It doesn't sound like you need a quality preamp since you are recording line level inputs, so basically all you're concerned about is the AD/DA converters, and I'd be hard pressed to believe that you could tell a difference in quality between a cheap USB external card and the onboard inputs. We are talking about a DJ mix here as well, so it's not like we need to capture acoustics or live instruments. Using good recording techniques, you should be fine, unless the onboard sound is complete crap.
It sounds like you're just starting out with recording, so why not explore what your machine can do without buying a card you don't need right now?
Once you move into music production, multitracking, recording multiple streams separately, recording live instruments, or wanting low latency or something like Serato, then get your card.
Also, USB interfaces are cheap-ish so it's not going to hurt to get one of course. But if you're just recording a single stereo input, your Mac will more than do that job for you at a good quality.
By core audio I mean using your Mac's onboard sound.
I'm terrible at getting myself across but I certainly do appreciate your reply
I'm new to recording on the digital front but have worked with various audio gear in the past , mainly sound engineering at low key gigs (indoor/outdoor), clubs etc but it's time for me to step up now and take things further , especially with audio quality and getting all the gear up to date .
(We've been using older Macs on 10.4 to record directly in the audio port)
Serato is actually a key part of what we're trying to get going here( as is the Ableton software), in fact , it's the next item on the shopping list after the machine and any other gear we need ,along with a new for the road dj mixer and bleton controlling device ( or an all in one with Midi etc ?) this is one of the main reasons I'm here asking about this kind of thing, so having someone mention it within the context I'm interested in is fantastic , thanks .
What I think we need is some device that can almost ensure good audio quality , I know I know , but I just want to record what we do with the best audio possible for our cd's etc that help pay for the gear , you know then I can be proud of not only the music but the audio quality obtained
arrgh , what to do ?.I suppose this is why no FW freaked me a little , I've been reading up on various FW cards but then MB , no FW , ......and we just bought a dual port (FW400/USB) external for storing files and working with Serato Lucky thing I didn't buy three as I intended (supplier only had one of the type I liked)...
What to do ? , start a learning curve all over again for USB working with SSL ? what to do ? I'm rambling again , and this is probably an incoherent post to most , so I'll leave it at that , and hope you guys understand what I'm talking about
so many questions , and I don't know how to express them
