#1
|
|||
|
|||
Interface vs mixer? Am I missing something?
Why would you want something like this:
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Focusrit...o-Interface.gc Instead of something like this: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Behringe...02USB-Mixer.gc Im not bashing the Scarlett interface, I actually own one myself, and think its great at what it does. But I was surfing the GC website and noticed that those little mixers, have twice the channels, and way more ins and outs for 50 bucks less. Then I noticed the USB out on the back, and that confused me even more because Initially I thought you might have to run the mixer through the interface in order to covert the analog signal to digital but nope, It looks as though it does that too....what am I missing? Also, would there be any need to run a pre-amp in front of these? I'm far from being any sort of recording professional. So I hope these aren't terribly stupid questions. thanks!
__________________
Gotta enjoy the little things. 2019 j45 Studio Fender Stratocaster Fender Jazz Bass Vox AC15 Last edited by Atalkingsausage; 06-09-2016 at 12:57 PM. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
1) The Focusrite is 24 bit, the mixer is 16 bit
2) My experience with less-expensive USB mixers (not just Behringer, I have a Mackie) is that the A-D converters are noisy - a high-pitched whine that is only controllable by keeping the USB output low. As the Behr mixer does not have a separate USB volume control, the volume on it can only be controlled by the main output volume control. mixers are for mixing. audio interfaces are for recording
__________________
Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
If you post what your intended use is someone could most likely explain why one device is better suited than the other.
In general, the features of the mixer are optimized for live use (and some capture/record the live show as an extra benefit), whereas the interface is optimized for recording and playback of the recordings and is used in combination with a DAW application running on your computer.
__________________
Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
In terms of quality, you get what you pay for (hopefully). Just my stand alone mike preamps cost many times what these units do. Both units already have preamps.
__________________
Derek Coombs Youtube -> Website -> Music -> Tabs Guitars by Mark Blanchard, Albert&Mueller, Paul Woolson, Collings, Composite Acoustics, and Derek Coombs "Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away." Woods hands pick by eye and ear
Made to one with pride and love To be that we hold so dear A voice from heavens above |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I was thinking having some sort of purpose built physical mixer might increase the level of control I have on my sound, and maybe let me boost my mic level without distortion. But it sounds like thats the opposite of what would happen lol
__________________
Gotta enjoy the little things. 2019 j45 Studio Fender Stratocaster Fender Jazz Bass Vox AC15 |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Does that make sense?
__________________
Original music here: Spotify Artist Page |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
However, are you sure you want/need to record more than 2 channels at once? Are you just recording the guitar, or also vocals, or also ? Regarding your recorded levels, I doubt that your problem is your interface. What mic are you using, and at what distance? Where is the gain set on your interface and what are the record levels shown on your DAW?
__________________
Chuck 2012 Carruth 12-fret 000 in Pernambuco and Adi 2010 Poling Sierra in Cuban Mahogany and Lutz 2015 Posch 13-fret 00 in Indian Rosewood and Adi |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
The audio interface allows you to get two separate signals (guitar and vocal, say) on two DAW tracks. The mixer only outputs a stereo signal of the summed mixer channels. So you couldn't just separately adjust the vocal, or just the guitar or bass or keys or whatever in the DAW.
I just got a Focusrite 6i6 ... great unit. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
With the mixer you CAN record two separate tracks at one time - with one input panned left and one input panned right - but that's it, you can't record any more than those two separate tracks at one time.
As to your volume issues, you definitely need to look at your gainstaging. You should be recording in the -18DBFS to -12DBFS range, mixing to no more than -9 to -6DBFS. Mastering takes the volume up to the near 0dB range. Don't convert files to MP3 (you lose a lot of digital info) until mastering is complete.
__________________
Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
__________________
Gotta enjoy the little things. 2019 j45 Studio Fender Stratocaster Fender Jazz Bass Vox AC15 |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Oh, I should have added - you can record more than two inputs at one time, but you're going to have to decide how they are mixed down to the two tracks (left and right) sent to your DAW.
__________________
Mike My music: https://mikebirchmusic.bandcamp.com 2020 Taylor 324ceBE 2017 Taylor 114ce-N 2012 Taylor 310ce 2011 Fender CD140SCE Ibanez 12 string a/e 73(?) Epiphone 6830E 6 string 72 Fender Telecaster Epiphone Dot Studio Epiphone LP Jr Chinese Strat clone Kala baritone ukulele Seagull 'Merlin' Washburn Mandolin Luna 'tatoo' a/e ukulele antique banjolin Squire J bass |