When you're looking for audio interfaces, we know you won't settle for anything less than the best. We carry most major brands including Akai, Alesis, Mackie, Presonus, Roland and Tascam to name a few. If you have questions about any aspect of audio interfaces, don't hesitate to swing by the store or give our friendly sales staff a call. When you need audio interfaces, call Advance for the best products and service in town.
Most computer-based musicians will need an audio interface, but with so many different choices available, it may seem like a daunting task to decide which to buy. Come in to Advance Music and let our helpful staff help guide you in the right direction. In the mean time, it may be helpful to get acquanted with some of the ins-and-outs of choosing an interface with this essential guide.
What Do You Want To Record?
This is the most important question of all, since it determines how many simultaneous inputs, and of which types, you'll need. The simplest inputs are 'line-level', and are suitable for connecting other electronic equipment such as mixing desks, CD/DVD players, synthesizers and preamplifiers.
Microphones output a low-level signal, and therefore require a preamp to bring their signal up to line level. If you are using condenser mics they will require a preamp that can supply 'phantom power' as well. The most cost-effective option is to choose an interface with suitable mic preamps with phantom power built-in. Those who already have an analogue mixer with input channels offering mic preamps and direct outs can patch these into the line-level inputs of an audio interface.
Another type of audio interface input is 'instrument' input, most often for electric or bass guitar, but will also work well the piezo pickups used on acoustic guitars and other acoustic instruments. Compared with mics, magnetic pickups also require a higher input impedance to avoid high-frequency loss; guitars with passive pickups like to 'see' at least 100k(omega) to avoid high-frequency loss, and preferably 1M(omega). With instrument, line and mic inputs, the Roland V-Studio 20 is a great audio interface/control surface geared towards the recording guitar of bass player.
