Interface vs Sound Card - Do you know...?

Many musicians beginning their independent music production have to travel down the path of understanding the signal chain: the equipment that gets your sound from the sound source into a recorded media. One of the main parts of the signal chain is the soundcard (when we talk digital music). It has come to my attention that many bedroom musicians still misunderstand the difference between a soundcard and an interface.

The audio interface

Though most will call it a soundcard (for sake of simplicity), an audio interface (or AI) is actually a pre-amp and converter combined into one body. The purpose of an AI is to raise the level of the incoming sound signal from mic level to line level (this is the pre-amp part of the audio interface), and to turn that analog signal into digital bits (this is the converter part of the audio interface). Many audio interfaces also include +48v phantom power (for use with condenser mics) and are usually connected to the computer via USB of Firewire.

The soundcard

A soundcard, on the other hand, is just a converter. It's called a soundcard because that's what it does in a normal household computer: to convert the digital data in the computer to analog sound that comes out the computer speakers. In normal computers, not many people use the soundcard to input sound into the computer, although it can be used for that also.

A converter that sits outside the computer body is often called an external soundcard. But if you explore the various recording equipment available for purchase, you will understand that a converter doesn't always have to be a card (though it often is). High end premium quality converters are often shaped like a box that a recording engineer fits onto his equipment rack.

The difference

By the two explanations above, we can see how a soundcard is different than an audio interface:

1. A soundcard does not have pre-amps. Stand alone converters do one thing: to convert analog to digital data and vice versa.
2. A soundcard is the specialized name for the converter.
3. A soundcard is a converter alone. An audio interface is a converter plus preamps.

I hope this short article can help you better understand the parts of your signal chain.

To your equipment savviness,
Endy

The Essential Pieces - Music Production

For major albums and artists who care about the creating an album that will appeal to the masses, a music producer is an essential piece of the puzzle. The producer is responsible for the overall sound and outcome of an album. They are responsible for arranging, composing, coordinating, recording, and completing a music album.

Every album is becomes own project, and has a unique set of needs that will need to be tended to during that overall creation of the album. Music Producers needs to adaptable to whatever the needs of the album become, and need to be able to deal artist visions, which can be difficult at times. There are five main core responsibilities that each music producer must do when creating and album. They are overseeing the recording process, song arrangement, being the music director, master of instrumental layout, and the product manager

Overseeing the Recording Process

As the music producer you will be in-charge of the recording, mixing and mastering part of the recording process. You may not the one running the technical part of the board, that is for the recording engineer. But you will need to be listening the every little thing and making the song sound the best that it can through all the different parts of the process.

Song Arrangement

The song arrangement is the process where you are laying out the song and breaking it into different sections, like verses, choruses, and bridges. Then your duty is to arrange them so that it will optimize that song and send the message of the song in the best way possible.

Being the Musical Director

Being the musical director has its good and bad points to it. On the good side, you can help guide the direction of the overall music that you are trying to capture. On the bad side, from time to time you will get resistance from the artist(s) that may not share the same vision as you. If you are daft in your manner this can usually be avoided.

Master of Instrumental Layout

Most all producer were (or still are) a member of a band. Great Producers have a good understanding of how to get that most out of a particular instrument, and which types get the sound that you would be looking for your particular album.

The Product Manager

Being the product manager means that you will be in-charge of the overall product that will be delivered. It will be responsibility to deliver a product that will convert in to sales and appeal to a mass audience.

Following these 5 core concepts will move you towards become an accomplished and excellent music producer. Remember that you will need to hone your craft and continually grow to be the best possible that you can be!