Apple Soundtrack Pro 3 - Manual (Page 510)

Choosing a Third-Party Audio Interface
Before you purchase a separate audio interface, consider that most third-party video
interfaces may have enough audio connectors to meet your requirements. You should
consider a separate audio interface when:
• You are trying to capture or output more audio channels than your built-in audio
interface or third-party video interface supports.
• You need to capture or output in a format not supported by your existing interfaces
(for example, if you need to capture audio at a sample rate of 96 kHz but your video
interface only supports a sample rate of 48 kHz).
Benefits of a Third-Party Audio Interface
Third-party audio interfaces can provide many more features than your computer’s built-in
interfaces, such as:
• More than two audio channels—eight channels is common, but some interfaces have
24 or more input and output channels
• Professional connectors such as XLR or 1/4" TRS
• High-quality analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters supporting sample rates
as high as 192 kHz and 24 bits per sample
• Support for analog and digital audio formats
• Stable, “jitter-free” digital audio clocks
Tips for Selecting a Third-Party Audio Interface
When you select an audio interface, make sure it has the following:
• Connectors that match your audio equipment, such as XLR, 1/4" TRS, RCA, or TOSLINK
• Support for audio signal formats that your audio equipment uses, such as AES/EBU,
S/PDIF, or ADAT Lightpipe
• Enough audio inputs and outputs to connect your equipment
• Sample rate and bit depth at least as high as your audio equipment. For example, if
you have an audio device with a sample rate of 96 kHz and 24 bits, your audio interface
should at least match this. Soundtrack Pro supports input from digital audio interfaces
up to a maximum sample rate of 96 kHz and a maximum bit depth of 24 bits. If you
connect an interface that uses sample rates or bit depths outside the range supported
by Soundtrack Pro, an alert message appears, telling you that data from the audio
interface is not compatible with the application.
• Mac OS X compatibility. When choosing an audio interface, check the manufacturer’s
specifications to make sure the interface is compatible with Mac OS X.
• Up-to-date driver software, if needed. If the device requires a driver, make sure an
up-to-date driver is included with the device, or is available from the manufacturer.
510 Appendix C Working with Professional Video and Audio Equipment