Do I need an audio interface if I have a mixer?

Hi,
I'm just starting to use Garageband on my iMac G5 (which I bought in Jan last year). I also have a pretty basic Kustom PA with a mixer which I am currently plugging directly into my computer. Should I be getting an external audio interface as well or is the built-in one in the G5 sufficient?
Thanks.

I started off using the mixer on a Tascam 8-track cassette deck, and it worked OK. But when I got an interface, it was a lot better. All I could afford at the time was a Tascam US-122. If had waited until could afford a nice firewire interface, I think it would have been even nicer. But it works fine. But as soon as I plugged into the US-122, I could for sure tell the difference from the mixer. But a nice mixer with nice mic pres would probably be just as good. I am not sure the Kustom falls into that category

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XLR microphone, do I need an audio interface?

I have a Sennheiser ME66 microphone with a K6 modular power supply. My computer is a Mac Pro. Using a chain of cable adapters from Radio Shack, I was able to convert from the Sennheiser XLR output to a mini-mono plug and input the thing into the Mac microphone input. This does not result in any sound getting to my software, so from poking around the Internet, I am starting to think maybe I need an audio interface of some sort. If that is correct, what is a reasonably priced interface? I only need to connect one XLR device, I am not going to be recording a band or anything, so I don't think I need a complex mixer. I am going to use the mic for voice over recording, but I want it to sound good.
Mac Pro 2.93 HHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon; Mac OS X 10.6.8
Thanks!

Something like this XLRmic-to-USB preamp should do the job OK.
http://www.amazon.com/MXL-MICMATEC-Preamp-Condenser-Microphones/dp/B000VZ8WC2
However, the ME66 is not really a voice mic - it's a directional shotgun, with too much gain for close-miked voice (but you probably know that!)

Do I 'need' an audio interface on modern Macs?

Hi there
Don't think I've posted on here in nearly 10 years but I'd be really glad of some help.
I currently record on a 2003 eMac running 10.3.9 using Garageband 06. I record directly into the audio in via a tube preamp.
I am considering finally upgrading and am weighing up the relative merits of a Mac Mini or an iMac. I am clueless about the technological advances made since I last bought a computer and would appreciate some help. Clearly both those computers will be a quantum leap forward from my eMac.
So, specifically, would I need an audio interface with either of the above computers or is the internal soundcard and audio in sufficient? As stated, I don't currently use a USB or Firewire interface and use the eMacs internal soundcard.
I only record audio and don't use virtual instruments but we have an electronic drum kit knocking about so we may consider using it as a midi trigger at some point. We are an indiepop band so your usual guitar, bass, drums and vocals. I do not expect 'pro' quality as we are a DIY band, hence I've managed for so long with GB. However we've done singles on small indie labels and are releasing an album next year which I'm halfway through recording. I'd just like a bit more power to add some decent reverbs, compression etc to the recordings, but also need to consider how I get audio into the machine in future. I would like to get Logic so that takes some of my budget too. Our songs currently have a maximum of about 10 tracks of audio, I don't envisage going much further than that.
Hopefully that gives you my basic requirements, so any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a lot
Leon

The built-in audio-in should yield the same results i would imagine, i've used it before and it' s been fine. I guess the iMac's etc have a seperate audio-in still? I know they were stripped from the macbook's (bah!).
But obviously, you really should get an interface if you want to get serious, as not only will it give you better sound quality, but more control on the sound going in (Gain etc.).

Do i need an audio interface? HELP!!!

Do i need an audio interface for logic to connect m audio speakers, a novation launchpad, and an akai mpk 25 keyboard?, Do i need an audio interface for logic to connect m audio speakers, a novation launchpad, and an akai mpk 25 keyboard?

Wow. You have in your hands some of the most advanced and powerful music production software on the planet. Surely you would want an audio interface to make it sing rather than limp along. How are you going to control momitor level, headphone level, etc. If you are going to connect a mic, it is essential (unles you are going to opt for a USB mic. There are very few pros who would choose that option). Any audio interface will sound better than the sound card inside the mac, but if you go for something like Native Instruments Komlete 6, it's affordable, user friendly and sounds amazing. There are other good ones, like Focusrite and MOTU, but M audio and the lower range of Presonus are not in the same league and the more advanced users would avoid them.
Hope this helps.

Do I need an audio interface between my roland keyboard, garage band/MAC and Alesis 8.0multitrack mixer, or should I go direct into the USB of the Alesis with my keyboard into the mixer?

Do I need an audio interface between my roland keyboard and alesis 8.0 multitrack mixer when interfacing with Garage Band? Or can I just go direct USB MAC into the Alesis Mixer with keyboard directly into the Mixer? ie, is the interface overkill?

First of all the Alesis 8.0 is a usb audio interface so you already have a interface. Next you could go from the Roland into the Alesis into the Mac. You could also go from the Roland headphone or line out into the Mac Pro audio input. And depending on what Roland keyboard you have, you may be able to use Midi (usb) and use the Macs Midi voices.

Help needed with audio interface

need help regarding setting up a small studio at home, i have a 13'inch macbook pro, if anybody here can help me with what all i need?
i am planning to buy Focusrite 2i2 audio interface with MXL 990 condenser microphone and alesis Q61 usb keyboard.
my question is should i go for 2i2 or 2i4 (which has a midi in/out option)
i m low on budget so if anybody can suggest me or recommend any other products, ill be grateful
regards

need help regarding setting up a small studio at home, i have a 13'inch macbook pro, if anybody here can help me with what all i need?
i am planning to buy Focusrite 2i2 audio interface with MXL 990 condenser microphone and alesis Q61 usb keyboard.
my question is should i go for 2i2 or 2i4 (which has a midi in/out option)
i m low on budget so if anybody can suggest me or recommend any other products, ill be grateful
regards

Help needed for audio interface!

Hello, i am trying to set up a small recording studio at home. i have short listed o2 audio interfaces but unable to decide which one to buy? one is Tascam US-144MKII USB Audio Interface and the other one is Focusrite Scarlet 2i2, if you guys can help me choosing the right one.
my main use would be covering songs and recording vocals and instruments at the same time.

nomaan84 wrote:
but they are expensive and my price range is from 100 to 150 dollars
Oh I get that... we all have to work within what we can afford.. and you are not the only one who budgets like that for sure.. but here's the thing..
Note: What follows is just a personal opinion. based on my own personal experienes and those I have worked with here and elsewhere.
You are using a $1000-$2000+ Mac... an App worth $200+ plus extra for whatever 3rd party plugins you have bought.. extra bucks for a Midi controller...and yet you are only willing/able to spend $125+ on a combined Audio/Midi inteface?
It's kind of like buying a $100K Ferrari and then putting $50 tires on it..... and expecting to get the best or even just average performance from your car? It simply doesn't work that way in reality..... and trying to make such a low budget for an Audio / Midi interface.. will only lead to possible issues in the future....
There is a good reason why it tends to be the same audio/midi interfaces which are owned by people who also report issues with the current OS X version and/or Logic .. The cheaper products simply aren't so well supported or designed/developed as the more expensive ones... and so thats what happens...
Look at the current issues going on with Mavericks for example..
Mackie/M-Audio/Avid/Digidesign/Tascam are all having driver/hardware issues of one kind or another..to differing degrees..with various products they sell.. with little sign they are close to properly fixing things.. Focusrite are, at least, working hard with Apple to resolve their driver issues...but currently they are having some issues with certain products in their range too.. The cheapo Midi-USB2 cable type interfaces that sells for $20-$40 are all non starters/buggy as heck.. when used with ML/Mav and/or USB3 ports.. and most of these cheap products have the exact same issues every time OSX undergoes a major update! Sometimes they are fixed eventually and some times they aren't. In some cases the companies simply release a new replacement product leaving owners of the older versions.. left to their own devices.. (sic) and without any recourse or solution.. other than to buy a replacement or not being able to upgrade their Software/OS X
So... here is what i would suggest...
I'd rather buy a used Motu (or one of the other brands out there that are known to be reliable) for a couple of hundred bucks or so.. on eBay than buy a new cheaper interface.... but of course the choice/decision is yours.

What kind of audio interface do I need for audio out from MainStage 3?

I have a Yamaha MO8 that I use for playing in the worship band at my church. In the past, I've just directly routed audio from the MO8 through a direct box and into the sound system.
I'm looking to switch my setup and use the Yamaha MO8 as a midi controller in MainStage 3. I have this part working — the problem is getting the audio from my MacBook Pro.
The audio output sounds fine through the MacBook Pro speakers or through headphones plugged into the audio out / headphone jack; however, if I plug the direct box into the MacBook Pro's audio out / headphone jack, the signal the sound system gets is very pretty weak and very distorted.
I'm assuming I need an audio interface between my MacBook Pro and the direct box / sound system. Since it's a 2010 MacBook Pro, I'm assuming my only output option is USB (unless the digital audio out can be used). If that's correct, would something like the Scarlet 2i2 work for me?
Thanks…

Yes, you'll need some sort of audio interface to get a good signal back to your mixer.
The Scarlet 2i2 would work for you but you may find a few limitations. I use a MOTU Audio Express and it has the advantage of being a mixer as well, so I can mix in a backup signal from the onboard audio outs of my controller (Kurzweil PC3x) in case MainStage goes down (it happens on rare occasion). Firewire is my preference so the MOTU checks that box. I also like that I can connect my MIDI cables to the MOTU and have one cable going into the computer.
If you need this sort of compact redundancy, I would shoot a little higher than the Scarlet. If you don't feel the need for a backup line and USB works for you, then the Scarlet unit would be an excellent value.

Help - I need a new audio interface!

I need an audio interface - PCI, Firewire or USB-2 - with a bunch of inputs and outputs (min. 6 in, 4 out), a couple of universal XLR/minijack input jacks with good pre-amps and, here's the clincher, separate level controls for headphones and monitor output.
Does anyone know of anything that suits my needs?

you might shop around for an M-audio Firewire 1814, which meets all of your requirements (225£). Or if you're looking for more of a mixer, check out the Tascam US-122; it's a mixer with USB connectivity to your mac.
As for functionality as reliability, i've only heard good things about the firebox and firepod, but they do seem a little outpriced per feature compared to the m-audio line. The thing that i admire (i don't own any yet - can't make up my mind) about the firewire 1814 is the dual headphones. couple that with it's inputs/outputs (go on and bus that mix directly to 2" tape, why don't you?) and you've got a powerful little box. That said, if the Presonus had dual headphones (their hoping you buy their headphone mixer, maybe), I'd put it on the top of my list.
Since there are a few (really good) options out there, it might be helpful to have people weigh in about why they chose the models that they chose to drop their cash on. How well do the devices work with GB2? Any driver instalbilities? that sort of thing.

Help setting up my audio interface with logic pro x

Hi everyone,
I am a newbie with regards to home recording and using Logic Pro X and I need some help and advice about setting up my home recording set up for the first time. I want to connect my synthesizer Korg Triton Extreme to my Audio Interface Steinberg UR22 to my Apple Imac computer.
What I would like is if I can create backing tracks or use pre-set sounds or drum patterns from my Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer and then transfer them onto Logic Pro X to help me compose songs.
How should I go about doing this? And what settings should be applied to Logic Pro X so that I can hear the songs as they are being played and recorded?
So far I have connected my synthesizer's two outputs to the two inputs on my Steinberg UR22 Audio Interface. I have also connected the USB point on the audio interface to my Apple Imac computer. But when I have tried to add a drum track from the Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer I cannot seem to add any of the drum sounds. Nothing appears to be recorded despite me trying several times. I cannot hear any sound coming from the audio interface either despite having a pair of headphones plugged into it.
I would also like to find a way to synchronise the drum tracks I want to record from my Korg Triton Extreme synthesizer to Logic Pro X. So that when I click on the record button on Logic Pro X the synthesizer track automatically starts playing and recording on Logic Pro X. Whats the best way to do this? And will I need a Midi cable for any of the things I want to do?
Many thanks,
James.

Hi James
I just got myself a macbook pro and logic pro X, and I also have a Triton Extreme and the UR22. So I know what the learning curve can be like - it's been a long time since I've used a sequencer in a computer.
I assume you are aware of the difference between audio and midi? With your current setup, all you can do is play your Triton and record the sounds as audio loops - you should be able to hear the Triton through headphones plugged into the UR22, and (assuming you have installed the UR22 driver) you can also hear the Triton through your computer speakers (or headphone output) once you tell Logic there is sound coming in from the UR22.
If you want to be able to play the sounds in logic pro, or transfer drum patterns (which are in midi format), you will definitely need midi cables (you may be able to use midi by connecting the Triton's USB out to your computer, but having not tried that, I don't know if it will work - it does on more recent synths)
paul

Can anyone help!! with Edirol FA 66 Audio interface and Logic Pro 7

Hi I really need help!!
I have Logic Pro 7 and just have brough tnew Audio interface. I have connected it up via Firewire and my Mac has recognised drivers for interface.
I am plugging midi keyboard up to interface using two midi cables but cant get input signal through logic
PLease help someone!!

I have connected my Keyboard to my Edirol FA 66 Audio Interface
via midi cables
Ok, so you should be able to use the Casio to play Logic's instruments.
I would like keyboard to play into Logic and then be heard as an
output through my external speakers.
Well that's your problem, you've only connected it via MIDI cables - MIDI IS NOT AUDIO.
MIDI does not carry any audio signals at all, you cannot record audio via MIDI cables. You need to connect the stereo outputs of your keyboard into the audio inputs of your audio interface in order to record the Casio as audio, and/or to pipe it's audio through Logic.

Why choose an audio interface over a mixer?

I know there are tons of question out there who are quite similar to mine, but yet none of 'em seem to be able to solve my question.
The main question I'm asking is: what's the difference between a mixer (either w/ or w/o built in audio interface) and an external audio interface?
But the answers to this exact question weren't sufficient because I ran into a practical problem, wich is as follows:
A friend of mine uses his Behringer XenyX 802 mixer as a way to input the signals his mic's send into GarageBand/Logic (kind of DAW is irrelevant). Now i've been wanting to set up my own little home studio myself and basically every tutorial/video out there says: "in order to record multiple instruments into your Mac, you need an audio interface." Now I don't get exactly why, because i've seen someone do it with a mixer. I assume that the mixer in question has a built in audio interface (since it has, amongst other features, phantom power), so it's not neccesary to have an audio interface, or is it?
Then I started searching the web for different audio-interfaces because I thought: "well they must know what they're talking about. So I guess I have to start looking for an interface." I found that a lot of interfaces <€100 have only 2 inputs, mostly an XLR input and a Jack/instrument input. One of the most popular beign the Avid Fast Track MK II USB interface. I happen to know that the Xenyx 802 has 2 XLR inputs AND 2 jack inputs and I can get my hands on one (2nd handed version) for about half the price of the Fast Track. I thought to myself: "why? Why do all those 'experts' who explain it in video's tell me to specifically get an interface?" this is because I found that the more input channels you want from an interface, the higher the price.
Can anyone help me explain why the Fast Trak MK II is twice as expensive as the Xenyx 802 while it offers half the amount of inputs?
Thanks

Cyclone13 wrote:
Thank you for your response, it helped quite a lot. Just to make sure if I understand correctly:
You can only record 2 instruments simultaneously at max using a mixer (on their own track, because I have seen it done before), but you would be able to record, say, 6 mic's at the same time if you had the proper interface (an interface with at least 6 inputs and outputs that is). Now the M-Audio has only two inputs I believe, and therefor I take it has a stereo output as well, so the maximum simultaneous recording for the fast track is 2, just as that of the Behringer?
Regarding the Mixer... The Behringer you posted is just a standard Mixer, it doesn't have USB output, in which case you have to use the Mac's audio system (the Line-Input) and run a cable from the Mixer's main or monitor outs into the Mac's Line input. Computers use inexpensive audio chips that do not provide the greatest sound.
I thought you were talking about this Behringer:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-Xenyx-Q802USB-Audio-Mixer/dp/B008O517IC
It is a mixer and an audio interface rolled intro one.
The M-Audio is a true separate Audio Interface that provides it's own Inputs and Outputs, (Like the USB Behringer).
Regardless, all three, the Behringer stand alone mixer that uses the mac's audio, The Behringer with the built-in stereo USB audio interface and the M-Audio with USB interface are all stereo units. The USB audio interface will only show two inputs and a stereo out. The most you can record separately on either is 2 instruments.
Here is one step up:
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/audio-express
The MOTU unit has 4 analog inputs as well as a stereo digital input.
The next step is an interface like this with 8 Mic inputs. It would show up in Logic as 4 stereo pairs or 8 individual inputs. You could use 4 mics on a set of drums, 1 for guitar, bass direct, stereo input for keys and record everyone playing at the same time on 8 separate audio tracks giving you full control (in Logic) of the final mix. http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/8pre

Selecting an Audio Interface

Hi,
I recently purchased Logic Pro 9 on my 2011 13" Macbook Pro, and am in need of a new audio interface. I am using it to record with my band (using synthetic drums so I am usually recording one track at a time). We used to use Sonar Home Studio with an Alesis Multimix 8 USB 2.0, but felt we needed something with more power and options so we switched to Logic. Also, we had some problems with the Alesis with quality among other things. I need an audio interface that will give me good sound quality with at lease one XLR input, a guitar input, a MIDI input and an output or two, one of which that can be used for headphones while tracking vocals and such. I don't have a set price range but I do want something that will give us good audio quality and something that will work well with logic.
Any help and suggestions are much appreciated and please let me know if there is any more information you need from me.
Thanks!

Presonus makes good quality equipment and they're always wheeling & dealing with various music retailers (ie Sweetwater, Musicians Friend) to offer package deals with, say, an audio interface + heavy discount on Studio One Pro which is their relatively new DAW (btw, it is a nice app and has defaulted to my secondary after Logic).
I'd avoid M-Audio. I once owned their 2496 card which was worth every penny I paid: $15 + a six pack of Sam Adams to a friend moving out of state.
Can't really go wrong with Focusrite hardware but someone needs to get their plug-in developers to step up.
Good luck.

Recommend me an audio interface

I need an audio interface - PCI, Firewire or USB-2 - with a bunch of inputs and outputs (min. 6 in, 4 out), a couple of universal XLR/minijack input jacks with good pre-amps and, here's the clincher, separate level controls for headphones and monitor output.
Does anyone know of anything that suits my needs?

I agree, I would stay away from M-Audio and definitely from Digidesign. I really want to recommend Metric Halo and the RME Fireface, but they are both out of your budget and do not give you separate headphone and monitor knobs on the physical interface (except the ULN2 which is limited in i/o options).
I would look into Presonus first, and MOTU second. I think the converters on the Presonus interfaces are slightly better. But MOTU interfaces are pretty solid and have good drivers.
Good luck.

Audio Distortion on FW400 Audio Interface Daisy Chained to FW800 Hard Drive

Hi everyone! I’m an experienced Mac user in need of help resolving FireWire device issues.
I received my 27” i7 iMac a couple of weeks ago running 10.6.2. After a long process of migrating over from my 9+ year old Dual 500 MHz G4 PowerMac tower, I was excited to set up two 1TB drives inside an OWC Mercury Elite Quad-Interface Dual HD enclosure via FW800. I then daisy chained my Focusrite Saffire 10 audio interface (FW400) to the HD enclosure via a FW800 to FW400 converter cable. To reiterate:
i7 iMac (FW800 port) --> OWC Mercury Pro Quad-Interface Dual HD Case with 2X 1TB drives (FW800) --> Focusrite Saffire 10 audio interface (FW400)
Although a lot of people may disagree, I wasn’t concerned about having my FW800 hard drives drop down to FW400 speeds because of the slower audio interface. I have read enough about the 1394 FW protocol and its ability to use something called beta clouds, allowing both FW400 and FW800 daisy chained devices to operate at their maximum speeds. So far, so good. The drives are reading/writing data fast.
As many studio audiophiles have said, you should separate your audio recordings and projects from your startup disk. I’ve done so. However, call me naïve, but I did not imagine that every time my external drives read or wrote data, my audio interface would go into a state of distortion (like raising the gain on a track as high as it can go). When the activity of the disk drops below a certain level, the audio interface usually switches back to clean pristine audio. I am experiencing this within a studio environment and with simple CoreAudio iTunes playback via my audio interface. How is this possible? Am I doing something wrong or is there a blatant limitation with the FW chipset Apple is using for their single bus in the new iMacs? If anyone can provide me with a solution or a convenient work around, I will be very grateful!

Thank you for the feedback, Rick. To shed some light on daisy chaining FW800 with FW400 devices, I provide the following quote from one FireWire technical article I came across on the web:
+"The concept of beta clouds allows FireWire to keep all devices on the bus to operating at their maximum speeds. Devices are cluster together on a logical level in a cloud. The cloud operates as a single block at 800 Mb/sec. The borders of these clouds are where legacy devices are connected, operating normally. Each device operates at its highest speed."+
In short, beta clouds allow both devices to operate at their highest speeds.
Both the audio interface and the external hard drive enclosure has its own, connected power source.
I wish I had the option to use USB2 with my audio interface, but it only has a FW400 connection.

Do I need an audio interface if I have a mixer?

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