Reader Q&A: Should You Use an External Interface or Your Digital Console’s Internal Card for Smaart?
One of the most common questions I get from live sound engineers setting up Smaart for system tuning and optimization is this: “Should I use an external audio interface or the digital console’s built-in USB/Dante/MADI card to connect Smaart?”
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the trade-offs will help you make the best choice for your workflow.
The Convenience of the Internal Card
If you’re working primarily at front-of-house (FOH), tapping into the console’s internal card, whether it’s USB, Dante, or MADI, is incredibly convenient. Everything stays in the digital domain, which means no extra analog conversions, no additional cables cluttering your workspace, and one less device to power and carry.
The big advantage? Seamless integration. You can quickly route measurement signals and reference channels straight from the console into your Smaart computer without breaking the digital chain.
The Catch: The Reference Signal
Here’s where things get tricky, and where many engineers run into problems.
For Smaart’s Transfer Function measurement to be accurate, it needs a clean reference signal that represents exactly what is being sent to the PA before it hits the speakers. Ideally, this reference should be taken post-fader and post-EQ from the master bus.
If your console’s internal output (especially a USB recording card) taps the signal pre-fader or pre-processing, the trace you see in Smaart won’t reflect the EQ or level changes you’re making on the console. You’ll be chasing your tail, wondering why your corrective filters aren’t showing up in the measurement.
Always check your console’s routing documentation. Some digital desks allow flexible tap points, letting you choose post-processing sends. Others are fixed pre-fader, which severely limits their usefulness for real-time system tuning.
Why Many Touring Pros Still Prefer a Dedicated External Interface
Even when the console offers good internal options, most experienced touring engineers stick with a dedicated external measurement interface (like the Smaart I-O or similar high-quality 2-channel boxes).
Why?
- Reliability and independence: Smaart stays up and running even if the console crashes, needs a reboot, or you hand the desk over to a guest engineer.
- Consistent setup: Your measurement rig is always the same, regardless of the console brand or model you encounter on a festival or fly date.
- Flexible reference tapping: You can easily insert a splitter or use an analog/matrix send to grab a true post-processing reference without relying on the console’s potentially limited digital taps.
In short, an external interface gives you full control and peace of mind in high-pressure situations.
So, Which Should You Choose?
- If you’re on a fixed install, own your console, and have confirmed post-processing tap points available → the internal card can be a clean, elegant solution.
- If you tour, work festivals, or frequently switch consoles → invest in a dedicated external interface. The small added complexity is worth the reliability and accuracy.
Whichever path you take, always verify your reference signal path. A correct reference is the foundation of trustworthy measurements in Smaart.
Smaart is excellent on its own, but most users find they get much more out of it after some structured training. That’s where our seminars come in. At TZ Audio we run practical seminars, both online and in-venue. We offer seminar-only or full “all you need packages” including software & hardware. It’s simply the fastest way to become comfortable and confident with the measuring a sound system.
If you’re in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or Iceland – or elsewhere – we offer is online seminars and traveling to Norway is a valid option too of course. We’re here if you have any questions about the software or upcoming seminars.
Thanks for reading!