Loopback: Connecting audio interface line output to its own line input?

[LoveEnigma18]

Has anyone ever done this?

Basically, I want to run the audio from line output of my audio interface back to its line input for recording it through the audio interface's analog circuitry. Should be possible, right?

I have the Komplete Audio 6 interface and one of its line out pair (1/2) is going to my monitors. What I want to do is to change the audio output of the interface to the second pair (3/4; which is not connected anywhere), so that DAW will output on this. Then, I will run a pair of TRS cables from that output back into the Line In 1 and 2 ports of the same interface and record the audio back in DAW.

I remember doing this in the past, but I think it did not work. I have not done the experiment again, but I believe it should be possible since basically it is just line out to line in connection.

Any comments?

[AsPeeXXXVIII]

The only probable reason as to why it wouldn't work is that you didn't actually route the new outputs from your DAW. Other than that, it should be doable.

[vurt]

yeah i do it a lot, sending stuff out of reaktor to fx or the modular then back in on a line in.
as mentioned above, its about the routing and also making sure you don't create a feedback loops that pops your cones or ears.

if you have multiple outs though, easy

[mgw38]

This is a very common technique used for measuring speaker systems. You loop a noise signal coming out of the audio interface back into the audio interface so that you can get an accurate comparison between the signal sent to the audio interface and the signal coming out of the speaker system. Have done that many times. Some audio interfaces even allow to do that internally without any patch cable.

[LoveEnigma18]

Thanks for the suggestions/information, guys. Glad to know that it is doable. I will give it a shot again and see if it gives some joy.

[BertKoor]

This is exactly what you'd do to measure your interface with RMAA. Done that often enough.

But why? Your interface has decent AD/DA converters, flat freq response within 0.1 dB or so. So it's effect is not even audible.

Or is there an extra device in the loop?

[LoveEnigma18]

This is exactly what you'd do to measure your interface with RMAA. Done that often enough.

But why? Your interface has decent AD/DA converters, flat freq response within 0.1 dB or so. So it's effect is not even audible.

Or is there an extra device in the loop?

There is no device in the loop. Just trying to get the so called "analog" feel and have some fun.

I just did a couple of tests successfully with this loopback setup, one being a synth bass loop and one a piano loop. For some reasons, the audio recorded back through the audio interface sounds a little "thin" and "hollow". I felt it lacks the bass response a bit. I used SPAN to analyze the frequency content, but there is not much difference there. I compared the original and recorded audio by level matching them.

I have a doubt on the audio cable I am using. It is a decent quality, TRS cable, but I think that's the one making that little difference.

How does your recorded audio compare with the original? Any particular observations?

[vurt]

usually it's done to add a different effect (audio tests aside) not sure "a cable" is going to give you any analogue mojo, even one of those super expensive made of unicorn horn cables that audiophiles love.

but, ive never noticed any "loss of signal" on recording in, otherwise id be very annoyed about the lack of bass in my modular...

[LoveEnigma18]

usually it's done to add a different effect (audio tests aside) not sure "a cable" is going to give you any analogue mojo, even one of those super expensive made of unicorn horn cables that audiophiles love.

but, ive never noticed any "loss of signal" on recording in, otherwise id be very annoyed about the lack of bass in my modular...

Yeah, not expecting any analogue magic from cable, obviously.

I tried connecting things again and the sound seems fine now. But I am not sure it's worth doing this, as it's almost impossible to tell any difference of sound in the recorded audio.

[vurt]

well, there wont be.
unless you add something to alter it.
some sort of fx pedal or rack fx?

ehx do something specifically for this, its either the analogiser or the analiser
it supposedly adds "analogue" warmth to a digital signal
but find a nice compressor or an analogue delay, have some actual fun with it

[LoveEnigma18]

well, there wont be.
unless you add something to alter it.
some sort of fx pedal or rack fx?

ehx do something specifically for this, its either the analogiser or the analiser
it supposedly adds "analogue" warmth to a digital signal
but find a nice compressor or an analogue delay, have some actual fun with it

Yeah, that's right. I missed that. Unfortunately, I don't have any analog effects. Only thing I have is a Korg Monotron Delay, which I can try experimenting with. Not sure how much fun it will be. But thanks for the suggestions, I will try to get some hardware later. Do you have any particular model analogue hardware (can be a synth, effect or even a modular system - I recently got KeyLab MKII MIDI keyboard and it has some good modular connections) recommendation for a beginner? Affordable and something that has decent manipulation possibilities. I know it might be out of scope of this topic, but in case you can just throw in your known favorites without taking much time.

[vurt]

theres an awful lot of variables.
the main ones being "what kind of music are you making?" and "what are you trying to achieve?".

however, the monotron delay is a good place to start, not only does it have the delay but it also has a filter. both of which are actually quite nice, if you don't mind full scale dirt, which works for some things not for others.
try a slight full delay time, short feed back. send out a modulating pad and ride the filter on the monotron

otherwise, you might start thinking about what youd like to achieve beyond "a taste of analogue" and what youd get most use out of in future, be it a delay? some sort of dirt (distortion/fuzz)? then start viewing guitar pedal videos "pedals and effects" on youtube is pretty good as they sometimes get synths and drum machines involved too, a lot of the others its mainly guitars.
although the crème de la crème is "knobs" on youtube, if you subscribe there, be prepared to spend a lot of money

one option you could look at, the behringer neutron, that has a bbd delay, a drive and the filter, these would all add nice colour to a soft synth i reckon

[LoveEnigma18]

theres an awful lot of variables.
the main ones being "what kind of music are you making?" and "what are you trying to achieve?".

however, the monotron delay is a good place to start, not only does it have the delay but it also has a filter. both of which are actually quite nice, if you don't mind full scale dirt, which works for some things not for others.
try a slight full delay time, short feed back. send out a modulating pad and ride the filter on the monotron

otherwise, you might start thinking about what youd like to achieve beyond "a taste of analogue" and what youd get most use out of in future, be it a delay? some sort of dirt (distortion/fuzz)? then start viewing guitar pedal videos "pedals and effects" on youtube is pretty good as they sometimes get synths and drum machines involved too, a lot of the others its mainly guitars.
although the crème de la crème is "knobs" on youtube, if you subscribe there, be prepared to spend a lot of money

one option you could look at, the behringer neutron, that has a bbd delay, a drive and the filter, these would all add nice colour to a soft synth i reckon

Thank you so much for your time and suggestions.

Indeed, there are a lot of variables at play. I mostly make electronic/downtempo/alternative rock/pop stuff, so what I would look for is some sort of analog/modular hardware to give some diversity to my otherwise digital/computer based setup.

I tried monotron delay and it sounded like shit. I could barely hear the sound of the synth, it was all noise. Maybe I will need to change the batteries and give a try again, but I don't think it is of much use and seems more like a time waste.

I will look out for some videos, as you mentioned. I am of course not prepared to spend on analog hardware just yet. But it is interesting to have some information, which can be useful at any point later.

Behringer neutron looks pretty good. I think there are some products from Arturia as well in similar category. Will check these out.

[vurt]

yeah, like i said, the monotron is nice for some things
could be youre overloading it though? too hot an input signal, plus remember this is full wet.
the idea would be to record the delay track, then mix it with the original.
down low in the mix would give the synth track that analogue sound without destroying the synth sound.

but, its not for everyone, it is a very lofi delay.

these days though, theres plenty of options from reasonably cheap pedals to massively expensive
its a great time to be alive

[LoveEnigma18]

Lol, it is a nice frustration as well.

No, I did bring down its output quite a bit. But when I do that, the low level gets further lost in the noise. Thanks for the dry/wet suggestion, perhaps I will give one more try when I feel patient enough. But the noise that I heard really put me off. I lost the mood and have even put it for sale in a local marketplace.

Absolutely. Hopefully I will find something cheap but good.

Yes, but a great time to be distracted/confused as hell, too!