Apple Soundtrack - Manual (Page 23)

Chapter 2 Setting Up Your System 23
Connecting Audio Equipment
You can use a variety of audio equipment with Soundtrack for both recording and
playback. For information on connecting a specific piece of equipment to your
computer, read the documentation that came with the equipment.
When using external audio devices, it’s a good idea to connect them before
opening Soundtrack.
Soundtrack does not support video input from devices such as camcorders or
videocassette decks.
Audio Interfaces
You can connect an audio interface to your computer, and then connect microphones and
musical instruments to the audio interface for recording. You can also connect output
devices, such as monitors or speakers, a mixer, or an amplifier to the audio interface.
When choosing an audio interface, check the manufacturer’s specifications to make
sure the interface is compatible with Mac OS X v10.4 (Tiger). Some audio interfaces
require driver software, while others are supported without the need for a driver. If the
device requires a driver, make sure an up-to-date driver is included with the device, or
is available from the manufacturer.
All digital audio interfaces can be susceptible to latency, a noticeable delay between
the time the audio signal is produced and the time you hear it. When connecting an
audio interface, you should connect the interface directly to the computer, rather than
connecting it through a hub or daisy-chaining it through another device. Connecting
an audio interface through a hub or an intermediary device can cause an unacceptable
amount of latency, particularly with slower protocols such as USB.
Soundtrack 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, an alert message appears,
telling you that data from the audio interface is not compatible with the application.