Difference between mixer and interface?

[Shanelor]

Hi, i have been in search of a good interface for recording drums, and i came across a mixer that seems to have all the qualities an interface has, and they seem to be a lot cheaper. I found a yamaha USB mw10 mixer with 4 XLR inputs for $200, and there is no INTERFACE with 4+ XLR ins for less than $500 is there any reason i couldn't use this for recording? Am i missing something here?

 

[mjbphotos]

Mixer - takes x inputs, mixes it down to a stereo track to USB to your computer/DAW. If you want to "live mix" the drums this way, understand that you can ony tweak the mixed stereo track after the fact.
With something like this Presonus (under $400) you can channel all 10 inputs to the computer, and mix and tweak everything after recording on 10 separate tracks.

 

[Kjv1993]

if you record everything into the mixer, you wont be able to change the levels after you record them. It might work for you, but like mjbphotos said if you get an interface with multiple inputs, you can change the levels in your DAW even after you record it. Cause it would suck if you finally get your drum track down after multiple do-overs, and you realize your snare drum is too loud. With a mixer you would have to adjust it and re-record the whole thing. But with an interface like what he mentioned, you could adjust that certain track in your software. Hope this makes sense.

 

[Shanelor]

I really appreciate your guy's help. I actually understand it now. makes perfect sense. And i will probably be getting the Presonus FP10, it looks well worth it.