mixer vs audio interface

[rbrick]

Could some one explain to me the difference between recording with a mixer W/soundcard as opposed to an audio interface on my computer.Also how much difference is there between a USB and firewire audio interface.I'm on a budget so I'm trying to get as much bang for my buck as possible.I will mostly be recording myself,vocal and guitar.

[richiebee]

There's USB, USB2 and Firewire (and PCI and ethernet I guess).

USB is only really reliable for a maximum of two input channels simultaneously. It just can't handle the bandwidth of more, especially when you're monitoring back too.

USB2 and Firewire can handle much more. Not sure how much - I don't use them, but you shoudl be good with 8 simultaneous channels no problem. USB2 or Firewire? Doesn't really matter I don't think.

If you use a mixer, inputting to a sound card, presumably you're running no more than 2 channels back to your computer at a time.

Quality matters: if you decide the mixer/sound card route, you need both a good quality mixer and a good quality sound card. If you go direct, you're just dealing with one piece of hardware.

Thinking about your budget and the way you want to work is the proper way to consider your options. Your software choice may also be a factor.

So, lets start there - what software do you use? Do you like it?

How many simultaneous channels do you need to record? Think about expansion - you may just record your voice and guitar now, but you might want to think about the possibility of recording ambient mics or other instruments in teh future... then again, maybe guitar and voice is all you'll ever want to record.

Personally, I think I'd choose an interface over a mixer/sound card every time. But it really depends how you like to work...

I do run numerous configurations -
- Yamaha 01v mixdown to two channels to a PCI sound card to Sound Forge
- 2 channel Tascam (and Edirol) interfaces through USB (1) to Sound Forge/Cubase
- 2 channel M-Box interface through USB (1) to ProTools LE
- 16 channel Control 24 through ethernet/hardware card to ProTools HD
- Mixer to Sony HiMD recorder to PC
- Alesis HD24 transferring to computer through lightpipe (Mac)
- mixer to HHB CD recorder

Of these the last two would be my last resort - I don't like the HD24 outputs for monitoring, and the data transfer is incredibly slow through FTP and quite slow through lightpipe. It's my only portable multitrack device though.
CD recorders are just not reliable enough for my taste.
The 01v to a sound card (M-audio Audiophile 2496) would be my next last resort... the quality is good, but being two channel limits editability of the mix after the event.
The Sony HiMD recorder is a good ultra portable solution - you can record uncompressed WAV's in 16bit/44.1Khz which is fine for most archival material. It transfers back to PC through USB... it's quite quick. Like most Sony stuff, it doesn't come with software that allows you to do the same on a Mac.

The Tascam, Edirol and M-Box work well for two track stuff.

The Control 24 is great though it does have its issues.

Rich

[rbrick]

Thanks for the solid info Richiebee.I'm a total beginner to recording and I am just now buying my equiment.I have chosen Cool Edit Pro for my software.If I go the audio interface route could you recommend a good reliable one that won't break my bank account?

[TimRP]

What would breaking your bank be? Presonus Firepod is talked about alot, but that is what $5-600??

[brandondrury]

When I started, there weren't many (or maybe even any) soundcards that had built in preamps. I ended up going with a Mackie 1604 and two M-Audio Delta 1010s. The Mackie gives me up to 5 different headphone mixes (although I try not to use headphones at all most of the time).

It's annoying dealing with cables connecting the Mackie and the Delta 1010. It's just another thing that can go wrong and waste time. I'm not sure how intuitive the modern control panels are for soundcards, but if you could setup mixes for the bands playing fairly easily, I'd say they built in preamp method is the way to go.

I'd go with Firewire or USB 2.0. It's amazingly faster than USB 1.1 (which only supports stereo inputs). The main reason I'd go this route is simply because of portability. You can never use a PCI based soundcard on a laptop.

Brandon

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by rbrick

Thanks for the solid info Richiebee.I'm a total beginner to recording and I am just now buying my equiment.I have chosen Cool Edit Pro for my software.If I go the audio interface route could you recommend a good reliable one that won't break my bank account?

You really need to give us some info - budget and number of channels you need.

I think M-Audio stuff is good value, and all but the ultra cheap consumer stuff is good quality.

I have used the Tascam US122 and Edirol UA25 extensively for two track recording. Both work well. On the PCI side, I've used the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 extensively and find it very reliable.


Rich

[prophecy]

word i just use a soundcard and a mic

[Ronan Chris Murphy]

I find working with a real mixer as opposed to just using an audio interface and a computer superior in almost every way.

[Singularity]

Hi All

I'm new to this site and I'm wondering if anyone knows the alesis firewire mixers...

They claim to have a built in soundcard, and I'm confused as to whether I need a "real" card as well.

Also comes with cubase le... is that a workable version ? Limitations?

[axertes]

Originally Posted by Singularity

Hi All

I'm new to this site and I'm wondering if anyone knows the alesis firewire mixers...

They claim to have a built in soundcard, and I'm confused as to whether I need a "real" card as well.

*bump

I was considering the same thing, any answers anyone? I mean... it's firewire, it's not going in your soundcard is it?