Should I add an audio interface?

[Dipypang]

Hi guys,

My Pc setup right now for my audio:

PC output to DAC/AMP Fiio K5 Pro -> Speakers Edifier S1000DB

My microphone directly plug into my PC.

I’m planning on getting an audio interface Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen for my setup, should I? For recording and streaming.

 

And if I get that, how is the connection setup?

Is it like this:

PC output from USB slot to Focusrite -> DAC Fiio -> speakers

 

my current setup is connecting PC to DAC via the audio jack. But If I get the Focusrite then the output source change to USB? Will it affect the sound quality?

 

And the Focusrite output is left and right port, if I use the current audio jack and plug into the left port, is it ok? Or I should get a RCA cable for better sound quality.

 

Thanks.

[The Flying Sloth]

DAC stands for Digital to Analog Converter, the 2i2 would do that job in place of the FiiO in the signal chain you demonstrated, making the FiiO useless essentially.

If you were to use an interface you could continue to use the FiiO DAC as output and simply use the interface as input, personally if you just want a way to connect an XLR mic to your PC the 2i2 is likely overkill (price wise) for this task, many other interfaces will perform just as well at a much lower price (UMC202HD for example if you really need both XLR inputs).

Sloth

[Volbet]

I would recommend just connecting both via USB. That's pretty much the easiest way with the least hassle. Although, you could also circumvent the Fiio entirely and just connect your speakers to the line-out on the Focusrite.

 

If you're connecting the Fiio via a 3,5 mm TRS-to-RCA cable, then you aren't using the DAC build into the Fiio. Rather, you're relying on the DAC build into your motherboard or dedicated soundcard.

 

Whether or not you should get a microphone interface is difficult question to answer. Are you currently experiencing issues with your recording setup and would the interface help to remedy those issues? Are you planning to upgrade to a microphone the requires phantom power?

Both are questions you need to answer.

[Dipypang]

16 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

DAC stands for Digital to Analog Converter, the 2i2 would do that job in place of the FiiO in the signal chain you demonstrated, making the FiiO useless essentially.

If you were to use an interface you could continue to use the FiiO DAC as output and simply use the interface as input, personally if you just want a way to connect an XLR mic to your PC the 2i2 is likely overkill (price wise) for this task, many other interfaces will perform just as well at a much lower price (UMC202HD for example if you really need both XLR inputs).

Sloth

Ok thanks for the explanation sir, appreciated
 

15 minutes ago, Volbet said:

If you're connecting the Fiio via a 3,5 mm TRS-to-RCA cable, then you aren't using the DAC build into the Fiio.

So how should I connect the Fiio to my Pc ? I thought that’s the only way as my Pc don’t have RCA port.

 

I have delay issue with my microphone and I want to upgrade to a great setup for recording and streaming although it’s my first setup. Please guide sir

[Volbet]

2 minutes ago, Dipypang said:

Ok thanks for the explanation sir, appreciated
 

So how should I connect the Fiio to my Pc ? I thought that’s the only way as my Pc don’t have RCA port.

 

I have delay issue with my microphone and I want to upgrade to a great setup for recording and streaming although it’s my first setup. Please guide sir

The K5 Pro should have a full size USB-B port on the back. For PC use that is the easiest way to connect it.

If you wanna make use of the DAC in the Fiio, then you need to use the the USB port, the optical port or the coax input.

 

Delay issues is certainly an annoyance that's worth tackling. In that case a microphone interface would work, but only if you connect your headphone (or speakers, I guess) directly to the interface. Rendering the Fiio unit redundant for that use.

 

What microphone are you using currently?

[The Flying Sloth]

2 minutes ago, Dipypang said:

So how should I connect the Fiio to my Pc ? I thought that’s the only way as my Pc don’t have RCA port.

USB if you want to use it as an output and just use the interface as an input, if it doesn't have USB or another digital connection it's not a DAC, only an amp.
In all reality the only reason you'd use it over the outputs on the interface would be preference, the FiiO would offer no real improvement to an audio interface.

If you're looking to get a microphone to use with the interface just remember that Condenser microphones are extremely sensitive (will pick up a tonne of background noise) and Dynamic microphones will often require an inline preamp to get any decent volume out of them (like the Klark Teknic CT1), just something to keep in mind

Sloth

[Dipypang]

18 minutes ago, Volbet said:

If you wanna make use of the DAC in the Fiio, then you need to use the the USB port, the optical port or the coax input.

 

18 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

USB if you want to use it as an output

What.... I’ve been using this wrongly all this time. This really blown my mind and excited to try it later connect via USB. I’ve been using it via audio jack from my pc.

 

20 minutes ago, Volbet said:

What microphone are you using currently?

Audiobox M100, a dinamic wired microphone. Is it ok?

I’m planning on getting a AT2020 or AT2035, what would you recommend sir?

[Volbet]

1 hour ago, Dipypang said:

 

What.... I’ve been using this wrongly all this time. This really blown my mind and excited to try it later connect via USB. I’ve been using it via audio jack from my pc.

 

Audiobox M100, a dinamic wired microphone. Is it ok?

I’m planning on getting a AT2020 or AT2035, what would you recommend sir?

I unfortunately don't know of Audiobox nor their products. I can therefore not comment on the microphone's quality.

The Audio-Technica microphone's are just fine, but, since you're going for a microphone interface, you could look into some of the cheaper condenser microphones from Shure, Sennheiser or Behringer.

That is, if background noise isn't too much of an issue.

[Dipypang]

2 minutes ago, Volbet said:

I unfortunately don't know of Audiobox nor their products. I can therefore not comment on the microphone's quality.

The Audio-Technica microphone's are just fine, but, since you're going for a microphone interface, you could look into some of the cheaper condenser microphones from Shure, Sennheiser or Behringer.

That is, if background noise isn't too much of an issue.

Ok sir thanks for your information! This really helps a lot. Appreciated

[The Flying Sloth]

13 hours ago, Dipypang said:

 

The AT 2020 and 2035 certainly aren't bad microphones if you don't have much background noise, if you do have background noise you may want to use a dynamic microphone as per my previous reply. There are a plethora of microphone options available with many microphones rivalling or outright beating the 2020/35 in a very similar price range (Brands like MXL, 3U, ADK and CAD among others) so just take your time finding the microphone that will sound the best in your voice. If you can't try them yourself the Podcastage YouTube channel can be a very useful point of reference.

 

Sloth

[Dipypang]

5 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

The AT 2020 and 2035 certainly aren't bad microphones if you don't have much background noise, if you do have background noise you may want to use a dynamic microphone as per my previous reply. There are a plethora of microphone options available with many microphones rivalling or outright beating the 2020/35 in a very similar price range (Brands like MXL, 3U, ADK and CAD among others) so just take your time finding the microphone that will sound the best in your voice. If you can't try them yourself the Podcastage YouTube channel can be a very useful point of reference.

 

Sloth

Ok sir! Thanks for the useful information