Digital Interface Handbook, 3rd Edition

5

Carrying Real-Time Audio Over Computer Interfaces

There is an increasing trend towards employing standard computer interfaces and networks to transfer audio information, as opposed to dedicated audio interfaces. Such computer interfaces are typically used for a variety of purposes in general data communications and they may need to be adapted for audio applications that require sample-accurate real-time transfer. The increasing ubiquity of computer systems in audio environments makes it inevitable that generic data communication technology will gradually take the place of dedicated interfaces. It also makes sense economically to take advantage of the ‘mass market’ features of the computer industry.

The applications and protocols described ...