There is no better time to build a home studio than now. Self-isolation prompted artists to send out positive vibes through online concerts and collaborations with other performers. Having reliable audio equipment at home has never been more important, says James Haidak.
Given that one already has a PC or Mac, a microphone, instruments, instrument cables, and headphones, it’s time to decide on the recording device. A mixer mixes different signals and sends it to the computer, while an audio interface acts as a translator between the recorded instrument and the computer. With an audio interface, the signal that comes from the microphone is converted into a digital sound.
An audio interface is connected to a PC or Mac through a USB or FireWire cable, taking the analog signal and translates it into a digital sound that the computer understands. One key quality to note is that an audio interface separates the tracks sent to the computer. A computer can also power a mixer through a USB cable. Unlike an audio interface, it sends the sounds from a microphone and an instrument as one track.
According to music producer and DJ James Haidak, when recording layers of tracks, the best choice would be the audio interface. It allows one to separate and edit tracks as they please. For podcasts, live stream, and stereo recording purposes, it would be best for one to go with a mixer, as it permits one to tailor their sound, giving them full control of the feed as the computer translates it.
James Haidak discovered his passion for electronic music early in life. At the age of 17, he bought his Ableton music sequencing software and proceeded to learn and hone the craft. For more from James Haidak, visit this page.
James Haidak 