USBääniliitännät

USBääniliitännät, also known as USB audio interfaces, are devices that allow audio signals to be sent between a computer and external audio equipment using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. These interfaces convert analog audio signals from microphones or instruments into digital data that a computer can process, and vice versa, converting digital audio data from the computer back into analog signals for playback through speakers or headphones.

They serve as an intermediary, providing higher quality audio input and output than typically found on built-in sound cards. This is achieved through improved analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) and digital-to-analog converters (DACs), as well as more robust preamplifiers for microphones. USB audio interfaces come in various configurations, from small, portable units with one or two inputs and outputs suitable for home recording or podcasting, to larger, rack-mountable units with numerous inputs and outputs designed for professional studio use.

Common features of USB audio interfaces include microphone preamplifiers with phantom power for condenser microphones, instrument-level inputs for guitars and basses, line-level inputs for keyboards and other sound sources, and headphone outputs for monitoring. Many also offer MIDI I/O for connecting synthesizers and controllers. The USB connection provides both data transfer and power to the interface, simplifying setup. Different USB versions (e.g., USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB-C) offer varying data transfer speeds, which can be important for handling multiple high-resolution audio channels simultaneously. Drivers are typically required to allow the computer's operating system and audio software to communicate with the interface.