With all the available information and online resources for audio equipment, setting up your own home recording studio is easier than ever. But if you want to produce great sound quality, you can’t settle for just any hardware. You’ll need a good recording microphone and an audio device that will receive and convert the audio signals from analog to digital and ensure superior audio quality when you’re recording songs, performing live, post-processing audio for video productions, and more.
In general, there are two audio devices that people use: an audio interface and a mixer. Some include both in their audio setup while others choose just one, depending on their production needs.
But to be able to determine which you should use, whether you’re podcasting or focusing on professional-level audio production, it helps to first understand the uses of each device.
What’s an Audio Interface?
To put it simply, an audio interface is a device that connects your microphone (and other sounds sources like musical instruments) to your computer. Now, why can’t you just use a USB microphone and connect it directly to your computer, you may ask? An audio interface takes the sounds from your live audio sources and sends them to your computer for playback or recording — and unlike the built-in 3.5mm microphone jack or sound card on your computer, it actually preserves the quality of the sounds, which is essential if you want professional-sounding audio.
These devices have Thunderbolt or USB outputs that allow direct connection to your computer and even have built-in preamps so you can amplify your microphone’s audio signal to be strong enough for recording and mixing. They come in all shapes and sizes, with studio-quality ones being much bigger to accommodate more inputs. Should you decide that you need an audio interface, choosing one should factor in the type of recording you want to do.
For regular podcasting where you may have a co-host or an interviewee, or perhaps a recording session with one vocalist and one guitarist, a two-input audio interface is all you’ll need. But if you’re recording a conference with multiple panelists or a four-piece band, you’ll likely need a bigger audio interface with four or more input and output channels.
Aside from multiple input channels, some interfaces also offer additional ports and displays.
To get a better idea of what these devices can do for you, you can check out our article on the best audio interfaces for recording.
What’s an audio mixer?
While a mixer is often compared (and confused) with an audio interface, it serves a completely different and more complicated purpose. Mixers offer more control over what gets sent to your computer. It has a set of dials and sliders, which serve as your volume faders, equalizers, and controllable built-in effects like reverb, delay, and chorus — typically for each individual line input.
Mixers are especially useful for live performances and other situations where there is a need to modify the audio coming from multiple microphones and instruments (that are played simultaneously) to create a clear, solid mix. With a good mixer, there’s no need to worry about a particular sound overpowering others.
These days you’ll be able to find mixers with built-in USB or Thunderbolt, which eliminates the need for a separate audio interface. There are also music production programs that offer virtual mixing minus the hardware. However, many professional music producers choose to have standalone devices so they can have more inputs, effects, higher-quality preamps, filters, and so on. The manual tweaking on a mixing hardware also allows you to make more accurate and intuitive adjustments for each audio signal.
If you’re a podcaster, we have a list of the best mixers for podcasting.
Features to Consider When Choosing Audio Interface vs Mixer
Intended Use
An audio interface is the gold standard for connecting microphones and instruments to your computer to record. If you want to the ability to record high-quality audio from a single source, or maybe just a few sources simultaneously, an interface is the best bet.
Mixers work for broadcast, streaming, and live sound reinforcement. They offer the ability to combine and “mix” diverse sound sources. Mixers also provide onboard effects for a slightly polished, straight-to-audience sound. You can record to DAW with a USB mixer, but be sure to clarify it has the capability — look for “USB audio interface” somewhere in the tech specs.
When you’re considering an audio interface vs. mixer, what you plan to do with it is the most important factor.
Inputs and Outputs
A large majority of interfaces for home studios come with one to four mic preamps, Hi-Z inputs for instruments like electric guitar, keyboards, and bass, and at least a pair of line outputs to connect speaker monitors. For high-quality recording of single, or up to a few sources, an audio interface is all you need.
Multichannel mixers run from as little as four to as many as 64 channels on bigger desks. That’s what makes them ideal for large productions and multi-source setups. The wide range of I/O is flexible, but is most likely overkill for the average home studio. Again, it depends on how you’re going to use it.
Effects
Audio interfaces do not come with effects. That’s because they record straight to a DAW, in which you can use plugins. Some interfaces will have a high-pass filter, and specialized ones like the Universal Audio series have built-in preamp modeling and compression circuits, but this isn’t the norm.
Mixers do come with built-in effects like EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and modulation. This way, you can process the sound before it reaches listeners. This is a must for streaming, broadcast, and live sound, but is less useful for recording (unless it’s a specific creative choice). You have to be careful about which effects you print to DAW, since these can’t be undone. It’s usually preferable to record dry, or close to dry, and mix in your DAW.
Footprint
Another consideration is a practical one. How much space do you have in your studio? Audio interfaces tend to be sleek and portable, taking up very little desktop space. On the other hand, mixers are big and take up more space. In terms of size, the former wins in the audio interface vs mixer debate.
Audio Interface vs Mixer Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a mixer if I have an audio interface?
Generally, you do not need a mixer if you already have an audio interface. The interface connects your microphones and instruments to your computer for recording. This way, you don’t need any additional devices to connect your studio’s components.
Under very specific circumstances, there’s a chance you’d want to route the summed stereo output of a mixer to an interface for recording. However, if you know you need a mixer to combine a variety of sound sources, and you intend to record, an easier way is to buy one that doubles as a USB interface to record.
Does a digital mixer sound better than DAW?
A digital mixer does not sound better than what a DAW can achieve. Mixer effects are limited, in that they are just enough to get by in a live sound or broadcasting situation. You can accomplish much more working with recorded audio in a DAW. There, you have access to potentially hundreds of third-party plugins that manipulate the sound in a number of ways.
DAWs are designed for professional recording, editing, mixing, and mastering. Meanwhile, digital mixers combine multiple sound sources with just a few basic effects to moderately improve the quality for audiences. Really, digital mixers and DAWs serve different purposes altogether.
Can an audio interface replace a mixer?
An audio interface cannot replace a mixer for live sound reinforcement. It can replace a mixer for any sort of small recording or streaming setup, with, say, one or two microphones, a solo instrumentalist, or something similar. If an interface has all of the inputs and outputs you need, then you’re good to go!
When it comes to an audio interface vs mixer, it ultimately depends on how you intend to use it. Most people will probably want an audio interface for their home studio.
Audio Interface vs Mixer for Recording: The Verdict
If you’re a beginner with a fairly small home studio or very basic recording needs, you might not need some of the features found in most mixers. But while this eliminates the need for a hardware audio mixer, we would still recommend that you use music production software on your computer for your mixing needs.
A dedicated mixer can be optional if you only tend to record from one to two sound sources. However, the audio interface is another story. If you want high-quality audio, this device is absolutely essential.
Then again, your decision mainly depends on your preference and long-term goals. If you have the budget, space, and patience for it, you can always get both. This is especially true if you want to try your hand in experimenting with a mixer and discovering everything that it can do to transform your sound. If you’re interested in a career in music production, then it’s definitely worth the investment.
