Audio Interface

Hello,

I have a question about my macbook as a sample source for my mpc1000. Im now using the build in output of the macbook to the record in(analog) of the mpc1000. It works fine but what i want to know is; do i need a audio interface to increase the sound quality going in the mpc or doesnt it matter? Do you hear the difference when i sample into the mp with the build in output of the macbook or the audio interface

Im about to buy a focusrite scarlett 2i2 depending on my needs.

Peace and thanks!

Absolutely. The built-in audio cards on macbooks are not very good. (I have a macbook, and an interface that I always use, so I know)

Both in and out, e.g. I always use my interface, which has a pretty good headphone amp, when listening to music on my laptop.

^

If you look into the specs on a separate interface compared to the inbuilt audio output/1/8" jack you'll likely see dynamic range differences with the interface being 102-115 dB compared to a number in the 90's most likely for in-built audio. And the increased clarity and stereo imaging a separate interface provides is great for all your computer audio as sciguy mentioned.

or use the mpc to record itself then transfer the WAV via usb to your computer. perfect copy and its free

narquatics wrote:or use the mpc to record itself then transfer the WAV via usb to your computer. perfect copy and its free

True, but with some limitations. e.g. you can't do song mode (without export to sequence, which messes up track mutes and doesn't work if you haven't kept parameters consistent between tracks in all sequences.)
and you can't change sequences/track mutes on the fly.


Also, I just realized that the OP was talking about sampling from the macbook into the mpc.
Why not just connect via usb and transfer that way?

Thanks for all the replies,

its more like.. i sample my macbook with 2x 1/4 to 1x 3.5, and i just wanted to know if a audio interface makes the quality of the outcoming sound better. And now i know; it does:)

thanks!