I did some light reading and I think interface+TRS is looking to be the better option for the following reasons:

• The monitors’ DAC might be modest (they are supposed to be for music production after all), but a dedicated audio interface which is built specifically for it would still likely have a better DAC than the monitors’ built-in interface. The specialty of a speaker is the actual speaker components, not the built-in interface.
• Using balanced TRS cables means you eliminate any noise before it hits the actual speaker components. While USB-C won’t have any analog noise, any noise that gets involved after it leaves the USB cable and as it gets processed from the speaker DAC and into the speaker components has no protection.

Do you think that’s a fair assessment?

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Id use USB to take an extra link from the signal chain.

This is what I was thinking as well, but then the question is, do I trust the monitors more than my interface to accurately process the signal? But you’re right, I guess the only way is to compare and see if there’s any difference. The problem now is that the burden is on me to identify which one is more accurate, instead of deferring to an actual proven fact that one is better than the other. lol

Thanks for responding!

My music, and hopefully by as many people as possible.

I maintain an instagram account solely for my artist profile to promote my music. I have the app installed on a separate phone that only uses wifi (no sim) and no other app installed and with restricted permissions.

I’d obviously take the money too, but as a musician, it would be so hard for me to give up the rights to my music. Then again, she likely didn’t write and produce her music so she probably doesn’t feel the same as someone who made their music themselves.

I have around 30 songs on Spotify. They should pay me $4.5M.

I make music and release them on streaming. I’m most proficient on keys, then guitars and drums next equally. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert simply because I never had formal lessons and I’m self-taught. But I would say I’m above the average player.

I also learned ukelele, bandurria, and flute growing up.

I make music and one of my goals is to get a song picked up by the shorts/tiktok algorithm so the streams grow exponentially. lol

I’ve actually been in this parking garage before.

Not mine, because I’m not famous enough for people to pirate my music lol. It would be flattering for me to be included in this batch of scraped music.

This means my music will be available to torrent. I feel honored! Makes me feel like my music is worthy enough to be pirated. lmao

I dunno why but recently I noticed I haven’t been passive listening to music. I used to have headphones while I work and music when I’m driving. Lately I’ve been driving in silence and working without headphones.

Probably because I make music on my off days and my ears get tired?

It’s both art and content for me. I listen to a very wide range of genres; from metal to jazz, EDM, prog, industrial, film scores, kpop, and more. Streaming platforms have a hard time profiling me just based on the stuff I listen to.

I’m also a musican, so it’s my “art” as well, because I create it to express myself. It’s been a huge part of my entire life.

I was able to get an 8-string headless guitar at close to half the price. Then recouped a little more by selling my current guitar. So all in all I “spent” 1/3 of the original price. One of best bang-for-buck deals I’ve gotten in a while.

Nice ghost notes! What are your influences? Do you have any interest in prog music?

Edit: I forgot to mention, the nostalgia! lol. I remember Boiler being one of my favorite songs from Chocolate Starfish during high school.

Ask yourself when you pick up a hobby: Are you in the top 10% in the world with that skillset or do you have the time and energy to be good enough to do it for a living? No? Then it’s not worth it to do it for the money. And even then, as you said, it’s more about marketing (i.e. you’re not that great but can be successful if you get a big enough following). And marketing is a whole different beast.

You can also think about the potential income stream just as a bonus that you don’t care if you get it or not. I make non-mainstream music and don’t really have the energy to market it, so I just post it where I can and hope people see it. I’ve earned $350 from streaming in 4 years. That’s not life changing money, but it’s a nice thing to have that I wouldn’t really care if I didn’t get.

I’m about to, tomorrow. I’ve been wanting an extended range headless guitar but headless versions have always been way more expensive than their regular counterparts. Found one on sale for close to half the original price, so I’m pulling the trigger before they run out. I’ll just sell my current guitar to make up a third of the price.