Since I can sample in the Fantom-S, why should I get a recording interface?

[Phait]

I've been wondering this. Since I can just sample straight into the board - be it from a mic, guitar, or a sequence itself.. then export to computer - where I would probably do further mixing and editing in Logic... I could save money by using the Fantom-S as the interface. But I'm sure there's something I'm missing, so if you could fill me in, thanks.

[zeronyne]

It's just not the same if you are doing linear vocals (singing it through). The concept is the same, but believe me, it will be far easier in the long run to have a solid a/d, d/a box. Unless you are doing tiny snippets of audio, singing into the Fantom and then exporting to the computer will require a lot of syncing that is not an issue.

 

It's worth the money for the ease and the control you have over the source vocal. Trust me.

[burningbusch]

To amplify on zeronyne's points. When you record/sample on a workstation you're recording to RAM. You then have to save it to hard disk or zip disk, etc. Saving and loading on workstations is VERY slow in comparison to using a computer. A computer will load a 64MB file in a few seconds, on a workstation those seconds turn into minutes. Eight tracks of 16-bit 44.1K audio requires 200MB of RAM. Transfering that back and forth between the computer via USB takes time as well.

 

With a DAW, when you press record the audio is recorded to the hard disk, not RAM--so you don't have to re-save the file, it's done. You are limited to your hard disk space, not your RAM.

 

The A/Ds on workstations are probably equivalent to the A/Ds built into your computer--entry level stuff. They are designed for use with the vocoder and basic sampling. You can do much better with just about any pro audio card.

 

Workstations record at 16-bits. When working with 16-bit audio any processing/editing of the audio must be done at 24+ bits, else you're run the high risk of mangling your audio. Just because a workstation has 24-bit DACs or 24-bit FXs does not mean that the entire audio chain is 24-bits. The manufacturers don't detail this info and as much of the internals use proprietary chips, it's anybody's guess. Computers inherently operate at 32-bits and soon 64-bits.

 

Busch.

[ManInTheBox]

if you are going to be doing serious projects, with real vocals or live instruments, then using Logic to record takes, then comping them down to one good take would be a lot easier than trying to do it on the Fantom-S. You never know when that magic is going to strike, so being able to record and document all takes is always a nice option to have.