A device that is designed to allow input and output of audio from a personal computer running DAW or other digital audio software. Audio interfaces connect to the computer using FireWire or USB protocols, or using a dedicated expansion card that installs in a slot in the computer.
Common audio interface features (not all features are found on all interfaces):
- Mic-level audio inputs
- Line-level audio inputs
- Instrument-level audio inputs
- Line-level audio outputs
- S/PDIF-format optical or coaxial digital inputs and outputs
- AES/EBU-format digital inputs and outputs
- ADAT optical-format 8-channel digital inputs and outputs
- Studio monitor control features (mute, dim, volume control, speaker switching)
- Headphone outputs with volume control
- MIDI input and output
- Built-in DSP for low-latency cue mixing
- Built-in DSP for effects such as reverb or delay while tracking
