PC audio setup - What do i need?

[A_Lifeguard]

First off - I know barely anything about audio setups so this is why i'm searching for help.

WHAT I HAVE: I have a custom built PC with a Schitt Stack (Magni 2 & Modi 2) right now with my Sennheiser HD650's going into those to listen to my computer with a Blue Snowball microphone plugged directly into my PC, I also have a Bluetooth/Aux soundbar that I enjoy watching movies or music over often.

 

WHAT I WANT: Microphone - Audio-Technica AT2035 Large Diaphragm Studio Condenser Microphone.

-I want to be able to plug this microphone into a mixer/audio interface and be able to control the way it sounds on the mixer/audio interface but i would be fine fixing it through a program (Adobe audition?).

-I want to be able to switch my computer's music back and forth between my soundbar (aux) and my HD650's with ease because as of now i have to go through windows to switch sources.

 

Do i need a large mixer like this?

 

or do i need just a small setup like this?

 

TLDR; I have a mic/soundbar/headphones and i want to control them from one place. Do i need a mixer or a small audio interface?

[Quadrum]

Sounds like you should look at the focusrite scarlet series. I ha e the 2i2 which works great for my needs (don’t have a ton of xlr stuff) anyway good luck! Great to see more audio tech enthusiasts 

[Blasteque]

All else being equal, the Focusrite will have a better sounding mic preamp than the Yamaha at those prices.

 

Obviously, the Yamaha will allow you to do a whole lot more: EQ, multi-input mixing, FX, analog outs, inserts, etc.  It's a full mixer.  If you're looking into gradually building a studio, then a mixer (like the Yamaha or a Behringer or whatever) is the way to go.  If all you ever want is the one mic, then go for the Focusrite.

[A_Lifeguard]

So i guess my biggest thing i want to be able to do is switch the source of my audio with ease...

So say i have my soundbar turned on and my headphones on as well, i want to be able to switch between the two with the press of a button (theoretically) 

@Quadrum is that something the Scarlet 2i2 could possibly do? Does it come with software that could make it possible to switch between sources like that?

 

@Blasteque Same question as above, but am I wasting money with features i may never use? Would you suggest another mixer in the 100-200 price range or a better company to purchase from? I'm not set on Yamaha, I'm open to anything.

 

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

 

[Blasteque]

6 minutes ago, A_Lifeguard said:

So i guess my biggest thing i want to be able to do is switch the source of my audio with ease...

So say i have my soundbar turned on and my headphones on as well, i want to be able to switch between the two with the press of a button (theoretically) 

@Quadrum is that something the Scarlet 2i2 could possibly do? Does it come with software that could make it possible to switch between sources like that?

 

@Blasteque Same question as above, but am I wasting money with features i may never use? Would you suggest another mixer in the 100-200 price range or a better company to purchase from? I'm not set on Yamaha, I'm open to anything.

 

Thanks to both of you for your replies.

 

You can switch output devices in windows relatively easily.  That would be independent of the mic input device.  Again, if all you need is the one mic, get the Focusrite.

 

If you had a full mixer (like the Yamaha) you could run the audio output of your computer to the mixer and have your soundbar plugged in the "stereo out" on the mixer and your cans plugged into the "phones" on the mixer (those two outputs have separate volume controls).  You would switch between them by adjusting their relative volume with nobs in the lower right corner of the mixer.

 

As for mixer brands, Yamaha is perfectly decent for that price.  There are others, but Yamaha is safe.