Hooking monitors to a DAW (err computer!)

[VitaminD]

another page in the education of a vittyman,

For normal speakers you just attach them to the green multimedia jack on the back of the gaming sound card.. and bob's yer uncle.

but for 'studio monitors' I would want a level control (which im guessing would be through a small mixer)

so how does the connection really go? ..mixer to audiocard and audiocard to monitors ? thats a lot of potential noise though, correct?

here is a graphic (from the m-audio website) that shows the back of my audiocard to give you an idea of the connectors im dealing with:

http://www.m-audio.com/images/en/callou ... _cc779.jpg

also note I'd like to use the digital out..

so basically what I'd want is to hook a set of monitors to my computer (daw) and then have a real, actual knob or slider to contol the levels... and I'm unsure of how it works!

anyone please help

[pheeleep]

Hi Vitamin. Are you using powered monitors?

I have powered monitors.

I have two different soundcards. Both are going into my Roland Vs 1680 mixer/hard disc recorder. One on channels 1/2 ( L/R) and the other on 3/4 ( L/R ).

Then, I have the monitor output of my VS1680 going to my powered monitors.

There might be better methods.. keep in mind I have this expensive Roland mixer, so I use it... you might not need a fancy mixer.. just thought I would share my set up. Looking forward to see what other people have to say.

-edit- By the way I use the analog outs on my soundcards.. I haven't had the time/energy/desire to mess with the digital outs yet although I know I should.. I just need to buy the damm cables really...

[whyterabbyt]

Yeah, you'll probably need a mixer of some kind, unless you just want to tweak the master output level from the sound card's control panel, which is what I do.

But the noise shouldnt be an issue if the mixer is of any decent spec at all.

[VitaminD]

Hi Vitamin. Are you using powered monitors?

well I dont have any monitors.. but, yes, they will be powered when I can afford a pair (hopefully fairly soon)

I have powered monitors.

I have two different soundcards. Both are going into my Roland Vs 1680 mixer/hard disc recorder. One on channels 1/2 ( L/R) and the other on 3/4 ( L/R ).

Then, I have the monitor output of my VS1680 going to my powered monitors.

excellent.. I think this answers my question.. so there is a specific output that goes to the monitors and then through the mixer to the audiocard..

There might be better methods.. keep in mind I have this expensive Roland mixer, so I use it... you might not need a fancy mixer.. just thought I would share my set up. Looking forward to see what other people have to say.

well if anything I'd be getting a very, very basic mixer $100 or less just for the volume level..

I have a habit with my headphones of having the sound turned well up on some things (like soft passages in music).. forgetting its turned up.. and then playing something loud which makes me look like this I've also had orion crash on me before several times (cpu overloads) where the sound hung and I wasnt able to get to the software mixer.. so having a hardware control would be verry nice.

-edit- By the way I use the analog outs on my soundcards.. I haven't had the time/energy/desire to mess with the digital outs yet although I know I should.. I just need to buy the damm cables really...

and it sounds good that way?

thank you for your response!

Yeah, you'll probably need a mixer of some kind, unless you just want to tweak the master output level from the sound card's control panel, which is what I do.

But the noise shouldn't be an issue if the mixer is of any decent spec at all.

thanks for your reponse too!

well I was looking at something along the lines of
the yamaha MG10/2 or alesis 6FX - $100 USD or less..

[Crackbaby]

Samson has a tool for that problem, i think its called C-Control or something. I bought a mackie tapco 6306 witch has separate controlls for monitor and headphones.
But dont beleive the manual (imho). You cannot use the preamps and line ins for recording to your soundcard and at the same time ..blabla .. im so tired. All its good for is monitoring. Not recording witch the manual says. You can either hear the sound from your computer OR ONLY the sound that you want to record. (record a guitar and not hearing the soundcards output is a hard way to play in sync )

But for your problem, tapco 6306 is a cheap way to do it. If you want to record, an external preamp of some sort is better .. plug it to your soundcards ins.

[pheeleep]

Hi again Vitamin D,

Yeah it sounds great with the analog outputs into my mixer. I have very good cables, and some pretty decent powered monitors ( event 20/20P ). Works for me. I have always been curious about going the digital route.. I'll try it some day...

Oh and yes, the Roland VS 1680 has a "Monitor" knob. On a side note, this knob is also linked to the "Phones" knob, which is a HUGE flaw in the design of the unit. I would not have bought it had I known this. So, when I want to listen to my headphones, I have to turn off my powered monitors

Aside from that I am happy with my set up..

[Crackbaby]

Oh and yes, the Roland VS 1680 has a "Monitor" knob. On a side note, this knob is also linked to the "Phones" knob, which is a HUGE flaw in the design of the unit. I would not have bought it had I known this. So, when I want to listen to my headphones, I have to turn off my powered monitors

Aside from that I am happy with my set up..

I know what you mean. What i cant understand is why manufacturers still use that design. Just a little monitor "mute" button would help alot. Its so stupid. Think of EMU's latest 1202m, its supposed to be a great package. Get a 1220m and a pair of nice powered monitors and your done. But noooo. You need some more external sh*t for about $100 to control the volume. GAH

However, i still have a powerswitch on the floor. At night its nice to see that those monitors are shut down .. the fear of having them on, but not hearing it Got to think about them neighbours. Speaking of neighbours, their damn cellphones goes straight into my Event PS8's. Dakdaktdakakdkakddkka. Anoying.

[CypherOne]

well I know next to nothing about anything, but I have a USB soundcard going into a standard amp, works for me!