Do I need a Sound Card with my Interface?

HarpNinja · 8th February 2012

Dumb question, but would my computer benefit from a sound card upgrade if I am already using a Mackie Blackjack?

roman manlord · 8th February 2012

I guess if you wanted surround sound, that would be a benefit. The blackjack becomes your soundcard unless you assign something else.

dxavier · 8th February 2012

No.

Just to be clear, when you attach your Mackie Blackface to your computer, it IS then your computer sound card, so adding a better soundcard to your computer will not improve or affect the Mackie Blackface.

The difference between the sound card in your computer and the mackie is that the soundcard is internal and the Mackie is effectively an external soundcard.

When recording or monitoring, you have options within your computer to define which sound card handles which job, but one card should not improve or affect the sound of the other, unless they are sound cards that can be daisy chained in some way to improve performance / functionality, but lets not get into that.

Basically, the answer is no. If you are not happy with the sound of your current set up and wish to take a step up to improve the soundcard, you should sell the Mackie Blackface and get a superior interface, however, be careful that it is not something else in your set up that is letting the side down. Remember, your monitors might be the reason your set up doesn't sound great, or your leads, or the shape of your room etc. The Mackie Blackface doesn't sound bad, so it may not be the cause of this question.

8th February 2012	#1
HarpNinja Gear interested Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 23 Thread Starter	Do I need a Sound Card with my Interface? Dumb question, but would my computer benefit from a sound card upgrade if I am already using a Mackie Blackjack?

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8th February 2012	#2
roman manlord Gear maniac Joined: Jan 2010 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 199	I guess if you wanted surround sound, that would be a benefit. The blackjack becomes your soundcard unless you assign something else.

8th February 2012	#3
dxavier Gear addict Joined: May 2009 Location: London Posts: 406	No. Just to be clear, when you attach your Mackie Blackface to your computer, it IS then your computer sound card, so adding a better soundcard to your computer will not improve or affect the Mackie Blackface. The difference between the sound card in your computer and the mackie is that the soundcard is internal and the Mackie is effectively an external soundcard. When recording or monitoring, you have options within your computer to define which sound card handles which job, but one card should not improve or affect the sound of the other, unless they are sound cards that can be daisy chained in some way to improve performance / functionality, but lets not get into that. Basically, the answer is no. If you are not happy with the sound of your current set up and wish to take a step up to improve the soundcard, you should sell the Mackie Blackface and get a superior interface, however, be careful that it is not something else in your set up that is letting the side down. Remember, your monitors might be the reason your set up doesn't sound great, or your leads, or the shape of your room etc. The Mackie Blackface doesn't sound bad, so it may not be the cause of this question.