ok so i'm literally just getting started with doing music on my computer (i just got ableton yesterday) and i'm reading about these audio interfaces and such, like the m-audio firewire 410. my question is (brace yourself): what do i need this for? is this how i connect my computer to my monitors, or my mixer to my computer if i want to record a mix from the cdj's? does it improve the sound quality of the output of my computer? please, be gentle.

Well first off, the firewire interface is only for recording external hardware (such as keyboards, CDDJ, ttables).

The mixer is so that you can connect multiple sources up to the interface.

You should conect the line out from your computer to your monitors. But this could be different depending on your mixer.

If you just want to record a mix, you will need an interface and software. I would recommend Sound forge for recording your mixes.

Please clarify what exactly you want to know.

quote:

Originally posted by FuzzyGreen Well first off, the firewire interface is only for recording external hardware (such as keyboards, CDDJ, ttables).

Nah. It works as any other interface, it's just firewire instead of PCI/USB.

quote:

Originally posted by punjabi is this how i connect my computer to my monitors, or my mixer to my computer if i want to record a mix from the cdj's? does it improve the sound quality of the output of my computer?

Yep. You need an audio interface to handle the incoming and outgoing audio signals. And better (and usually more expensive) interface gives you a better sound quality. But it also gives you a lower latency, which is important when producing.

ok i plan to use ableton for mixing/producing using a keyboard MIDI controller, and i want to know if i need to buy anything else for my powerbook to allow me to do that. can i plug the MIDI controller directly into the computer? or is that what i would need one of these fancy interfaces for?

quote:

Originally posted by punjabi ok i plan to use ableton for mixing/producing using a keyboard MIDI controller, and i want to know if i need to buy anything else for my powerbook to allow me to do that. can i plug the MIDI controller directly into the computer? or is that what i would need one of these fancy interfaces for?

If you want to control the midi within Ableton using a midi keyboard, you'll just need a midi input on the sound card you get. Ableton is currently released with a pretty limited number of instruments, so you may want to look into more VSTs too.

My suggestion.... since you're asking a "how to I record audio" type question.... you have a lot of reading ahead of you before you attempt to produce. First off... read the Ableton manual... it'll teach you so much about production and how to use the software.

and... Read the FAQ page... I hardly believe you read any of it since you still managed to ask a question like this.

Take your time... learn the science of production.. and be patient.

a New Sound interface gives you:
1. More inputs to run external audio and synths into your computer
2. Lower Latency
3. Better sound quality..... ?

If you don't use any hardware synths you can get by with a cheap soundcard like a USB Audiophile, or maybe even built in soundcard and some low latency drivers (I don't know about those, I've never used a Mac in my life... I hate those things ), but using built in sound isn't the best idea, get your self some Pro-sumer USB/Firewire soundcard as soon as possible.

Do you have a midi keyboard already?? If you don't then get yourself a USB midi keyboard, then you won't need a midi interface to connect it to the computer, just plug it straight into the usb port. If you already have a midi keyboard that is not a USB keyboard then you have to get yourself a midi interface.

About software, you'll probably want to get some VST synths and effects... or whatever plugin format you mac'ers use