Mac MIDI Studio Setup How to configure your MIDI studio on a MAC using a MIDI interface. By Ron Tongue. Apple has done an excellent job in making Mac MIDI configurations quick and easy.

How to choose the right audio interface to match your computer, recording needs, and budget Table of Contents Why do I need an audio interface? Figuring out what kind of audio interface I need What inputs and outputs (I/O) do I need?

What kind of computer/device connectivity do I need? What level of sound quality do I need? We’re here to help Why do I need an audio interface? The first question we usually encounter from customers new to computer-based recording is, “Why exactly do I need an?” Good question. Your computer already has a built-in sound card. Why not use that?

After all, it’s an interface of sorts, isn’t it? Well, yes, the sound card is an audio interface, but for doing any sort of serious audio work, it leaves a lot to be desired. Consumer-grade sound and limited connectivity severely limit its usefulness when it comes to recording and mixing your music.

Most standard computer sound cards only offer a consumer-grade stereo line level input for connecting audio players and similar gear. For outputs it will likely have a stereo headphone and/or speaker output. And that’s it. Even if your recording plans are modest—just recording your voice and electric guitar for example—the sound card lacks the appropriate connections. In order to record, you’re going to need an XLR input for your mic and a high-Z phone plug input for your guitar. You’ll also need quality outputs that will allow you to monitor your recording and sound editing using speakers and/or headphones. The output needs to allow you to play back your recordings without the jitter, noise, and latency common with standard computer sound cards.

Want to start your own podcast? Check out our. Figuring out what kind of audio interface you need If you’ve browsed the huge selection of audio interfaces at Musician’s Friend you may have felt a little overwhelmed by all the options and terminology. Not to worry—that’s normal and that’s where this buying guide comes in.

Though the range of interfaces is huge, there are just a few key considerations that will help you hone in on an interface that makes sense for your recording needs, music, and budget. They are: • What inputs and outputs (I/O) do I need? • What kind of computer/device connectivity do I need? • What level of sound quality do I need?

• What’s my budget? How to freeze a row in excel for mac. On the Musician’s Friend site we make the process of sorting through these requirements easy.

Once you’re on the page with the entire audio interface collection, you can filter the results using these criteria (among others): • Price • Number of analog inputs • Connection types • Digital I/O • Computer platform We’ll address each of these considerations below. What inputs and outputs (I/O) do I need? This is one of the most important considerations when shopping for an audio interface. There are a wide variety of different options available. At the basic level, you’ll find simple two-channel desktop interfaces that can record just a pair of mono signals or a single stereo signal at once. At the other end of the scale, there are larger interface systems that can handle dozens—even hundreds—of channels and many inputs simultaneously. What you need comes down to what you plan to record now and in the future.

For singer-songwriters who want to capture their voice and acoustic guitar using microphones, a pair of balanced mic inputs may be all that’s needed. If either of the mics is a condenser type you’ll need an input with phantom power to energize it. However, also consider that you may want to record your acoustic guitar in stereo at some point while simultaneously singing. In this case, two inputs would be insufficient, and a four input interface would be required. If you’re going to be playing an electric bass, guitar, or electronic keyboard that you want to connect directly to your recording setup, you’ll need an instrument-level input, often referred to as a “high-Z input.”.

The super-portable has two quality mic preamps and digital converters, plus mic, line, and instrument connectivity, making it a top seller. To connect external gear like drum machines, samplers, and external sound processors such as multi-effects units, you’ll need line level inputs and outputs. Many studio monitors and headphone amps that provide a separate headphone mix to performers also require line level I/O.