So you’d like to have your own home studio? Who wouldn’t! Just imagine – you’d be able to record original music or cover songs, all from the comfort of your bedroom. And the best part – it’s possible to make it all sound good.
However, contrary to what some might think, it’s actually not that hard to make one. Sure, it won’t be as good as a professional studio, but it’s far from an impossible task to make your home setup.
But before you set out on doing so, there are a few things that you should get informed about first. One of the first things you’d need to get is an audio interface for your computer and an ergonomic chair.
However, many beginners are having a hard time differentiating audio interfaces from mixers. This is why we decided to settle this once and for all and explain the differences between these two devices.
Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated, but you still need to do a bit of research to fully understand the difference between an audio interface vs a mixer.
What is an Audio Interface?
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You know how your computer has a sound card? Technically, this device is a built-in audio interface. It takes digital information and then turns it into an analog signal, which then goes into speakers or headphones.
At the same time, you can use your computer’s input or a microphone. In this case, it converts an analog signal from the source and converts it into a digital one. An audio interface for home recording and music production does this same thing.
However, it offers a few important advantages compared to an integrated sound card.
Firstly, an audio interface allows you to play and record your instrument (or vocals) in real-time without any noticeable latency. Also, it preserves the audio quality and lets you record without any unwanted “clicky” noises.
In addition to all this, an audio interface allows you to record in a complex multi-track project with a bunch of plugins and effects added in DAW (short for “digital audio workstation”).
In most cases, audio interfaces have multiple input channels. This allows you to record two or more instruments or microphones at the same time. And all of these individual inputs will be recorded in real-time as separate audio files on your computer.
Audio interfaces also have additional controls on them. For instance, you can find input gain knobs, output volume controls, LED clipping indicators, and some additional tone-shaping controls.
In most cases, they feature instrument and microphone inputs. Many of the modern audio interfaces have combo XLR and line inputs that save up on a lot of space. Almost all of the audio interfaces also have +48-volt phantom power for condenser microphones.
You should also note that speakers, headphones, or studio monitors should be connected to an audio interface and not your computer’s integrated sound card.
To put it simply – an audio interface provides fast and precise analog to digital and digital to analog conversion. We also have better sound quality and more functionality and features.
Audio Interface Examples
Almost all of the audio interfaces today are connected via USB. Other types used to be more popular some years ago, including firewire devices and even PCI format sound cards. We’ll share a few simple examples of simpler audio interfaces for home recording.
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2
- High-performance converters enable you to record and mix at up to 24-bit/ 192kHz.
- Easy start tool to get up and running easier than ever
- Includes free software from Antares, Relab, Softube, XLN Audio, Brainworx, Splice, Focusrite, Ableton, and Avid. All available via download upon purchase and registration
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a fairly popular one, both for instrumentalists and vocalists. It features two channels with two combo XLR/line inputs. Some of the additional tone-shaping controls on it can help you enhance your tone.
Check out our 2i2 vs 2i4 comparison here.
With great analog to digital conversion and its metal casing, it’s more than a great choice for any recording enthusiast.
Pros
- Great deal for the price
- Plenty of features
- Well-built
- Provides great audio quality
Cons
- Nothing for this price range
IK Multimedia iRig Pro Duo
- Ultra-versatile, compact interface with 2 Class A mic preamps / instrument inputs with phantom power, plus full MIDI I/O for keyboards and controllers
- Low-noise TRS balanced outputs, plus headphone out with switchable direct monitoring for in-studio or field recording
- Cable bundle includes USB-C, Lightning and USB cables for iPhone, iPad, Android & Mac/PC
And you can even record multi-track projects on your phone or a tablet! For this, you’ll need a specialized audio interface, and IK Multimedia’s Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 provides some great options here. It works with both Android and iOS devices.
Again, we have a dual-channel setup. What’s quite surprising is that we have combo inputs on it. It’s fairly easy to use.
Pros
- Very compact
- Functional
- Has all the features of regular audio interfaces for computers
Cons
- Works only with tablets and phones
- It might not work well on some phone models
Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD
- 2x4 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface for recording microphones and instruments
- Audiophile 24-Bit/192 kHz resolution for professional audio quality
- Compatible with popular recording software including Avid Pro Tools*, Ableton Live*, Steinberg Cubase*, etc.
- Streams 2 inputs / 4 outputs plus 1x MIDI I/O with ultra-low latency to your computer, supporting Mac* OS X* and Windows XP* or higher
- 2 state-of-the-art, MIDAS designed Mic Preamplifiers with +48 V phantom po
Behringer is a company very well-known for its great budget products. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 comes as a great example for home recording purposes. It takes no more than a glance to realize that there are plenty of controls on it. What’s more, it has four channels and can handle 24-bits and 192 kHz resolutions. Rather surprising for its price level.
Pros
- Very cheap
- 4 input channels
- MIDI input and output
- A lot of functionalities and features
Cons
- Might not be reliable in the long run
Can I Record Music On My Computer Without an Audio Interface?
Technically, you can record your instrument or a microphone in real-time by utilizing your computer’s built-in sound card. However, you won’t be able to record over a multi-track project without experiencing severe lags and loss of audio quality.
It’s a good solution for anyone who wants to record just one track without adding any effects or other tracks over it.
What is an Audio Mixer?
Although similar at a first glance, mixers are completely different devices. A simple explanation is that they take multiple inputs, both instruments and microphones, mix them together, and send them through one mono or stereo output.
They are mostly used for live shows or any other events where you need multiple channels to be heard through a PA system. Each channel has its level control, along with a simple EQ and other controls. A lot of mixers today also come with an integrated effects processor.
Mixers give you full control over input and output. You can connect multiple microphones and instruments, adjust their levels, and then determine the overall output volume. Any local bar or venue where bands perform regularly has one.
They’re divided into two main categories – active and passive. Active mixers come with a built-in power amp, meaning that you can connect it directly to passive speakers. Meanwhile, passive mixers require either an additional power amp or active speakers to work.
Audio Mixer Examples
There are so many different categories of mixers, so it’s hard to choose just a few as good examples. But we’ll focus on some simpler examples that might be interesting for beginners or intermediate musicians.
Behringer XENYX 1202FX
- Premium ultra low-noise, high headroom analog mixer
- 4 state-of-the-art XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
- Neo-classic British 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound
- Studio-grade 24-bit stereo FX processor with 100 awesome presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and various multi-effects
- FX send control per channel for internal FX processor and/or as external s
Once again we have a Behringer product on our hands. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a simple audio mixer with four channels with mic inputs and built-in preamps. There are also additional line inputs, summing up a total of 12 channels.
This is a very potent little mixer with additional outputs and controls. It comes as a great choice for smaller bands doing live gigs.
Pros
- Compact
- Very versatile and functional
- Has a built-in effects processor
- Cheap
Cons
- Nothing for this price level
Alto Zephyr ZMX52
- A Mixer For Any Occasion - Six total inputs with a phantom powered XLR input on channel 1 - perfect for musicians looking for a compact, capable mixing console for studio, podcast or live sound use
- Superior Sound Quality - High headroom circuitry offering extra dynamic range and ultra-low-noise for the best performance from your studio microphones
- The Ins & Outs - 1/4” Main, Tape, Headphone & Aux outputs for flexible signal routing; mic input channel with gold plated XLR and balanced line input; two additional stereo input channels
But if you need something small and functional, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a great choice. It has five channels in total and offers some essential tone-shaping controls. It’s as simple as that!
Pros
- Compact
- Has all the necessary controls
- Additional outputs
Cons
- No effects
Yamaha EMX512SC
- 10 channel mixer with USB and SPX digital effects
- Featuring studio grade discrete class A D PRE amps with inverted Darlington circuit providing fat, natural sounding bass and smooth, soaring highs
- MG Series mixers feature a rugged, impact resistant, powder coated metal chassis; Equivalent input noise 128 dBu, residual output noise 102 dBu
- Dimensions(W×H×D): 244 millimeter x 71 millimeter x 294 millimeter (9.6x2.8x11.6 inch
Yamaha’s Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is an active mixer. It’s not a fully professional one, but it can be very effective for smaller venues and some outdoor events. It has 12 channels with 8 XLR and 8 line inputs.
It also comes with 2×500 watts of output power, an effects processor, separate monitor output, and detailed equalizer controls.
Pros
- Very detailed controls
- Active mixer with 2×500 watts of power
- Effects
Cons
- Not the best sound quality
Check out our list of best digital mixers for recording studios here.
Mixers vs Audio Interfaces: How Are They Different?
There’s one simple way to explain it. Audio interfaces give you an option to record multi-channel projects in real-time using your computer. Using a recording software, it’s possible to “map out” channels and record them as individual audio files.
While mixers have multiple inputs, they only have one stereo audio output. They mix all the instruments and microphones and send them out as one unified audio signal.
Audio interfaces are for creating multi-track studio recordings. If you were to connect a mixer to any computer’s sound card, it would recognize it as only one channel.
However, there are USB audio mixers. In a way, we could say that these are mixing boards that also work as audio interfaces. By connecting it to a computer, you’re able to record multiple different channels at the same time. And each of those channels would be recorded as an individual audio file.
How to connect an Audio Interface?
You know how your computer has a sound card? Technically, this device is a built-in audio interface. It takes digital information and then turns it into an analog signal, which then goes into speakers or headphones.
At the same time, you can use your computer’s input or a microphone. In this case, it converts an analog signal from the source and converts it into a digital one. An audio interface for home recording and music production does this same thing.
However, it offers a few important advantages compared to an integrated sound card.
Firstly, an audio interface allows you to play and record your instrument (or vocals) in real-time without any noticeable latency. Also, it preserves the audio quality and lets you record without any unwanted “clicky” noises.
In addition to all this, an audio interface allows you to record in a complex multi-track project with a bunch of plugins and effects added in DAW (short for “digital audio workstation”).
In most cases, audio interfaces have multiple input channels. This allows you to record two or more instruments or microphones at the same time. And all of these individual inputs will be recorded in real-time as separate audio files on your computer.
Audio interfaces also have additional controls on them. For instance, you can find input gain knobs, output volume controls, LED clipping indicators, and some additional tone-shaping controls.
In most cases, they feature instrument and microphone inputs. Many of the modern audio interfaces have combo XLR and line inputs that save up on a lot of space. Almost all of the audio interfaces also have +48-volt phantom power for condenser microphones.
You should also note that speakers, headphones, or studio monitors should be connected to an audio interface and not your computer’s integrated sound card.
To put it simply – an audio interface provides fast and precise analog to digital and digital to analog conversion. We also have better sound quality and more functionality and features.
Can I Record Music On My Computer Without an Audio Interface?
Technically, you can record your instrument or a microphone in real-time by utilizing your computer’s built-in sound card. However, you won’t be able to record over a multi-track project without experiencing severe lags and loss of audio quality.
It’s a good solution for anyone who wants to record just one track without adding any effects or other tracks over it.
What is an Audio Mixer?
Although similar at a first glance, mixers are completely different devices. A simple explanation is that they take multiple inputs, both instruments and microphones, mix them together, and send them through one mono or stereo output.
They are mostly used for live shows or any other events where you need multiple channels to be heard through a PA system. Each channel has its level control, along with a simple EQ and other controls. A lot of mixers today also come with an integrated effects processor.
Mixers give you full control over input and output. You can connect multiple microphones and instruments, adjust their levels, and then determine the overall output volume. Any local bar or venue where bands perform regularly has one.
They’re divided into two main categories – active and passive. Active mixers come with a built-in power amp, meaning that you can connect it directly to passive speakers. Meanwhile, passive mixers require either an additional power amp or active speakers to work.
Audio Mixer Examples
There are so many different categories of mixers, so it’s hard to choose just a few as good examples. But we’ll focus on some simpler examples that might be interesting for beginners or intermediate musicians.
Behringer XENYX 1202FX
Once again we have a Behringer product on our hands. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a simple audio mixer with four channels with mic inputs and built-in preamps. There are also additional line inputs, summing up a total of 12 channels.
This is a very potent little mixer with additional outputs and controls. It comes as a great choice for smaller bands doing live gigs.
Pros
- Compact
- Very versatile and functional
- Has a built-in effects processor
- Cheap
Cons
- Nothing for this price level
Alto Zephyr ZMX52
But if you need something small and functional, Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is a great choice. It has five channels in total and offers some essential tone-shaping controls. It’s as simple as that!
Pros
- Compact
- Has all the necessary controls
- Additional outputs
Cons
- No effects
Yamaha EMX512SC
Yamaha’s Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is an active mixer. It’s not a fully professional one, but it can be very effective for smaller venues and some outdoor events. It has 12 channels with 8 XLR and 8 line inputs.
It also comes with 2×500 watts of output power, an effects processor, separate monitor output, and detailed equalizer controls.
Pros
- Very detailed controls
- Active mixer with 2×500 watts of power
- Effects
Cons
- Not the best sound quality
Check out our list of best digital mixers for recording studios here.
Michael Ocejo ( Editor-in-chief )
Michael loves audio production. He especially enjoys the technical aspect of making music sound good! Michael also loves spending time with his friends and family and enjoying parties.
