Do I need a mixing desk?

Phaser · 12 Jul 2006 at 13:02

Hi all.

Right, i've got my decks going into my mixer, which then goes into the PC for recording etc.

I've got 2 active monitors which plug into my mixer.

However now i've started producing i'd like to be able to use my monitors for the sound coming out of my PC too. I could always plug my PC speaker output into my mixer but surely i'd be loosing quality somewhere along the line, not to mention i'd have to mute all PC sounds whilst mixing.

Do I need a mixing desk? Do I need to plug my monitors into the output of that, and have the PC going into 1 input, and the decks/mixer going into the other?

Cheers for any help!

Codmate · 12 Jul 2006 at 14:37

IMO your chain should be Recording Sources > Mixer > PC > Monitors

That would simplify things.
What PC sounds are you worried about hearing while mixing?
Really you should have all alert sounds etc muted via Control Panel:Sounds And Audio Devices:Sounds if you're doing any audio work with your PC at all.

No need to buy any additional gear - except a lead to connect your PC soundcard to your monitors & maybe a quality PC recording card (M-Audio Audiophile 2496 or similar) if you are using onboard sound or something by Creative.

Phaser · 12 Jul 2006 at 14:49

Good point.

I'l take a look at that card. Using onboard at the moment.

I guess something external would be better, but wouldn't USB etc use up quite a lot of CPU?

Cheers.

sinister_stu · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:04

External sound cards are better in many ways, but are also more expensive. They will not use up CPU power substantially so there is no problem in that respect. For your needs however, an internal PCI soundcard should be more than adequate.

Phaser · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:09

The soundcard which was recommended above seems OK.

Only thing is the outputs are phono. My monitors are those big jack plugs (1/6"?)

I guess I could get a converter connector if they are available but wouldn't I be loosing quality? I'm sure it wouldn't sound as good going through my PC etc than if the mixer was plugged straight into the monitors as they are now.

Cheers.

sinister_stu · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:12

Phaser said:
The soundcard which was recommended above seems OK.

Only thing is the outputs are phono. My monitors are those big jack plugs (1/6"?)

I guess I could get a converter connector if they are available but wouldn't I be loosing quality? I'm sure it wouldn't sound as good going through my PC etc than if the mixer was plugged straight into the monitors as they are now.

Cheers.

You won't lose quality using adapters for the cable.

With a good quality soundcard, the difference in quality will be inaudible when connecting the monitors straight to the ouput of the soundcard. Another option is to go PC & Source > mixer > monitors. You'll need to connect an output on the mixer to the line in on the soundcard in order to record, but you'll be able to monitor the source more directly. Personally, I would go with codmate's proposed signal path but it's up to you.

Phaser · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:16

I've found a straight through cable - 1 jack to 1 phono but it's not gold plated or anything. Would that be OK?

sinister_stu · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:22

Phaser said:
I've found a straight through cable - 1 jack to 1 phono but it's not gold plated or anything. Would that be OK?

Probably, what is the input to the monitors? Is it a stereo input or are there separate inputs on each speaker?

Phaser · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:24

You can either use 1 XLR or 1 6.3mm jack.

one input of each, on each speaker.

Guess they are stereo because i'm only using one monitor at the moment, plugged into the left output of my mixer and I can hear both channels.

sinister_stu · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:27

Phaser said:
You can either use 1 XLR or 1 6.3mm jack.

one input of each, on each speaker.

Guess they are stereo because i'm only using one monitor at the moment, plugged into the left output of my mixer and I can hear both channels.

That sounds a bit strange to me.

From what you say, I think that the connection is a mono connection but I am not sure how you can hear both channels (left and right) just from the left output of the mixer so I could be wrong.

Dr.EM · 12 Jul 2006 at 15:34

It is quite often configured that when only the left output is used, you will get a signal present at both speakers as left is the defualt mono. The signal is naturally not a stereo one though. This is the case with my mixer, when a signal is plugged into just the left input, I hear is at both sides, but when plugged into the right, I only hear it on the right. What your reporting is a stereo signal being mixed into mono and played through one monitor, this is rather unusual :confused: