Can someone please clear this up for me...

[adgemstudios]

What is the difference between recording with an interface and using the mixer on your software, and using an actual mixer?

Why dont big studios just use an interface, and use the mixer onscreen.
Are they just lazy?

Am I missing something?

x

[TonyB]

INTERFACE or I/O or A/D/D/A CONVERTER:
An interface card takes your analog signal (i.e., microphone, instrument input) and converts it to digital for input to your computer. It also converts the digital from your computer back to analog to your monitors.
It also connects to your computer typically using USB or Firewire interfaces.
An interface card/box/gear may or may not have a preamp or preamps with it.

PREAMP: Amplifies the week analog signal for processing in your computer/audio software.

EXAMPLES:
- Presonus Firestudio is both an I/O device (interface) and preamp (has 8 IIRC).
- MOTU 24 I/O has no preamps but is a Firewire interface with A/D/D/A conversion. Since the MOTU has no preamps, you'll need to use a preamp before the MOTU.

MICROPHONE --> PREAMP --> INTERFACE --> DAW / SOFTWARE

MIXER
If you have a common DAW software such as Cubase, Pro Tools LE, Sonar, etc you don't need an actual mixer (unless you're using it for its preamps).

I do all of my tracking and mixing without an actual analog or digital mixer. Although I do have a 48 channel analog studio mixer, I only use it about 1% of the time. My Sonar-based DAW has all the mixing capabilities I need in the box (ITB).

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by adgemstudios

Why dont big studios just use an interface, and use the mixer onscreen.
Are they just lazy?

Am I missing something?

x

Forgot this question.

Many times the big studios do use an interface straight to the DAW ITB mixer (in-the-box).

A popular configuration is the Pro Tools HD (Sofware) and DigiDesign 192 I/O (Interface).

Some studios keep an analog mixer (a.k.a., studio consoles) around for "old times sake" or the occasional use to keep "that analog sound" or to feed an old tape machine (which are still used today). Some studios keep the old analog studio console because some clients expect to see a big, fat dusty mixer in the studio. And they also look good in the studio.

Many studios have the digital counterpart to the old analog studio consoles and use them in conjunction with their software counterpart (i.e., Pro Tools).

However, for home or small studio purposes, a dedicated, physical studio console is not needed. Today's ITB software mixers (i.e., Cubase, Pro Tools LE, Sonar, etc) have all the capabilities you need to track and mix at home or in the small studio.

[String7th]

Also, some big studio's mixing boards are actually just glorified control surfaces with a few mic preamps. this Digidesign board only has 16 preamps and will still require a Pro-tools a/d interface, but it controls 24 tracks on Protools, rather than pointing and clicking with a mouse, which we know han be sooooo hard.

The big, BIG, studios have boards from API and Neve quality because the preamps on those custom made boards are so high quality, and in some applications are recorded into a stereo mix straight from the board. But normaly are idividually sent to an a/d converter to Pro-tools, or Nuendo digital audio workstation.

[TonyB]

Originally Posted by String7th

Also, some big studio's mixing boards are actually just glorified control surfaces with a few mic preamps. .

Agree. Eye candy in some cases.