Stupid Question??

[dannynat]

What is the difference between a mixer and an interface. what are advantages/disadvantages of having one or the other??

thanks in advance

 

[dementedchord]

well the differences are pretty easy... an interface is simply a way to get sound into a computer... and can be a single channel all the way up...

a mixer on the otherhand takes multiple inputs and combines them... now a mixer may have a myriad of other features... like EQ... compression... FX... and an interface???? yep... if you're thinking about a mixer with an interface built in there are some things you may want to consider.... if it's a usb design it mostlikely will only transfer the stereo mix to the computer... while the firewire types almost always do the individual tracks... also a $1k mixer aint gonna have the same convertors of a $1k interface.... so caveate emptor...

 

[tddrummer]

well the differences are pretty easy... an interface is simply a way to get sound into a computer... and can be a single channel all the way up...

a mixer on the otherhand takes multiple inputs and combines them... now a mixer may have a myriad of other features... like EQ... compression... FX... and an interface???? yep... if you're thinking about a mixer with an interface built in there are some things you may want to consider.... if it's a usb design it mostlikely will only transfer the stereo mix to the computer... while the firewire types almost always do the individual tracks... also a $1k mixer aint gonna have the same convertors of a $1k interface.... so caveate emptor...

So what your saying is that you dont need an interface if you can hook you mixer to the computer?

 

[Nick98338]

*IF* the mixer has an interface built in... then no, you don't need a separate interface. Read the specs on the mixer carefully.