If you are looking to start recording audio, one of the most important pieces of equipment that you need is an audio interface. The best part about using an audio interface is that it has everything built in which makes it easy for anyone with limited experience to use and set up. In this article, we will look at some steps on how to set up your own custom-built audio interface so that you can get started right away!
The Complete Guide to Setting up an Audio Interface
Step One: Find a Computer (or Mac) to Install Your Audio Interface on
The first thing you need to do is find the computer or laptop that you want to install your audio interface onto. This needs to be done before any other steps can take place because installing an audio interface requires access and usage of this machine’s hardware for the installation process.
Step Two: Choose and Purchase Your Audio Interface
The next thing you need to do is purchase an audio interface that will best suit your needs – either by choosing from the many different options or customizing one of their existing models. Plus, with any purchase made through Sweetwater, they have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee which means if you are not satisfied with your purchase, they will gladly give a full refund.
Step Three: Buy the Necessary Cables and Accessories for Your Audio Interface
Once you have an audio interface, it is time to buy some cables and accessories that will be required in order to use it. Some of these items include:
Cables –
There are three main types of cables that you will need to purchase for your audio interface: USB, Thunderbolt, and Firewire. The reason they all have different names is that their technical standards differents which means the cable connections on each type of computer hardware also varies slightly.
XLR Cable –
This cable connects your microphone to the preamps on your audio interface. It is a thick, coiled piece of wire that has two male connectors at one end (one for the mic and one for the input) and female connector at other end which plugs into an XLR jack on your audio interface.
XLR Female to Male Adapter –
This adapter is needed when using a microphone that has male connectors on it and an audio interface with female inputs. The two pieces connect together in the middle, which changes one end of the cable into a plug for your mic while still keeping the other side as an XLR connector so you can use it with your interface.
USB Cable –
These cables connect the audio interface to a computer and allow for you to transfer analog signals into digital ones so that it can be saved as an MP file on your hard drive or sent digitally over internet.
AC Adapter –
This adapter powers up the sound card inside of your audio interface which is necessary for it to function.
RCA Cable –
This cable is used instead of the XLR connector if you don’t have an audio interface with XLR inputs. It plugs into a standard headphone jack and connects two mono signals together so that they can both be played through one set of headphones or speakers (or recording device).
Step Four: Prepare Your Computer for Installation
Now that you have all of the necessary cables and accessories, it is time to prepare your computer. This process mainly involves downloading drivers and software from their website which will help give instructions on how to install them onto your machine properly. Alternatively, a CD may also be included with these files in order to make installation faster.
Step Five: Install Your Audio Interface and Drivers
Once you have downloaded the audio interface drivers from their website, it is time to install them. This process will vary depending on what type of computer or laptop that you are using but usually involves running a setup program or following step-by-step instructions for installing drivers manually through Windows Explore.
Conclusion:
The process of installing an audio interface is quite simple actually. All you need to do is understand your computer system and follow a few easy steps, which can be found in the guide above. Hope this Blog will help you out
