Tip #4: Choose a good interface for your needs.
Now that you know about headphones, microphones, and preamps, we’re going to talk about maybe the most important piece of equipment of your recording chain: the interface.
The purpose of an interface is to capture the audio from your microphone, convert the analog signal to digital information (A/D), and then convert it back from digital to analog (D/A) for your monitoring system, be it headphones or studio monitors, can reproduce the audio. Most interfaces have built-in microphone preamps, line inputs for instruments, headphones and monitor outputs, etc.
When buying an interface, it’s important to keep in mind what connector the device has as this will determine how fast the information will be transferred. First, you’ll have to make sure your computer has the appropriate port so you can connect your interface. You will find USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt and PCIe (which is a card you connect inside your computer, like a RAM card or a hard drive) interfaces. USB interfaces are the simplest, cheapest and most common choices for a home studio as they’re fast (when connected to USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 ports) and every computer, whether it is PC or Mac, has one. You won’t need an external adapter if you ever change your computer or need to travel making USB interfaces to be the most practical ones.
A great choice when it comes to interfaces is the RME Babyface Pro, which has 2 excellent microphone preamp inputs, 2 headphone outputs, and 2 line outputs. It’s small and lightweight, making it highly portable. The design is also very intuitive and easy to use.
Another great choice is the MOTU Track 16 which also has 2 mic preamp inputs, 2 headphone outputs and 4 line outputs for you to have main and secondary monitoring systems plugged into it at the same time. It’s also small and lightweight, and the inputs and outputs are on a separate breakout cable making it fit onto smaller desks without a problem.
If you are a Mac user and are looking for an, even more, portable option, you may want to try the Apogee One. It has only one preamp, but it uses Apogee's top-notch technology which makes it perfect for voice over applications. It’s also super small and light so you can carry it with you everywhere.
For smaller budgets, consider the great Focusrite 2i2. This interface has become kind of like the go-to device for professionals at home who want to get started in the industry. It has 2 mic preamp inputs, 1 headphone output and 2 line outputs for your monitors. It uses Focusrite's amazing preamp technology at a very affordable price.
Do you own another interface that you would recommend? What do you look for when buying an interface? Do you have another interface you want to get? Let us know!
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The Focusrite is a great piece of kit - always worth checking to see if you are purchasing the 1st gen or 2nd gen model.
If you have purchased a Scarlett interface after 1st June 2016, then you may be confused as to whether it is a 1st Gen or 2nd Gen Scarlett.
If you turn over your Scarlett unit, you should see a sticker containing a barcode on the base of the unit, below this will be a serial number, the prefix of your serial number will denote which generation Scarlett you own:
Sxxxxxxxxxxx or Txxxxxxxxxxx = 1st Gen
Vxxxxxxxxxxxx or Wxxxxxxxxxxxx = 2nd Gen
Which generation you have will determine what software and drivers appear in your user account, as well as which Downloads page you select on the Focusrite website . There have been some issues with Win 10 and drivers on the 1st gen - sometimes the audio cuts out then comes back in (switches off the sound on playback) .Duncan
Hello, I have a Steinberg UR 22mkii, would you recomand it? is it good enough ? thanks
Hello Danielle! How are you?
Thanks a lot for reaching out. If your UR22mkII is working properly it should be good enough for your voice overs :).
Thanks for being part of our community.
Gabriel