Starting to record music can be a confusing process. There are so many other materials and data resources available online that it can be tricky to know where to start. An audio interface may be the centerpiece of your home studio, but it’s not. not necessarily the most productive option for all musicians. For many music creators, it would be better to use a home studio mixer with a built-in interface.
In this article, we’ll compare audio interfaces to audio mixers, presenting all the pros, cons, and use cases of each, to help you determine which one is more productive for your studio setup. Whether you’re a hunting enthusiast if you want to create undeniable songs with a guitar or have a huge collection of synths and effects that you need to record, we’ll point you in the right direction.
An audio interface is a standalone device that connects a tool to your computer. Most client interfaces will have 2 to four inputs and a similar number of outputs. These are the types of interfaces we’ll be comparing for the purposes of this article. They are best for home studio work, offering microphone preamps for recording with a select variety of equipment directly or dynamic and condenser microphones.
An audio mixer in this context is a device that combines 4 or more inputs with a built-in audio interface or stereo outputs to connect to your PC. Usually observed in concert halls, the typical task of a mixer is to combine many other inputs for playback through a single pair of stereo speakers, modern mixers now come with the ability to use them as an interface with your computer for multitrack.
Generally, if you’re looking for extensive connectivity, a mixer will be the way to go. Mixers are wonderful if you need to record tools at the same time or separately, as you can plug everything in, set your levels, and then simply mute and unmute the sound however you like. You can also compose some effects and use them through the aux channels or any element built into the mixer to bring your sounds to life.
On the other hand, an audio interface offers less capability in terms of connectivity. At the home studio level, maximum interfaces will have two to four inputs. This means that you can only run a certain number of computers through it at a time. which makes it more suitable for multitrack musicians of individual instruments.
Winner: In terms of natural numbers, Blender is the clear winner here. That said, not all musicians will want that many tickets, so it all depends on how they’re going to use them.
The audio interfaces are small and portable, making them ideal if you want to record on the go. You may want to take your interface and computer to a practice session room or studio, record your parts, and then take them home to mix. Audio interfaces are best for this, as they are rarely larger than a copy of “Dune”.
Mixers, on the other hand, are much larger, especially when you start with 16 inputs and more territory. This makes a blender more suitable for a permanent installation, as it would be impractical for most people to take a blender outdoors. Of course, you can use Flightcases, but this is a huge additional charge where an audio interface can do a much greater job.
Winner: With its smaller size, the audio interface wins here, ahead of the much bulkier mixer.
In our opinion, an audio interface is much easier to use. It has fewer commands and buttons, fewer inputs, and most of the routing is done through its DAW. This makes getting started much easier, especially for beginners who may not know familiar with the ins and outs of signal routing. The use case for an audio interface is also much more straightforward, as it usually records one tool at a time before moving on to the next.
A blender, on the other hand, requires some learning to master. The sheer number of s, dimmers, and connectivity can be intimidating for those new to the field. You’ll also want to experiment with the s for the most productive sound. That said, some might prefer the touch presented through a mixer to settings in a DAW, and in fact there’s an argument that the complex features of a mixer open up more possibilities for sculpting your sound before it reaches your DAW.
Winner: While an audio interface is less difficult to use than a mixer, the usability argument comes down to your goal. Each one does their specific task well, so we will declare it a tie in this category.
While they offer less connectivity, the audio interfaces are really worth it for mixers at the lower end of the scale. You can get a basic 2-inch audio interface for around $/£100, while for the same price you’ll get 4 -6 channels in one mixer. Even at this low price, an audio interface can offer perfect recording quality, making it a great way to record at a lower price.
While you can buy an audio interface at a reasonable price, not all of those mixers will have a built-in audio interface or effects, and prices may go up temporarily if you need to load up those features. A decent 8-channel mixer with no built-in audio interface can cost you $/£200 without a hitch, and once you load multitrack recording via USB into the equation, you can easily reach the $/£500 mark.
Winner: While both categories are similarly priced on the lower end of the scale, many of the less expensive mixers don’t feature effects or a built-in audio interface, which means you’ll have to put in more effort if you need multitrack. Regístrese. La audio interface takes that for that.
As you can see, there’s a close match between those two, and that’s because the selection of the audio interface over the mixer depends entirely on the use case. If, for example, you need to connect many synthesizers at the same time, with If you have the ability to transfer between them at will, a mixer will be convenient for your specific workflow.
Conversely, if you record only one main tool and the rest are deployed in the box, or if you prefer multitrack of other tools individually, an audio interface would make sense for you.
Some musicians also prefer the workflow of adjusting their levels, EQ, and compression before the signal reaches the DAW, making a mixer the logical choice. If you’re not sure whether you’re using EQs and compressors before moving on to the mixing stage, it makes sense to do so after the recording phase in your DAW.
You can even mix the two, a mixer to combine multiple tools and effects, before sending the stereo outputs to an audio interface for recording. Whichever approach you choose, it’s vital to have a quick workflow that allows you to drop your concepts temporarily and efficiently, spending less time manipulating wires and more time making music.
Matt is a junior task editor here at MusicRadar. Test and review musical devices with special attention to audio interfaces, studio headphones, studio monitors, and just about anything similar to home recording. Matt worked in music retail for five years at Dawsons Music and Northwest Guitars and has written for a variety of music sites, including Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar. com, Ultimate Guitar, and Thomann’s t. blog. A regular performer with over 20 years’ experience in live and band production, he’s played everything from jazz to djent, performing all over the UK in darker venues than you can play with a guitar to match.
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