Audio Interface concerns

I am not sure what you mean. Are you talking about the direct monitor or the line inputs in the back?

 

Input/playback monitoring like you would do on a reel to reel machine is controlled in your DAW, not your audio interface.

 

Are you referring to the knob you see on many interfaces that allows you to monitor your input signal before it leaves the interface when set to input versus hearing it after it comes back from the computer when set to playback?

If so, it is indeed a handy feature. It won’t be zero latency like many manufacturers claim since these all monitor after the AD when set to input, but it’ll be small enough latency to imperceptible. I have a cheap Presonus Studio24C as a backup in my studio in case my primary converters ever fail in the middle of a session. Even this cheap little unit has this feature.

 

It’s definitely useful, but if you have a sufficiently powerful computer and can calculate the latency sample offset by doing a loopback test for each sample rate then it doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker for keeping a particular interface.

 

Lowering the DAW output without affecting the bass signal is not a function of input monitoring versus software monitoring. That can be achieved using either method.

You can’t replicate the feature in Logic. It’s a different process. Enable software monitoring, turn the channel fader for your bass up and turn everything else down.

 

Easy way is with stereo buses. Send everything except the bass to one and the bass to another. I don't use Logic but in Cubase it is a simple option in the output of each channel. It will automatically set up the bus channels.

 

Weird, my 2i2 gen 3 has direct monitoring. You must have an older one. But what’s weird is you said you’d return it? Didn’t you recently buy an older one?

 

It's simple to do in Logic as well. Just click on the output of a channel or group of channels in the mixer view and select a buss. If there isn't one created, when you select a buss it will automatically create it for you.

 

You Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 has the "direct monitor" button to the left of the big monitor level control and down near the bottom. That allows you to do what we used to call "sound on sound" with the old 7½" and 10" reel-to- reel tape machines. You can hear the music on the track while recording another track that is in perfect sync with it. It is a 3-position control and will light up on small green circle for mono, two overlapping circles for stereo, and no light when it is off. Normally you record in mono because you are putting your sound on one track. It works great.

 

Akai EIE does this in the box, not the DAW. You blend the input with the audio from the DAW so no latency in monitoring. Only 4 input channels though.

 

Mine has it too

 

Useful knob for sure. If any other interfaces have it, they’re probably not going to be less expensive or better than the 2i4.

 

So basically you’re wanting more control over the mix of the sound you’re recording and what’s already there? I just adjust this by changing the levels of the already recorded tracks and the monitoring level output. For example if Im tracking bass and want to hear the bass louder I turn down the tracks in my DAW and turn up my monitor knob on the 2i2. Sometimes I even mute tracks I don’t want to hear while tracking stuff. I’m not worried about moving around the levels in my DAW because I know I’m going to tweak them after the fact anyways.

 

I use an M-Audio Air 192/14. It has a "Direct Monitor/USB" knob.. turning it fully left is only the input signals, turning it fully right is only the USB signal (computer audio/DAW).

I thought that was pretty common these days? the 2 in 2 out M-Audio Air 192/4 for $120 USD has it as well, which is less expensive than a new 2i4.

It's two inputs are one xlr/quarter inch combo jack, and an additional 1/4th instrument level jack.

The 192/6 is like $170 USD (still cheaper than a 2i4) and has two xlr/quarter combos and two 1/4th inputs.