Choosing the best audio interface is the key to excellent home studio recording. The success of your studio does not bank solely on the soundcard you use, as this hardware unit also manages sound output and input from and to your computer system.
 
You can take your pick from so many products on the market, and most of them can give you high-quality recording capabilities at reasonable prices. With so many to choose from, how do you know what to buy? Here are a few questions, as well as some hints and tips, which will help you select the audio interface solution you require.
 
Do you use Apple’s Garage Band? With the aforementioned program, you can make do with the built-in soundcard, plus a specialized adapter for using musical instruments. One tool you can add to the rest of your equipment is a set of plug-and-play USB microphones from Samson. These microphones allow even the novice sound engineer to harness the full potential of Garage Band. A more sophisticated and high-end option would be ONE (by Apogee) for one-channel interfaces at $249.
 
What number of inputs does your setup require? This depends on quite a few factors: the kind of music to be recorded is one. This will then dictate if you need one, two, or more inputs. Lower-priced audio interfaces often allow for a lower number of inputs. The minimum recommended number of inputs would be two for mic pre-amps. With this, you can record one instrument (such as a guitar) and vocals at the same time. The most basic setup for proper drum recording would require a minimum of four inputs for the pre-amp. One input is dedicated to the kick drum, another for the snares, and a couple of more inputs for stereo overhead recording. The more inputs you have for drum recording, the better the overall sound quality will be.
 
Is Pro Tools compatibility necessary? Many in the recording industry use Pro Tools by Digidesign. Recording will be convenient if all your tools are compatible with this utility. However, the simplest Digidesign product can cost a relatively large amount of money. The MBox 2 Mini only has one mic input plus a couple of line inputs, but it will set you back by $329. The next step would be the Digi 003, which allows 8 channels at $1600. Take note that you do not need Pro Tools hardware (and the high tag price) if you want to use different recording software. Pro Tools does not function without a Digidesign interface.
 
Will you use USB or FireWire? USB products can be purchased at lower prices than those of FireWire. USB is fine for one or two-channel recording. However, if you want to record with a higher number of channels, FireWire is necessary, as USB technology does not have the large capacity that FireWire has. FireWire is safer for sustaining larger amounts of data due to its higher bandwidth. The most sophisticated professional audio interfaces typically have dedicated cards for interfacing with the main computer.

How do you pick a digital audio conversion system and a software driver? The choice of DAC will greatly affect the sound your audio interface produces, through the conversion of signals from input to output, and analog to digital (and back). The software driver then manipulates the signals as digital data, and manages transmission of these signals to and from your audio interface’s computer.
 
DACs
 
You can test the sound of any DAC system or device by simply listening to the output itself – this may not prove to be a good qualifier, however, as subjectivity will always come into play. Your sound system and audio interface must also have sophisticated, high-end speakers for you to hear the sound in its purest form, as well as have signal paths that are free from any interference. For treble, scrutinize the sound of drum cymbals in a song or recording. Do this with the outboard device and without it. Change the outboard device if you wish to compare output quality. Ideally, with all things being equal, the DAC that sustains the cymbals’ definition and ‘shimmer’ best should be your choice. A low-quality DAC will make the difference in quality apparent. Other factors, such as bass, sound fluidity, warmth, and other technical and non-technical characteristics will also dictate your decision.
 
The card with the best DAC will not always result in the highest sound quality. You may have a difficult time choosing the card that is suited to your requirements and purposes. You may even buy a card you would not otherwise want to get, due to the DAC capacity. Choose a card that has the I/O and drivers you need. You can upgrade with additional DACs later on, and these extra devices will be better than most built-in DACs on many interfaces and soundcards in the market. After bulking up your system with equipment such as high-end pre-amps and monitors, you can consider buying converters. Prior to the installation of these added items, the difference in sound quality would be near-imperceptible. Get professional DACs for your interface or soundcard for superlative results.
 
Software Drivers
 
The software driver provides the vital programs that allow information traffic between your computer and the DAC. This data is formatted for access by the CPU if and when the audio application requires it. The computer’s operating system sets the regulations that the driver uses. If the driver decodes and ‘understands’ the data and rules properly, your audio interface will work as expected. Any errors on the part of the audio application or driver will make the operation falter. Any problems with how your driver works will be transmitted to the CPU, and vice-versa. The application itself may also be the root of the issue.
 
Choosing a software driver can be confusing. Some software may work great with some machines, and bog down others. Even changing your OS or any integral program can alter the way your audio interface runs. The universal rule here is: research and ask around. A software driver might as well be tailor-made, as the system setups, operating systems, DACs, and many other aspects of the entire recording system need to be taken into account before even getting or upgrading a software driver.

An audio interface is comprised of a hardware box or unit separate from your computer system that permits the input and output of sound to and from your computer. Part of it may also come with your computer, or be in-built, such as the case of a separate or default sound card. You may also use a hardware box with various kinds of plug-ins, such as quarter-inch phono plugs, RCA connectors for a cassette tape deck, and the more sophisticated XLR connectors used with high-end microphones.
 
The separate hardware unit may also be likened to a mixer, wherein the audio interface works with pre-amps and analog input methods. After the signal passes through the pre-amp, it is transformed into digital data, and transmitted to the computer by way of a digital output. Related software then translates the aforementioned data and sends it back to the audio interface. The interface can then reconvert it to analog format before playback. There are also various kinds of analog to digital and digital to analog conversion units (which were utilized in the signal translation process).
 
Here are some types of interfaces that focus on audio:
 
• the Audio Codec 1997, or AC97, which allows for transmission between ICs (Integrated Circuits) on motherboards from PC systems
• the ADAT interface
• the AES / EBU interface using XLR connectors
• AES47, utilizing the AES3 digital audio format for networks with ATM or Asynchronous Transfer Modes
• Bluetooth using A2DP
• I²S or Inter-IC Sound interfaces for ICs in products for the consumer electronics market
• the Multi-channel Audio Digital Interface, or MADI
• MIDI interconnections for low bandwidths that carry data (but not sound)
• S/PDIF through TOSLINK or co-axial cable systems
• TDIF using the proprietary TASCAM format for D-Sub cabling
 
Digital bus devices, such as FireWire, PCI, and USB-technology powered tools can store information in the digital audio format as well.
 
Digital Audio Conversion
 
What affects sound quality in your audio interface or sound card? Two integral parts of your sound card or audio interface dictate sound output quality. Default software drivers that come with the acquisition of the card is one, while the second is the DAC, or digital audio converter incorporated into the card itself. The microphone pre-amps of your audio interface can also influence the quality of any recorded data.
 
Choosing between an Audio Interface or Sound Card
 
As recent technological developments change sound cards and audio interfaces, many professionals are biased towards one option. Musicians and sound technicians generally go for audio interfaces rather than conventional soundcards. These interfaces may be based on FireWire or PCI technology. The audio interface usually includes a breakout unit or box, which stands separate from the main computer. The audio interface also uses a cable attached to the computer’s PCI card, or a connection made with FireWire or USB-type cables. The breakout box has ports where instrument cables, mixer cables, monitor cables, or microphone cables can be affixed. The standard soundcard is typically located in a PCI slot within the computer, where the cables are at the rear of the said card.
 
A large portion of the sound cards being sold today have decent DAC capabilities. This is a far cry from just some years ago, where a user was required to pay a high price for good digital audio conversion. The evolution of digital audio conversion systems can be compared to compact-disc player technology. The first CD playing systems usually resulted in tinny or hollow-sounding output. Eventually, sound engineers and specialists refined DAC by error correction, interpolation, oversampling, and various methods to hone the sound. Sampling is the nucleus of the digital audio conversion process. The converter decodes the forthcoming analog signal and translates it into data. Once the signal had been completely transformed into information that the system can handle, the computer can then administer it by combining it with separate data, storing it on the hard drive, etcetera.
 
The quality of digital audio conversion is directly proportional to the condition of output from the card. The type of card (be it FireWire, PCI, or USB-based) does not dictate the sound output quality. The technology used simply serves to transport, transmit, or hold the data. The DAC is what actually shapes the sound, if you will. It is the main aspect that influences sound output quality.

Computer speakers are most of the times very far from what we’d call “best”. There are some PC monitors that come with built-in speakers, but those aren’t good quality either. Laptop speakers are usually so bad that one can’t enjoy listening to music at all. This is why many PC users who want to listen to music directly from their computer choose to buy separate computer speakers, aiming for the best size/performance ratio. Price is also to be considered, but maybe not so important, since there are enough good choices of speakers which cost less that $200. The main purpose of the audio system is also a fact to be considered. If you’re a gamer, you may be looking for speakers that enhance the games sound quality. If you’re an audiophile, then sound clarity matters more.

Here are the computer speakers I consider to be the best, taking into account their performance, their looks and the price:

Harman Kardon SoundSticks II PC Multimedia Speaker System

With its 40 Watt power, this Harman Kardon multimedia speaker system offers a full and clear sound, thus enabling a listening experience above expectations. The system includes two loud speakers and a subwoofer and it features a very nice multi-band parametric equalization that can be optimized directly via the computer. The direct access to the volume control is possible thanks to the touch control buttons on the right satellite. These speakers are not only good, but they are also exquisite in terms of looks: they are made of a transparent material and they have a rounded shape that reminds of some fragile sea creatures. Their price is about $165. However, if you find it a bit too high for your taste, you can always go for the 20 Watt version of this system, which costs $150. However, the price difference is not that big, and the more powerful system is obviously better. More power doesn't necessarily translate into louder volume, but in a better sound clarity even at lower volumes of listening.

Creative Labs GigaWorks T40 with BasXPort Technology

This is another excellent system that will offer you a home theater quality sound. The speakers feature woven glass fiber cone driver and cloth dome tweeter. Accessibility is improved compared to other models, thanks to the jacks which are positioned on the front of the right speaker. The BasXPort technology allows deep bass tones without the need for a subwoofer. The speakers have an 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The 32 Watts of power are enough for a rich and clear sound. A dual RCA-to-stereo audio TV adapter is included with the purchase. This system can be found at $150 on Amazon and in other online stores. It is a good idea of buying it if you value good quality sound but you don't want to have a sub-woofer under your desk.

Logitech G51 Surround Sound 5.1 Speaker System

If you’re a fan of surround sound, you can have it on your computer with this speaker system from Logitech. Beware before buying it, that your PC must feature a 5.1 audio board. Although not exactly an audiophile system, Logitech G51 is a good value for money. It has a built-in audio amplifier and a control pod and it’s very good for movies and games. The total system power is 155 Watt. However, if the volume is too high, the sound is a bit distorted, mainly for low and high frequencies. This system is available in various places on the internet for prices between $168 and $240.

When you choose your PC speakers, always try to consider what’s best for you and not what other people say. If for instance, you travel a lot and you want to take your speakers with you, there’s no point in buying a 5.1 system, because subwoofers are bulky and heavy. On the other hand, if you think big speakers offer the best sound quality, choosing a 5.1 system could satisfy you more than those tiny systems which are cute but lack many watts of power, thus offering a poorer audition experience.