This article discusses whether we can use a DAW without an audio interface. This topic is discussed from the point of view of a music producer and audio engineer who has produced, recorded, and mixed-mastered songs at par with the industry standards, without using an audio interface for years.
We will be diving deep into the details of what an interface does and do we even need an audio interface in the first place. We will also see the limitations of using a DAW without an audio interface. Finally, we will look into how we can record, monitor, and mix-master audio by connecting our monitors or headphones directly to the computer without passing the audio through an interface.
Yes, you can work on a DAW without using an audio interface or a sound card. You can record, produce, monitor, and even mix-master music within the boundaries of a laptop or a PC without using any external audio interface. Let’s discuss further how we can do that.
Firstly, let’s understand what the audio interface does. The audio interface primarily has three main jobs. The first job of the interface is to do analog to digital conversion. The audio interface converts analog instrument and microphone signals into binary data, recognizable by the computer and software.
Hence, it acts as a mediator between the mic/line input and the computer and enables us to record vocals, instruments, drums, etc.
While recording, the condenser microphone needs phantom power (+48 V). That is because condenser microphones need direct current (DC) to activate their circuitry.
This electric power requirement of the microphone is called phantom power, which is delivered to the microphone by the audio interface. That is the second job of the audio interface.
Lastly, an audio interface is used for monitoring the audio. The audio signal has to travel from the DAW or computer into studio monitors or headphones from where we listen to the audio.
The audio interface acts as an intermediatory between both by converting digital or binary signals from the DAW or computer to analog signals that are understandable and comprehensible by human ears. Now that we know the primary jobs of an audio interface, let’s understand how we can use a DAW without an audio interface.
Can you record without an audio interface?
Yes, you can record without an audio interface. For example, we do not need an audio interface to record MIDI signals or virtual instruments. Further, a tape recorder, a pair of headsets, a webcam, or a USB microphone can be plugged directly into your computer for recording purposes. You can also use the in-built microphone of your computer.
How to record without an audio interface?
As we have read above, an audio interface, for recording primarily does analog to digital conversion. Usually, we connect the microphone to the audio interface, which is further connected to the computer, and record these signals from the microphone or line input into the daw. However, there’s an alternative method to it: USB Mic.
With a USB mic, you can record the audio into our DAW directly by using the USB Mic on the sound source. All you need is a USB port on your laptop or PC. An analog to digital converter (ADC) and a pre-amp is built into a USB microphone’s circuit. Hence, you do not need external phantom power or an external device to do analog to digital conversion (ADC).
You can plug this mic into your laptop and PC using a USB port, select the input as the USB mic in your computer settings and DAW, and finally, record the signal into the DAW. A USB mic is especially used by many podcasters, YouTubers, filmmakers, influencers, etc.
One can also use USB mics to record acoustic instruments or vocals. Some of the top USB mics available in the market are Rode NT USB, Audio Technica AT20202USB+, AKG Lyra, Shure MV7, PreSonus Revelator USB-C, etc.
A midi instrument can be plugged in directly to the computer using a MIDI cable, and we can select the input from MIDI preferences in the DAW. You can further record notes, their velocities, automation, and other musical information by playing from your MIDI device and recording its MIDI data.
How to monitor audio without an audio interface?
We can use studio monitors or headphones for monitoring the audio without connecting them to an audio interface. Many studio monitors and headphones have an RCA to aux cable or Bluetooth compatibility. Even if they don’t, there is a way by which we can connect any studio monitors directly to your computer.
Usually, when we connect studio monitors to an audio interface, we use a balanced XLR cable. However, to connect studio monitors directly to our computer, we can use RCA cables, which are unbalanced consumer audio cables. You can connect the RCA cables to your monitors using the unbalanced RCA output port in your monitors.
You can find a cable with two mono RCA inputs (left and right) on one end and a stereo 3.5mm(1/8″) male minijack as its output on the other end. One of the two mono RCA cable inputs will go into the left monitor, and the other will go into the right monitor. Further, we will connect the output end of this cable to the computer.
Alternatively, you can find two mono RCA cables and connect them to a Y Cable. A Y cable has three ends. One end is a stereo 3.5mm (1/8″) male minijack which acts as the output and can be connected to the computer. The other two ends are right and left female mono inputs in which we can connect the RCA(phono) male plugs.
Hence, we can connect the studio monitors to our computer using the following flow of connection: Monitors > RCA Cables > Y Cable > Computer. The output signal will travel in the following signal flow: DAW/Computer Output > Y Cable > RCA Cables > Monitors. Alternatively, we could also use an RCA to 3.5 mm converter (two mono inputs, one stereo output), which serves the same purpose as a Y Cable.
There’s a possibility that our monitors do not have an unbalanced RCA output. In that case, we can use an XLR male to RCA male converter. Another option to monitor audio without using an interface is Bluetooth monitoring.
Some monitors like Mackie CR5 BT comes with Bluetooth compatibility. So with monitors with Bluetooth compatibility, you can connect their system to the monitors using Bluetooth and monitor your sessions accordingly. However, Bluetooth connection may result in weaker and delayed signals.
Lastly, there’s always an option to monitor your production and mixes using headphones. Many renowned and experienced audio engineers and music producers work with headphones when they don’t have access to their monitor speakers and produce industry-standard outputs with this practice.
Headphones like Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro, DT 770 Pro, Audio Technica ATH-M50x, ATH-M40x, Shure SHR 440, etc., have a great reputation as studio headphones that give a clear and transparent output.
Limitations of using DAW without an audio interface
Recording Limitations
The first limitation of using a DAW without an audio interface is that we cannot record electric instruments directly in our DAW. Electric instruments like an electric guitar, bass guitar, etc., can get recorded only from a line input, for which you need an interface.
The only way to record any electric instrument without using an audio interface is to amp the instrument and then mic its amp using a USB mic. A USB mic is a great alternative to an XLR mic that works with an audio interface but can work well only for recording vocals or acoustic instruments.
The second drawback of using a DAW without an audio interface is that you cannot do multi-track recordings. For example, you need a minimum of three mics to mic a drum kit.
Hence, a drum kit can only be recorded using an interface with more than three input channels. Similarly, we cannot do any recording involving more than one input channel on a single USB mic.
Lastly, recording with an audio interface and XLR cables gives more resolution and quality to your recordings. Many USB mics have lower bit depth and sample rate limitations.
However, many audio interfaces let you record at a higher sample rate and bit depth. For example, AT20202 USB+ lets you record up to a resolution of 16 bit- 48kHz, whereas an AT2020 with a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 audio interface lets you record up to a bit depth of 24-bit and a sample rate of 192 kHz.
Higher resolution eventually leads to a higher dynamic range and better dynamic processing.
Monitoring Limitations
- Limitations of monitoring audio using RCA cables over XLR cables
XLR cables used in audio interfaces for carrying electrical signals are better information carriers and can deliver more power and resolution. XLR cables are also balanced and cancel any interference or noise that the signal carries. On the other hand, RCA cables are unbalanced.
Source: Pxhere
Unbalanced cables are more prone to picking up hums from a nearby television or audio system. This inconsistency of RCA cables may also result in distortion of the audio signal. Also, if mishandled, RCA cables may damage the port of your CPU or computer. Again, this is because of the powerful audio signal these cables carry.
- Limitations of mixing & producing using headphones without an audio interface
When we use headphones by connecting them directly to the computer, there always will be a volume issue. You will never get the output as high as when you connect the headphones to the audio interface. So you will have to work with softer levels if you work with headphones by connecting them directly to your system.
The interface has a pre-amp by which we can strengthen the audio signal and drive up the volume of the output in the headphones. Unfortunately, we cannot do the same on a computer as the computer’s built-in sound card may not have sufficient power to give loud enough audio signals as outputs.
This problem of softer levels is especially troublesome after you have gain staged your tracks.
Another major downside to mixing and producing sounds on only headphones is that headphones don’t give the best idea about stereo imaging. When we play audio in a stereo speaker set, there’s crosstalk between left and right speakers, which doesn’t happen on headphones. Hence, we cannot rely on headphones to set the mix’s stereo image.
Headphones are great for audio production and mixing when the room is not acoustically treated. However, working for long hours with headphones results in fatigue of the ears and loss of our dynamic sensitivity. Hence, it could get tiring and inconvenient working with headphones.
Also, headphones do not have an effective bass response due to the seal between the earcups and ears. Hence, headphones aren’t as effective for mixing low frequencies.
Further, headphones are usually colored and are not as transparent as monitors in frequency response.
Source: Pexels
Conclusion
We have read so far that it is possible to produce compelling work on a DAW without using an interface. However, upgrading your equipment and adding a good audio interface and cables into your arsenal will drive your productivity and open your audio world to broader applications.
It would be best if you used an audio interface for recording and monitoring purposes. However, occasionally, when you don’t have access to an audio interface, you can still work on your DAW.
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Shaurya Bhatia, is an Indian Music Producer, Composer, Rapper & Performer, who goes by the stage name MC SNUB, and is also 1/2 of the Indian pop music duo, called “babyface”. A certified Audio Engineer & Music Producer, and a practicing musician & rapper for more than 6 years, Shaurya has worked on projects of various genres and has also been a teaching faculty at Spin Gurus DJ Academy.