Audio interface without software mixer??

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rimisrandma

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Do basically all audio interfaces have a software program to control the interface?? Is there any audio interfaces that may have a driver, but the control is done through selecting in and outs on the actual DAW, plugin that you are using and the the front controls on the hardware interface....and not one with a mixer type program in addition to set levels as well???
 
Washburn100 said:
Yes, they are around. Personally, I use an Alesis Mastercontrol. It's not for everyone, but I really like it. It is interface and control surface so you have maximum control in your daw. I use Sonar 8.5.
MasterControl Complete Studio Interface and Control System
I'm not affiliated with Alesis, just like this thing
Click to expand...

Look at the view at the bottom of this link;
MOTU.com - Mixing with the Audio Express

Is this mixer software/driver have to be used with all interfaces. I would rather go into my DAW and set-up for example an in and output be a usb connection to my interface. Then be able to adjust the volume on the front of interface AND NOT have to piss around with a separate mixer page on the screen in addition.
 
I think I see what you mean. I use to use an EMU1212 and it was the same way. You could only control things through their software, even if it lets you tweak the knobs. My Mastercontrol is different. The software is only the ASIO driver, and all I can do from it is change the sample rate etc. All the inputs/outputs etc. are set in my DAW. I also get the luxury of the motorized surface to change levels etc. I think most Presonus work like this and I'm sure there are others.
 
rimi said:
Do basically all audio interfaces have a software program to control the interface?? Is there any audio interfaces that may have a driver, but the control is done through selecting in and outs on the actual DAW, plugin that you are using and the the front controls on the hardware interface....and not one with a mixer type program in addition to set levels as well???
Click to expand...

:confused: Ok now I am confused.... AFAIK ALL interfaces just have a driver and the connections are routed through the DAW - at least that's how it works in Cubase and Reaper.

But I haven't used a 2 line interface much, mostly 8+ so maybe it's only the multi-track ones that do that. Or maybe I am not understanding your question...

In Cubase I have to go in and route each input channel to a bus, then when I create a new track in cubase i can assign it to a bus (or two busses for a stereo track) :drunk:
 
Here is what I think happens. You get an audio interface and hook it up, let's call it audio "buddy". Then you install the "buddy" drivers and software. You go to your DAW in/out page and set that up for the "buddy". So, if I wanted to turn the interface up, I would have to do a balancing act between the volume knob on the front of the "buddy" hardware, go to the mixer app or software screen for the "buddy" and turn output up, and then go to my DAW and turn it's output or master up.

See how this balancing act could get things f*cked up pretty quick.

What I would like to do;
Install the drivers for the buddy. Set my in and outs on my DAW. Then turn my "buddy" hardware controls on about halfway. Then go to the master section on my DAW and use it to control the volume there unless it was too loud or soft at which point I could just turn the "buddy" hardware knobs up or down a little.

I don't want a middle man software program that also controls stuff like a mixer to add extra complexity. Look at the link I posted, if you go to the bottom and look, for that particular interface, there is a mixer function you load in addition to a regular driver that adds extra controls beyond what is in the DAW and on the front of the interface. If I was using itunes or something instead of a DAW, I would have a volume there, plus I would have to pull that mixer screen up to adjust the output volume and I would also have a volume control on the front of the "buddy" interface as well. The software mixer adds another control to affect and complicate the output gain staging is an easy way to say it, I guess.

Here is the link (scroll to the bottom and look at what I am talking about);
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/audio-express/mixing.html

Isn't there any interfaces without this extra software control of the interface?
 
For whatever reason I can't quote you so let me just answer like this:

When you record your instruments through your "buddy" , lets call it an interface... you use the volume levels to get an appropriate level signal. Then you record this signal with your DAW.
There is no balancing act - when you are playing back through your DAW you are playing a wave file recorded on your computer - changing the volume level on the interface channels no longer has anything to do with it. The DAW faders control the signal level.

Also there is no "mixer app or software screen"- the only way to turn up the input on your interface is to use the controls on the hardware interface (e.g. knobs and faders).

You do not use DAW software to play live music through (although I guess it is possible) - its a recording device. When you are recording you are not mixing in the DAW. when you are mixing in the DAW you are NOT recording.

That cueman mixing software for the Motu appears to simply be a computer program to control the interface with - if you are using a DAW you do not need to use it... OR you can just use the knobs on the box instead. I have never used an interface that has one of those programs. Perhaps someone that uses a MOTU can shed some light on the situation.
 
Here again;
‪Using Apogee ONE with Maestro‬‏ - YouTube
watch this video (if you have internet ADD, you might not make it)

So, WTF, you have a totally diff manufacturer, Apogee, and you have to install drivers that include installing Maestro to control the interface. What if you want interface and control it with DAW OR NOT USE THE DAW, BUT USE ITUNES BY ITSELF (WITHOUT THE DAW), BUT USE THE INTERFACE TO SEND MUSIC FROM ITUNES-->INTERFACE--> POWERED SPEAKERS for a dumb laptop stereo system....you know....for pleasure of listening to CD's saved on the laptop......AGAIN....NOT WHEN RECORDING.........USING THE INTERFACE FOR A TOTALLY SEPARATE APPLICATION.
 
rimisrandma said:
‪Using Apogee ONE with Maestro‬‏ - YouTube
watch this video (if you have internet ADD, you might not make it)

So, WTF, you have a totally diff manufacturer, Apogee, and you have to install drivers that include installing Maestro to control the interface. What if you want interface and control it with DAW OR NOT USE THE DAW, BUT USE ITUNES BY ITSELF (WITHOUT THE DAW), BUT USE THE INTERFACE TO SEND MUSIC FROM ITUNES-->INTERFACE--> POWERED SPEAKERS for a dumb laptop stereo system....you know....for pleasure of listening to CD's saved on the laptop......AGAIN....NOT WHEN RECORDING.........USING THE INTERFACE FOR A TOTALLY SEPARATE APPLICATION.
Click to expand...

Even in the video they say you probably wont even need to open the Maestro interface. You certainly don't need to open it to play itunes.

Maybe you should buy a better interface that doesn't have that BS involved like Alesis, Presonus, Tascam, or Mbox. It's just a control panel anyway - you set it ONCE and forget about it - it's all handled in the DAW or on the interface itself as I explained in great detail above...
 
An audio interface is a piece of hardware that acts as an intermediary between the analog world of your mics and instruments, and the digital world of your computer. Remember, the most expensive interface isn't always the best for your needs. Always make sure your audio interface has a high quality bit depth and high sample rate. The higher the bit depth and sample rate, the more satisfying the result you achieve.
 
luckily this subject is becoming a non-issue and would have left us years ago if not for the introduction of the DICE-II devices. Even if the audio interface comes with some sort of mixer, you are free to ignore it, any worth having will completely ignore the mixer if you chose when it comes to actually presenting ASIO streams.

There ARE situations where absolutely lowest latency is going to be a priority, but it isn't where most people think. The confusion comes from manufacturer lies in the reported latency shown to your DAW. For most of the recording situations you will run into, the latency you can get from properly written drivers like from RME and MOTU make the DSP mixer redundant
 
Ran across some info by accident but relevant. There are audio interfaces that will run specifically for mac and/or pc without needing to install drivers.

"Class Compliant" seems to be the term and here are some examples;

Lexicon Lambda USB
Presonus Audiobox or Firebox
Sound Devices usbpre2
M-Audio fast track pro
 
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