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Author Topic: Audio interface help!  (Read 20871 times)

Erickoslosky

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Audio interface help!
« on: January 07, 2016, 05:02:02 am »
I'm still relatively new to producing and I'm curious to what exactly an audio interface does and if i need to get one.

any info would help!

also maybe a few recommendations for a bedroom producer on a budget would be nice

thanks!
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Dubya

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2016, 05:11:45 am »
I recently just got an audio interface myself!  If you are wanting to get a set of studio monitors, you're going to need one to be able to get sound from your computer to the monitors.  Also, the other main use for an audio interface is to allow input of microphones (XLR cabled ones) so that you can record.  If you don't have monitors or don't plan on needing a mic for anything, you don't need one for now.

I personally have the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and it works perfectly for me! 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlett2i2

Hope this helps some!
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calgarc

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2016, 07:37:42 am »
An audio interface is a glorified soundcard with a bunch of inputs that allow you to record real instruments 0_0.

If you are starting out, I would invest in a decent pair of headphones first. Once you get the bug then consider getting an interface, monitors etc...
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Heatcliff

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2016, 04:25:20 pm »
Most importantly - besides connectivity - it helps / improves the playback quality - what you hear whereas compared to an "onboard" soundcard thanks to the D/A conversion. There can be huge quality differences in Playback quality between certain interfaces - think of it as "resolution" - there is interfaces that let u hear "SD", better ones "HD" and really good ones "4K or 8K" :)
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auvic

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2016, 04:59:44 pm »
Regardless of your budget, I highly recommend getting a simple (not cheap quality, however) audio interface to start out, and then work your way up to getting better and bigger gear. Initially, you will need to know your technical limitations before upgrading and tailoring the purchases to your specific needs, and you won't know that if you don't have any equipment to begin with.

Either way, some good examples are the Presonus Audio Interfaces and Scarlett 2i2 Focusrite. Those two, I've particularly found to be quite stable (although I've had a few problems with the Focusrite here and there). Avid's MBox Pro 3 is what I'm using now, and for the money... it's good, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I constantly run into problems with it.

On top of all that, I also highly recommend getting some open-back headphones... remember to check the Ohm-age too to see if you need any amps to go along with it.
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lakjah

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2016, 10:21:02 pm »
I really like my Presonus gear i started out with a firebox 2 input interface and it did me good starting out for a few years then I upgraded to the fire studio project and it is GREAT!
Get a cheap little preamp too, it always helps.
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Babasmas

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2016, 10:25:04 pm »
Quote from: lakjah on January 08, 2016, 10:21:02 pm
I really like my Presonus gear i started out with a firebox 2 input interface and it did me good starting out for a few years then I upgraded to the fire studio project and it is GREAT!
Get a cheap little preamp too, it always helps.
I have presonus AudioBox USB myself too. It's pretty neat and enough for someone who get started.
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Ke-Chi

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2016, 02:48:51 am »
I'd go with the Focousrite Scarlett 2i2, it's compact, easily portable, works great for a learning producer and is what my high school school uses for people to learn with
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BrienWithAnE

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2016, 04:46:55 am »
I recently got the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 and I'm very happy with it.  One of the biggest differences between the 2i2 and the 2i4 is that the 2i4 has MIDI in/out and the 2i2 doesn't.
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Heatcliff

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2016, 04:39:09 pm »
For mobile work, I like the apogee duet 2 - on the affordable end and the sound quality is pretty good.

If you want something that let's u hear more detail, u probably gotta look beyond 2.000 $ interfaces. My main interface is the Antelope Audio Zen, the sound quality is not comparable to "cheaper" interfaces.
However, it still doesn't create a great song by itself  8)
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UsernamesGiveMeAnxiety

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2016, 05:58:31 pm »
I've had a lot of problems with usb audio interface drivers. Picked up an Apollo Twin and I LOVE it. If you have thunderbolt and 700$, totally worth it.
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Hologram

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Re: Audio interface help!
« Reply #11 on: January 10, 2016, 11:53:09 pm »
Here is a video tutorial on optimising your interface when using Ableton Live.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkBIqMPvz8c
This is an essential step to ensure your recorded audio tracks are lining up properly.

Common buffer sizes like 128, 192 or 256 samples works well for playing live and 1024 and higher for more stability. Stay with multiples of 64. Smaller buffer sizes feel best when using controllers or playing live.

I recommend the Komplete 6 for most people. It sounds great and has most of the connections you will need including SP/DIF for digital. Guitar Center has them now for $199 http://www.guitarcenter.com/Native-Instruments/Komplete-Audio-6-1302806632183.gc

Be carful with the USB jack on any interface. I just broke mine and was shopping for a replacement and decided to go with Firewire this time. I recently bought the Focusrite Saffire 14 Pro and I just exchanged it for a mixer-interface combo for the same price.

Sweetwater offers free coverage too http://www.sweetwater.com/about/warranty/
« Last Edit: January 11, 2016, 12:17:55 am by Hologram »
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