Monitor setup

[JohnyC]

How exactally do I connect speakers to a soundcard.. Im getting some Active monitors that have xlr and 1/4" inputs...The soundcard I currently have is a sblive..would I just take the 1/4" cables and plug them into a y adapter (1/4" to headphone type jack) and plug that into the sblive? or will i have to get a mixer and/or some other hardware ?

[Tekker]

Yes, with active monitors a Y-adapter will work just fine.

-tkr

[SPINSTERWUN]

Yes (like Tekker said ).

1/4" L and R male to 1/8" stereo male.

Make sure you connect it into the LINE IN on your SB card, not MIC IN.



peace...

spin

[fimpen]

How exactally do I connect speakers to a soundcard

Make sure you connect it into the LINE IN on your SB card, not MIC IN.

Monitor speakers to line in...

[Queue]

hehe, maybe line out or spkr out would work a little better...

also check to see what the "line level" on the monitors and soundcard are (-10 or +4), you might need a converter.

Queue

[SPINSTERWUN]

LOL

That's what I meant to say was LINE OUT.



peace...
spin

p.s. I guess I better leave those funny looking cigarettes alone.

[nattn]

monitoring

Good article on monitoring

[JohnyC]

Thanks Bro
that is a very nice article
'preciate it

[JohnyC]

Is it okay to make my own monitor cables ? OR should I purchase them ?

[Queue]

Buy them, best you can afford. If you must make them, buy the good stuff.

Queue

[nattn]

IMHO you should really think about getting a quality soundcard before you spring for monitors. The soundcard is really the start of a good home studio. You can always remix your music later if you can't spring for monitors yet, but if you record into a consumer card like SB, the only way to fix the sound later when you want to upgrade your card is to re-record.

-just a thought

[SPINSTERWUN]

BOTH are very important.

Soundcard

AND

monitors.



spin

[SPINSTERWUN]

BOTH are very important.

Soundcard

AND

monitors.



spin

[JohnyC]

I finally got my ys1P studio monitors
now tell me, is there anything I should be careful of when using/handling monitors ?
I wouldn't want to damage them..
I still need to get some cables ? How much do those run for, and can someone recommend a good name brand ?
The monitors have xlr and 1/4" inputs..does it matter which one I get ?

[JohnyC]

Actually I did buy some cables..I asked what would be best and he gave me some cables but they are marked as guitar/instrument cable..Are gunna be ok ? they are made by odyssey. 10ft

[JohnyC]

You guys think I payed to much for my speakers, they were $490 US after taxes ? ..bought them in Canada..14 % tax sucks

[SPINSTERWUN]

Here is another page you might want to take a look at for some added info on various things.


http://www.studiocovers.com/articles.htm

peace...

spin

[JohnyC]

Loads of info there..thanks spin

[Queue]

Well, I will...

Thanks Ed, for that amazingly thorough reply. You could've stopped short with the nice version of "RTFM", but you went on and completely explained every possibility. I've been using my monitors for almost a year now, and I learned a few things from that post.

Thanks again,
Queue

-btw I've given this thread a 5* rating!

[JohnyC]

ED sorry for not thanking you..
That write up was very very usefull
Took a bit to take it in, but now I fully understand..Well at least I think I do..I need to put everything into practice now
Thanks for passing on your knowledge
You're a pro

A few questions though..Why do unballanced cables create a better sound for short distances? I only need about 3 meters for each monitor..should I get unbalanced ones ?
Should I still get unbalanced ones if I get a soundcard with balanced connections ?

Is "input trim" what I should be looking at ? if so, it says +9 db to -6db...no -10 db ?? Does that mean if I run my sblive output
(-10) into my monitor input ("input trim" set at lowest of -6) I wont be running at a high enough level ?
time to get a compatible soundcard..

Jon

[barefoot]

Originally posted by JohnyC
ED sorry for not thanking you..

Is this turning into one of those "touchy feely" bbs'?

barefoot

[Queue]

Is this turning into one of those "touchy feely" bbs'?

Nope, those cost $$$

I just thought it odd that spin got thanked for posting a link, when Ed goes above and beyond the call, typing out a quite lengthy (and quite good) explanation. So I pointed it out, and Jonny corrected the oversight.

That's all...

Queue

[JohnyC]

haha..come one guys..we all have feelings
Ok so you read my last post..how bout answering the questions...please oh please
I'll even thank you this time

[Queue]

..how bout answering the questions...

I thought Ed would, and seeing as he's much more knowledgeable than I am, I was waiting.....

But I'll try...

A few questions though..Why do unballanced cables create a better sound for short distances? I only need about 3 meters for each monitor..should I get unbalanced ones ? Should I still get unbalanced ones if I get a soundcard with balanced connections ?

I'm gonna defer to the experts on this one, but if your soundcard has unbalanced outputs and you're not going any longer than 3 meters, good unbalanced cable will be fine. Get the best cable you can afford.

Is "input trim" what I should be looking at ? if so, it says +9 db to -6db...no -10 db ?? Does that mean if I run my sblive output...

No. That's the inputs, not the outputs.

Hope I've fielded these correctly...

Queue

[JohnyC]

How good are "concert quality" cables when it comes to home applications ?