Choosing Audio Interface - mixing/mastering

[Thamz]

Hello.

I have some questions about getting an audio interface.

When mixing or mastering will the sound be more accurate coming out of the speakers?
Will the general sound quality be better than when using standard ASIO-drivers?

I'm usually not recording live sounds, I stick mostly to VST-plugins, will there be any difference in sound quality at all?

What should I keep in mind when purchasing an audio-interface when I rarely record live (most of the audio is digital) ?

In addition, any general tips regarding audio interfaces and mixing/mastering are sincerely appreciated.

Regards,
Thamz

 

[Ethan Winer]

If you're not recording, then the only thing you care about is the distortion, frequency response, and noise of the playback (D/A) section. Any decent modern sound card should be fine. Even for recording most modern units are fine.

--Ethan

 

[mjbphotos]

Thamz - do you mean that you are using VSTi's - virtual instruments? Are you writing the MIDI on the computer, or sending the MIDI signal to your computer via USB or MIDI?

If you are not sending Audio to your computer, then you don't need the A-to-D ability of an interface, however an interface might provide you with low latency monitoring, depending on how you are using your system.

 

[Thamz]

Thamz - do you mean that you are using VSTi's - virtual instruments? Are you writing the MIDI on the computer, or sending the MIDI signal to your computer via USB or MIDI?

If you are not sending Audio to your computer, then you don't need the A-to-D ability of an interface, however an interface might provide you with low latency monitoring, depending on how you are using your system.

Thank you for your replies.

I am using a MIDI-controller which sends signals to my computer via USB.

So I guess the only reason I should be getting an external soundcard is for the latency?

 

[mjbphotos]

An audio interface gives you ability to connect multiple devices, such as monitor speakers, headphones, etc. Latency can typically be adjusted in your DAW (recording software), you don't reference what DAW you are using.