Monitors.

[FrenzyFingers]

Hi Folks, Im kinda old musician but a total newb in sound engeneering, so i would have some question that disturbs me too much.

I have a M-Audio Firewire Solo sound card. Its a pretty good card for recording external instruments like mics , 1/4" guitars and other stuff.
What I cant understand is , which type of monitors do I need?

Should they be active ? which type of cables ? balanced / unbalanced?
what the difference?

Here is my card



as you can see i have two balanced 1/4 outputs ... is there stereo both or it is just a different sides of the stereo?

P.S , I dont have a good amp. Just a Sony stereo system which's aux serviced as an amp. I was taking the headphones output.
P.S, Sorry for my english , its my third language.
Thank you ...

[Omnivox]

Hi Folks, Im kinda old musician but a total newb in sound engeneering, so i would have some question that disturbs me too much.

I have a M-Audio Firewire Solo sound card. Its a pretty good card for recording external instruments like mics , 1/4" guitars and other stuff.
What I cant understand is , which type of monitors do I need?

Should they be active ? which type of cables ? balanced / unbalanced?
what the difference?

Here is my card



as you can see i have two balanced 1/4 outputs ... is there stereo both or it is just a different sides of the stereo?

P.S , I dont have a good amp. Just a Sony stereo system which's aux serviced as an amp. I was taking the headphones output.
P.S, Sorry for my english , its my third language.
Thank you ...

you can use one of these combinations:
1) passive monitors connected to an amplifier (like the one you already have, sort of ), which is connected to your card with unbalanced cables (since your amp does not have balanced inputs)
2) active monitors connected directly to your card by using balanced cables
3) active monitors connected directly to your card by using unbalanced cables

it is completely up to you. you decide what you can pay for. for example, i had a hifi system with rotel amp and castle speakers, and i got myself a pair of passive monitors, since i rather like this amp. if you choose active monitors, it would not hurt to use balanced cables, so it is reccomended. however, if you use your setup at home, unbalanced is fine. however, i do not know if your output level control affects the line output. if it does not, you will need an additional volume control, like a mixer.

[FrenzyFingers]

Looks like all i need is a active monitors , which i connect with two rca cables.
am i right ?
what is the big difference between balanced and unbalanced ?
i used to read about it, but it looks like i understand the difference little cloudly ...

and , should I connect it with 1/4s ?