How do I use a USB as an audio input?

What is a USB Audio Device?

A USB audio device is any piece of audio hardware that connects to a computer via USB and allows the input or output of audio signals. Common examples of USB audio devices include:

USB headphones – Headphones that plug directly into a USB port rather than a standard 3.5mm audio jack.
USB microphones – Microphones that connect via USB rather than XLR or 3.5mm jacks.

USB speakers – Speakers that receive audio signals through a USB connection.
Audio interfaces – Devices that allow instruments like guitars to be plugged in and recorded digitally via USB.

USB audio devices contain analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters to translate between USB’s digital signals and the analog signals of headphones, mics, instruments, and speakers. They allow audio input and output without needing traditional 3.5mm or quarter-inch ports.

Why Use a USB for Audio Input?

Using a USB device for audio input offers several advantages in terms of convenience, compatibility, and audio quality.

One of the main benefits is portability and convenience. Since USB ports are standard on virtually all modern laptops and computers, it’s easy to connect a USB mic or interface anywhere without needing extra equipment. Many USB devices are also bus-powered, meaning they draw power from the USB port itself rather than requiring external power. This makes setting up seamlessly simple.

USB audio devices also have wide compatibility with different operating systems and devices. Whether using Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or even mobile devices, USB mics and interfaces will generally work plug-and-play without needing extra drivers or configuration. The USB protocol provides a standard way for the audio device to communicate with the host computer.

Finally, USB audio devices are capable of high-quality audio recordings, especially with today’s faster USB versions. For example, USB 3.0 and USB-C allow for low-latency, high-bitrate audio streams. This allows pro-level USB mics and audio interfaces to capture studio-quality recordings.

Supported Operating Systems

USB audio devices are compatible with most modern operating systems, including Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, support varies across versions, and specific drivers may be required.

On Windows, USB audio support was introduced in Windows 98 SE. However, generic USB audio driver support was not added until Windows 2000. Most modern versions of Windows, including Windows 10 and 11, have built-in USB audio drivers that allow USB devices to work out of the box. Some higher-end USB audio devices may require a specific ASIO or WDM driver provided by the manufacturer to enable advanced functionality.

MacOS has included USB audio support since Mac OS 9 in 1999. The Core Audio framework in MacOS provides generic USB audio driver support, allowing most USB audio devices to work automatically when plugged in. No additional drivers are typically needed.

Most Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora contain the USB Audio Class drivers required for USB audio functionality. ALSA provides the core system audio framework on Linux, integrating with USB audio seamlessly. For some pro audio devices, an ASIO driver may be required for access to advanced features.

Mobile operating systems like Android and iOS also include USB audio support, but it varies across versions. On Android, USB audio support was introduced in Android 3.1 Honeycomb but required manual enabling up until Android 5 Lollipop. iOS has supported USB audio devices since iOS 3 released in 2009.

Hardware Requirements

To use a USB device for audio input, your computer will need to have a USB port and your USB device will need to have drivers for your operating system. Most modern Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, and Linux computers have USB ports, so compatibility should not be an issue on the computer side. The main requirements are:

A USB port – Most any computer made in the last 10-15 years should have USB ports, usually USB 2.0 or higher. Ensure your computer has an available USB port.
USB audio device – You’ll need a USB microphone, USB mixer, USB audio interface, or other USB audio input device. The device should come with drivers for your operating system or have native support. For Windows, check the device has ASIO or WDM drivers. macOS and iOS devices support class-compliant USB audio interfaces.

Many USB microphones and audio interfaces, such as the PreSonus AudioBox USB 96, are plug-and-play compatible with most computers and operating systems. For other devices, you may need to manually install drivers. Refer to the device documentation and support site for driver downloads and installation instructions.

USB Audio Device Setup

Connecting your USB audio device physically is the first step in getting it set up for audio input. Make sure the device is connected to your computer directly or via a USB hub using the appropriate USB cable, usually USB Type-A to Type-B when connecting to a desktop computer or laptop. Many USB audio interfaces, like those from brands such as Focusrite, PreSonus, or M-Audio, will require this type of connection. For other USB microphones or headsets, the cable and connection type may be different, so consult the device documentation.

Once physically connected, your operating system should automatically detect the device. However, you may need to install drivers for the USB audio device, which are usually available from the manufacturer’s website (Source 1). For example, Focusrite’s Scarlett interfaces require installing the Focusrite Control software to enable full functionality. Downloading and installing these drivers ensures proper communication between your computer and the audio device. On Mac computers, some USB devices designed for Mac will work without additional drivers. On Windows machines, driver installation is required for most USB audio interfaces and microphones to enable audio input.

Configuring Sound Settings

Once you have installed the USB audio device drivers and connected it to your computer, the next step is to configure the sound settings to use the USB device as the audio input. There are two main settings to adjust:

Setting the USB device as the default input device
Adjusting the sample rate and bit depth

To set the USB audio interface as the default input device in Windows, go to the Sound Control Panel, select the Recording tab, right click on the USB device and choose “Set as Default Device” (1). This will make your DAW and other audio recording software use the USB device rather than your computer’s built-in microphone or soundcard.

You’ll also want to set the sample rate and bit depth appropriately for your needs. This is done in the properties window of the USB device. Common settings are 44.1kHz or 48kHz for sample rate and 16-bit or 24-bit for bit depth. The higher the sample rate and bit depth, the better the audio quality but the larger the file sizes (2).

Configuring these settings correctly will ensure you get high quality audio recordings using your external USB device.

Recording Audio With a USB Device

When recording audio with a USB device, the most important aspects are configuring your recording software and setting the proper recording levels. Here are some tips for recording audio with a USB input device:

Using Recording Software

Most digital audio workstation (DAW) software like Audacity or GarageBand will allow you to select the USB device as the audio input source. Make sure to select the USB audio device as the input within your recording software before starting to record.

Set your sample rate and bit depth – a good starting point is 44.1kHz sample rate and 16-bit depth. This will provide CD-quality audio.

Select the number of channels (mono or stereo) to match your USB device and intended recording.

Setting Recording Levels

Proper gain staging is important for quality audio recording. Make sure to avoid setting the recording levels too high, which can lead to clipping and distortion. But also avoid setting them too low, which can result in a noisy signal.

Speak or sing at the same volume you intend to record, and adjust the input gain on your USB device and/or recording software so the levels peak around -12dB to -6dB. This leaves enough headroom to avoid clipping.

Use the level meters in your recording software to monitor the recording volume. Adjust the gain as needed until desired recording levels are achieved.

Monitoring Audio

When using a USB audio device for input, you’ll want to enable direct monitoring to avoid latency issues. Direct monitoring routes the audio input directly to the output so you can hear it in real-time without going through software monitoring which introduces latency (a delay between input and output). Here’s how to enable direct monitoring:

On Windows, go to Sound settings and under the Recording tab, right-click your USB device and select Properties. Go to the Listen tab and check “Listen to this device” to enable direct monitoring.

On Mac, open Audio MIDI Setup, select your USB device, then check “Use audio port for monitor output” under Input Source.

Without direct monitoring, there can be a noticeable delay due to audio buffering that makes monitoring challenging. Direct monitoring bypasses software monitoring so you hear the input in real-time without latency. Just be aware that effects and plugins applied in software won’t be heard during direct monitoring.

See this Reddit thread for more details on setting up direct monitoring: How to setup direct monitoring on Windows

Troubleshooting Issues

If you are experiencing problems using your USB audio device as an input, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:

No Sound or Distorted Sound

If you are not getting any sound or the sound is distorted, try the following:

Check that the USB device is properly connected. Unplug it and plug it back in.

Try connecting the USB device to a different USB port on your computer.
Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for the USB device. Check the manufacturer’s website for updates.
Adjust the sound settings and recording levels in your operating system’s sound control panel or audio application.

Test the USB device on another computer to see if the issue persists.

Driver and Compatibility Issues

If your USB audio device doesn’t seem to work properly or isn’t recognized, there could be a driver or compatibility problem:

Install the latest chipset and USB drivers for your computer.

Check that your USB device is compatible with your operating system version according to the manufacturer.
Try connecting the USB device before booting up your computer.
Update Windows or your audio recording software to the latest version.

Look for Windows updates that might address USB audio compatibility issues.

If troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the problem, contact the manufacturer for further support.

USB Audio Input Tips

The quality of your audio recordings relies heavily on the quality of the USB connection. Here are some tips for getting the best results when using a USB audio interface:

Choose high-quality USB cables. Avoid cheap USB cables, which can introduce noise and interference. Look for thick, shielded USB cables designed specifically for audio use. Gold-plated connectors can help improve connectivity.

Use an externally powered USB hub or audio interface. Bus-powered devices that draw power directly from the computer’s USB port can suffer from noise and instability. Externally powered hubs and audio interfaces with their own power supply will provide steady, clean power for best audio performance.

Cited from:
https://jcat.eu/10-tips-how-to-get-better-sound-in-a-computer-audio-system-for-free%E2%80%A8/

Cited from:

https://us.soundon.global/seo/forum/masterizar-interface-audio-usb?lang=en