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Choosing between an audio interface or an internal sound card can become complicated for anyone who's not completely sure they KNOW what they want. FYI: Feeling overwhelmed by the selection and additional options can turn people away from building a home recording studio, and it is normal to feel this way. You are entering an unfamiliar realm of music equipment. In this situation it helps to remember that  the gear - is neccessary to provide the means. 

Music recording equipment are the tools used to facilitate your every sonic expression. If this is why you have been researching the equipment, then don't be deterred by this new territory of recording equipment. If music production is not something you really want to pursue, then I would start out with a demo of some music software first. Either way, I have written these articles to provide the basic structure of what's involved in the modern recording studio, and how to these components work. I make statements that are factual, and will inform you when things are preferential. We have built this site to be a credible source of useful information.

My articles aim to provide factual reference to the equipment and functions in a recording studio, explain common techniques for using this equipment, and give some tips I have learned in my production experience and education. Check some of our other articles on the subject of recording music here.
  
 
This section will explain the following main topics:

• Understanding the functions of a sound card/audio inteface.
• Understanding the difference between the sound card and the audio interface.
• Understanding what you need, to get the best sound card you can afford.

What is a sound card and what does it do?

• A sound card is a chip that installs into your computer.
• A sound card receives audio signals and converts them into digital audio.



The conventional Sound Card is a chip that is installed into your computers PCI slot. 
An Audio Interface does the same thing. It converts input audio signals. It is just in the form of a hardware interface that connects to your pc or mac. An audio interface is an external device that receives an analog signal, and sends it to your music software application in its digital form. For example; by plugging a microphone into an audio interface with a compatible audio sequencer, an audio interface can convert the analog microphone signal and record a digital audio file onto a track. This can be done with a sound card as well. 
  
  


Mobile and Rack-mount Interfaces

Just about every pro audio manufacturer offers audio interfaces in both a portable and rack-mount unit. Portable interfaces are easy to transport and are conveinant for the traveling-music-man. They are also nice to start out with because they are very simple to use, and can take a few um, accidents. There are big advantages in mobility. Projects can be pieced together in many different places. Having equipment that is flexible enough to meet the demands of creativity can be an important factor for spot recording and production of that nature. I’ve found most portable interfaces to be surprisingly durable. (I took one to Iraq with me and it still works fine.)

Rackmount is a larger hardware unit intended to slide into a rack of other rackmount music equipment. These interfaces are less resistant to bumps and bruises. They are engineered to be secured in a permanent/semi-permanent living space. These interfaces can boast top notch analog to digital converter, and impressive microphone preamps. This qualitative improvement will obviously raise the prices; as will in/outputs, conversion rates, and extras on the interface.

Most quality audio interfaces can give you pretty good bang for the buck. Portable audio interfaces promote their ease of use,  and they can help you start out and then upgrade when you notice you need to do so. They are resiliant (in my experiences) to on-the-road battle scars. Rackmount models are reasonably priced and can provide a powerful tool to professionalswho know what they're doing. Their are lower end rackmount models, some to be had at good deals, but most of them are not plug and play - per say.

Audio Interfaces can interact with your pc via:

• Fire-wire: Speed
• USB: Plug and play quick
• PCI:  More tracks and no need for attach/unattachment, because it is installed.(Some high-end studios use state of the art HD Sound Cards that are capable of the highest possible sampling rate and bit depth.)


In most cases they all produce similar sound quality, (with exception to the pro HD card) but offer different advantages with each connection option.

  
  
There are two components within both of these devices which factor into making a unit - produce superior/inferior audio recordings.

• Drivers – Software that ships with your product.
• Digital Audio Converters – The conversion of audio to digital audio, for editing and processing on your PC. (See my Analog to Digital  Converter section for more on this subject.)


Some audio interfaces may have built in Preamps, which can be an added benefit and may help produce a better recording. (See my Preamps section for more on this subject.) 

As I mentioned earlier there are areas in which both the audio interface and sound card 
excel. Of course, you must research that the audio interface/card is compatible with your set-up. You should also evaluate whether or not you want to do more portable (on the road) or stationary (in the studio) recordings. (Respectively) 


If your just starting out and looking for something with good sound quality, reasonable prices, and can withstand a few accidental BANGs! A portable audio interface will give you many options to start with and expand on.

If your looking to record solely from your home or project studio with a generally large track count – A traditional sound card or PCI chip with a breakout box will offer stable conversion and a large track count at very fast speeds.

• 
Most importantly the A/D D/A Converter, which touches the sound, is the most important component in both. This is the thing that transfers the input audio and transforms it into digital audio. (See my Difference between Audio and MIDI section for more details.) BUT, if you are going to use dedicated a/d/a units, you can go for other specifics like number of input/output, control surface integrated units and etc.



In Conclusion: 



• Make sure you have a handle on the concepts of both before looking for specifics.
• Research the compatibility of the interface/card and your PC/Laptop.
• Keep in mind you are really looking for good: A/D/A/Converter and Driver within the unit.





Remember, if you are just starting out: This is one important component among a number of important components involved in a quality recording studio. So assess your budget/needs carefully.