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How would I use an audio interface?
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Chemogen
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
166
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Posted : Aug 7, 2007 22:50
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I've gotten into production quite seriously now. I'm producing on a desktop system, using the onboard sound of my K8N-E delux motherboard, which is Nforce certified. It's decent, but obviously not great. I was thinking of investing in an external audio interface in case I get a laptop and would like the device to be more mobile.
One important question though, in terms of sound quality, will I notice a distinct difference when using a better soundcard? At the moment I'm using the onboard Nforce sound that came with my Asus K8N-E Deulux motherboard, which sounds decent, but has a latency of around 31ms. Will the only different in sound I notice be regarding less distortion/crackling from overruns, seeing as the latency can be lower or will there just be a general higher quality to sounds?
Using the Behringer (http://www.soundz.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=BEFCA202) as an example,
With using a firewire interface, do I simply connect that to my system for a somewhat instant upgrade in sound quality and processing?
Do I simply hook up the interface to my system with firewire? I take it MIDI controller stays in the same USB slot it's in now and doesn't connect through the interface at all.
Then do I esentially connect all speakers to the interface's outputs rather than the current "back-of-the-PC" line-out? (Obviously at the moment my speakers are connected to that line-out, and I'll switch between those and headphones depending on what I'm listening through.)
Like, would I not have anything sound related connected to the current soundcard itself? If I were playing live now, I'd connect my PC to the mixer, which in turn is hooked up to speakers.
With an audio interface, would I have a connection straight from its output (Interface out to mixer In) to a mixer/speakers, rather than PC output to Interface Input then Interface Output to Mixer Input?
My speakers/'phones connect to my PC now with a mini-stereo input, while it seems the Behringer has a L and R input, so would I need to use a Y-splitter if I wanted to connect - say - my mini-stereo (or any speaker system with a mini-stereo jack)speakers to it?
I'm guessing the level dial on the front of the interface is for the headphone level, so I can essentially listen to different sounds (like route a single synth to the headphones so I can audition it without its sound being played through the main mix) than what's going through the main output?
Or do I have everything wrong? 
Thanks a lot, guys. ^_^ Kind of learning about sound engineering and hardware as I go along.
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orange
Fat Data
Started Topics :
154
Posts :
3918
Posted : Aug 8, 2007 00:22
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for start a usb interface is fine although firewire is better!
stay away from behringer soundcards..
when u get an interface u will then conect ur line outs to ur speakers or mixer and then speakers/amp!
latency will be much better in the best case u will easely work with 2-3ms
audio interfaces have a phones out so connecting a headfone set is a no pain deal!
routing different out to headfones is rather difficult to be usually they paly what going on on the master lineout but if u get an interface with more outs u can have different out/sounds playing through it!
quality is alot better and latency also!
check this link that has the most famous interfaces listed with prices...
http://acidfx.gr/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45
orange
 http://www.landmark-recordings.com/
http://soundcloud.com/kymamusic |
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Chemogen
IsraTrance Full Member
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166
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713
Posted : Aug 8, 2007 11:14
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Thanks a lot man! I might save up a lot and get an M-Audio 410.
IS sound quality really that much better? I can understand latency being low, but will sounds coming from my PC just sound a lot more crisp and clear when a soundcard/interface is plugged in? Will I not notice a difference if my speakers are plugged directly into my PC (will my onboard soundcard still work while the interface is plugged in?) and not the interface?
All the speakers/headphones I have, have a mini-stereo jack and I've noticed that some interfaces have an L/R input and out...So would I just connect those speakers to one of those inputs (L or R) for stereo sound, or would I need a Y-splitter so I can plug the speaker jack into both L/R inputs? |
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Mike A
Subra
Started Topics :
185
Posts :
3954
Posted : Aug 11, 2007 04:18
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You're not going to get much of a difference in the sound quality, especially now when your ears aren't trained yet, but yes - there is a difference.
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Alex Roudos
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
33
Posts :
411
Posted : Aug 11, 2007 22:31
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Biggest difference would be in recorded material. This is where you definitely need a good audio interface. As for your latency problem, get the ASIO4ALL and it will work just fine. I tried it in a few computers with just the onboard soundcard and there was no noticeable latency at all.
A friend told me once that the biggest mistake we make is that we believe we live, when in reality we are sleeping in the waiting room of life. |
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