Hi,
I'm currently trying to wrap my head around several options for different PCs to be used for audio production. I've checked out some of the other threads around here and found a lot of info, especially in regards to recommended hardware. So what I take from that is that Asus and Gigabyte make the most stable mainboards, and that using a Samsung Evo is advisable because it's widespread and that minimizes the potential for issues.

There is one thing that is still not clear to me. Is it viable to use the onboard sound chips found in many mainboards - say, in most Asus or Gigabyte midprice mainboards - for audio production? From what I gather the downsides are interferences noises from other PC components, latency issues and inferior sound quality. If not, what is a good and cheap external interface that handles all audio, delivers lower or better latency than the onboard solution, and gives accurate representation of the sound? To be used via USB. I've used external sound cards in the past and it was always a finnicky experience (and that was just for playing back music).

I know that using a dedicated PCI sound card would be a better idea, and I also know that building my own machine is most often a better idea too, but I'm also considering buying pre built machines on a budget and weighing my options so that's why I ask. It seems to me that audio production on a PC doesn't need to be expensive as long as you're not trying to load a ton of Kontakt instruments.

 

https://audiosex.pro/threads/do-i-need-an-audio-interface.43992
Read the full thread.

 

Thank you. I remember reading most of that thread the other day but I was left more confused than before. What I took from it was, onboard sound is sufficient as long as the DAW/project uses as few tracks and instruments as possible until you get crackles and pops, and then an external interface may or may not improve it. I couldn't take much information from that for myself, personally. It was by wasgedn's links that I found the other thread that I was referencing, where they talk about Gigabyte and Asus mainboards. Which is great info to have, but it feels like I'm still missing some very basic understanding of what I actually need and what would help. Thank you for your reply anyway.

 

You should get an audio interface. You can get M Audio M Hub for £50 - i know its more money, but I think if you plan on making music for any length of time you should get one. There are a few to choose from in that price range. Most come with additional plug ins so have a look around. Get a second hand one from somewhere reputable if need be. I have messed with Asio4All etc trying to use internal sound when i started but quickly got an audio interface and didnt look back. It will reduce latency and take the load off the computer. At entry level most of them are much the same in terms of tecnology, so dont get too bogged down by it. M Audio, Focusrite etc, all reputable companies. Watch a few reviews on youtube then make your choice. I use The Maudio M Hub here, doubles as a usb hub. I also have the m audio 2x2 and focusrie 1in and out one, from over the years. Hoenstly, just get an audio interface. It seriously is required. Once its plugged in your set, they arent difficult to use or anything. Good luck friend

 

I used a store bought Acer laptop circa 2014 with focusrite interface for years. Laptop cost 500, got me pretty far with bouncing audio etc. I now use a custom built laptop and custom desktop with a mix of sound cards. Maschine Mk3 onboard one, or the M Hub. I can personally recomend the M Hub one. its decent. As i said, all the big companies, Maudio, Focusrite, Alesis, Roland, they all have cheap £100 and under interfaces that use very similar tecnology. they will all give you high quality enough sound to produce. I also have the Akai RPM3 monitors. which double up as a soundcard and reference speakers. I used them for yeeeeaaaars and when i listen back to my mixes on them on my newer krk studio monitors they sound pristine and very much up to standard.

 

Onboard sound used in conjunction with something like ASIO4ALL can do in a pinch if you are on holiday with just a laptop or are too poor and starting out with no money at all. I wouldn't consider using it seriously, and i'm sure some would balk at that, but that's my personal opinion.

Consider the external soundcard much like a graphics card. You 'can' use onboard (intel) graphics chips to play some games, but it's a poor choice compared to a GPU. You want a dedicated accelerated device to handle the generation of graphics or sound.

No matter what motherboard you choose you will find the companies sometimes cut corners on how the USB is shared with each other, or, shared with other devices in the system. Every time they come out with a new USB standard there is a time where there are many poorly made chips on the motherboards which do the USB support.

A USB audio device should preferably have it's own port, unshared and not on a hub.

As to which device is recommended, that's a hard call. Things like Focusrite soundcards can work but they also have driver issues. They're on the so-called cheap end.

Perhaps something here will help.

 

Note that what will be important is the quality of the headphones you use in terms of accurate soud representation. The audio interface will handle the processing (so o speak) of audio, but youll need decent headphones to fully benefit. Krk do entry level ones that are relitively flat response. Which means they dont add anything to your music. Many consumer headphones boost the low end etc, which is problemtic if your are trying to produce. Again dont get too bogged down by it though, and dont worry about buying the best of the best. I use the M audio Hub and Krk KNS6400 headphones and i can get good mixes. I use krk rockit 5's for monitors, which i picked up further down the line on my journey. peace

 

Maudio one i use as its small and i can take it in my backpack when im out. I thoughtid onlyever use it when out, but i use it in the studio much of the time too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-M-...+hub&qid=1556383429&s=gateway&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

Maudio 2x2, which i also have. It has inputs for guitar etc its 25 pound more expensive than the other one. it done the job for me https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FFH5XMC/ref=psdc_407821031_t1_B01BYIP4IE

Focusrite one i used for a few years till the usb bit at the back fell out of it https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01E6T56EA/ref=psdc_407821031_t3_B01BYIP4IE it was fine. didnt have any driver problems. did the job.

Native instruments just released a new one for £79 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Native-Ins...&qid=1556383711&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-12 i dont have it, but i use the inbuilt one in maschine and it works just same as the others listed.

 

Hi! Thank you for taking the time to write all this information. That is very interesting stuff.

The first thing that surprises me is that using an external USB interface will actually reduce latency, because until now I thought that all kinds of signal flow would have to pass the USB port which would introduce latency and delays. But seems like, the fact that you would have a dedicated audio hardware takes so much strain away from the CPU that, in sum, you get less latency than if you were to use the mainboard audio. Interesting!

Thank you wuzzle for that link, I didn't know most of these. The Audient iD4 looks very interesting at its price range and supposedly comes with good DACs for decent sound quality, too. Will be a great option to have. I took another look around and found that some of these interfaces can cost way more than 1.000$ which surprised me, honestly. Interesting stuff.

So am I right to asume that, if I wanted better sound quality, it would be advisable to use an external DAC (or a DAC/headphone amp combo), but the problem with that is, that they don't come with dedicated ASIO drivers and that they would have bigger latency?

The cool thing about these interfaces, then, is that you can turn any computer or laptop with a decent CPU into a music production machine just by connecting the interface, that's really neat and it gives you options to buy pre built or used computers if you are on a tight budget.

And yeah I definitely need to get better or more neutral headphones. That would be a good investment, thanks for pointing that out again.