Audio Interfaces and Connectivity Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Audio Interfaces and Connectivity flashcards as text
What protocol allows an audio interface to act as the master clock for other digital devices?
Answer: Word clock
Word clock synchronizes the sample timing of multiple digital audio devices to prevent clicks and pops.
Which connection type is class-compliant, meaning it often works without installing drivers on modern operating systems?
Answer: USB audio
Many USB interfaces are class-compliant and work plug-and-play, especially on macOS and iOS.
What is a common symptom of a sample-rate mismatch between two synced digital devices?
Answer: Periodic clicks, pops, or pitch shifts
Mismatched or unsynced clocks cause audible clicks and pops as samples drift.
What is the main role of an interface's 'pad' switch?
Answer: Attenuates a hot input to prevent clipping
A pad reduces the input level (often by 10–20 dB) so loud sources don't overload the preamp.
On a typical USB-C interface, what does the 'loopback' feature allow?
Answer: Routing computer audio back into the recording software
Loopback routes the computer's playback audio back into an input, useful for streaming and podcasts.
Why might a 'ground loop' hum appear when connecting an interface to powered monitors?
Answer: Different ground potentials create a 60 Hz hum
Ground loops occur when devices share differing ground references, inducing a low-frequency hum.
What is the benefit of using balanced TRS outputs to studio monitors instead of unbalanced RCA?
Answer: Reduced noise and interference over the cable run
Balanced TRS connections reject noise, keeping monitor feeds clean compared to unbalanced RCA.