Blend on interface

[Xrod]

Next in my series of newbie questions is......

While recording vocals I adjust the blend knob on my interface, (Focusrite 2i4) for the performer to get a good blend between their vocal and the backing tracks, and it ends up at about the 9 or 10 O'clock position. Then when monitoring the take, I have to turn this same knob back to the full clockwise position to get a normal monitor level. Back and forth constantly. There's got to be a better way.... Any ideas?

Along the same lines, I have to reach back behind my monitor speakers to turn them off while recording (no control room), then back on to monitor. Again, back and forth.

I'd like to add another set of monitors as well and thought about making an A/B switch to go back and forth between speakers.

How do you handle this in your studios?

 

[JimmyS1969]

I just monitor vocals through my DAW. It depends on if your computer and interface are able to get the latency down low enough.

You can just run a power strip with a switch to turn the monitors on/off so you don't have to reach behind. I used to do it that way.

Now I use a Mackie Big Knob to adjust levels/on off and switch between multiple monitors, inputs and headphone outs.

I have not heard of a simple line level speaker A/B switch but that doesn't mean one doesn't exist. I'm sure you could build one and add ON/Off switch.

 

[mjbphotos]

Different interfaces operate differently. My Tascam US800 monitoring mix is handled by software. The monitor speaker volume has its own dedicated control, as do the headphone jacks.
Lots of choices for monitor selector/controls - see this Sweetwater page.

 

[Steenamaroo]

Next in my series of newbie questions is......

While recording vocals I adjust the blend knob on my interface, (Focusrite 2i4) for the performer to get a good blend between their vocal and the backing tracks, and it ends up at about the 9 or 10 O'clock position. Then when monitoring the take, I have to turn this same knob back to the full clockwise position to get a normal monitor level. Back and forth constantly. There's got to be a better way.... Any ideas?

Along the same lines, I have to reach back behind my monitor speakers to turn them off while recording (no control room), then back on to monitor. Again, back and forth.

I'd like to add another set of monitors as well and thought about making an A/B switch to go back and forth between speakers.

How do you handle this in your studios?

As Jimmy said, If you can get away with monitoring 100% through the DAW that'll save you the problem.
I don't think I've ever used hardware monitoring. I'm sure it has its uses though, and maybe you need it for latency issue? I don't know.

The monitors thing. You can get all sorts of devices out there to mute your monitors.
Until recently I was doing the same as you until I kind member donated a little passive mute/volume box to me.
It's a simple potentiometer and switch in a box, really.
You can get all sorts of fancy ones with several outs, talk back, routing, independent headphone levels.

Come to think of it, you could use a very small mixer if you're not worry about having it in your output path.
That would address the muting issue and the two sets of outputs issue.

I don't know if it would cause clicks/pops but if your a DIY guy a quad pole triple throw switch would give you L+R monitors 1 - off and L+R monitors 2.
It might be easier to find 2 dpdt switches, although not as elegant.