A question or two on External Audio Interfaces

deefstes

So it seems like an External Audio Interface is something I could benefit from, looks like a nice way of recording onto my laptop. I just wanted to make sure I understand what they're really about before I go out and get one.

First of all, I'd image that some External Audio Interfaces are more equal than other. What are the features that set different EAI's apart? Some features, which I'm guessing some EAI's might have and others not, are as follows. Am I wrong? What other features am I missing?

- More than one channel for input?
- Midi input?
- Pre-amped input for mic etc?
- Different output channels?
- Midi instruments? My sound card for instance must have the most horrendous midi sounds ever.

Would appreciate some guidance here please. Basically just an External Audio Interface 101.

AlanRatcliffe

The big difference between them is more one of quality than features. If you look at the cheaper ones, you'll often see the same features as on the more expensive brands. Better quality preamps and D/A & A/D converters can make all the difference. Oh - and a rock solid internal clock source.

Specs are also mostly meaningless too. MIDI sounds are a moot point with any decent interface, as they don't have 'em. The newer operating systems like XP and Win7 have their own software synths (which will already sound a lot better through a decent interface), but ideally you will need to start looking at dedicated softsynths (Native Instruments Bandstand is a good all-rounder with a GM soundset).

What I usually recommend is figure out what features you need (mic pres, instrument inputs, line inputs, MIDI ports, etc., and then start looking in the reputable brands for models that fit both the specs you need and your pocket. Then do searches for reviews and complaints/problems on forums to weed out the bad models. Even with some of the best industry standard interfaces, you may find issues like PC v. Mac compatibility (may work brilliantly on one OS, but not at all on another).

On the less expensive side look at ESi and M-Audio, stepping up to Roland/Edirol and beyond.

raithza

On the amateur level, most of the interfaces are differentiated by..

- USB 1 vs USB 2 vs Firewire - Mine is USB 1 but most people seem to recommend USB 2. For amateur use, firewire is overkill (if your laptop even supports it). You also get PCI interfaces, which won't work on a laptop.
- Inputs: Most will have at least 2. Check that it can support instrument level input. Most should.
- Phantom power - Useful if you have/plan on using a condenser mic
- Quality of preamp.
- Midi in/out. Almost all interfaces will have this.
- Outputs... I only ever use the monitor output but the RCA output was useful once. Depends on what you want to use the interface for.
- Latency

It depends on what you want to do with the interface. Most likely you want to record 1 track at a time for things like GFSA comps, home demo's and whatnot. Many different companies make interfaces aimed at this range, they even look the same:

M Audio:

Saphire 6:

Edirol:

In this range the M-Audio fast track range seems to be the most popular, but you can't really go wrong with most of the others. Just google it and read a few reviews as you should for any piece of gear. I have a focusrite saphire 6 usb which I am 100% happy with. These kinds of interfaces go for about R2000 and you can do a lot with them... I think you're only limited once you want to start recording drums where you need a lot of inputs at once.

As for your midi concerns - the interface has nothing to do with how the instrument sounds. MIDI information just says 'Play note C0 for 1 beat at 100 velocity' and can then be used for any instrument. Crappy sound cards have crappy sound synthesizers. Once you have your interface you should get something like Reaper set up to record and use VST's for virtual instruments, then you can use high-quality softsynths and customize how it sounds. Which is quite a lot of fun ?

Jacquesg4j

I would agree 100% wit what Alan and raithza said... I went through this same procedure not too long ago and what I needed basically boiled down to the products that is mentioned above. I went for the M-Audio because it was cheaper but still good quality. And it came with the Pro-Tools essentials software... Not full pro-tools but more than enough features than what I needed. Both my entries for the challenges was recorded with it. And it is very easy to use. My first time ever using a recording program and mixing and all... And i got it right... I have the the M-Audio Fast Track...

It's this one I have...

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-2X-M-audio-Fast-track-Brand-New-PT-8-included-R1200-each-W0QQAdIdZ281370758

deefstes

Thanks guys, I think that pretty much answers my questions. I'm still a little bit unsure about where MIDI fits into the picture (if at all). My question on MIDI is twofold:

1. Do these interfaces provide functionality to record MIDI from a MIDI device to the computer (into software like Reaper or Pro Tools)? Raithza, your answer suggests that this is indeed the case (if I understand you correctly). I can't seem to find a MIDI input port on any of the devices that you posted pictures of though. My interest here is that, say I use a MIDI keyboard, I'd like to record a track or two of MIDI and then edit the notes and instruments on the PC afterwards.

2. So once your project (in Reaper or whatever you're using) has a MIDI track, who is responsible for converting those MIDI commands to actual sounds? From your responses it sounds like the Audio Interface has nothing to do with this? The reason I'm asking is because my laptop (actually my laptop's sound card) produces horrendous sounds from MIDI commands. This is not surprising as it must be one of the cheapest sound cards around. So, if I have a backtrack that I've created in MIDI, what are my options for rendering that MIDI to good sounding audio? Not the Audio Interface then?

Jacquesg4j

deefstes wrote: Thanks guys, I think that pretty much answers my questions. I'm still a little bit unsure about where MIDI fits into the picture (if at all). My question on MIDI is twofold:

1. Do these interfaces provide functionality to record MIDI from a MIDI device to the computer (into software like Reaper or Pro Tools)? Raithza, your answer suggests that this is indeed the case (if I understand you correctly). I can't seem to find a MIDI input port on any of the devices that you posted pictures of though. My interest here is that, say I use a MIDI keyboard, I'd like to record a track or two of MIDI and then edit the notes and instruments on the PC afterwards.

2. So once your project (in Reaper or whatever you're using) has a MIDI track, who is responsible for converting those MIDI commands to actual sounds? From your responses it sounds like the Audio Interface has nothing to do with this? The reason I'm asking is because my laptop (actually my laptop's sound card) produces horrendous sounds from MIDI commands. This is not surprising as it must be one of the cheapest sound cards around. So, if I have a backtrack that I've created in MIDI, what are my options for rendering that MIDI to good sounding audio? Not the Audio Interface then?

I don't have the midi keyboard or controller or what ever... but you will need that to create midi tracks! I'm just going to shutup as my knowledge is very limited!

raithza

deefstes wrote:
1. Do these interfaces provide functionality to record MIDI from a MIDI device to the computer (into software like Reaper or Pro Tools)? Raithza, your answer suggests that this is indeed the case (if I understand you correctly). I can't seem to find a MIDI input port on any of the devices that you posted pictures of though. My interest here is that, say I use a MIDI keyboard, I'd like to record a track or two of MIDI and then edit the notes and instruments on the PC afterwards.

I think my interface's midi input is on the back - I've never used it. It will be clearly listed in the specs of the interface if it has one. I use my keyboard/mouse to manually draw the notes :O

But what you've described is exactly what you'd do. Record the MIDI (not the sound) - just the instructions for the computer on how to play the piece. You then have a virtual instrument which you feed the midi information to that actually generates the sound. The quality of the virtual instrument determines the quality of the sound. The instrument may be a piece of software so that the quality of the sound generated is not dependant on your hardware, but hardware synthesizers also exist - your sound card is an example of a crappy one ?

As for what your options are to get some quality sounds... There are A LOT.. but don't worry about this for now as it won't be affected by what interface you have, as long as the interface has MIDI input.

deefstes

Great stuff, thanks. That explains it nicely.

AlanRatcliffe

Most modern MIDI controllers have a USB output for direct connection to your PC, and most of us are using softsynths for recording. So 5-pin DIN MIDI ports on an interface are not as important as they once were (unless you've got an older piece 'o kit). I've got a total of six MIDI ports on my PC, but these days I rarely use more than one pair (for an old Roland keyboard).

shaunf

Guys, I hope you don't mind me butting in here, but I was quite interested in this same topic. Could one of you knowledgable types recommend a set of cost effective monitors to go along with a small setup like say the M-audio or one of the other devices mentioned? Also, what else besides a mic would one need to get started?