ScottB601 Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 I'm routed thusly: all hardware instruments (synths and drums) input to Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2 digital mixer, mixer firewire into 2010 Macbook Pro and/or 2009 Macpro desktop, or both running Logic Node and back to mixer via firewire. So the mixer is my interface - however, is there a place in my set-up where I should buy and install a "better" sound card inside the Macpro desktop, where my monitors are also present and coming out of the standard Mac audio out 1/8" jack? I have my Adam A7x + Sub8 monitors coming out of the standard Mac audio out for mixing and mastering only. Sounds amazing, IMHO, but I'm always open-minded. For recording I use JBL EON 515s and the 518s Sub because it's fun. The JBLs are coming out of the mixer mains. Should I have my monitors coming out of the mixer also, with the mixer set flat EQ, dry, and unity gain? Things are working well, and sound great, but I wanted to seek your opinion if you have one on this setup. 1. Do I need an aftermarket soundcard for my monitors? 2. Should I have the monitors coming out of the mixer also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triplets Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 You cannot replace the stock sound card on a mac pro. It's part of the motherboard AFAIK. You can add a better sound card in one of the PCIe slots, but that is another interface as you mentioned. Depends on the money you wanna spend. I would definitely use the Presonus mixer as the main interface and plug the speakers into that, so that you use the same converters in recording and mixing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Soundcard is just another word for Audio Interface. Audio Interface means you're adding the capability of inputing/outputing audio to your computer. So your Mac comes with a built-in audio interface, but if you want you can purchase another one. Some are connected via USB or Firewire, others are connected via a PCI card you insert inside your computer. Personally I like to use simpler setup. I would use the same monitors for recording and mixing/mastering, and I would not use an external Mixer. But if it sounds amazing to you then don't change anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottB601 Posted December 2, 2010 Author Share Posted December 2, 2010 Right David. I meant external audio interface, such as Apogee Duet, as opposed to internal audio interface, as in sound card. Sorry for the miscom. However, the Presonus Studiolive is also an audio interface, for that matter. I've installed two new video cards in my mac due to fan noise problems, and I was curious if anyone had installed some kind of internal sound card. But it does sound amazing. Especially the Oasys.......so.......no need! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kent Sandvik Posted December 2, 2010 Share Posted December 2, 2010 Right David. I meant external audio interface, such as Apogee Duet, as opposed to internal audio interface, as in sound card. Sorry for the miscom. However, the Presonus Studiolive is also an audio interface, for that matter. I've installed two new video cards in my mac due to fan noise problems, and I was curious if anyone had installed some kind of internal sound card. But it does sound amazing. Especially the Oasys.......so.......no need! Thanks! Installing internal sound cards for recording purposes is not that much done nowadays -- biggest problem is all the electrical noise which is hard to shield inside the computer. Better to have an outside box far away from the computer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottB601 Posted December 3, 2010 Author Share Posted December 3, 2010 Yup. My age is showing here........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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