What Audio Interfaces Do Professional Studios Use?

What Audio Interfaces Do Professional Studios Use?

To produce music, you might need an audio interface. It’s not exactly true. A built-in one is built into your computer. What audio interfaces do professional studios use?You may not need an interface if you’re using headphones (unless it’s a high-impedance model, in which case an interface would be necessary). Generally, laptops and desktops don’t have sound cards suitable for recording instruments and vocals or mixing through studio monitors.Keep reading if that’s you.

What To Look For

What audio interfaces do professional studios use? Knowing what features to look for when choosing an audio interface based on your needs is helpfulIn general, there are five main factors to consider:

  1. Connector
  2. I/O
  3. Compatibility
  4. Format
  5. Extras

Connector

Audio interfaces come with many types of connectors. These are the main ones:

  • USB – The most common interface connector, plugging directly into a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port. It is compatible with most Macs and PCs.
  • Thunderbolt is – Second most common connector due to its rapid speed and compatibility with most Macs.
  • Firewire – An older Mac connector that historically had faster transfer speeds but is less ideal than Thunderbolt.
  • PCIe – An internal interface connected directly to the motherboard via a different type of connector. It is the fastest, most reliable (and expensive) of the three.

Compatibility

Some interfaces are not compatible with all digital audio workstations.Manufacturers sometimes design interfaces for specific environments, especially with high-end interfaces (looking at you, Avid). What audio interfaces do professional studios use?Most consumer-grade interfaces (under $1500) are compatible with most DAWs.It would help if you had the correct drivers for your OS.

Format

How do you define format? In essence, both are the same.In the low-to-mid range, desktop interfaces are standard, while rackmount interfaces are more common in the high-end. What audio interfaces do professional studios use?A desktop interface can sit on your desk, while a rackmount interface needs to be screwed into a rack.

Extras

Connectors and inputs/outputs heavily influence purchasing decisions, but extras must also be considered.

Extras include:

  • Size – Is it large, small, heavy, or light…?
  • MIDI Interfacing – Can it be used to control hardware via MIDI?
  • DSP – Can it save my computer’s CPU?
  • Appearance – Does it look sexy?
  • What are the inclusions – software bonuses or DAWs?

Still Unsure?

If you are overwhelmed by these options, you are probably a new producer who doesn’t know what to do. What audio interfaces do professional studios use?My recommendation would be to start with the under $300 options.You are likely considering many things, including an audio interface.A monitor. Add-ons. The headphones. A sample. The resources.It is for these reasons that we created the free EDM Starter Kit.

Here’s what you’ll get:

  • There are over 700 samples for any time of EDM production.
  • High-quality EDM Serum presets
  • Music-making resources, including ‘How To Make Electronic Music.’

Wrapping Up

What audio interfaces do professional studios use? This list of the leading interfaces available (or coming soon) in 2023. Is there one we missed?

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