Does an Audio Interface Improve Sound Quality?

Audio interfaces are capable of a lot. They’re an essential device in any recording studio, allowing you to connect microphones, instruments, external audio gear like headphones, studio monitors, and effects units. Without one you wouldn’t be able to record music or route audio elsewhere. But does an audio interface improve sound quality? That’s an important … Read more

What is a Bus Powered Audio Interface?

If you want to record any form of audio or music at home, then you need an audio interface. I’ve owned a fair few in my time, but before I knew anything about audio production, I had a tonne of questions. There is a lot going on in an audio interface and many things to … Read more

Is an Audio Interface a DAC?

So, you’ve either bought an audio interface, or you’re thinking about buying one. Regardless, you have one question in mind. Is an audio interface a DAC? In this article I’ll answer your question and explain in detail what DAC is, why it’s needed, what an audio interface is, and help you to decide if you … Read more

Is the Focusrite Scarlett a Preamp?

The Focusrite Scarlett series of audio interfaces have become a standard in many home and professional recording studios. I have the 18i8 model and love it. They’re affordable, well-made, durable, and sound brilliant. Maybe you have one already, or maybe you’re thinking about buying one, but regardless, you’re wondering ‘is the Focusrite Scarlett a preamp?’. … Read more

Why Do Recording Studios Have So Many Buttons?

Why do recording studios have so many buttons? It’s the exact question I asked myself the first time I walked into one. When you first see a recording studio’s control room, it looks like spaceship. The mixing desk alone has hundreds of buttons and then you have all of the outboard gear surrounding it. But … Read more

Why Do Recording Studios Have Rugs?

If you’ve ever been to a recording studio, or watched a performance studio recording of your favourite band or artist, you’ve probably thought to yourself ‘why do recording studios have rugs?’. And not just any old type of rug, they’re usually elegant looking Persian rugs. Well, you don’t have to wonder any more. In this … Read more

Why Don’t My Mixes Sound Professional?

At some point or another every aspiring musician, music producer, and audio engineer asks the question ‘why don’t my mixes sound professional?’. I too recall sitting in front my computer, staring at my DAW in frustration after spending hours on a mix, asking myself, what did I do wrong? No doubt you’re wondering the same … Read more

Why Does My Audio Interface Crackle?

Why does my audio interface crackle? Arghhhh, we’ve all been there. You set up your computer, speakers or headphones, get yourself ready to make a killer piece of music and all of a sudden you hear the dreaded audio interface crackle. You panic, is my audio interface broken? What did I do? It’s only a … Read more