An audio interface is a key device in any music making set-up. As well as being able to output your audio to connected speakers or headphones, an interface gives you the option to record audio into your project from microphones, instruments, and other audio devices, adding to the creative possibilities.


This guide aims to serve as an introduction to good recording practice, covering the process from start to finish. Whilst each guide features its own standalone tips, you can also follow along in order:


Recording to a DAW Introduction


A DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation, is a piece of software designed for recording, generating and editing audio on a computer. For the purpose of this guide, we will cover the set-up of an audio interface in general terms that are applicable to most DAWs, however you may wish to contact your DAW developer for more specific advice.


If you do not currently have a DAW, you can check out our free to use MPC Beats program here. We also have a tutorial series, MPC Beats Academy, which you can view here.


Audio Settings


With your audio interface connected to your computer, and the driver installed (you can find the driver for your device here), open up the audio settings for your DAW. Within this menu, there will be an option to select the input and output device. For recording, please select the input as the audio interface. If you are using the interface to listen back to the audio, please also set this as the output.


Once configured, your DAW will be set to receive audio from the interface. However, in most instances you need to 'tell' the DAW which specific input you want to use to record, which is commonly selected on the audio track.


An example of an audio track channel strip within Ableton.


Here, you can see that the input for the audio track within the DAW is set to receive audio from input 1. This would match to input 1 on your interface, and would be mono. Common applications of a mono input would be for a microphone or guitar.


For a stereo recording, there will an option to record from inputs 1 and 2 together. When set, the audio will record with the following behaviour:


Input 1 - Left channel

Input 2 - Right channel


This can be helpful for recording a stereo source, such as from a synthesiser, as it enables both channels to be captured simultaneously from two inputs on the interface.


Monitoring


Now that the audio track is configured, you should see a visual indication from the channel that it is receiving audio, in the way of a meter. Normally this will show green bars moving dynamically, depending on the level of the audio received. Most will also have a db meter, showing the level in terms of db below 0, with 0 being the limit beyond which clipping would occur.


Aim to have the loudest parts of your recording hitting at no more than -6db, as this leaves 'headroom' (the space between the loudest part of the signal and 0db) for any post processing you wish to apply.


To hear the input live, you will need to engage the input monitoring for the channel. The way to do this varies between DAWs, but would mostly follow the types of monitoring behaviour below:


'In' - This will monitor the audio input for the channel at all times, meaning that the live signal is heard regardless of what is already recorded to the channel.


'Auto' - This will monitor the audio channel only if the channel is 'record armed', by pressing the red record or 'R' button on the audio track.


'Off' - This will not monitor the audio, and you will only hear the audio once it has been recorded to the channel.


There may be slight variations to this depending on which DAW you are using, so it's always best to check with your DAW documentation for the exact explanations of the different monitoring options.


Direct Monitoring


On your M-Audio interface, you can also choose to bypass the DAW for monitoring purposes, instead listening to the input directly as it comes into the interface.


To achieve this, ensure that either the monitoring knob or switch is set to 'Direct' rather than 'USB'. You will not hear audio back from your computer, but this can be helpful in ensuring low latency when recording as any effects or processing are bypassed. 


Recording


Lastly, please check that your track is record armed. This selects the specific audio track to record to, and is normally indicated by a red record button. Engage this button, and then press your main DAW record button found along your top toolbar (next to the play and stop transport controls). This will begin the recording and commits the audio to the track.