motu m4 knobs question
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
Im considering getting one. Im not sure how good the headphone jack is, but I assume I should keep using my Magni 3 specially for 600 ohm phones. My question is: how do I plug in a Magni 3 in there as well as a pair of monitors, in order to control the monitors with the big MONITORS knob, and the Magni 3 gain with the small "input/playback" one?
Im just not sure how this works. I don't record or use instruments, I just need headphones and monitors, and be able to A/B on the fly with both. I used to be able to do this with my old NI AK1, but not sure if this is able to do this:
You see it had 2 separate 1/2 and 3/4 output knobs. So what I did was, have the headphones on 1/2 and the 2/3 would go into the Magni 3, this way I would have a hard cap on how loud would the Magni 3 get for security purposes, and I was able to have sound at the same time coming from headphones and monitors. With the m4 im not sure what that weird input/playback knob does.
Im actually considering finally investing in an RME that allows me to do that while also solving any future driver issues. If this was worth it, which one should I get? I don't like the Babyface, like I said before, I want to have separate knobs for stuff, im too paranoid to rely on software sliders, I blew up my eardrums once trusting that. I also want low ms when using VSTs but im assuming that has more to do with CPU power.
I was looking at the UCX II which while unfortunately only has one knob I think you can set hard caps for each line 1/2, 3/4 etc and are saved inside the internal memory of the thing which I assume I can trust more than software. Not sure how this works in practice.
Feedback much appreciated.
Im just not sure how this works. I don't record or use instruments, I just need headphones and monitors, and be able to A/B on the fly with both. I used to be able to do this with my old NI AK1, but not sure if this is able to do this:
You see it had 2 separate 1/2 and 3/4 output knobs. So what I did was, have the headphones on 1/2 and the 2/3 would go into the Magni 3, this way I would have a hard cap on how loud would the Magni 3 get for security purposes, and I was able to have sound at the same time coming from headphones and monitors. With the m4 im not sure what that weird input/playback knob does.
Im actually considering finally investing in an RME that allows me to do that while also solving any future driver issues. If this was worth it, which one should I get? I don't like the Babyface, like I said before, I want to have separate knobs for stuff, im too paranoid to rely on software sliders, I blew up my eardrums once trusting that. I also want low ms when using VSTs but im assuming that has more to do with CPU power.
I was looking at the UCX II which while unfortunately only has one knob I think you can set hard caps for each line 1/2, 3/4 etc and are saved inside the internal memory of the thing which I assume I can trust more than software. Not sure how this works in practice.
Feedback much appreciated.
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 35189 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from the wilds of wanny
Looks like the input/playback knob is for mixing between the input signal and the DAW when recording external instruments, but it does have a button for switching between outputs 1/2 and 3/4. You could connect the line outs to the Magni's line ins and control the headphone volume from there and connect the monitors to the monitor outs. I would also have a look at the manual
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
Im not sure, here's the manual:thecontrolcentre wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 4:39 am Looks like the input/playback knob is for mixing between the input signal and the DAW when recording external instruments, but it does have a button for switching between outputs 1/2 and 3/4. You could connect the line outs to the Magni's line ins and control the headphone volume from there and connect the monitors to the monitor outs. I would also have a look at the manual
https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/usb-c ... _Guide.pdf
8. Engages hardware (direct) monitoring for inputs 3-4 on
the rear panel. See (10) below for more information.
So im going to be using the same big MONITOR knob to control 3/4 when the 3/4 button is pressed? or the small INPUT->PLAYBACK knob? This would be what I want, 2 different knobs, not having to press a button to control 2 things with the same knob.10. Engage the MON (monitor) button to enable hardware
(direct) monitoring, which routes the channel’s input
signal directly to the outputs and pans the mono signal
evenly across both outputs (1-2). A blue box appears
around the input channel number in the LCD to indicate
that hardware monitoring is engage. Press and hold the
MON button to engage stereo monitoring for both inputs.
In this mode, Input 1 is routed to Output 1 and Input 2 is
routed to Output 2, allo
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 664 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
I had no problem using 600ohm AKG headphones right out the phones out.
The big knob is your main out volume control - 'OUT 1-2' in the back. Yes, you have two duplicate sets of line outs with independent levels. If you think this is complicated a higher-end interface would be a bad idea.
The big knob is your main out volume control - 'OUT 1-2' in the back. Yes, you have two duplicate sets of line outs with independent levels. If you think this is complicated a higher-end interface would be a bad idea.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
So what does control the 3/4's?Constructed Identity wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 11:14 pm I had no problem using 600ohm AKG headphones right out the phones out.
The big knob is your main out volume control - 'OUT 1-2' in the back. Yes, you have two duplicate sets of line outs with independent levels. If you think this is complicated a higher-end interface would be a bad idea.
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 664 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
Now I remember, 3-4 is a direct out. No outside control, you would control the output from your DAW after selecting 3-4 for the output.faze123 wrote: ↑Sat May 27, 2023 1:35 amSo what does control the 3/4's?Constructed Identity wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 11:14 pm I had no problem using 600ohm AKG headphones right out the phones out.
The big knob is your main out volume control - 'OUT 1-2' in the back. Yes, you have two duplicate sets of line outs with independent levels. If you think this is complicated a higher-end interface would be a bad idea.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
So you would need to use the windows mixer for overall 3-4 volume control? wow, that sucks. What other devices that are similar in sound quality could I buy that have control of at least 2 pair of balanced outputs with a hardware knob that has a compact design?Constructed Identity wrote: ↑Sat May 27, 2023 3:46 amNow I remember, 3-4 is a direct out. No outside control, you would control the output from your DAW after selecting 3-4 for the output.faze123 wrote: ↑Sat May 27, 2023 1:35 amSo what does control the 3/4's?Constructed Identity wrote: ↑Fri May 26, 2023 11:14 pm I had no problem using 600ohm AKG headphones right out the phones out.
The big knob is your main out volume control - 'OUT 1-2' in the back. Yes, you have two duplicate sets of line outs with independent levels. If you think this is complicated a higher-end interface would be a bad idea.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 35189 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from the wilds of wanny
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- KVRAF
- 2550 posts since 13 Mar, 2004
At least when using it with a DAW adding a hardware send to out 3+4 should work I guess (don't have the device myself but used to use a MOTU 828, that's how I sent out stuff to the line outs other than master).
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
But when not using a daw just regular sound from windows, games or whatever, will headphones and monitors work at once?
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 664 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
Yes, that is right if you are trying to use both 1+2 and 3+4 outs. The thing is, both of these outs are duplicated in RCA plugs on the back of the M4 and isn't your headphone amp RCA?
I still have my M4, but it is in storage for if I ever play live.
You should just go to MOTU's website and download its manual.
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- KVRer
- Topic Starter
- 15 posts since 18 Nov, 2021
I've read the manual there but im not sure:Constructed Identity wrote: ↑Sun May 28, 2023 2:20 amYes, that is right if you are trying to use both 1+2 and 3+4 outs. The thing is, both of these outs are duplicated in RCA plugs on the back of the M4 and isn't your headphone amp RCA?
I still have my M4, but it is in storage for if I ever play live.
You should just go to MOTU's website and download its manual.
https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/usb-c ... _Guide.pdf
Yeah Magni 3 is RCA. So you are saying to plug them on MONITOR RCA 1-2 and so both would be controlled via the big MONITOR knob? that would do assuming sound quality is the same balanced vs unbalanced the eternal debate but from what I remember reading this is irrelevant unless you have super long cables then balanced wins.
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Constructed Identity Constructed Identity https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=288890
- KVRian
- 664 posts since 29 Sep, 2012 from Minnesota
The manual quick reference #13 "These unbalanced RCA analog outputs mirror the signal on their corresponding quarter-inch outputs (14). You can connect them to a second set of speakers or other destinations."