Mixers vs Audio Interfaces

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Mitchellfwx

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Alright. So after reading through several threads about mixers, I still cant understand the real purpose of them. If I were to be setting up my studio with a usb mixer, I would plug all of my mics, guitars, etc, into the mixer, and then connect the mixers via usb to my computer and then Ill get sound? So basically it does the same exact thing as an audio interface? Just with eq and effects actually on the mixer, while with an interface, youll have to go into the software to add effects, correct?

Cheers!
Mitch
 
Yes; A USB mixer is usually an interface, but with mixing capabilities built in.

The thing to be careful about is the difference between the number of hardware outputs, and the number of discreet channels available to your software.
Most USB mixers mixdown to stereo regardless of the number of inputs, whereas standard interfaces will make every single input available to your software for discreet tracking.

To be honest, I can't understand the purpose of USB mixers either, but there you go!
If you want to track drums, for example, then eq the kick and snare in your software, most (if not all?) USB mixers aren't the way to go.
 
Alright. Now I get it. Now one more question.. If that is what a usb mixer does, what is the difference to an other mixer? How do they connect to your computer? Do you have to run that into an interface of some sort?
 
Or to make that question above easier to understand.. Where exactly does a mixer like an analog or a digital mixer fit in to the setup?
 
Well the difference is that traditional mixers are analog in, analog out.


USB mixers have built in conversion to digital, and to data, which is what makes them an interface.
They interface with your computer.


If you bought a traditional mixer, converters with spdif output, and a 2 channel interface with spdif in, you'd have three units doing the same job as a USB mixer does.

Usually when people use a 'proper' mixer, or audio console, they pair it up with several channels of conversion, usually with built in interface capabilities.
An echo audiofire 12 is an affordable example of something you'd patch a 12 channel mixing desk to, if you wanted.

I've always thought that using a mixer/console isn't a good road to go down, unless you're interested in mixing to an analog medium, or you've got a hell of a console.
 
You need to be very careful with "USB" mixers that you understand the outputs. Often it's just a stereo feed and that's it - if you're seriously going to use a mixer and are recording more than two mics at once (ie, on drums for instance) then you need more than 2 outputs.

Get an interface with the appropriate number of ins/outs for your situation is my advice. Simpler. Mixers have their uses, but generally, for the noobie home recorder, money is better spent on a dedicated interface.

Of course if you already have the mixer, that's a different equation...
 
I tried to explain the pros and cons in THIS FAQ.

Short executive summary: if you spend lots of money, big elaborate mixers have certain advantages but, at the economy end of the market you're likely better off going the basic interface route.
 
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