Hi.

i'm going to buy an 2i2(focusrite scarlett) but as I said in the topic description I don't wanna record something. I just wanna compose using the Piano Roll and VST instruments. so the question is do I really need an audio interface?

 

no, if you are not inputting external sound sources then you don't need one. I use my motherboards built in soundcard and that works fine, make sure to use an ASIO sound driver with your DAW/vsts

 

Agree. There's no need for an audio interface then.

The only down side is when you're using ASIO4All you can not get Audio from other Applications than you DAW.
But there's a free solution called VoiceMeeter (which I'm using).
Thus for example I can watch Youtube Videos while having my DAW open and still enjoy low latency.

 

thank you all

 

You still get better converters with a dedicated audio interface. Also better/lower latency.

 

WTF are you guys serious??
Only baxter knows what he's talking about. apparently

You don't NEED an interface. But it sure makes a whole lot of difference when you do have one.
Not sure if that scarlet is better then your build-in tho.

AD/DA conversion is not only about recording, the DAc part takes on the task to play your music as well as possible.

Do a bounce with two different interfaces and you'll hear difference in quality/character. depending on the pricetag and.or manufacturer

 

This. This is like that question "do I need studio monitors?" Yes, you do. You need to be able to accurately hear what you are doing, so good AD/DA is essential. Plus, I've found the stability/lower latency to be night and day between generic asio4all and using a dedicated interface.

 

thank you. *yes* so far I've understood the importance of the lower latency and quality of sound. but what's the importance of "playing" as well as possible? I can't understand the "playing" part.

 

thanks what interface(budget) do you suggest?

 

I would say sound cards are important for giving you balanced outputs too those y cables can get pritty noisy if your unlucky.

 

I'd get one... onboard sound 99% of the time is shite.

 

if you are confused as to whether buy or not i'd strongly advise to buy it..

make sure you get -

1. minimum 2 inputs viz. xlr/trs
2. phantom power
3. midi ports in and out

without a decent dac you won't be able to export your tracks properly..unless of course you don't want to..

for "playing" - if your usb interface carries a dedicated record button than it will be a blessing..it makes recording easy..imagine having to use the mouse everytime you wan't to press the red button..it hampers creativity - its a left brain - right brain 'out of sync' thing..

edit..

i would myself, at this point of time, either get a RME babyface or Apogee duet..at entry level prices do not buy Tascam, MAudio, Behringer etc..
Focusrite is pretty good..pretty pretty good

 

thank you but what if I don't wanna record anything and just use VSTs with MIDI?

 

by the way, I read somewhere about the possible need for an amplifier to power my headphone(sennheiser hd280 pro). the scarlett 2i2(focusrite) has a microphone jack. my question is will I need another amp for my headphone or the interface does it?

 

If you don't wanna record then i guess you can go with onboard sound..but before exporting your tracks borrow a similar device and use it..on-board sound is the worst..!!

but this is strictly for computers with good processors..or else latency will kick in..software latency solutions can never be as good as a hardware solution..

and yes i have the same headphone..plus a few more..and i think a headphone amp will definitely help..but i think amps are not part of the package for the focusrite..anyways i would recommend to track on a low volume..its good habit..

hope it helps..