Suggestions on what gear I need to monitor headphones and monitors

[joe2004]

Hi Guys,

I have a sound card that outputs balanced L & R 1/4. EMU 0404 PCI card

1 I want to take the output of the sound card to a mixer so I can control the volume of my studio monitors. Whats hardware do i need ?

2 I also want to use a beyerdynamic dt 990 pro headphones. 250 Ohm version. I would like to get an AMP for this. Do I take the output from the mixer and go in to the AMP and then to the headphones?

3 Last question is can I control what audio is being outputted? meaning if i want to hear the headphones I push a button and hear the headphones and vice versa with the studio monitions. I Don't want to hear both at the same time.

budget is around 200 to 250 for amp and mixer.

Thank you guys,

[BertKoor]

What hardware? Isn't a mixer hardware? There used to be a SM-pro device (nanomix I think it was called) that did exactly what you wanted.

Most, if not all, mixers have a knob to set headphone volume separate from the main mix level (for monitors)
Just take off the cans and engage master volume again.

A decent mixer has a headphone amp more than capable to drive a set of 250 ohm cans. If not, return it within 30 days and pick another brand.

What brand? I have good experience with Mackie, Allen&Heath (zed series)

[whyterabbyt]

1 I want to take the output of the sound card to a mixer so I can control the volume of my studio monitors. Whats hardware do i need ?

another mixer, with output volume controls on it.

2 I also want to use a beyerdynamic dt 990 pro headphones. 250 Ohm version. I would like to get an AMP for this. Do I take the output from the mixer and go in to the AMP and then to the headphones?

nope, you need a third mixer, this time one with a headphone volume control.

3 Last question is can I control what audio is being outputted? meaning if i want to hear the headphones I push a button and hear the headphones and vice versa with the studio monitions. I Don't want to hear both at the same time.

tricky. you might need a 4th mixer here.

although you could always skip all the mixers and get a passive volume/switcher box like this one

https://www.scan.co.uk/products/mackie- ... with-no-po

you'd need a Y-cable for your headphones

[joe2004]

OK i figured it out and should just work.

I have the behringer 802 mixer. Ill take the out from the sound card go in to the mixer then take out main out to the monitors and control room out to the headphones. I think this will eliminate the need for an amp and can control the volume with the mixer. Thanks

[thecontrolcentre]

OK i figured it out and should just work.

I have the behringer 802 mixer. Ill take the out from the sound card go in to the mixer then take out main out to the monitors and control room out to the headphones. I think this will eliminate the need for an amp and can control the volume with the mixer. Thanks

Be sure to connect the soundcard to the 2 track input/output to stop any feedback loops occurring. That way you can monitor the computer from headphones and/or monitors by using the 2-tr to control room (for headphones) or 2-tr to mix (for monitors) buttons. Don't use control room out for headphones ... use the headphone out.

[whyterabbyt]

OK i figured it out and should just work.

I have the behringer 802 mixer. Ill take the out from the sound card go in to the mixer then take out main out to the monitors and control room out to the headphones. I think this will eliminate the need for an amp and can control the volume with the mixer. Thanks

Be sure to connect the soundcard to the 2 track input/output to stop any feedback loops occurring. That way you can monitor the computer from headphones and/or monitors by using the 2-tr to control room (for headphones) or 2-tr to mix (for monitors) buttons. Don't use control room out for headphones ... use the headphone out.

[img]

What TCC said. I used a similar Behringer for the same thing for years.

[joe2004]

But when you use the RCA out to the Monitors do you loose any quality vs going balanced in to the monitors ?

[thecontrolcentre]

But when you use the RCA out to the Monitors do you loose any quality vs going balanced in to the monitors ?

You don't use the RCA out for the monitors. You use the main outs. You use the RCA outs for the soundcard in/out as I explained above.

[joe2004]

OK I see. My outs from the sound card are balanced 1/4 so need to get an adapter to go from 1/4 to RCA in on the mixer..

I don't record or feed any signal to the input on the card.

[thecontrolcentre]

Yeah. I would buy this cable (or similar) rather than an adaptor (you would need 2 adaptors).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stagg-STC3PCM- ... 164&sr=8-3

[joe2004]

Got it. So does this effect anything as far as it being unbalanced vs balanced ?

[thecontrolcentre]

I thought it may be balanced as the description says "Stagg deluxe 3 meter Twin Jack to Phono Cable. Great for use in live situations or in the studio as this secure, durable, high quality cable helps to reduce audio interference and hum."

[BertKoor]

Just look at the plugs: TS not TRS, so no way it's balanced.

But it won't matter, it's exactly what you need.
Either one dedicated RCA-TS cable or two adapters.

[edthesoundman]

Frankly, if your budget is $200 to $250 I'm thinking that you should just buy a USB audio interface, forget the soundcard and call it a day. Look into audio interface options in that price range and I think that you'll find this to be the simplest solution to your problem.

Concerning balanced vs unbalanced: think of a wire as an antenna (because it is). It picks up interference from the air as well as from other nearby electronics and wires. Balanced devices/cables are able to "cancel out" that interference. Unbalanced cables with good shielding can block that interference to a degree, but you'll want to keep those cable runs as short as possible. Balanced is usually TRS or XLR; unbalanced is usually TS or RCA. Hope this helps!