Last time we looked at getting your computer
recording for the first time.
We looked at what we need to record and tips on
what to watch out for when recording.
This time we're going one step further to take a look at
audio interfaces - what they are,
how to work with them and which one
may be best for you.
So a device like this is called an audio interface.
An audio interface is the bridge between the sound in
the real world and recording it on the computer.
There are many models out there but there are
a lot of attributes common to all of them.
As an exercise, I would like you to have a look
at the digital audio interfaces on the Adorama site.
I want you to read some of the descriptions and
see can you find common phrases or terms
that are used, no matter what the brand or make.
Let me explain a few of the terms.
Firstly you'll see 2x2 or 4x2.
This describes how many inputs and
outputs the machine has in the case of 2x2
then you have two inputs and two outputs.
4x2 means four inputs and two outputs.
You'll have seen each machine showing a
kilohertz number and a bit rate like 48 k and 24-bit
or 192 and 32-bit.
This indicates the quality of the recording
that the interface is capable of.
So if you consider the HDTV plays a 48k 24-bit,
you'll not be recording some major orchestra
and some incredible venue from the get-go.
So some interface that records up to 96
or 24-bit is more than adequate for your needs.
The next thing you'll notice about all
these machines is the connectors.
The different interfaces have a different
amount of connectors depending on the
inputs and the outputs but generally
all of them have the same types.
Firstly, there's the round looking connector
with a hole in the middle. This is called a
combo input that allows you to connect
either a microphone or an instrument.
Microphone connectors are generally a
connector called an XLR.
You have a male connector that will connect into
the interface and a female XLR that
will connect into the mic itself.
The hole in the middle of the combo is for
inserting a quarter-inch jack plug
which you'll find on the guitar lead.
The headphone socket is also a quarter-inch jack
and the main outs are quarter-inch jack.
The main outs of the master outputs to a set of speakers.
On some interfaces you may also notice another
round connector with six little holes don't worry
about that right now it's a MIDI connector but
we won't be looking at MIDI until later episodes.
Each of the combo inputs are
connected to a thing called a mic pre or preamp.
A pre is controlled by the knob assigned to it.
So if you want to boost the signal of the mic
or instrument plugged into input say,
input one then you turn up the number one knob
until you have a nice level coming on to your recording.
Have a look at the previous episode
where we went through setting your recording levels.
One very important thing to watch out for when
plugging in microphones is how they might need power
We'll go through mics and some other episodes but
suffice to say some mics need power to work.
You'll see phantom power mentioned in
the interface descriptions.
Phantom power is a little bit of power
sent down the mic cable to
power the microphone.
If you find that your mic is not working it may need
phantom power.
Turn on the phantom power
switch on the interface.
The other knobs will be your headphone
volume and the
volume of the main output.
One very important thing to look out for is
called latency.
Latency is the amount of time it
takes for a signal come from your mic or
your instrument through the interface
into the computer and back into your
headphones or speakers.
With a lot of latency, there's a long delay between
what you're playing, and what you're
hearing back from the system.
It can be really difficult to maintain musical
timing when you're recording yourself
because you're hearing yourself playing
back in your headphones up to half a second later.
It can be really difficult
to maintain musical timing when you're
recording yourself because you're
hearing yourself playing back in your
headphones up to half a second later.
There'll be a monitor knob, or direct
monitoring button on the interface that
allows you to reduce the latency by
reducing one of the signals that you're
listening to.
Either what you're playing
or what the computer is playing out.
It'll take a bit of playing around with
until you find the balance or workflow
that suits you.
You'll also see a USB connector to your computer
Though it could be any computer connector from
firewire to thunderbolt.
When you connect your interface to your computer,
go to your system settings and make sure the
computer is seeing your interface.
You'll see it listed under sound output
and input options.
The interface should be seen pretty much immediately.
If there are any drivers that come with the interface,
do install them as they may
give you extra functionality.
Last time I suggested you download and install
Audacity - a free audio software program.
I gave you a basic oversight of what it
does and asked you to go and read the
manual and play with it to learn what it can do.
You may need to tell Audacity what audio
hardware should be using,
the computer's built-in audio or your audio interface.
To select the interface
input selector with the drop-down menu at the top left.
Beside the little microphone icon.
Next to it,
you can select the audio output
of the program by selecting your
interface in the drop-down menu beside
the little speaker icon.
When selected, you're ready to go.
This is how you tell audio software
how to use your hardware.
Even the professional ones, though the
options may be a little different and
may be hidden elsewhere in the programs
preferences, plug in an instrument or a
microphone and try and record something
by hitting the big red button at the top
left hand side.
Hit the spacebar to stop the recording
now play back your recording by hitting the
spacebar again.
You should now be hearing what you just
recorded through your headphones or your speakers.
Don't forget to turn up the volume on your
headphones to a comfortable level.
A couple of things to look out for if
you're buying a new interface.
A lot of interfaces connect up
to iPads or iPhones via a camera adapter.
It might be an option for the future.
Finally there are a lot of companies
offering free software with their products.
Light versions of real, professional software.
Have a look at all the options before you buy anything.
Next time, we'll look a little deeper into
your new audio software and get you
ready to move into using the big boy toys.
I'm Keith Alexander and you've been
watching one of our back to basics
specials on Adorama TV.
We want your input
what subjects would you like me to cover
in future episodes?
Are there specific teachings
or gear you'd like me to cover?
Or if you have any problems you
want to just run by me,
leave them in the comments below.
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