microphone.
Record drum kits usually require at least four inputs, and tracking a live band requires a minimum of eight, each individual with a mic preamp. Large-scale project studio owners will need an interface that offers a choice of I / O flexibility for connecting with a variety of analog and digital equipment such as Profire 2626 and Fast Track Ultra 8R

Some kind of input types that exist in an Audio Interface:


* Line Input
The most common types of analog connections is called "line level," and used to connect keyboards, synth modules, signal processors, CD players and other equipment at a standard signal level. Line-level signals require amplification
to have sufficient power to be heard over the speakers. You can use the connection 1 / 4 "line-level output for connecting an analog mixer to your audio interface. This allows you to use the preamp from
mixer and EQ before sending signals to your interface.

* Instrument Input
Most guitar and bass, on the other hand is basically just a transducer
who did not even spend enough power to reach line level. For recording guitar, bass or "high impedance" (Hi-Z) signal, you need a Direct Box (DI) or an audio interface with one or more dedicated Hi-Z instrument input. An instrument to function like a mini direct input box, and convert high-impedance instrument signal to a level that can be handled by the pro-level recording equipment. This allows you to record a guitar or bass without the use of an amplifier-this will make your neighbors will thank you. Most M-Audio interfaces - including the entire Fast Track series, giving at least one input device, so it can eliminate the need to purchase additional DI box.

* Microphone preamp
The microphone produces an audio signal is weak may be strengthened so that the same level recording equipment. A preamp allows you to customize and enhance the microphone output signal to the desired level. Some of the preamp is designed to offer a clean and transparent results-the other is designed to provide "color" on the audio and gave the character a distinctive voice. In other words, you want the preamp that provides high gain without giving unwanted noise and hiss of their internal circuitry. This will allow you to achieve a clean, natural sounding audio without turning the preamp up to the maximum. Switchable pads helps you to record sounds that are very hard to reduce the signal with a certain amount, typically-20 dB.

* Signal-to-noise ratio
When comparing the preamp, the ratio of signal-to-noise ratio is one of the most important specifications to be considered. This indicates how much noise is generated by internal circuitry preamp. The lower the ratio, the better. For example, the ratio of signal-to-noise show that noise-100dB-100dB quieter than the maximum level achieved before distortion.
Featured Products M-Audio ProFire ™ 2626 interface provides the ratio of signal-to-noise ratio is very good-that is-109dB.
Truth in Specifications Specifications M-Audio vs. Competitors
Be careful when comparing specifications of the signal-to-noise from different manufacturers! Some companies give their specifications by publishing noise generated by the preamp and ignore the round trip signal path. This resulted in the ratio of signal-to-noise ratio is misleading. M-Audio just published the specification that "real" so that you know how the performance of your interface before you make a purchase.

* About Phantom Power
All condenser microphones (except electrets) requires DC power to operate properly. While some high-end microphones and vintage draw power from a dedicated external power supply, most condenser mic designed to receive the "Phantom Power" which is given by
preamp or mixing desk. Phantom Power provides electrical power between 12 and 48 volts are equal to XLR cable that carries the audio signal. If you plan to record with a condenser microphone, make sure to choose the interface that offers Phantom Power



Tip: Although dynamic microphones can operate with or without phantom power, ribbon from the microphones can be damaged when using phantom power ..

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