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I know there isn't a forum dedicated only for recording but if there are any recording enthusiasts id love to hear their opinion.
So im in the process of making a small home studio for practice and also for recording in the future. I have an acoustic violin with a mic and would like to connect it to my computer to record and for this id need an audio interface.
But my question is: why not use a mixer if it serves the same purpose and actually gives extra control over sound and it might be even more useful in the future?
Because if the mixer serves as an audio interface, I might as well buy a mixer and be able to use it as an all in one sort of device.
Your opinions are welcome
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It all depends on your budget. A mixer with a built in audio interface is certainly an option. On the other hand most audio interfaces come with mixing software anyway. It's just a hell of a lot easier to do everything in the DAW. What sort of music are you creating? If you are only going to record a violin I would look at a piezo-electric device which fits on your violin. If you move around a lot when you play a mike might not be consistent with regard to recording levels. And with a mike you have to take the room acoustics into account as well. Of course you can also use a compressor to even out the sound (loud and soft sections) after or even during recording. There's nothing to stop you using a mixer - the choice is yours. Some people prefer the tactile experience of physically moving faders and some engineers swear by 'riding the faders' to capture or mix a performance. Hope this helps. Good luck - you are entering a magical, mysterious world. One where you never stop learning. It's a journey with no destination and plenty of twists and turns on the way. Enjoy.
'The purpose of life is a life of purpose' - Athena Orchard.
Posts: 15
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(07-06-2020, 11:11)Jerome Wrote: It all depends on your budget. A mixer with a built in audio interface is certainly an option. On the other hand most audio interfaces come with mixing software anyway. It's just a hell of a lot easier to do everything in the DAW. What sort of music are you creating? If you are only going to record a violin I would look at a piezo-electric device which fits on your violin. If you move around a lot when you play a mike might not be consistent with regard to recording levels. And with a mike you have to take the room acoustics into account as well. Of course you can also use a compressor to even out the sound (loud and soft sections) after or even during recording. There's nothing to stop you using a mixer - the choice is yours. Some people prefer the tactile experience of physically moving faders and some engineers swear by 'riding the faders' to capture or mix a performance. Hope this helps. Good luck - you are entering a magical, mysterious world. One where you never stop learning. It's a journey with no destination and plenty of twists and turns on the way. Enjoy.
Hey, thanks for your reply. I already have a pickup for my violin which is decent I would say. So what you're saying if im understanding correctly is that an audio interface would give me better quality and then I can just do the mixer's job from the DAW?
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Pretty much. But you can use either method. The devil is in the detail. It depends on how much effort you put in, regardless of the method. And as a hobbyist who dabbles in music myself, get it right at the recording stage and you will save yourself oceans of time in post-production.
'The purpose of life is a life of purpose' - Athena Orchard.
Posts: 15
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Joined: Mar 2020
(07-06-2020, 20:41)Jerome Wrote: Pretty much. But you can use either method. The devil is in the detail. It depends on how much effort you put in, regardless of the method. And as a hobbyist who dabbles in music myself, get it right at the recording stage and you will save yourself oceans of time in post-production.
Thanks very much
