Sound Interface Choice

[Oli1549]

Hi,

 

I have been using a Behringer 1204USB for a couple of years now and I'm wanting to move up in the world. 

 

I bought a Mackie ProFX10V3 the other day to test out, however I'm finding that unlike the Behringer there is no option to mute the microphone, there is only the ability to mute all inputs, in the case I have a microphone, my phone, and my Keyboard connected, I cannot hear the instruments.

 

I am using a Shure SM7B microphone, I am interested to know what everyone uses for their sound interfaces/mixers for a similar setup to mine i would be very interested.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[The Flying Sloth]

I use a UMC1820 as my daily driver interface and almost always find myself recommending the UMC202HD on here, previously have owned and/or used large format mixers like the Mackie onyx 32.4, Midas Venice 320 and Behringer x32.

 

If you're looking for info on interfaces I'd strongly suggest taking a look at the link in my signature, with your setup I might be tempted to just use a Control2USB and be done with it.

[Oli1549]

I have never used a audio interface, I have Always been a big fan of mixers. My old behringer was functionally perfect but lacked quality and I ended up having issues hence the upgrade.

 

This new mixer is perfect but you can’t hear inputs to the mixer without hearing them all, meaning the mic too.

 

I also used to have my main out going to a amp in my room, but can’t do that anymore as the mic would be included causing horrible feedback problems 

[Oli1549]

@The Flying Sloth

[Ahoy Hoy]

I think your using mixers for a job they are not design to do. They are supposed to be mixers the USB computer connection is just a extra to record the mix or for sound play back. Its normally a second thought and they don't always work the most logical way. And using them as audio interface can leave some mixed results depending on models. Its also normally a massive waste of money as most people seem to only have two or three inputs yet have a sixteen channel desk. Just wasting money on 10 unused channels.

I think youd have more luck with Yamahs mixer interface AG03 and the AG06. They are designed to be both audio interfaces and a audio mixer.



Mixers I use:
Old analouges for simple basic stuff - old Yamaha MGFX mixers
Low end digital - Behringer X32 used most models
                         - Allen and Heath QU series
Then my go to digital is the Yamaha QL series. Not a huge fan of CL unless I'm doing monitor mixes which I rarely do as I hate doing it because its quite stressful but I am good it.

 

[The Flying Sloth]

11 hours ago, Oli1549 said:

I have never used a audio interface, I have Always been a big fan of mixers. My old behringer was functionally perfect but lacked quality and I ended up having issues hence the upgrade.

 

This new mixer is perfect but you can’t hear inputs to the mixer without hearing them all, meaning the mic too.

 

I also used to have my main out going to a amp in my room, but can’t do that anymore as the mic would be included causing horrible feedback problems 

I don't generally recommend budget mixers for a solution like that as they tend to have much lower quality components than dedicated interfaces (especially in the conversion sections), they also tend to have much higher noise floors. I can't think of a time I've wanted to mute my mic and didn't have access to a hotkey to do it, it's much easier for me to use n interface for the task it was designed for and just mute it with a mouse side button than to play around with multiple inputs on a mixer.

[Oli1549]

11 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

I don't generally recommend budget mixers for a solution like that as they tend to have much lower quality components than dedicated interfaces (especially in the conversion sections), they also tend to have much higher noise floors. I can't think of a time I've wanted to mute my mic and didn't have access to a hotkey to do it, it's much easier for me to use n interface for the task it was designed for and just mute it with a mouse side button than to play around with multiple inputs on a mixer.

I have no idea how interfaces work so that may not help!! 

 

If i have 2 instruments inputted into the the interface, what is the path they take to get to my headphones?

 

Would i plug my headphones in the interface or in the PC?

 

Cheers!

[Ahoy Hoy]

1 hour ago, Oli1549 said:

I have no idea how interfaces work so that may not help!! 

 

If i have 2 instruments inputted into the the interface, what is the path they take to get to my headphones?

 

Would i plug my headphones in the interface or in the PC?

 

Cheers!

You would plug the headphones into the interface.

Interface are like sound cards. Plug a USB in the computer then should recognise it as input and outputs like any other audio device. Most have XLR inputs and headphone and speaker outputs (either jack or RCA depending on models), some have Midi. Thats about it.

[The Flying Sloth]

2 hours ago, Oli1549 said:

I have no idea how interfaces work so that may not help!! 

 

If i have 2 instruments inputted into the the interface, what is the path they take to get to my headphones?

 

Would i plug my headphones in the interface or in the PC?

 

Cheers!

Link in my signature might be a good read for you