Advertisement
1
Chapter
That's all I have to pay to get the same features as a
recording studio?
When I asked my friend about what I need to buy to get what I want, he replied, "You can buy
something that will meet all your needs for about 100 US dollars."
"You're kidding me! It's really that cheap?" I asked.
"I recommend that you buy the CI1 audio interface. It was made by Steinberg, a world-famous
manufacturer that is located in Germany and has been producing music creation software and
hardware for more than 25 years. Steinberg's products are also used by professional musicians
and sound engineers," he said.
More than 25 years, huh? That's more than a quarter of a century. That means that the company
has a long history and a strong brand image. Wait just a minute. What about the software? The
audio interface is cheap, but I bet that means the software is expensive!
To confirm my suspicions, I asked my friend.
"It's included with the audio interface."
"You're pulling my leg."
"Look, I'm telling you that the software that you need to create and edit music is included with this
audio interface at no extra cost!"
What's more, it's simple to connect the CI1 to
your computer—all it takes is a USB cable!
The figure on the right gives a rough example of
the type of systems that you can build.
So, that means that I can immediately do exactly
what I want if I just purchase this CI1 audio
interface. Sounds great! Let's get started!
7
2
Chapter
This is the CI1
Let's check the I/O jacks
• Input jacks
These jacks receive audio from external sources. The CI1 has two input
jacks that can receive stereo signals from devices such as record players
and cassette decks.These jacks can also receive mono signals from
sources such as guitars or vocals.
The jacks accept both phone jacks, which are widely used in the outputs of electric guitars and
synthesizers, and XLR jacks, which are used in the outputs of microphones that meet professional
specifications. There are other audio interfaces that only allow you to connect one type of jack
or the other, but not the CI1! The CI1 is equipped
with "combo jacks", useful jacks that enable you to
connect either phone or XLR jacks.
The output jack that is most commonly used in
record players and cassette decks is the RCA jack.
An RCA jack must be converted to a phone jack
before you can connect it to the CI1. You can find
these adapters at your local electronics store.
• Output jacks
The CI1 has LINE OUT jacks that provide stereo output through a pair
of phone jacks and a PHONES jack that provides headphone output.
It's an audio interface, like those that I've already
described. To use the CI1, just connect it to your
computer using the included USB cable.
8
Advertisement
