Lenovo g580 do I need to buy an external audio interface to record live instruments and voice ?

Hello, If anyone could help me please ?, I am wondering do I need to buy an external audio interface to record live instruments and voice onto my lenovo g580.?
My friends have said that good laptops have audio interface's built in... but I cannot see how this could work as I am trying to build a home recording studio. Do they mean that I just need to have a mixing desk ? As the audio interface is already in my laptop, ?
Another question I have is... I have bought a microphone to record with a studio mic. But when I plug it into the headphone socket, it works as a speaker and not as a microphone. Please can you tell me how do I make it work as a microphone, and record on ableton. Thanks. I live alone with two cats so I'd really appreciate some help !
Thank you very much, best wishes.

man 'O tunes wrote:
I'm preparing to expand my studio from a 1 man songwriting system,
to add the capability to record a complete live band, with 16 separate
simultaneous tracks recording. Am I dreaming?
Nope. I've been recording live bands with up to 56 channels at 24 bit 48kHz for three years now.
1) Does my computer have enough native power to handle such a task?
Yes. The actual recording uses the hard drive buss, so you need to make sure you have fast drives and a dedicated FW or SATA buss for them.
2) Is there an audio interface device that could help shoulder some of
the cpu load?
No. CPU is used only for routing audio, effects, etc. An audio interface is used to route the audio in and out of the computer, and as such does not process effects at all.
3) is it possible to use my multiple, fast internal drives to help?
Yes. Although with Logic Pro you can use only one drive at a time for recording. HOWEVER, I have been able to use SATA drives to record up to 56 tracks AT ONCE. So there is plenty of power there.
4) If not 16, what's the highest realistic track count I can hope for?
Again, I have done 56 tracks. 16 is a walk in the park in comparison to 56. I would recommend you invest in Apogee AD16X and DA16X, since in one interface you get ALL 16 inputs, and the other gives you the 16 outputs to go to, say, a mixer. And the sound quality is very very very good.
thanks in advance
You're welcome.
Cheers

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Lenovo g580 do I need to buy an external audio interface to record live instruments and voice ?

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