MacBook Pro Logic Pro X audio interface poor sound quality

Question

Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro Logic Pro X audio interface poor sound quality

Hi, I’ve been using Logic Pro X for a while now along with a PreSonus Studio Mobile audio interface. I use an amp between the interface and speakers and also very good headphones as and when needed. Sound quality has appeared fine. However, I’ve now I’m listening to my songs on different devices in order to better understand the quality of my mixes. I notice that playback directly through interface into headphones gives ve

ry poor sounding results. Also bounces and emailed projects played back on other devices is equally poor. So, I’m guessing use of the amp is falsely distorting the sound of my mix. But I cannot believe the sound quality can be so poor directly out of the interface into headphones. Am I missing something? No distortion or latency just really lo-fi and flat.

Thoughts very much appreciated.

MacBook Pro 2012 8gb

Presonus Studio mobile

NI Maschine

AKG headphones

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.3), Maschine Studio

Posted on Mar 11, 2018 10:27 AM

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Answer 1

Mfaraday Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 12, 2018 10:32 AM in response to Data Stream Studio

Hi,

I tried Spotify and it seems ok. So the question is why would I be getting a terrible mix from the Maschine DAW and the Logic DAW. It’s a Presonus mobile audio interface. Do you think there could be a setting somewhere that would cause this?

Thanks,

Michael

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Answer 2

Mar 12, 2018 2:30 PM in response to Mfaraday

I think the final test would be to take one of those Spotify type tracks, load it into an audio track in logic, and see if it sounds different coming out of logic Than it does coming directly out of Spotify.

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Answer 3

Pancenter

Level 6

14,644 points

Mar 12, 2018 6:02 PM in response to Mfaraday

Do you set the interfaces up in Logic's Preferences/Audio under Input and Output Devices?

Also your first post makes it sound like at one time mixes sound ok but later they did not. There's almost too many variables... the quality of your headphones...etc..etc.

So, generally Spotify sounds good while your mixes don't, how long have you been mixing? It's an art, like playing a musical instrument. It takes time to make a mix sound even remotely close to a commercial release.

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Answer 4

Mfaraday Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 14, 2018 8:41 AM in response to Pancenter

Hi, I’ve been arranging / mixing for over a year and now at the point where I want to take things further. Also have been listening to music in detail for many years and so audio quality is a passion. I use AKG 712 Pro headphones - listened to many these were the best IMO at £250 point. Having said that the minute I got going with logic and plugged AKG’s into the presonus headphone socket I was really disappointed. Really muddy straight out the box. Why? I don’t know but work around was to hook up hifi amp into hifi speakers and use Headphone socket on amp. Both hphones and speakers sound as good as reference CD’s. It’s time to revisit the whole set up but that doesn’t explain the poor presonus hphone quality. Thoughts appreciated

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Answer 5

Mar 11, 2018 11:26 AM in response to Mfaraday

When you say "amp" what do you mean? A hifi stereo power amp or a guitar amp for live playing?

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Answer 6

Mfaraday Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 11, 2018 1:30 PM in response to Data Stream Studio

Hi, yes alas a stereo amp. The sound quality coming directly out of the audio interface is really poor. This is the same if I I listen to a project directly out of NI’s Maschine too.

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