Do I need an audio interface or can I just connect instruments with a USB lead?

Posted by Syl_ai on September - 2 - 2011

Powertonk Asked: Do I need an audio interface or can I just connect instruments with a USB lead?

I'm thinking about getting a yamaha audiogram with Cubase AI4, I will be recording Electric/ Electro Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, Keyboard, Bass guitar etc. but, I was wondering if it's worth buying an Interface or if it's possible that I can just connect everything directly to my computer via usb?
I would be grateful if anyone with home recording experience could help me.
The mic would probably be a shure sm57 and my laptop is a dell Inspiron 1750. If I got the audiogram, I would be using Cubase AI4. Thanks.
Also if anyone could recommend some cheap (maybe even free!) but good recording software, I would be very, very grateful. I have already downloaded Audacity but my internal mic on laptop is far from great, so don't really know if it's half decent? Any advice/help/knowledge/tips would be appreciated! 🙂

Answers:

Ryan Answered:
I'm not quite sure where to start here…

USB is a digital connection/signal. XLR and TRS connections (which microphones, guitars, and electronic keyboards use) are for analog signals.

Anything you buy that has an XLR or TRS connector on one end and a USB connector on the other will also have a small analog to digital converter somewhere along the line.

The A/D converters in even a low-end audio interface will be WAY better quality than any simple cable with an integrated A/D. Better quality means lower latency and, more importantly, better sound.

Ardour and Reaper are both excellent DAWs that are free to try.
This website is also a great source for free VST plugins and other nifty music software
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm



Got a better answer? Share it below!