What should I use to connect my speakers to my sound card?

[jordanstreet]

I have an M-Audio Delta 44. All outputs are balanced. Now right now I don't have any monitors but I plan on buying some soon. How exactly should I connect my male 1/8in stereo computer speakers to 2 balanced mono outputs?

I found this Y adapter thing that is TS on the 2 1/4in male ends and I assume TRS on the 1/4in female end. So I was going to run a 1/4in 1/8in adapter in that and plug my speakers into that. Then for my monitors I would use the 2 remaining balanced outputs. But then if I ever wanted to use headphones I don't know what I would do.

So is there some piece of equipment that would simplify all of this?

Thanks,
Jordan

[misscc803]

I suggest u buy a small 4 channel mixer or so. I use a two channel dj mixer wit my soundcard. That way you can connect headphones to the mixer and monitors at the same time. Also gives you more hands on control. So you would just connect the OUTPUTS on the soundcard to the INPUT on the soundcard.


Nicole
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[Minion]

You would use an adapter with a female 1/8in stereo on one end and 2 x 1/4in TS Male on the other end....It doesn"t matter that the Delta 44 has Ballanced outputs because your Computer speakers don"t have ballanced inputs....

Good luck

PS: if you want to add headphones you would either use a headphone amp and connect it to the Delta 44 or get a small Mixer and you can connect it to the delta 44 and use the headphone output on the mixer and even connect your Monitors to it.....

[jordanstreet]

Cool guys thanks for the help

I figure when I have my monitors I won't use my speakers for mixing so I'll just hook up the speakers to my regular sound card for gaming and such.

Outs 1&2 will feed the monitors and 3&4 will feed a headphone amp so I could have multiple headphone outs and if I ever wanted to plug my normal speakers into my delta I could just use a 1/4in 1/8in adapter on one of the headphone amp outs and turn the gain to 0 right?

Thanks again guys,
Jordan

[cusebassman]

Originally Posted by Minion

You would use an adapter with a female 1/8in stereo on one end and 2 x 1/4in TS Male on the other end....It doesn"t matter that the Delta 44 has Ballanced outputs because your Computer speakers don"t have ballanced inputs....

Well, if you drop one half of the balanced outputs, you lose 6dB (I believe) of signal. If you are planning on getting monitors in the near future, though, I'd say just plug the 1/4" TS plugs into the outs and run the 1/8" stereo jack to the opposite end.