What is an audio interface, and what can you do with it? R In this video I take a close look at the Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface. Read more about the 2i4 on Amazon by clicking below (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2NhH4yx * An audio interface is the device you need to make high quality recordings on your computer or iPad. Your audio interface is the heart of a typical home recording studio. It is essential gear for your home recording studio Whether you want to record vocals, guitar or keyboards, you need an audio interface to enable you to convert the analog audio from your microphone or instrument into digital audio on your computer. A good audio interface has the correct inputs and pre-amps to allow you to connect: professional microphones; the signal from your guitar; or the line out from your digital piano or synth. It also has high quality audio outputs so you can monitor your recordings through studio headphones or monitors. Some audio interfaces also have MIDI input and output so you can control virtual instruments, or trigger playback of your MIDI devices. Essentially your audio interface is the ‘middle man’ in your recording studio that performs digital to analog and analog to digital conversion. The analog signal from your microphones and instruments is converted into a digital audio stream. So you can record and edit digital audio on your computer. Then, you can play back the digital audio, via the audio interface, on your headphones or studio speakers. A decent audio interface has XLR inputs for mic, with built-in pre-amps and gain control to boost the signal to a good level, without introducing noise. It will also provide phantom power, which is essential if you want to record using a studio condenser microphone. It also has the ability to allow you to ‘direct monitor’. So if you want to hear one track while you overlay another (for example add vocals to a backing track) you can hear yourself through headphones without any latency (delay). Many interfaces will also allow you to audition one signal while another is playing out on a PA or speakers, allowing you to perform DJ-style cueing of tracks. * Please note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also post other affiliate links in my descriptions. If you choose to buy from my links, you will not pay any more, but I will earn a small commission. I only post links to products and services that I know, like and trust. And I thank you for your support :)