Then yesterday I set up my new SP-404 Mk2 via USB, but had volume on it turned down to zero. Wanting to use it only as a midi pad controller. Turning up the volume with no trigger or sounds playing caused a massive feedback loop that escalated wildly the more the volume was increased.
I did find the cause. It was because both the Line In and Stereo Mix inputs were both enabled. And nothing to do with the SP-404 or my daw. Bloody windows again!
As you can see the issue is resolved. My question is more about understanding why this happens? In the 20 years of owning a pc and being quite knowledgeable as far as tech goes, I have always been at a loss to understanding what the difference is between line in and stereo mix inputs. If stereo mix was an output, I could understand, almost, seeing as its mixing various apps sound to a stereo output. But even that doesn't make sense when you have other options that do the same.
So what exactly is the purpose of stereo mix input? And why the hell does it cause a massive feedback loop with line in? If I could find a diagram I could wrap my head round it easy, but not seeing how it works is like mixing without speakers!
Should I use stereo mix or line in to record incoming audio? Does it matter?
Can anyone enlighten me on this please? Thanks...
