An audio interface is a human-made device or software system that connects audio sources (microphones, instruments) to a computer for recording and playback, converting analog signals to digital and digital back to analog. Parameters: (1) analog inputs/outputs — number and type of XLR, TRS, RCA connectors; (2) analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog conversion — sample rate and bit depth; (3) input gain control — preamplification per channel; (4) clocking — internal/external word clock synchronization; (5) computer interface — USB, Thunderbolt, PCIe. Mechanism of persistence: manufactured by electronics firms, sold through pro audio retail, maintained via driver software updates, firmware revisions, and compatibility with DAW software standards (ASIO, Core Audio, WASAPI). [formal: audio-interface | substrate: matter | horizon: years | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.01]
Accepted ontology entry
audio-interface
An audio interface is a human-made device or software system that connects audio sources (microphones, instruments) to a computer for recording and playback, converting analog signals to digital and digital back to analog. Parameters: (1)…
Definition
Why it is in scope
A human-made hardware/software bridge that converts analog audio signals to digital data and vice versa for recording and playback, built to persist through manufacturing, standards, and computer audio ecosystems.
Names and aliases
- audio-interfaceen · CANONICAL
Relations from this entry
- cmstidkhm016p13a416eaddtdSERVES →
Audio interface is hardware built for audio engineering: converts analog-to-digital for recording, digital-to-analog for monitoring. Law 8d: servant (audio-interface) → master (audio engineering).
- cmrg49eh500kd2a1n9cak2135INSTANCE_OF →
An audio interface is a specific kind of interface that serves as a boundary between a computer's digital system and external analog audio. The note pins the sense: an interface is a point where two systems, subjects, or objects meet and interact, and an audio interface is that boundary specialized for audio signal conversion. Law 9: specific→general, nearest kind.
- cmrsb393a00miollhxpcc7bkzDEPENDS_ON →
An audio-interface converts between analog and digital audio signals. Remove the concept of signal and there is nothing to convert — the device ceases to operate as an audio interface. Operational dependency per Law 8.
Relations to this entry
No accepted relations in this direction.
Record identity
- Created
- Sep 12, 2026, 8:24 AM UTC
- Content hash
- accf0c2715b285e128423cd23e12672a09ded84a25f40cf0027daf0927719144