USB Audio Interface

USBaudiointerface.net is a site dedicated to the discussion of audio interfaces/converters that utilize a usb connection to work with a computer. There are many advantages to the usb format, among them being lower cost, portability, and cross platform support, that makes usb audio interfaces a great choice for entry level audio recording. There are many questions that not only need to be asked, but equally important, need to be answered to help the end user understand what interface with best fit their needs. That is what we are here for.

What is an audio interface/converter?
An audio interface/converter, is a device that converts an analog audio signal into digital information, and communicates that information to a computer. Respectfully, the interface/converter also converts the digital information back to an analog signal, so you can hear/monitor the audio that is being or has been recorded.

What is USB?
USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is a specification that establishes a communication between digital devices. These are usually a external hard drive, digital camera, midi keyboard, or in this case an audio interface/converter. USB was developed by IBM, Microsoft, Compaq (now HP), Digital, and Northern Telecom and introduced in 1996.

Not only can USB connect digital devices to communicate with each other, it can also supply power to the external device. Many midi audio interfaces offer the ability to be powered from the USB connection for an even better portability factor. This is a huge plus when you are recording remotely, and do not have access to a power outlet to use an AC powre adapter.

What are the advantages to USB?
As stated above, portability is big advantage. With cross platform support, you can record in your home studio, take your interface/converter to a friends house to record on their computer, or take it to a live performace or rehersal for recording purposes. The ability to power a unit via the USB connection makes this even easier, as you are not reliant on AC adapters to power the interface.

Another big advantage is cost. With so many devices untilizing USB, this makes the technology very affordable, which means musicians on a budget can put together a small, yet quality setup to get down ideas, or record demos, live gigs, and rehersals.

Roland Tri-Capture USB Audio Interface

Roland Tri-Capture USB Audio Interface Details

The new head of its class is the multifaceted Roland Tri-Capture USB interface — a unique, compact audio interface optimized for personal and mobile recording, vocal and guitar recording, and streaming-internet applications. With its mixer-like design and dedicated front-panel controls, Tri-Capture makes it easy to mix, control, and monitor a variety of signals. Plug a microphone into the XLR input, an instrument into the 1/4-inch jack, and a stereo instrument or device into the AUX input. The unique REC MODE section provides instant selection of recording scenarios, including LOOP BACK for web streaming applications. Tri-Capture is full-featured yet portable, and is USB bus powered for a clean, simple setup.

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface

Focusrite Saffire 6 USB Audio Interface Details
The Focusrite Saffire 6 is a 2 In / 4 Out USB audio interface. It uses the same award-winning Focusrite mic preamps as the rest of the Saffire range. This makes it the best value, and best sounding interface in its class. Its output configuration is also ideal for laptop DJs.

RME Babyface 22-Channel Mobile USB Audio Interface

RME Babyface 22-Channel Mobile USB Audio Interface Details
Equipped with the latest 192 kHz AD- and DA-converters and two reference class microphone preamps the bus-powered Babyface delivers top sound in a nicely designed and attractively shaped enclosure. Uncompromised mastering quality . When it comes to sound quality and price to performance ratio RME plays in its own league. The Babyface is no exception. As with any other RME product it combines excellent analog circuit design with high grade AD/DA converter chips. Additionally, RME’s famous SteadyClock ensures an AD- and DAconversion of the highest reference quality.

Apogee One USB Audio Interface

Apogee One Details
Apogee One is a pocket-sized music interface featuring the award winning sound quality that made Apogee Electronics famous. Designed to work easily with Apple's GarageBand, Logic, Final Cut, or any Core Audio compliant application, ONE lets you create professional recordings anywhere.

With ONE, you can record a single channel of audio using the specially tuned enclosure microphone, an instrument input for guitar, bass, or keyboard, or a world-class microphone preamp input. Listening with ONE is an entirely new experience as well. Hear your recordings and your iTunes library with incredible dimension and clarity through ONE's studio-quality stereo output.

Avid Pro Tools Mbox 3 Audio Interface

Avid Pro Tools Mbox 3 Audio Interface Details

Professionals around the world have long been using Pro Tools systems to create award-winning music and sound for film and TV. Now you can get the same world-class results in your personal studio with Pro Tools Mbox—a complete, integrated, computer‑based music creation and production system. Designed by the same engineering team responsible for our high‑end Pro Tools|HD systems, the Mbox hardware interface features a premium analog signal path and high-performance converters for exceptional sound. The included Pro Tools 9 software is the same platform used in commercial facilities around the world—ensuring pro studio compatibility and delivering everything you need to compose, record, edit, and mix music. Mbox also provides third-party drivers for rock-solid integration with nearly every popular audio recording application.

RME Fireface UFX Firewire and USB Audio Interface

RME Fireface UFX Firewire and USB Audio Interface Details

The Fireface UFX is the new flagship of RME's audio interfaces.

Sixty channels of audio! Digitally controlled high-end preamps, reference class converters and complete 192 kHz operation. Ultra-low latency operation with USB OR FireWire combined with the legendary RME driver stability and maintenance.

Including active jitter suppression, professional reference level support, advanced stand-alone functionality, RME´s unique DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox and – of course – identical operation on Windows PC and Mac.

USB Audio Interface