Do I Need An Audio Interface ??

[musicmad]

Hi

 

Could anyone put me right here? I'm a musician working with MIDI only, never Audio, I have a MIDI keyboard connected directly to an iMac via a USB MIDI interface cable, and a pair of Monitor speakers also connected directly to the Mac. Given I record MIDI only and not Audio I'm assuming there won't be any need for ADC? Neither should I have any issues with latency? if this is the case am I right in saying I don't even need an Audio interface?

[Alan Shields]

If you're working exclusively with Midi and triggering external synths you're correct; that is after all, how we worked with midi before digital audio recording became a viable option.

 

If you're using midi to trigger software synths then I'd reconsider the audio interface. Unless, of course, you're happy with the sound from the iMac's speakers. The choice is yours.

 

HTH,

 

Alan

[musicmad]

If you're using midi to trigger software synths then I'd reconsider the audio interface.

 

I assume then by this you are specifically reffering to the DA/ converter in the interface with regard to reproduction of the audio coming back out from the monitor speakers for that final clean cut sound, is this what you ment ?

[Alan Shields]

Yes, assuming the output from the interface is feeding a good quality amp/speaker (or active speaker) system. Otherwise you're relying entirely on the built in speakers of your iMac - adequate in non-critical situations but not exactly high calibre monitoring. However, as I said before the choice is yours try it out and if you find it acceptable then go for it.

 

HTH,

 

Alan.

[musicmad]

OK! I see your point, but with regard to interfaces like MOTU & the Apogee duet these are simply out of my budget range, and considering I will only be using the interface for DA/ conversion plus any latency I may encounter, the only interface that fits my budget would be the Fast Track Pro from M-Audio. Again given it's only for DAC and latency, would you recommend this AI?

[ghostly]

Like you, a lot of my tracks use only soft synths and during the recording of tracks I monitor using the audio outs on my powerbook feeding my headphones. For mixing however, I use the outs on my Novation Nio interface. The fact is they just sound better and my final mix is generally better. If I didn't use my Nio I would still get to the end point (a final mix) but it may not be quite as good.

 

So my answer is, it really depends. I just do this for fun so a slightly inferior mix is no disaster.

[Alan Shields]

I just do this for fun so a slightly inferior mix is no disaster.

 

Likewise.

 

You could stick with the iMac speakers until you save up enough for a reasonable interface. I use them quite a bit and as I said they're fine in non-critical situations but for anything serious you will need something better.

 

Alan.

[musicmad]

So would anyone recommend the FTP given my method of music creation, which basically consists of recording MIDI using soft synths exporting to audio then buning all projects to disc.

[notnelly]

Hello! I'm guessing you are also "musicworld" who's been posting the same question on the SOS forums? This seems to be causing you a whole lot of concern!

 

I'm going to try and help you out with a definitive answer, which I think is what you're looking for: No, you don't need an interface. You might choose to buy one one day for the improved audio quality, but right now you do not need one. Hope that helps

 

- n