Professional quality audio cards are expensive and many times you have no choice but to make do with the built-in sound interface from standard PC. One example is the Henry Engineering USB Matchbox II, a generic, stable USB interface with stereo professional level XLR inputs, outputs and even a headphone monitor. Windows PnP recognizes it and it provides error-free great sound for almost the same price as the old analog Matchbox. And the extra added bonus of a headphone is perfect for editing.

Several manufacturers provide similar interfaces, including Yellowtec, Tascam, Digigram, Musicam, SBS and Edirol. Some are extremely portable and can be tossed in a laptop bag.

Landry is an audio maintenance engineer at CBS Radio/Westwood One, New York.

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