(Last Updated On: July 16, 2023)
How To Setup An Audio Interface?
Most people wonder what an audio interface is and how does it help to improve the sound quality. Keeping these things in mind, we have articulated this content to provide you with all the answers you have been looking for. How To Setup An Audio Interface?
What Is An External Audio Interface?
In general, external audio interfaces improve the sound quality from the computer and they also provide you with more options regarding numerous output and inputs. They also enable you to monitor recording while you are doing it.
The basic reason behind why people and musicians use audio interfaces is that it allows you to connect microphones; instruments and other resources directly to your computer so that you can record them into Ableton Live.
Setting Up An Audio Interface!
Most of the external audio interfaces that you see in the market can either be connected through a USB cable or a Thunderbolt or even a Firewire. The setting up procedure that we are about to tell you, is through a USB cable. You can also do this procedure easily as well.
- The first thing that you have to do when setting up your audio interface is to connect the narrow and square side of your USB cable with the port present on the interface and insert the wider side into a USB port on your laptop or your computer, whichever that you have.
- Now, the second step is to open the Live’s preferences to the Audio tab.
- By clicking the preferences Audio tab, you’ll be shown with some options. Now you need to choose the Driver Type and select from CoreAudio or ASIO. Always remember, CoreAudio is for MAC whereas ASIO is used for Windows. In case, you are not shown with any drivers list, you will need to install the latest drivers on your computer so you can continue setting it up. If you are a Windows user, you will have the option of installing Asio4all. This a freeware universal driver and it doesn’t cost anything.
- If you are a MAC user, you will have the option of choosing separate devices for both input and output options or you can even choose to deactivate one of them in case you don’t need it. (set to “No Device”)
- The Input and Output Configuration allows you to select between the interface’s audio inputs and outputs you will be using during the Live recording. The list may or may not look different depending entirely upon the kind and number of input or output ports your interface has. For instance, if you have a basic interface that comes with 2 input ports and 2 output ports; these will be directly selected when you connect your interface during the Live recording. But, in case, you do not have a basic interface and it comes with more than two input and output ports, you will be able to choose them according to your own requirement. However, we do suggest only click on those inputs and outputs that are necessary for you to use so you can save your PCs power.
- The default sample rate input/out setting to 44100Hz. Remember, these settings will always determine the sound quality and you need to set them wisely. Choosing 44100Hz is better because these settings are fine when you are just getting started and it is perfect for good CD sound quality. With the help of the chooser menu, you can increase the audio settings and attain a much better quality but that also completely depends on the type of interface that you are using.
- While you set up our interface, you can set the buffer size to 512 samples. This value determines how much time passes between pressing a key on your MIDI controller and actually hearing the sound from your speakers. This time break is known as latency. If you want to achieve less latency, you need to set the sample to as low as you want.
Some people want to enable their headphones while using an audio interface but the only thing you need to make sure is that the monitor speakers are turned off. After making the Connection with interface, you may see your audio interface comes with a volume button or dial, in this situation make sure that it is at its lowest point or you’ll be hearing a loud bang. So, this is how you set up your audio interface.
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