Noticeable difference? Audio Interface vs. Line-in Cable

[MidiRap]

I'm using a Behringer 802 Analog Mixer connected to the computer via Line-in plug.

Could I expect a significant boost in quality using a firewire or usb interface?

Possibly a under $100 priced Behringer FCA202 24-bit/96 kHz?

I'm skeptical because the imacs built-in input can format an audio source up to 96HZ 24bit and the
DAW records 24bit audio which is the same quality as using a interface right?


Has anyone noticed better quality from Interfaces vs. Line-in on Apple computers?


Cheers!!!!!!

 

[Farview]

The quality difference may or may not be minimal, but a recording interface will have other features that make recording easier. Things like zero latency monitoring are almost essential to the recording process.

The sonic difference between the built in sound and the interface won't be much, but a usb or firewire interface is generally quieter, because its electronics arent inside the computer possibly picking up noise and interference from all the electrical activity inside the box. For example, on my windows computer (as opposed to my audio computer), I can hear a noise every time I move my mouse. That sort of thing wont happen with an outboard interface.

The sample rate is not the determining factor of quality. Almost everything you buy now can do 96k. But in the price range you are looking at, there wont be much difference in actual sound quality. Spend a few hundred more, the differences will get more apparent.

 

[MidiRap]

Well that helped put things into prospective. Thanks.

Never experienced latency issues with the Line-in jack setup, but bet audio-interfaces would have a higher chance of taxing the cpu.

 

[drtechno]

it would be a side grade, possibly a downgrade considering Behringer.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have invested on an optical MADI based system. Firewire and Usb are prone to ground loops.

 

[JimmyS1969]

it would be a side grade, possibly a downgrade considering Behringer.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have invested on an optical MADI based system. Firewire and Usb are prone to ground loops.

I am curious what that is 'optical MADI'?

Prone to ground loops? HUH?

 

[Farview]

Never heard of optical madi.

The latency is when you are monitoring what you are playing through the daw, instead of through the interface.

 

[drtechno]

I am curious what that is 'optical MADI'?

Prone to ground loops? HUH?

Will to be accurate it is AES-10-2003 digital format developed in 1991 ( AES-10-1991) by a joint adventure between AMS Neve, Solid State Logic, Sony Electronics and Mitsubishi Semiconductor.
It is widely used in the audio industry, especially in the professional sector. It provides advantages over other audio digital interface protocols and standards such as AES/EBU (AES3), ADAT (Alesis Digital Audio Tape), TDIF (Tascam Digital Interface), and S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format). These advantages include:
Support for a greater number of channels per line
Use of coaxial and optical fibre media that support transmission of audio signals over 100 meters, and up to 3000 meters
AES-10-2003 optical is 64 channels at 96Khz or 32 channels at 176-192Khz.

Evolution of this digial technology has brought ethernet based multi track formats such as Cobra Net, Ether Snake, and Red Net.


I have musicians that come around asking me to find out or fix the noise problems with thier usb and firewire interfaces. Since they do not electrically isolate, the grounds on the audio share the grounds with the computer. Noise on the computer grounds from the power supply based noises (like hard drive seek noise) is sometimes captured in these devices. Laptop battery chargers and compact switch mode power supplies like inside the Imacs have been known to have these noise issues.



fiberoptic connection to a card in the computer breaks the ground sharing.