New Interface and existing Mixes ?

[chas19]

Just need to clear something up. I'm planning to get a new better interface. Will this improve the quality of the end result of some existing mixes. Most of them use amp and drum sims anyway so will the new converters make final mix be improved ? I'm lost!

[Sen]

Your interface has nothing to do with what goes on inside the mixing engine of your software if you're using the plugs in the digital domain. The thing with the better interface is that you will hear better what you're doing on the monitors/headphones that are connected to your interface (directly or indirectly) and your mics, guitars or whatever you might be recording as an analog source, will sound better once they're recorded into your DAW.
When you start introducing external hardware as plug ins into your current mixes, that's when your upgraded interface will improve your mixes as well.
Hope this clears things up a bit.
Good luck

[chas19]

Ah I see, you've cleared things up a lot! I think Ive gotten confused at what point converters work. (Sorry noob question coming!)

Am I right in saying the converters kick in straight away when an analogue signal (eg guitar) passes through the interface and is then outputted digitally through a DAW ? And the better converter you have the better the quality ?

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by chas19

Ah I see, you've cleared things up a lot! I think Ive gotten confused at what point converters work. (Sorry noob question coming!)

Am I right in saying the converters kick in straight away when an analogue signal (eg guitar) passes through the interface and is then outputted digitally through a DAW ? And the better converter you have the better the quality ?

Converters do two things - convert analogue to digital, and convert digital to analogue. They don't really "kick in" at any point - they just do their job.

So...improved AD converters will improve the quality of anything new you track, but won't affect anything you've already recorded.

improved DA converters may well improve the detail with which you can hear your mix (because you use them to monitor), so may be beneficial in treating things you've already tracked. The also won't give any lasting "sound" to a mix, unless you're recording your mix out through them, and to a different system.

However, depends on the level of improvement. Conversion is a "sexy" thing to upgrade, but is rarely the weakest link in the chain.

This all assumes you're working ITB. OTB is totally different - then conversion IS printed as part of the master mix.