SoundCard - Hardware Mixer

[bdemenil]

Many soundcards have built in hardware mixers that help you monitor as you record at nearly zero latency. While these alow you to adjust levels and pan for the various channels, I haven't seen any that have EQ capabilities. If I could wish for anything right now, that would be it - as it stands, if i want to be able to EQ different channels independently for monitoring during recording, I have to run each channel into an external mixer - much more wiring, much more headache. I use a Motu HD192 - used to use a Delta1010.

 

[AlChuck]

It's easy to route a copy of the input signal back to the output for "zero-latency" monitoring, but to have EQ to use on it would necessitate the hardware for the EQ to exist on the card or breakout box. It would probably double the price easily.

There are these new Onyx series of mixers from Mackie, though, with a FireWire option available, so that makes them an all-in-one interface... Bet they ain't cheap, though.

 

[bdemenil]

Do you realy think putting in simple EQ would be that expensive? The quality wouldn't have to be superb - it's just for monitoring. If you're talking about an interface like the HD192, I'm sure it wouldn't double the cost - maybe an extra $50.

It could be the issue is more latency than cost. Maybe if they add eq, they can't claim zero latency.

 

[Jim Y]

Can the new E-mu cards do this with their onboard FX and input router?

 

[webstop]

I am just curious, why would you want the sonic characteristics of the monitored sound to be different from the recorded sound? I think that the idea of monitoring is to hear exactly, what is being recorded and with less possible latency.

 

[Jim Y]

I think the idea is to record straight and dry while monitoring processed. I do this with reverb but not had to resort to eq too. Then apply serious eq and 'verb come mixing time.