Currently using the Native Instruments Audio 2 interface with 2 mono/1 stereo input. https://www.native-instruments.com/en/p ... km85Y9oRSr
Wanting to use both my Argon8 (stereo) and monophonic Microfreak but don't have enough inputs for this. What can I use to achieve my goal of having both synths connected at the same time- suggestions could be other audio interfaces or some means to use what I have to get where I want to go. Thanks in advance!
Audio interface/routing query
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- KVRAF
- 8237 posts since 22 Sep, 2008 from Windsor. UK
You just need an interface with more inputs.
A mixer is one way to go, but you're buying a lot of extra features it sounds like you don't need.
Something like a Focusrite 18i8 will give you 8 total physical inputs givng you room to expand in the future.
A mixer is one way to go, but you're buying a lot of extra features it sounds like you don't need.
Something like a Focusrite 18i8 will give you 8 total physical inputs givng you room to expand in the future.
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- KVRAF
- 8732 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Price wise it's probably a close run thing but a small mixer is likely cheaper. There are shitloads out there. Behringer 802 gives 8 inputs and only NZ$170 or less here. Which is probably more like $80 in the US.
Mackie, Tascam, A&H etc all sell similar small mixers, but Behringer beat them all on price. A 4 or more input interface is likely to cost more. On a very quick surf around I see Zoom, Presonus etc 4imput interfaces at $160-180. Some of those small mixers are very similar in price. But for the same price even with a small mixer you're going to get more inputs, i.e. more future synth options. 8 input gives you 4 stereo synths. Whereas if you go to an 8-input interface you definitely will spend more.
Mackie, Tascam, A&H etc all sell similar small mixers, but Behringer beat them all on price. A 4 or more input interface is likely to cost more. On a very quick surf around I see Zoom, Presonus etc 4imput interfaces at $160-180. Some of those small mixers are very similar in price. But for the same price even with a small mixer you're going to get more inputs, i.e. more future synth options. 8 input gives you 4 stereo synths. Whereas if you go to an 8-input interface you definitely will spend more.
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- KVRAF
- 8732 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Ok, here's some other small mixers - cheaper than I thought TBH
This Mackie even has FX, great for the price $130
Go even more budget for a 5chan Mackie - $70.
Soundcraft at $130, also has 5 channels
Their Notepad8 gives you a 2/2 interface via USB and 8 channels for $200. Find a 8 input interface on its own for $200 - you might struggle.
You can go up to $300-350 and that would give you USB connected mixers with more channels - which can actually be your interface as well. Some of them are now improving quality up to 24bit/96kHz for input. TBH if I was starting up now I'd probably go for a digital-connected mixer and forego the whole interface thing. I might eventually go that route anyway, some of those Tascams caught my atttention - 24/48kHz digital with true multitrack recording - 16 channel, so the whole mixer really is a multiple input interface, not just a 2/2 thing. $800 but when you think about it, not that bad for full digital connectivity, a 16in/14out interface, a proper sized mixer and some quality. I think I'm talking myself into another purchase
. I've advocated Behringer, but have to admit that their mixers are not stellar quality in terms of noise and channel bleed though perfectly acceptable. But for not much more money you can get decent mixers with multiple channels that do have pro noise levels. I'd be perfectly happy with some of the Tascam and A&H mixer/interfaces, though I'd obvs get bigger ones at 16ch or more.
This Mackie even has FX, great for the price $130
Go even more budget for a 5chan Mackie - $70.
Soundcraft at $130, also has 5 channels
Their Notepad8 gives you a 2/2 interface via USB and 8 channels for $200. Find a 8 input interface on its own for $200 - you might struggle.
You can go up to $300-350 and that would give you USB connected mixers with more channels - which can actually be your interface as well. Some of them are now improving quality up to 24bit/96kHz for input. TBH if I was starting up now I'd probably go for a digital-connected mixer and forego the whole interface thing. I might eventually go that route anyway, some of those Tascams caught my atttention - 24/48kHz digital with true multitrack recording - 16 channel, so the whole mixer really is a multiple input interface, not just a 2/2 thing. $800 but when you think about it, not that bad for full digital connectivity, a 16in/14out interface, a proper sized mixer and some quality. I think I'm talking myself into another purchase
. I've advocated Behringer, but have to admit that their mixers are not stellar quality in terms of noise and channel bleed though perfectly acceptable. But for not much more money you can get decent mixers with multiple channels that do have pro noise levels. I'd be perfectly happy with some of the Tascam and A&H mixer/interfaces, though I'd obvs get bigger ones at 16ch or more.-
- KVRAF
- 8732 posts since 24 May, 2002 from Tutukaka, New Zealand
Hmmm...could I live with this one? Yeah I think so. Possibly the 24ch might make more sense but that's a lot of interface/mixer for $800
Compared to a straight interface 18in at $600.
Or you go posh for RME or somesuch - $1k for only 12input!
The maths favours a mixer with digital interface. If you already have 2 hw synths - everyone knows you're going to end up with more. Nobody stops at 2, sad but true. So the future-proofing also favours a mixer. When you have 8 synths, you're really going to want a mixer rather than a boring interface box all hardwired anonymously to your synths. So I guess you're going to need a bigger desk, a bigger studio, more stands while you're at it, and probably a bigger house in the long run.
I kid you not - in the past when I've bought houses, where the studio was going to go and how big the room was really did come into it. I've ruled houses out because I'd have too small a toy room 
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Compared to a straight interface 18in at $600.
Or you go posh for RME or somesuch - $1k for only 12input!
The maths favours a mixer with digital interface. If you already have 2 hw synths - everyone knows you're going to end up with more. Nobody stops at 2, sad but true. So the future-proofing also favours a mixer. When you have 8 synths, you're really going to want a mixer rather than a boring interface box all hardwired anonymously to your synths. So I guess you're going to need a bigger desk, a bigger studio, more stands while you're at it, and probably a bigger house in the long run.
I kid you not - in the past when I've bought houses, where the studio was going to go and how big the room was really did come into it. I've ruled houses out because I'd have too small a toy room .-
vitocorleone123 vitocorleone123 https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=333504
- KVRAF
- 2505 posts since 30 Jun, 2014 from Pacific NW
Avoid a mixer unless you know you need one.
Just an interface with more inputs and outputs is what’s needed.
Just an interface with more inputs and outputs is what’s needed.
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- KVRian
- 1343 posts since 8 May, 2018 from Sweden
The problem with cheap mixers is that they usually don't provide separate audio channels over USB, so everything gets mixed down before being sent to the DAW via a single stereo channel (I guess that's why they're called "mixers"). This means it's impossible to treat each synth separately in a DAW, for example to apply different insert effects or route them to different buses. They'll all play on the same channel in your DAW. You'd have to record the synths as audio, one at a time, which means the mixer would essentially function as a patch bay.
This is the reason why an audio interface is often more expensive for the same number of inputs. They're presented as separate inputs to your DAW, so each synth gets its dedicated channel(s) in your DAW. Note that some more expensive mixers also do this, as they're both an audio interface and a mixer.
This is the reason why an audio interface is often more expensive for the same number of inputs. They're presented as separate inputs to your DAW, so each synth gets its dedicated channel(s) in your DAW. Note that some more expensive mixers also do this, as they're both an audio interface and a mixer.
Take a single oscillator, producing a drone. Send it to the wave shaper, altering the tone.
This can be a triangle, Sawtooth or a square. Modulate the pulse width, nobody will care
This can be a triangle, Sawtooth or a square. Modulate the pulse width, nobody will care