Outs on AI/soundcard

[FranklinD]

Where exactly do the outs on audio interfaces and soundcards go to? Are they just the outs to speakers and analog sound? I don't understand it. Do the outputs relate to the inputs? Thanks.

[LfO]

Originally Posted by FranklinD

Are they just the outs to speakers and analog sound? I don't understand it.

Yes. Their functionality may vary from unit to unit (you'll have to read the manual for your equipment), but the basic idea is that the main outs go to your monitors. My Lexicon Omega, as an example, sends to the main and headphone outs a combination of what's coming into the inputs and what's coming from my sequencer (computer) . It has a "Direct/Playback" knob, which adjusts the ratio between inputs and computer.

If you're confused about your unit, tell us what it is, and maybe someone will be familiar with it.

[TimOBrien]

Some people (like myself) also hang outboard gear like effects boxes or compressors.

You have to send a signal out two channels, through the box and then back in two channels to get it back into the computer again...

[FranklinD]

I'm trying to figure how many and the types of I/O I'll need, basically. I think I'm going to go with a FireWire audio interface for now just to get my feet wet and then see how that goes. Maybe get a mixer later down the road. That seems like a good way to go. I want enough ins for a bass, a guitar, and a microphone. I will have sessions with others that I will want to record. I would also like to have a good setup for solo stuff. A good jamming setup is a plus too. I may want a drum machine and midi later on too. IDK.
What should I be looking for as far as how many I/O I'll need?

one input per instrument? The out is the speakers isn't it?

All I need is a pair of monitors right? Will I need headphones?

-thanks-

[DavidK]

What should I be looking for as far as how many I/O I'll need?

Well, you mentioned guitar, bass, vocals and maybe other people, I would guess 8 in? Drums can take 5 or so. better having too many than not enough.

I dont use outputs other than the 2 for monitors, but as the fellas mentioned you might need em for outboard gear.

[LfO]

If you plan on retracking or overdubbing anything that involves a microphone (i.e., vocals, acoustic guitar, etc.), you'll need headphones.

Basically, when you're recording these tracks, you have to hear what you've already recorded, but you don't want all the other tracks to bleed into your new tracks, which will happen if you have a mic in the same room as the monitors - so, you wear headphones for this. If you're using a really sensitive mic, you may still get some bleeding, but it should be VERY minor.

You may need multiple pairs of headphones if, for example, you're acting as engineer while another band member does overdubs. Its not worth looking for an interface with a bunch of headphone outs, though (I don't think they make them) - there are various "headphone amps" that will split the signal to a number of headphone jacks.

[FranklinD]

I think I understand better now.
Of course I need at least a main out for monitors.
Where would the headphones go? Just in the headphone jack is my guess!
Yes, you're right, I will need headphones for my microphone use. I think I've actually thought of that but I'm trying to take in so much information I guess it slipped.


TimOBrien: I'm not following what you're talking about but I want to. I might want to have those things in the chain one day. If possible can you ellaborate? I'm not getting how that works. Any diagrams that show this?

Also, most everything is analog out, right? s/pdif I understand is coax cable and can carry digital... This may not be as relevant to my issues at the moment but this stuff gets me thinking hence, confusing me more about what I need to get started as well as grow.

so I'll need so far:

Main outs- monitors
Midi I/O- for uh midi information to travel
Headphone out- cans

Thank you guys so much!

[DavidK]

Originally Posted by FranklinD

so I'll need so far:

Main outs- monitors
Midi I/O- for uh midi information to travel
Headphone out- cans

You only need midi if you work with midi equipment like synths and drum machines. If your soundcard/interface choice doesnt have midi, you can always get a usb midi interface later for 50 bucks I think.

[LfO]

I'll describe what I THINK Tim is saying, and please correct me if I'm wrong.

Assume you've got an interface with a bunch of ins (we'll use the first 4 in this example - call them A, B, C, and D), and 4 outs (numbered 1-4).

You connect your studio monitors to outs 1 and 2 - so we call them your "main outs" - and set up your software to send the main mix to outputs on 1 and 2 on your hardware.

Meanwhile you've hooked up a synth with stereo output into inputs A and B (so you get both left and right channels) on your interface, and record a track. Hmmm, that track needs some reverb - not cheap reverb, but the sweet, vintage hardware reverb you have in your rack.

So, in your software, you send that the output of that synth track to outs 3 and 4 on your interface, and you run cables from those outputs to the inputs on the reverb unit. Then, you send the output from the reverb unit back to your interface inputs (C and D, sincer they're unused).

That's the type of thing you'd do with more outputs - its related to mixer buses, and they're description on the Tweakheadz site.

Hope that helps a little.