If you’re a musician looking to get started in recording, you might be just trying to understand the different audio interfaces and soundcards available on the market. But what is the difference between an audio interface and a soundcard?
In this article, we will discuss the different features and differences between audio interfaces and soundcards so that you can make the right choice for your needs. We’ll also give some tips on how to find the right audio interface or soundcard based on your budget and level of experience. So without further ado, let’s get started!
What is the difference between an audio interface and a soundcard? A soundcard’s principal function is to play and convert sound. In the world of music production, an audio interface is a crucial piece of gear. Condenser microphones, for instance, may be powered using phantom power, which is often provided by audio interfaces. These microphones need phantom power to function.
What is an audio interface?
An audio interface takes signals from a microphone or an instrument and converts them so your computer can process them. The interface can also send sound from your PC to your headphones or studio monitors. USB cables are the most common method of connecting an interface to a computer. However, Thunderbolt, Firewire, and Ethernet are all supported.
What is a soundcard?
Internal soundcards are the machinery that converts digital audio to analog and back again. For example, one may use them to transfer audio to a set of speakers or headphones, and another can record audio from an instrument and deliver it digitally (like with your phone).
The differences between audio interfaces and soundcards
Even though they share similarities, soundcards and audio interfaces serve distinct functions.
Soundcards
Every electronic gadget that can play music or other sounds has a soundcard. In addition, all your portable electronic devices (laptop, tablet, gaming rig, and phone) have built-in audio playback capabilities. The quality of their sounds, however, might differ.
Many budget PC laptops have infamously rudimentary soundcards, whereas premium PCs and newer Macbooks often have more capable soundcards. In addition, soundcards are becoming better as technology develops.
Although most people don’t use this with their soundcards, they can also record music. Unfortunately, soundcards are incompatible with a wide variety of professional audio equipment due to their limited number of inputs and outputs.
Common audio inputs on computers include built-in microphones and 3.5mm line-in jacks for external devices. Because of this, there needs to be more wiggle space for the instrument and microphone signals.
A soundcard is all you really need if you want to listen to music on your laptop for fun. If you want to record, mix, or produce music, you need an audio interface and a better soundcard.
You may always attempt to utilize an adaptor or a microphone that is USB-compatible if you’re dead bent on recording without an audio interface. But this could be better and may cause more problems than it solves. The soundcard is embedded inside the machine, making it difficult to access and change. Because it serves a fundamental purpose, most individuals only consider tweaking their soundcard.
In-built speakers are more compact than external audio interfaces and don’t need any more room on your device. A soundcard is all you really need if you want to listen to music on your laptop for fun. If you want to record, mix, or produce music, you need an audio interface and a better soundcard.
Soundcards are effective at their intended purpose of allowing digital devices to play audio. They take up little space, come standard with the gadget, and provide high-quality sound without further tweaking. However, a high-quality audio interface is essential if you’re a musician planning to record songs on your notebook computer.
Audio interfaces
To recap, both audio interfaces and soundcards serve the same function of transforming analog audio signals to digital data that a computer can comprehend; however, an audio interface is specifically built to work with your digital audio workstation.
An external audio interface may be used to avoid using the computer’s internal soundcard. A better-sounding final product and more flexible input/output choices are benefits of using an audio interface. Its practicality makes up for the inconvenience of their use.
Even the simplest audio interfaces often have a better sample rate and bit depth than the built-in sound systems of most laptops. Without getting too technical, this implies that it’s picking up a signal with more fidelity than a soundcard could.
Which one is best for you, an audio interface or a soundcard?
The intended application is the primary consideration when deciding between a soundcard and an audio interface. The two serve the same theoretical purpose, but they have diverse applications in practice.
An audio interface is a must-have to take your music recording or audio production/mixing to the next level of professionalism. However, a soundcard can only do if your requirements are relaxed, and you can compensate for mediocre sound quality.
It’s fine to use laptop speakers, even among video editors. You can only purchase a new audio interface if you want to go deeply into the technical aspects of audio creation. However, an audio interface is necessary if you plan on engaging in home recording or music production.
If you want even more tips and insights, watch this video called “Is A Soundcard An Audio Interface?” from the Stamp Sound YouTube channel.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Do you still have questions about the difference between audio interfaces and soundcards? Below are some of the most commonly asked questions.
Do you need a soundcard if you have an audio interface?
No, you won’t need a soundcard if you already have an audio interface. An audio interface may replace the soundcard since it can be connected to a computer or laptop instead of the inbuilt soundcard. Instead of the computer using the soundcard and its drivers, the audio processing is handled by the interface.
Do soundcards give better audio?
Soundcards are superior to the audio hardware on motherboards because they can use more advanced hardware. Digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are one option since they may improve the quality of music and gaming audio by increasing bit rates and frequencies.
Can a soundcard replace an audio interface?
The short answer is yes; an audio interface is just an external soundcard with additional features. However, it is also much more than that, as it has specialized drivers, inputs, and outputs that greatly improve the quality of the recording process.
Will an audio interface make my music sound better?
The quality of the sound produced might change depending on the audio interface used. You need high-quality converters if the final sound is more faithful to the analog waveform. There are a number of workarounds that can improve audio quality, but there is only one way to get it by using a high-quality converter.
Conclusion
To sum it up, the main difference between an audio interface and a soundcard is their compatibility with different application types. Make sure you choose one that works well in your workflow so that you can focus on getting good at what you do!
So, which one do you prefer to use? And did I cover everything you wanted to know? Let me know in the comments section below (I read and reply to every comment). If you found this article helpful, share it with a friend and check out my full blog for more tips and tricks on music production. Thanks for reading, and never stop making music.
Key takeaways
This article covered the differences between an audio interface and a soundcard. Here are some key takeaways:
- An audio interface takes signals from a microphone or an instrument and converts them so your computer can process them.
- Internal soundcards are the machinery that converts digital audio to analog and back again.
- Even though they share similarities, soundcards and audio interfaces serve distinct functions.
- Soundcards are very effective at their intended purpose of playing audio on digital devices.
- An audio interface is necessary if you plan on engaging in home recording or music production.
