Inputs and Outputs of an Audio Interface explained, lesson 15

Explaining the various analog and digital inputs and outputs of an audio interface, and how to use them.

This audio recording lesson is applicable to all brand names such as focusrite, behringer, tascam, presonus, Roland, hosa, mogami.

[tellitlikeitis]

You can tell you are trying to genuinely help others, thank you. One request: could you make a video where you explain all the possible uses for the analog and digital ins and outs? Getting an idea of what I could do with them would narrow down whether I need them or not. Again, appreciate your time thank you!

[africanrevolution]

what a had to subscribe...FIRE videos!!! I'm in the market for an interface and I'm looking at the apollo X8 but can't find videos online on how to set up the apollo with external converters and how to route audio.

[Feel-good-media]

Thank you... really helpful and simply great explain

[mymusic]

I'm very new on this, but very interested video... should be interesting if you give examples of what kind of devices/instruments you connect in each type of input and output options. Thanks

[davegibson]

An interesting comparison between the Focusrite 18i20 and 18i8 headphone channels.
The 18i20 has 2 headphone outs, but they aren't included in the 20 output total. This is because they share the signal path with outputs 7, 8 and 9, 10. Any volume changes to the headphones will also affect these rear output channels.
I have an 18i8 which does count the 2 headphones as 4 output channels. There are no extra analogue outs on the back for them to share, but are counted as 4 mono outs that are included in the 8 output total.

[lengwxiong]

This was a great lesson! Thank you. Is it possible to bypass the DAC in a budget audio interface and use a separate dedicated DAC to do the job while recording, tracking, and overdubbing? For example, could I use the Focusrite 2i2 to capture the sound (vocals/guitar) and hear the playback through studio monitors in real-time with an ADI-2 DAC fs? Will that work if I select in my DAW input to 2i2 and assign the outputs to ADI-2? Is ASIO capable of doing that? Thank you in advance.

[MrRafaelEPS]

Excellent; I have a Behringer UMC 204HD and a Presonus Studio 24C. Do I need a preamp like an ART Tube MP to make it sound better? or is the Preamp interface enough?
Will these interfaces be well designed to use line input?

[tomoscooper]

Finally a video that clears up a load of confusing aspects of interfaces! Thanks. I'm very new and clueless about this stuff and I'm still confused about outputs. For example I have been looking at the behringer 1820 interface. It has 8 inputs, 10 analogue outputs (or 5 stereo pairs. What would I use these analogue outputs for and how?) and then it has various other outputs as well as usb output. If I just plug the USB into my computer would it come up in my daw as 8 seperate channels that I can mix independently? I'm sure there are all very obvious questions but I'm clueless and very confused! Any help would be great! Thanks!

[mjb]

Thank you for the information. I'm looking for the best way to stream and record meetings being interpreted in six languages. I believe this should be possible using a single PC running OBS and an audio interface with at least 6 inputs. I'd also like to have a backup, meaning that I'd need 6 outputs on the audio interface to feed a second audio interface. I'd appreciate any advice you have on which hardware or software to use. I'm looking at the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, Tascam US-16x08 and the PreSonus Studio 1824c.

[ervpodzabornij]

Cant find none of video that can answear my question. Does numbers of inputs and outputs mach? Means if i conect somethin to input No3, the signal goes from out No3? Or this outputs are pairs for monitors?

[plangan]

Wow. This is stellar content and was hugely helpful. I am just not clear on the line outs of any interface really. I understand they are balanced outputs but what type of gear is used in the line outputs? I am reading that you would not use monitors in these and that's why there are designated inputs for monitors. However, I am reading you would put midfield and farfield monitors in the line can see how I am confused. So what exactly are line outputs?

[conflictortiz]

I know I need help I have in dangerous d-box (silver) and I have an Apollo 8 connected to it I'm trying to make my studio a 5.1 surround sound or 7.1 surround sound I don't know whether I should buy another Apollo 8 or x 8 to integrate with each other for I can have more line ins and outs to have my Surround Sound Studio I wouldn't know where to start to connect everything

[zacharievatimbella]

Very great and clear content. Thank you :)

[crancarenotafish]

Hi, I bought two audio interfaces with line inputs on the back with the idea of plug in external preamplifier. I can hear it on headphones but they wont get recorded or even appear on the DAW. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong. Cause none of the two seem to work and that's too much coincidence. The interfaces are Volt 4 and MOTU M4. Thanks

[cgonzt]

So the “analog” output- can that go directly to mixer or still need a DI first? Thanks. I want to plug my laptop output to mixer. Thanks

[fabianwk]

Quick question: I got the motu M2, can i send audio to external gear (a compressor) from a daw using the stereo output jacks (which are used to send stuff to my monitors) on the back?

[ajkjaro]

I have Focusrite Clarett 8Pre USB interface and i hear a huge diffrent in sound when i compare patch audio signal:

a) bass - instrument input - focusrite internal preamp - focusrite interface converter - usb - DAW - usb - converters - monitors = no warmth, no low end and less dynamic

vs

b) bass - instrument input - focusrite internal preamp - direct analogue output on my monitors - warmh audio, good sounding preamp, warmth, low end and dynamic signal

Does it mean the internal converters in audio interfaces are bad and ruined signal ?

c) bass - bass amp preamp - bass preamp line out - line in to hardware good quality converters - digital output from converters - audio interface digital in - usb - DAW - usb - converters audiointerface - monitors

I wonder what diffrence will be when we try c) solution ? Is it worth money to spend for external converters ?

Sorry for bad english ;)

[lilskipp]

When using external preamps with an Apollo twin x does the audio still go through their preamps inside the interface???

[thrillerkiller]

I have a focus rite interface and I have four different outputs Im not sure which one to choose

[caspermaster-com]

Thanks! Is there a difference between line out and "monitor"? Should you only use line out as opposed to monitor out for hardware inserts? I have a master and slave interface, and the master already have main outs I use for monitoring