equipment + stuff - need advice

[DaveBeatz]

at the moment iv got my PC running FL studio and using an mpd16, which is OK for me at the moment because im no pro or anything.

but i was thinking about gettin some decent monitors instead of my crappy speakers i have now. but what do i need? i see ppl using mixers, i thought mixers were used for dj'ing, not producing. obviously i would need a decent soundcard too.

would it go like this PC > SOUNDCARD > MIXER > MONITORS?

also.. the sound what i would be hearing from my monitors, would my beats sound the same once they had been exported as an mp3?

give me some advice on what i need/how it works/how it would be setup

thanks

db

[A_Money986]

Ok... the reason you hear about people using mixers is because they can be used as audio interfaces. An audio interface is basically like an external soundcard, connected to your computer via Firewire or USB2.0.

Technically, to use studio monitors, all you would need is a simple audio interface, with outputs to your monitors. However if you want to record vocals or any instruments you might want to get a mixer.

[DaveBeatz]

Ok... the reason you hear about people using mixers is because they can be used as audio interfaces. An audio interface is basically like an external soundcard, connected to your computer via Firewire or USB2.0.

Technically, to use studio monitors, all you would need is a simple audio interface, with outputs to your monitors. However if you want to record vocals or any instruments you might want to get a mixer.

so what you would hear through your PC output when put through a mixer then to your speakers wouldnt sound the same as the track when exported..

so for someone like me who isnt really after getting every pro piece of equipment.. a PC with a decent soundcard and a decent set of monitors would be OK?

[A_Money986]

so what you would hear through your PC output when put through a mixer then to your speakers wouldnt sound the same as the track when exported..

so for someone like me who isnt really after getting every pro piece of equipment.. a PC with a decent soundcard and a decent set of monitors would be OK?

Well you would probably want to get an interface still...
If you use a regular PC sound card and not a Audio Interface, be careful of the impedance. You can blow ya soundcard or motherboard that way. You really should get a Audio Interface. (quoted from another post)

here check out this post... (can't add link yet... not enough posts :mad

Audio interfaces come with software drivers to make the computer recognize it as a soundcard and you set the sound device to the audio interface driver. Then the computer sounds come through the monitors. (quoted from another post)


Make sure you get powered speakers though so you don't need an amp

[DaveBeatz]

so basically i would only use a mixer for INPUT? like recording vocals.. or sampling vinyl?

[Axxe]

u dont have to have a mixer to record vocals. An audio interface is essentially a small mixer, with like 2 inputs ( xlr ). So if you want to record vocals just plug your mic. For instruments, alot of interfaces come with comboinputs for both instr and mics.

[DaveBeatz]

thanks for all the info, much appreciated. but what about output tho.. i mean.. if i got a good soundcard and a decent set of monitors, would i be hearing exactly what my beat is gonna sound like once its exported to mp3 on FL. cos i made a couple beats an send them to my friend an he says the volumes are all off an he can only hear drums etc. is that cos he has different speakers? he always has his bass turned up to max too

[DaveBeatz]

http://www.divshare.com/download/7295337-500

have a listen to that an tell me what ya think.. it sounds ok on my setup but friend says it sounds like ****.

crank it up an give it some bass.