Yes. An audio interface can play music from your computer as well as record sound. Connect headphones to its headphone jack or compatible speakers to its outputs, select the interface as the playback device, and route audio to the connected output.
How music gets from your computer to your ears
Music playing on a computer—whether it is a local recording or a streaming track—is digital audio. The interface converts that signal into analog audio and sends it to its outputs. Audient describes this computer-playback use for headphones and speakers in its audio-interface playback guidance.
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The interface needs to be selected as the playback device, and your headphones or speakers need to be connected to the interface rather than another output on the computer. Focusrite likewise recommends connecting headphones or studio monitors directly to the interface for monitoring computer audio (Focusrite support).
Choose headphones or speakers
Headphones
Plug headphones into the interface’s headphone output and raise its headphone level. Check the plug size before buying an adapter: some interfaces have a 1/4-inch headphone jack, while common headphones use a 3.5 mm plug. A 3.5 mm-to-1/4-inch TRS adapter may be needed, but confirm the connector types for your specific interface and headphones.
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Speakers
For room listening, connect compatible powered speakers or studio monitors to the interface’s appropriate outputs. Passive speakers need a separate amplifier; an interface’s line outputs do not power passive speakers on their own. Focusrite distinguishes powered monitors from passive speakers that require a stereo amplifier in its connection guidance.
Set the interface as the playback output
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Connect the headphones or speakers to the interface. Turn the interface and speaker levels down before connecting, then raise them gradually.
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In your computer’s sound settings, choose the interface as the output or playback device. The exact menu names depend on your operating system.
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Start music and confirm that the app is not muted and that its output is not set to a different device.
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Turn up the interface’s headphone or monitor control. If your interface has routing or mixer software, send computer playback channels to the outputs where your headphones or speakers are connected.
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If you are listening through a DAW, select the interface as the DAW’s audio device and check the project’s output routing as well as the computer’s playback setting.
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On PreSonus AudioBox examples, the computer must use the AudioBox for playback, the DAW must use it as its audio device, and the Mixer control must be set toward Playback for computer-generated audio to be heard. Those are AudioBox-specific instructions, not universal labels for every interface (PreSonus AudioBox guidance).
Direct monitoring is not computer playback
Direct monitoring sends a live microphone, instrument, or other physical input to the interface’s outputs. It is useful while recording because it lets you hear that input without relying on the DAW’s monitored signal. It does not enable ordinary music playback from your computer.
If a live input is audible when no music is playing, direct monitoring may be enabled. If the same input sounds like an echo during recording, direct monitoring and DAW software monitoring may both be sending it to your outputs; disable one monitoring path if you do not need both. PreSonus explains the Playback-versus-input Mixer control on its AudioBox devices in its AudioBox instructions.
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When computer or DAW settings affect the outputs
Some driver setups constrain which devices can be used for input and output at the same time. Focusrite’s guidance describes a Windows DAW case in which ASIO uses one device for input and output, so headphones or speakers should be connected to that interface. WDM may allow separate input and output devices, but can add latency. These details depend on Windows, the driver, and the application; they are not a rule for every computer or interface (Focusrite support).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If you cannot hear the music
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Check the selected output. Make sure the computer or music app is sending playback to the interface.
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Check the connection. Plug headphones into the headphone jack, or connect powered speakers to the appropriate interface outputs. For passive speakers, use a separate amplifier.
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Check levels and mute states. Raise the interface’s headphone or monitor control and confirm that the computer and app are not muted.
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Check routing. If the interface has a mixer or routing application, send computer or DAW playback to the physical outputs in use. On applicable Focusrite interfaces, playback channels such as DAW 1–2 can be routed to the relevant outputs; consult the model’s instructions for its routing controls (Focusrite support).
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Check the DAW separately. Select the interface as the DAW’s audio device and verify that the project’s master output is assigned to outputs connected to your listening device.
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Check monitoring if a live input is audible. Turn off direct monitoring if you do not want to hear the microphone or instrument, or avoid monitoring the same input through both the interface and DAW.
Control names and routing options vary by model, so use the interface’s manual when these steps do not match what you see.
Quick Recap
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