ps/2 mouse for d3200

[Rockerman62]

Also....if i record on the D3200 and export wav files to pc for mixing and mastering with Reaper do i need a sound interface?

[Gajdzin]

Originally Posted by Rockerman62

What do you mean by suitable sound interface and which 1 do you use?

ESI Juli@. It is inexpensive and has only 2 inputs and 2 outputs, but I don't record on the computer, only mix and master. Actually I did consider recording on the PC as well, but all the hardware needed for that (16 preamps, 16 A/D converters and a sound interface capable of accepting those 16 channels simultaneously) would cost more than my D3200! Also, I do the recording in my studio in a cellar and mixing in my flat, so if I were to record on the desktop I would have to carry it between the two locations - WAV files are much lighter

I chose Juli@ because when checking out several similar products only ESI had Windows 7 64-bit drivers on their web site, I also heard good things about ESI support for their drivers, and drivers can make or break your DAW...

Originally Posted by Rockerman62

Also....if i record on the D3200 and export wav files to pc for mixing and mastering with Reaper do i need a sound interface?

Yes - for monitoring!

Also, you may sometimes want to mix with an external sound processor - then the sound must leave your PC, get processed and return to the mix, thus the need for both inputs and outputs on your sound card.

Rgds,

Marcin Bruczkowski
www.marcin.bruczkowski.com

[Rockerman62]

Ok...so out of the computer in to the 2 channel interface and out of the interface to powered monitors??

[Gajdzin]

Originally Posted by Rockerman62

Ok...so out of the computer in to the 2 channel interface and out of the interface to powered monitors??

No, actually the interface is IN the computer - it's just a sound card that you plug into the motherboard. Then you need to disable any sound interfaces built into the motherboard, if you have them. You can't use the built-in sound interface on the motherboard, because it usually has insufficient quality for mixing/mastering, and, more importantly, no low latency ASIO driver that you must have in a DAW.

One more thing: preferably not from the interface into powered monitors, but from the interface into an analogue volume controller, then to powered monitors. If you don't have an analogue volume control in between, you would have to adjust the volume digitally (in software) which means you will listen to your mix at a low resolution - e.g. 10 bits instead of 16. That's a no-no...

There are many volume controllers on the market for this purpose, e.g.:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...rol?sku=501108
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...Box?sku=180067
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...ler?sku=620996
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com...tem?sku=700343

I'm saving money for this last one - Mackie Big Knob - while for the time being I'm using an old hi-fi Toshiba preamp as my volume control between the Juli@ and the KRK Rokit powered monitors

Marcin Bruczkowski
www.marcin.bruczkowski.com

[Rockerman62]

Thanks for all the info dude !!!!

[Gajdzin]

You're welcome - that's what StudioTrax is for

If you do want to set up your own PC as a DAW for mixing/mastering, it's a lot of fun and it can be done at low cost at first. Reaper - you can use it for a month without paying, it has full functionality even before you pay for it the $60. Just the sound interface and you're done. Assuming, of course, that you have a rather fast PC with enough memory - mixing music takes a lot of resources.

Rgds,

Marcin Bruczkowski
www.marcin.bruczkowski.com