Comparison M-AUDIO AIR 192|4 vs M-AUDIO M-Track Solo

Connection interfaces that the audio interface is equipped with.

- USB A. Connection via standard USB port. Until recently, this was the most popular interface for external peripherals, found in almost all PCs and laptops. Nowadays, it is often replaced by a USB type C port (see the corresponding paragraph). Most USB A audio interfaces draw power directly from the PC or other host device.

- USB type B. The connector has a characteristic square shape, noticeably different from the well-known rectangular USB A ports. In audio interfaces, it is used to transmit signals from external sources to a computer for recording and processing.

- USB type C. A peripheral connector with a symmetrical contact group, which often replaces full-size USB ports on board modern PCs and laptops. Many new models of audio interfaces are being made for this interface. An exception to the rule is individual instances for Thunderbolt. For them, it is Thunderbolt that is indicated, and not USB type C.

- Thunderbolt v2. Initially, Thunderbolt is a universal connector used primarily in Apple computer equipment. On board audio interfaces it is used as a general peripheral connector (similar to USB). This uses the miniDisplayPort hardware port. The data transfer speed in this version reaches 20 Gbit/s. Recently, the v2 edition...has been replaced by the Thunderbolt v3 version (see the corresponding paragraph).

- Thunderbolt v3. A universal interface that is found mainly in Apple technology. In audio interfaces it is used as a general peripheral connector (similar to USB). Specifically, Thunderbolt v3 provides data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps and uses a USB type C hardware connector (as opposed to earlier versions based on miniDisplayPort).

- Lightning. A connector used exclusively in Apple portable electronics (since 2012). Accordingly, audio interfaces with such a port are aimed at ease of connection to iPhones and iPads. Note that today there has been a transition from proprietary Lightning to the common USB type C - the latest generations of Apple gadgets are produced with just such a peripheral connection connector.

- mini-USB. A smaller version of the full-size USB interface, created for portable equipment. It is found very rarely in audio interfaces.

- FireWire. Universal connector, also known as IEEE 1394 or i-Link. In terms of functionality, it is analogous to USB, and in some characteristics it even surpasses it. However, FireWare is much less common. Used to connect to computers and some types of specialized audio equipment.

— Dante Dante connectors are used to connect audio interfaces to a network to transmit audio digitally. In this case, a standard Ethernet port (RJ-45) is used for physical access to the network.

Characteristics of the built-in DAC - a digital-to-analog converter for converting digital audio into line-level analog audio, usually in stereo format.

— Bit depth. Bit size of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) used in the device. In this case, the meaning of this parameter is as follows: the bit depth of the DAC must be no lower than the bit depth of the audio signal with which the converter is planned to be used, otherwise the device will not be able to effectively cope with the conversion. As for specific values, the standard options in modern audio interfaces are 16 bit, 24 bit and 32 bit.

- Sampling frequency. The sampling rate of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) installed in the audio interface. Let us recall that such a converter is responsible for converting digital audio into an analog audio signal. The paragraph usually indicates the maximum value of the sampling frequency, for which one of the standard values corresponding to a certain sound quality is used ( 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz).

The type of line input provided in the device. Uses the line input to feed audio from an external source to the audio interface.

The following types of connectors can be used for line input:

— mini-Jack (3.5 mm). A socket for a standard mini-Jack plug (3.5 mm). The connector serves as an audio input for two stereo channels. It is designed primarily for portable electronics such as smartphones, pocket players, etc. In stationary devices, Jack (6.35 mm), XLR and RCA are more popular.

— Jack (6.35 mm). A common audio connector for transmitting an analog signal. In design, this type of socket is as similar as possible to a mini-Jack (3.5 mm), but differs in size. Jack connector (6.5 mm) provides tight contact and is less susceptible to interference. It also supports a balanced connection - high-quality transmission of audio signals over fairly long wires with effective protection against interference.

- XLR. The XLR standard is considered professional - not only because of the high quality of signal transmission, but also because of its fairly large size and the presence of locks for securely securing the plugs. However, only one channel of audio can be transmitted over one cable, so XLR outputs are usually installed in pairs - based on stereo sound. Also note that these connectors can be combined with Jack sockets (6.35 mm). They als...o allow you to implement a connection in a balanced format with a high degree of noise immunity and the use of fairly long wires without affecting the frequency of the analog signal.

- RCA. Connector for coaxial cable with tulip type plug. The standard RCA input consists of two jacks - for stereo sound, left and right channel. One analog RCA connector can only transmit one channel of audio, so the number of such connectors corresponds to the number of channels supported by the device.

— Total audio outputs Jack / XLR. The total number of analog audio outputs such as Jack (6.35 mm) and/or XLR (this interface can be combined with a “jack”). Note that such connectors can play the role of both the Main output and the linear output. For more details, see the relevant paragraphs.

— mini-Jack. The standard 3.5 mm mini-Jack is usually used in audio interfaces as an analog (line) output for two stereo channels, as well as as an output for connecting headphones (see the corresponding paragraphs).

Through the Main outputs it is supposed to transmit signals from the audio interface to external devices for playing and recording sound. In everyday use, there are models with one type of Main connector, as well as with several varieties (for example, Jack (6.35 mm), XLR, RCA, or Jack (6.35 mm) / RCA, or Jack (6.35 mm) / XLR).

— Jack (6.35 mm). Output for transmitting analog audio signal. Structurally similar to the popular mini-Jack, but differs from it in its larger dimensions. As a result, Jack type plugs (6.35 mm) are used primarily in high-end stationary audio equipment. Outputs of this type usually operate on a “one channel per connector” principle (i.e., to transmit stereo sound you will need to use two Jack sockets). Also, this interface often provides a balanced connection - a connection in a special format that allows the use of long wires without compromising the signal quality (due to the suppression of interference in the wire itself). However, the Jack connection (6.35 mm) may also be unbalanced.

- XLR. Another type of output for transmitting an analog signal using a balanced connection. It allows the use of long cable lengths without compromising the quality of data exchange - external interference is absorbed directly in the cable. Often the connector is combined with a Jack interface (6.5 mm). The XLR is equipped with a locking lock and three contacts. A single three-...pin analog cable can only carry one channel of audio, so a standard XLR output typically consists of two jacks, stereo left and right.

- RCA. Jacks for coaxial cables with characteristic plugs, popularly known as “tulips”. One cable in analog format can transmit one channel of audio. The standard output of this type consists of two connectors - for the left and right stereo channels. On the other hand, RCA does not provide the possibility of a balanced connection, which is why it is inferior to other options in noise immunity, has noticeable limitations on cable length and is poorly suitable for professional use. Nevertheless, “tulips” have become very widespread in entry-level and mid-level stationary audio equipment.

The number of pairs of RCA output connectors(see above) in the audio interface design. By “pair” in this context we mean two RCA connectors, usually intended for stereo audio - left (Left) and right (Right) channels.

Output connectors for connecting monitor speakers or headphones. Connecting monitors to the output of an audio interface allows musicians, sound designers, or sound engineers to monitor audio quality in real time. In audio interfaces, monitor outputs can be made in various formats, but most often there are various combinations of RCA, XLR and Jack connectors (6.35 mm), less often - the classic mini-Jack (3.5 mm).

The device has a separate output for connecting headphones. Most often, its role is played by the classic mini-Jack connector (3.5 mm). However, there are models with several outputs. They, along with mini-Jack, can use other connectors. Headphone connections serve a variety of purposes - some devices actually act as high-end external headphone amplifiers, while others allow you to control the sound sent to the outputs.

Adjusting the headphone volume. This level control is provided mainly for user comfort - it allows you to set the sound level to your own preferences. This possibility is especially relevant in light of the fact that headphones are rarely equipped with their own volume controls.