interface

[Botinok]

what exactly is an audio interface....like m-audio or whatever, iv heard it mentioned but i dont know what it is, is it like a preamp or soundcard, or what exactly is it. what is its purpose, and how much does it help vocal quaility(i record rap). Any help would be appretiated.

 

[bennychico11]

an audio interface is both a soundcard and a preamp. it allows you to plug in microphones and line signals and then it converts it into digital so you can get it in the computer. then it will also convert it back to analog out to your speakers.

an audio interface alone does not help vocal quality. you need to find a combination of both preamps, A/D converters, microphone, and a good vocalist to get a good quality. (although, personally i find it hard to compare rap "vocals" with a vocalist.....but that's just my opinion, no offense )
So in other words, just think of an audio interface as a big sound card that works better than one you'll get with your computer from Dell or something.

 

[Botinok]

so if i get that, it will be pluged in through my existing soundcard in my computer, or will i need to take that out and plug the interface directly in...and if lets say im doing something else on my comp..i.e playing games, will my speakers be pluged in directly to the interface?

 

[Botinok]

another question..if i buy say amnistudio usb, i wont need to buy a preamp or another soundcard right..this is all i need, and i was looking at it, and theres a lot of stuff, like 2 preamps, ect ect, im only recording, with one mic, so do i really need all that, is there something with a lower buget that works as good just with less stuff.

 

[bennychico11]

you'll be fine with m-audio stuff. they make some decent equipment.

you don't need to take out the exisiting sound card or plug it into the sound card. if it's USB it just plugs in there...if it's firewire, plug it into a firewire port. then plug your speakers into the output of that. you can then change the settings in windows (in the control panel) to select the new soundcard/interface as the output device. therefore you can use media player or something to play songs without having to switch the speakers back to the original soundcard. (however, i think windows media player doesn't always respond to what you select in the control panel as your sound card. so you might have to restart the computer after doing it or just select the sound card in the media player options menu as well). good luck.

 

[AlChuck]

An audio interface does not necessarily have preamps. It's simply an gateway for audio signals between one device and another.

The most common audio interface is one between a computer and traditional analog audio signals. A sound card is an audio interface. Other examples of audio interfaces that are not soundcards are the outboard devices that connect via USB or FireWire. Most take line level signals, many also take mic and instument levels, many have MIDI interfaces on board too.

But there are also devices that interface one form of digital audio signal to others, like AES/EBU to S/PDIF, or that take a digital connection like an ADAT or Tascam connection. They are audio interfaces, too.