Do I need an interface?

[aman74]

Hi there,

Considering that in the budget range interfaces there isn't much difference between the converters in it and the computer's own do I really need an interface? Can't I just use a mic pre or do I need something else to interface with my computer's sound card?

An interface usually has a mic pre, AD converters, and a USB/Firewire/PCI out. If I just use a mic pre I'd be using the converters on my computers card right? What about drivers? I just use my card as is? With interfaces there's always a lot of talk about driver latency, driver stability etc, is that mostly because of the USB/Firewire issues? I'm missing something simple here, but I can't figure it out.

It seems to me if low end cards are all about the same and not much better or even better at all according to one popular article, maybe just using a mic pre would be best and easiest?

And what about mic pres with digital outs like the ART Digital MPA? I would then be using it's converters right? Can I go directly from it or something like the Tampa into my standard computer card?

People even speak of going directly from Mic/Source into the computer for ultra budget setups so I'm thinking my idea has to be doable, but I'm wondering why I never see it mentioned.

Thanks!

[Alndln]

Originally Posted by aman74

And what about mic pres with digital outs like the ART Digital MPA? I would then be using it's converters right? Can I go directly from it or something like the Tampa into my standard computer card?

A few things here. You could conceivably connect that way but you'll be faced with some problems. The first one being that most preamps digital outs are RCA type outs and most consumer built in SPDIF is optical. Secondly, apart from awful latencey(around 20ms or higher) built in sound only has consumer WDM drivers and you'll be restricted to 16 bit in DAW apps. Now the biggest problem. To connect to an external digital device you'll have to have the option of shutting the internal built in audio devices clock off which most don't offer. And lastly, most if not all built in audio only has digital out, not in. My advice? Avoid using built in sound for recording at all costs. Even if you get one of those cheap USB direct mic things you'll still be limited to 16 bit and high latencey for playback. Something like the PreSonus AudioBox is cheap enough(less than $150.00) to avoid that mess altogether.

[aman74]

Originally Posted by Alndln

A few things here. You could conceivably connect that way but you'll be faced with some problems. The first one being that most preamps digital outs are RCA type outs and most consumer built in SPDIF is optical. Secondly, apart from awful latencey(around 20ms or higher) built in sound only has consumer WDM drivers and you'll be restricted to 16 bit in DAW apps. Now the biggest problem. To connect to an external digital device you'll have to have the option of shutting the internal built in audio device off which most don't offer. And lastly, most if not all built in audio only has digital out, not in. My advice? Avoid using built in sound for recording at all costs. Even if you get one of those cheap USB direct mic things you'll still be limited to 16 bit and high latencey for playback. Something like the PreSonus AudioBox is cheap enough(less than $150.00) to avoid that mess altogether.

Thanks for the assistance.

I was just thinking if I spent 2-300 on a nice pre or channel strip maybe I could just use that.

I see it will still be best to go with your standard interface and add outboard later.

Thanks

[Yago]

The difference between my converters (audiofire8) and the inbuilt sound card of PC , is night and day .

[Slikjmuzik]

You guys are right on the money...plugins will work better with an interface that is made for audio. Heck just a cheap $200 M-Audio Fast Track Pro would be light years better than a stock interface in a computer that has tons of latency and most DAW's won't even work properly with these things. It's just a hassle to deal with when it's not meant for the task. I gig and perform out and run FOH all the time just to get gear in my studio and we all know getting gear for recording is expensive, but there's really no substitute for the right gear.

[KingDiamond]

It depends on your soundcard's capabilities and drivers. Creative's X-Fi series sound cards have ASIO drivers included, but you can also use ASIO4ALL drivers that are available online and work with many soundcards. With ASIO drivers latency can be as low as with pro-audio interfaces.