# What does a usb audio interface do? is it necessary? **URL:** \ **Category:** Ableton\ **Tags:** production, audio, interface, studio, usb\ **Created:** [March 6, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191 "2013-03-06T03:09:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kmc310](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kmc310](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/kmc310)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/1 "2013-03-06T03:09:31Z")
**What does a usb audio interface do? is it necessary?** Hi everyone, I have been producing in Ableton for a few years now and I am looking to expand my studio. Right now I musing a macbook pro (2013), alesis studio monitors, an akai mpk mini 25 key keyboard, and a novation launchpad. Someone suggested that I get a usb audio interface. What does it do? I know its used to get audio into your computer, but does it do anything else? Im not too worried about vocals or guitar so would it be necessary? Thanks in advanced ---
**Author:** ![login](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@login](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/login)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/2 "2013-03-06T03:31:16Z")
it can help reduce your latency and digital to analog conversion, since you are working only with your computer (In The Board ITB) you only need a simple one look around for one cheap: focusrite , native instruments 6, apogee one, etc… ---
**Author:** ![deevey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/deevey/32/10758_2.png) [@deevey](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/deevey)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 9:00am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/3 "2013-03-06T09:00:53Z")
In a nutshell: its a **soundcard**. Pretty much any external soundcard will sound a million times better than the built in one on the Macbook, less noise higher sample rates and possibly lower latency (which you’ll need when you are playing a keyboard), > [@](#): > > I know its used to get audio into your computer The Majority of cards do, however the Native instruments Audio2 for example only takes audio _out_ of the computer at much better quality than the built in sound card of the macbook. > [@](#): > > so would it be necessary? If you are serious in any way about your Audio quality of your productions - then yes! ---
**Author:** ![kmc310](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kmc310](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/kmc310)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 3:50pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/4 "2013-03-06T15:50:29Z")
> [@deevey](#): > > In a nutshell: its a **soundcard**. Pretty much any external soundcard will sound a million times better than the built in one on the Macbook, less noise higher sample rates and possibly lower latency (which you’ll need when you are playing a keyboard), > > If you are serious in any way about your Audio quality of your productions - then yes! So what would I plug into it? Both of my controllers are usb. ---
**Author:** ![deevey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/deevey/32/10758_2.png) [@deevey](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/deevey)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/5 "2013-03-06T16:52:12Z")
> [@kmc310](#): > > So what would I plug into it? Both of my controllers are usb. Your studio monitors and/or headphones - nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![kmc310](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4491bb/32.png) [@kmc310](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/kmc310)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/6 "2013-03-06T23:56:17Z")
> [@deevey](#): > > Your studio monitors and/or headphones - nothing else. Oooh. Thanks, ive been super confused ---
**Author:** ![sicnarf033](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/sicnarf033/32/14815_2.png) [@sicnarf033](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/sicnarf033)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 11:35pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/7 "2013-03-13T23:35:50Z")
whats better komplete audio 6 or traktor scratch audio 6? is there a difference between the two “actual” interface or is the software that comes with it just different? seeing that i will be djing with a controller and also using ableton with studio monitors & macbook. ---
**Author:** ![login](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@login](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/login)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/8 "2013-03-13T23:48:05Z")
> [@sicnarf033](#): > > whats better komplete audio 6 or traktor scratch audio 6? is there a difference between the two “actual” interface or is the software that comes with it just different? > > seeing that i will be djing with a controller and also using ableton with studio monitors & macbook. From My head I really dont remeber the specifications, but market wise Komplete 6 is targeted at production and audio 6 at djing. The biggest difference because of this are the number and type of ins and outs: RCA vs Balanced. Also The inputs, i remeber the complete one has a Mic input while the not. But both serve the same purposse, just offer different features that you may or not need depending on how you work. ---
**Author:** ![sicnarf033](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.djtechtools.com/sicnarf033/32/14815_2.png) [@sicnarf033](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/sicnarf033)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2013, 12:52am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-does-a-usb-audio-interface-do-is-it-necessary/54191/9 "2013-03-14T00:52:27Z")
i will mainly be using it for djing (s4,studio monitor,laptop setup; cdj in future) but am also starting to use ableton for production.