# What is an Audio Interface An audio interface is a device that connects external audio sources to your computer. It typically includes both audio input and output components. While every consumer computer comes with a basic built-in audio interface, allowing you to use the computer’s microphone and speakers for input and output, an external audio interface offers superior sound quality and additional features. Configuring your playback engine in your audio software determines which audio interface you use, providing greater flexibility and control over your audio setup. # The Importance of Configuring the ProTools Playback Engine ProTools needs to interface with the outside world in order to send and receive sound. 90 percent of the problems in ProTools can be attributed to having the wrong playback engine selected. ## Accessing the Menu Option First, we need to access the correct menu option. We can adjust the Playback Engine in the "Setup" menu. ![[Pasted image 20250118152750.webp]] ## Setting the correct playback engine The playback engine that we select will often depend on what interface we are using. ### Using ProTools on a Classroom Machine at Southwestern College When using ProTools on a classroom computer at Southwestern College, select the Scarlett 6i6 as the playback engine. This red device functions as the audio interface, or enhanced sound card, for classroom use. ![[Troubleshooting Playback The ProTools Playback Engine _0.excalidraw.svg|361]] ### Using ProTools on your Laptop If we are trying to play sound through our laptop speakers, the default playback engine "ProTools Aggregate I/O" should work just fine. ![[Pasted image 20250118152810.webp]] # Curated Resource Watch this external video resource on setting the correct playback engine: