Interfaces & Hardware
Setting up audio interfaces correctly — sample rate, channel routing, and more.
Sample rate: why it has to match everywhere
Why a recording through an audio interface crackles or drops out when the interface, operating system, and recording app don't agree on the sample rate.
Silent recording despite a multichannel interface: check your channel routing
Why a recording can stay completely silent even though the interface is connected and there's a signal — and how to fix it when it's down to the wrong input channels.
Phantom power (48V): when does a microphone need it?
Which microphone types need 48V phantom power, which ones can't tolerate it — and why getting this wrong can cause silence or even damage.
Headphones or studio monitors for practicing?
When closed-back headphones are the better choice over speakers — and what to look for in headphones for musicians.
Dropouts despite a correctly configured interface: check your cable and USB port
Why an interface can crackle or fail completely even with the correct sample rate set — and how simply swapping the cable or port often fixes it.