QVprod wrote: ↑18 Dec 2017
skie wrote: ↑18 Dec 2017
^Selig, better mix translation is my goal. Reduce the number of times I have to listen in my studio, my car and my cellphone. Again just to rule out any ill effects of a lower quality interface (I realize it may not be affecting me but I was going to upgrade my interface regardless). I have room treatment and a good monitor system. This is the last link in the chain. Again there may not be drastic audible difference, but how can one really measure how much of a role even a subtle improvement in sound can affect one's work? Maybe just a subtle gain in quality suddenly allows you to hear your compressors and effects working more clearly?
If mix translation is the goal, the question would be what about the mix isn't translating? Too much bass? Harsh highs? I don't think any interface's converters are so bad that you can't hear compression clearly. Identify what the mix problems are, and you can identify the problem. I know you said you have a treated room but what treatment was done, the size of your room, and your monitoring location in the room all play a part in what you hear a lot more than the digital conversion. I get decent mixes with my 18i20.
^^Great advice!
Do you have an alternate set of monitors, and a good pair of phones? Is your room sounding fantastic as is? I cannot imagine you would be having problems with mixes translating if your monitors and room are the best they can be within your budget.
I would upgrade my hardware in order to produce cleaner recordings, but to improve mixing? Not so much. I can't see how more dynamic range, or a little less noise/distortion would possibly improve mix translation!
Mix translation has been a goal for me for years. To that end, I have invested in room measuring software and a good (but inexpensive) test microphone, which allows me to fine tune my room and see what changes are helping/hurting etc. Total cost: $150, and it's paid for itself many times over IMO. Gear: Fuzzmeasure ($100), Behringer test mic ($50).
Do you have more than one pair of monitors and a switcher? That's probably the most important tool for checking mix translation IMO.
I'm about to dump some $$$ into room treatments for my new space, which is quite small by studio standards (but maybe not by NYC bedroom standards!). The room is 9' x 9.5' x 10.5' tall. Basically a cube. I'm working with GIK acoustics at present to get the proper treatments for this sized room. I will end up with well over 10 panels in all including corner traps etc. No "foam", etc. And even then, I'll have a "decent" room that will be about as good as it can get within my size (and window/door placement) restrictions.
I don't know what treatments you've installed to date, or if you had professional help in choosing/placing the treatments, but $500 could go a long way towards improving your ability to make mixes that translate well if spent on treatments IMO. Same goes for monitors, unless you already have a couple of pairs that you absolutely love and trust.
For me all studio investment is about determining what the weak link is for your needs, and bring that up to par with the rest. If in the end you feel dynamic range and system noise/distortion is the weakest link, then by all means go for it. Will be interested (and others will be as well) in hearing back in a few months to see how your mixes have/have not improved, and I sincerely hope that whatever choice you make you DO end up with better mixes!