If you read through the previous section, the benefits of using an audio interface are pretty apparent. The computer receives this signal where it can be used by recording or broadcast software. The boosted digital signal is sent to the computer via a USB connection. The analog signal is converted to digital within the audio interface it does not happen in the mic with this setup. Generally speaking, the preamp in an audio interface is better than that of a USB mic, resulting in better sound quality with less noise. The preamp in the audio interface boosts the weak analog signal coming from the mic. The analog signal travels from the mic to the audio interface via an XLR cable. The microphone capsule inside an XLR microphone converts acoustic energy or sound waves into an analog electric signal just like the USB mic.

Let’s look at a step-by-step breakdown of how an XLR and audio interface setup works. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface: Īudio interfaces generally have a variety of inputs, one of which would be for an XLR microphone.The XLR mic was connected to the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface. To make things as fair as possible in the accompanying video, we compared USB and XLR versions of the Audio Technica AT2020. That said, we will be making recommendations based on our experience and some generalized assumptions about each kind of device. With so many different USB microphones and audio interfaces available, it’s not fair to say that one type is always better. An audio interface will give you more connectivity, improved audio quality and will grow with you as your needs change. Quick Answer: USB microphones are a budget-friendly, simple way to improve your audio in online meetings or record a podcast on the fly. We’ll explain the pros and cons of each and share our recommendations on which system is best for podcasting, live streaming, music production, and video conferencing. In this article, we explore the differences between a USB microphone and an audio interface.

Usb 2 vs usb 3 audio imnterfaces