WHAT ARE AUDIO INTERFACES?
The audio interface is a foundational tool of most home studios, acting as the mediator between computers, instruments, and speakers or headphones. Whether you’re recording guitar, producing electronic music, or podcasting, an audio interface is one of the most essential bits of kit you’ll need. As with most musical equipment, prices and features for audio interfaces can vary, so it’s best to have a really clear idea of what you need before purchasing one.
HOW TO USE AN AUDIO INTERFACE?
Our audio interfaces are simple to use, connecting to your computer via USB, and phantom-powered with no need for an external power source. Audio channels are reflected by I/O, which stands for input/output. Entry level audio interfaces have one or two of these, with higher-end audio interfaces offering expanded connectivity. If you’re fine with overdubbing this isn’t a problem, but if you want to record many instruments at once this could be an issue. If you want to overdub, it’s important to consider latency – the delay between sound being made and the computer processing it. The lower the latency, the more “‘live”’ a recording playback is. All KOMPLETE KONTROL audio interfaces are designed with ultra-low latency, so overdubbing, performing live, and setting up more complex routings is a breeze.
USING A KOMPLETE AUDIO INTERFACE
Native offers three different audio interfaces to give you a huge range of recording options. KOMPLETE AUDIO 1 and KOMPLETE AUDIO 2 give you two-channel audio interfaces to record vocals, guitar, and any other line-in sounds you might need on your track. These audio interfaces come with software packages so you can get things up and running quickly including KOMPLETE START, MASCHINE ESSENTIALS, and MONARK. KOMPLETE AUDIO 2 offers a little more flexibility as an audio interface with two combi-XLR/jack inputs. Completing the current lineup is KOMPLETE AUDIO 6, a premium 6-channel audio interface that comes with all of the same options as our other audio interfaces, plus a load of extras. KOMPLETE AUDIO 6 includes double headphone outputs, individual level controls, 4 ins and 2 outs, plus expanded connectivity for sending MIDI and CV.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AUDIO INTERFACES
Audio interfaces are foundational pieces of kit that will serve you for a long time. By acting as the mediator between computers, instruments, and headphones, they play a huge part in a wide range of industries from music to film and everything in between. Acting as the bridge between live performance and cold data they can record multiple instruments at once or do things take by take. Native Instruments audio interfaces offer pristine sound, flexible connectivity, and music production software to get started with straight out of the box.