Which audio interface is right for me?

  • Thread starter Thread starter triquee
  • Start date Start date
triquee said:
Hmm...The PreSonus AudioBox USB is in the sweet spot for my budget. Do you know if the Studio One software that comes with it will allow me to compress in real time?
Click to expand...

I am not sure. But, if the online recording software cannot compress, I strongly think that you should find a DAW. There are many free options out there. Like arcadeko said, audacity is free, reaper is cheap. I think you will be pleased with the features they offer and your results.
 
jdutchak91 said:
Yes. You don't need built in compression. Compression is better when you can apply it after tracking with the DAW. This way you can change or tweak it.
Click to expand...

True, mostly. I say 'mostly' cuz with the right interface, you can use hardware fx in your mixdown process. Can't automate it tho, which is huge for me... So I do agree with ya. Also, any free compressor VST is gonna be far better than a hardware compressor, unless your spending huge bucks, like $1000 per channel on it.. VST's can read ahead, they can apply INSTANT attack because they can see the peak coming before it actually plays. Even the best hardware compressor in the world needs time to react to a peak after the fact.
 
This is becoming an exercise in frustration.

I *think* what I'm looking for in terms of compression is live mix capabilities. This is all like learning Japanese to me right now. Whether or not that capability is attached to the audio interface (if I'm understanding correctly) is kind of moot or inconsequential. However, I will still need something more than the HD audio chip for an interface.

So I guess the question becomes, is there a DAW that either offers a plugin for live compression or that is compatible with some VST compressor that I might find poking around the internet? I've already tried a couple VST compression plugins with AUDACITY, but AUDACITY doesn't seem to have much (if any) support for VST.

Edit: Don't know why I wrote Audiology instead of Audacity...
Edit #2: I managed to get the plugins recognized by Audacity, however they aren't functioning in real time.

Please, feel free to tell me if I'm completely confused. Any and all feedback is welcome and helpful.
 
Last edited:
I dont know what Audiology is, but all of the major DAW's have tons of free plugins available. Cubase, Reaper, Protools, Garageband, any modern DAW will have free plugins available for every fx in the book. Comps, reverbs, delays, autotuners, you name it. Use them. Protools uses RTAS plugin format, pretty much everything else uses the opensource VST plugins. Get any DAW that can do VST's, and you'll have so many free plugins available than you won't even be able to try em all.

About getting an interface with compression/fx... Not to get too off track here, but it's worth mentioning: The ONLY thing onboard interface comression/fx are good for is letting the musicians hear nice compression/reverb/whatever while they're tracking. But it should only be in their headphones, NOT your recorded tracks. I call it 'comfort fx' - because the musicians feel more confident and actually perform better if you have their headphone mix nice. If they hear their own raw dry voice, they think you're a quack and won't try as hard, they don't see that vision of the final product cuz the mix is so far off.. Just make sure you aren't recording the fx. Most interfaces with fx have a pre/post switch that says if the fx get sent to the DAW or not, but will send the fx to the mains/CR outputs regardless. That's what you want. The reason is, if you record the compression, you can't un-compress it later if you put it on too thick, or otherwise don't like it. Record all tracks dry, NO fx, NO EXCEPTIONS! At least not until you are so familiar with the process, that you know why you should be recording fx.


The short version:

1: Get a VST capable DAW, and a compatible interface (just about all are)
2: Record dry tracks. If you can give performers comp/fx without recording the comp/fx, all the better.
3: Use plugins to add fx later during mixdown.
 
Audacity has built in compression under effects. Really you are better off with Reaper.

When you say you need real-time live compression - why so you need this? Is it for performing live?
Recording and performing live are two different animals. For recording you want to use your mixing program (AKA DAW)
for a live gig you will need a piece of hardware like a pedal or rack mount compressor.
 
arcadeko said:
Is it for performing live?
Click to expand...

Well, that's the trouble. The answer to your question is yes and no.

This particular recording platform does not allow you to control any part of your mix after it has been uploaded (read: recorded) so all of the manipulation must be done on the front end (live). That's what I mean by real time.

I need something that will compress my vocal input before it is recorded - I was thinking that probably the most effective way to do this was to do it at the audio interface point in the signal chain as it would be my last link before upload. But now I'm starting to wonder if that's even possible...
 
triquee said:
Well, that's the trouble. The answer to your question is yes and no.

This particular recording platform does not allow you to control any part of your mix after it has been uploaded (read: recorded) so all of the manipulation must be done on the front end. That's what I mean by real time.

I need something that will compress my vocal input before it is recorded - I was thinking that probably the most effective way to do this was to do it at the audio interface point in the signal chain as it would be my last link before upload. But now I'm starting to wonder if that's even possible...
Click to expand...


We are all wondering why you need to do this. Record with a DAW. If it is necessary for you to use this online recording platform for some reason, just upload the mix you made in your DAW into it.
 
suprstar said:
I dont know what Audiology is, but all of the major DAW's have tons of free plugins available. Cubase, Reaper, Protools, Garageband, any modern DAW will have free plugins available for every fx in the book. Comps, reverbs, delays, autotuners, you name it. Use them. Protools uses RTAS plugin format, pretty much everything else uses the opensource VST plugins. Get any DAW that can do VST's, and you'll have so many free plugins available than you won't even be able to try em all.

About getting an interface with compression/fx... Not to get too off track here, but it's worth mentioning: The ONLY thing onboard interface comression/fx are good for is letting the musicians hear nice compression/reverb/whatever while they're tracking. But it should only be in their headphones, NOT your recorded tracks. I call it 'comfort fx' - because the musicians feel more confident and actually perform better if you have their headphone mix nice. If they hear their own raw dry voice, they think you're a quack and won't try as hard, they don't see that vision of the final product cuz the mix is so far off.. Just make sure you aren't recording the fx. Most interfaces with fx have a pre/post switch that says if the fx get sent to the DAW or not, but will send the fx to the mains/CR outputs regardless. That's what you want. The reason is, if you record the compression, you can't un-compress it later if you put it on too thick, or otherwise don't like it. Record all tracks dry, NO fx, NO EXCEPTIONS! At least not until you are so familiar with the process, that you know why you should be recording fx.


The short version:

1: Get a VST capable DAW, and a compatible interface (just about all are)
2: Record dry tracks. If you can give performers comp/fx without recording the comp/fx, all the better.
3: Use plugins to add fx later during mixdown.
Click to expand...

I want to record the comp f/x. That is the only way to apply them for my current needs/purpose.

Again, I will be uploading live vocal to an online, flash based recording platform. Basically all it does is capture vocal input, match timing with an audio background track, and save it to a server. It's karaoke basically. The background tracks are property of the website. The only editing control I have is on my end with my vocals.

BIG FAT EDIT: Just did a forum search on SingSnap. This is the platform I am referring to. I know there's gotta be someone around here who is familiar? ...
 
I listened to a few tracks there. Technically, in that kind of environment, your recording setup matters pretty much zero.. It's getting converted to really low bit rate mp3 type flash stream, basically myspace quality, and that's some pretty awful sound quality. You could be using a $10 radio shack mic thru your sound card, and it'd sound the same as a $3000 neumann mic thru the finest neve preamp after that site gets done with it. If that's all you wanna do, just get a little mixer with fx and use physical adapters to run the outputs into your sound card's line-in. Do it cheap and easy, you dont need hundreds of $'s in gear.

Think about it this way: A good analogy would be scanning a photo at 1600dpi, getting this perfect HUGE resolution hi quality graphic, then printing it out on a dot matrix printer from 1980. All that superior scanning on the front end doesn't help the final product out at all.
 
suprstar said:
Think about it this way: A good analogy would be scanning a photo at 1600dpi, getting this perfect HUGE resolution hi quality graphic, then printing it out on a dot matrix printer from 1980. All that superior scanning on the front end doesn't help the final product out at all.
Click to expand...

Word

abd49b19-be7e-4cf9-a43a-c50706d00724.jpg
 
Okay. A few points that I've previously mentioned.

I'm growing a setup. I want effects and vocal editing now, and a decent recording setup later - so I would like to now gather equipment which will serve both purposes.

I don't have a sound card now. Which is why I'm asking about one. I'm running audio off the chip on my motherboard.

It appears as though I will need to go somewhere else to find answers which take into account my specific needs.

Cheers all!
 
Just for the sake of reference...

This is what my recordings sound like now, with nothing but a headset mic and integrated sound: SingSnap | I Go To Sleep by princessgrumpypants

This is what recordings can sound like with a decent condenser mic, a Bheringer mixer, and a M-Audio Delta series sound card: SingSnap | I Love You by Marysol

Two totally different vocal styles and songs, but the difference in sound quality is evident despite those differences. So the set up does make some difference.
 
Last edited:
triquee said:
Just for the sake of reference...

This is what my recordings sound like now, with nothing but a headset mic and integrated sound: SingSnap | I Go To Sleep by princessgrumpypants

This is what recordings can sound like with a decent condenser mic, a Bheringer mixer, and a M-Audio Delta series sound card: SingSnap | I Love You by Marysol

Two totally different vocal styles and songs, but the difference in sound quality is evident despite those differences. So the set up does make some difference.
Click to expand...

If you already know the setup you need "a decent condenser mic, a Bheringer mixer, and a M-Audio Delta series sound card" then what is your question? There are a million compressors out there try an RNC - most interfaces don't come with compressors built in - so get a cheap interface and a cheap compressor
 
arcadeko said:
If you already know the setup you need "a decent condenser mic, a Bheringer mixer, and a M-Audio Delta series sound card" then what is your question? There are a million compressors out there try an RNC - most interfaces don't come with compressors built in - so get a cheap interface and a cheap compressor
Click to expand...

I've got the mixer...working on the mic...and trying to decide on a sound card. Was looking for suggestions. I've read a lot of reviews for products, but reading them is like reading Sanskrit. So I came here to ask questions hoping someone would be kind enough to dumb it down for me a little. I know it must be irritating to deal with people who don't know jack, and for that I apologize. WTB expert gnome to take up residence in my back pocket.

I've seen the RNC. A little pricey. Any suggestions for a less expensive compressor?
 
And you will still need an interface. Ya know... you probably don't need a compressor. If you get a decent mic and set your levels good and just keep your voice level and the same distance from the mic your going to be fine. I mean a compressor does help vocals IMO but for what your doing I think it might be overkill AND I think you might be kind of disappointed with the results after you spent you money on it and it doesn't make that much of a difference.

The answers you got on this board were relating to home recording and mixing which is a very specific universe, it only slightly overlaps with what you are doing - this is why it seems to be so difficult. The people here are actually helpful but they mostly deal with recording and mixing audio - this thing you are doing is kind of an anomaly... don't get the wrong impression - no one is trying to be rude, some people are just rude without trying :D good luck!
 
arcadeko said:
And you will still need an interface. Ya know... you probably don't need a compressor. If you get a decent mic and set your levels good and just keep your voice level and the same distance from the mic your going to be fine. I mean a compressor does help vocals IMO but for what your doing I think it might be overkill AND I think you might be kind of disappointed with the results after you spent you money on it and it doesn't make that much of a difference.

The answers you got on this board were relating to home recording and mixing which is a very specific universe, it only slightly overlaps with what you are doing - this is why it seems to be so difficult. The people here are actually helpful but they mostly deal with recording and mixing audio - this thing you are doing is kind of an anomaly... don't get the wrong impression - no one is trying to be rude, some people are just rude without trying :D good luck!
Click to expand...

That makes wrapping my brain around this stuff a little easier. Thank you.

I had a feeling my situation was a bit of an off-shoot, but I thought if anyone would have some insight, it would be you all.

And don't worry, I'm a bit of a techie and a gamer...I'm used to dealing with info snobs =P
 
SS member here as well. Are you a gold member? The "make me sound better" option available to SS gold members adds compression and reverb to your vocal track. The reverb is a bit dense and decays too slowly, but it improves an otherwise dry, uncompressed signal. If you use this feature then using real-time compression is overkill. If you really require real time compression, then the RNC cannot be beat for the money.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top