How can I connect Mbox and G5 to monitors?

[tokyofan]

I'd like to get a pair of Yamaha MSP5a(s) to use with my Mbox. They have two inputs: XLR-type jack and a monaural headphone jack. How can I connect BOTH my Mbox and G5 (analog or optical outs) to the same monitors? Do I need a selector, an amp, or a micro-mixer? I'm baffled...

 

[Tifstorey]

why do you want to connect them both? Connect them to your MBox and then the sound will run through that. im confused..

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

I guess that's why I posted in the "Newbies" area. Currently, I'm using a pair of Edirol MA-10Ds connected to the line outs of my Mbox. I also have an optical out line from the G5 to the same Edirols. And an analog out from the G5 to my stereo in the next room.

What's the best way to hook everything up if I upgrade to the Yamaha MSP5as? Please be specific. Thanks!

 

[Tifstorey]

well i have mine running from my soundcard, (In your case the mbox), into each of the monitors from the outs. If you want all your music on your G5 to play from your monitors, go to "System Preferences - Sound" then change the output to your soundcard. That should change everything to use your soundcard as the default output.

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

Yep, got that to work just fine. Thanks! Now, how do I also run sound out to my stereo speakers?

 

[Kevin Deschwazi]

The sound from your mac will go out via the MBox. So you just need to go from the TRS outs of the MBox to the xlr ins on the monitors.

You don't need to go from the G5 and the MBox, the MBox is taking care of all the sound coming from the comp.

Or am I missing something here?

What happens when you remove the cable from the optical out of the G5 to the edirols?

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

The Edirols don't have XRL ports (just analog and digital) but the Yamahas MSP5a(s) do. So, I can run an XRL cable from the the Mbox to the Yamahas? Those XRL ports aren't just for mic inputs?

If I can do that, then I can also run analog outs from the Mbox to my stereo speakers, right?

I guess I don't need the optical cable from the G5 to the Edirols if I'm running sound through the Mbox. But If I WANT to use optical out, I can simply set Sound Output to 'Optical Digital Port' or 'built-in audio.'

 

[gordone]

hmmmmm, the Yamahas ARE your stereo speakers
The XLR inputs on the speakers are LINE LEVEL!!!!! The connector just happens to be XLR. They are NOT for mic levels.
Just plug G5->MBOX->Yamaha MSP5As and call it a day. No need to make this anymore complicated.

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

Sorry for the confusion. I'm currently using Edirols (optical and analog) but plan to purchase the Yamahas (XLR and analog) soon and just wanted to be clear on how to hook everything up. So, I just use XLR cables from the Mbox to the to the Yamahas...and the analog outs to my stereo speakers? Is that right?

 

[bennychico11]

you need to run 1/4" out on the back of your Mbox to the Edirols or the Yamahas when you get them. Out 1 corresponds to Left speaker, and Out 2 to Right speaker.

XLR and 1/4" are both analog.

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

Just to clarify, when I get the Yamahas I can run an XLR line from the Mbox to the monitors and also 1/4" to my stereo speakers?

 

[bennychico11]

no, there is no XLR output on the mbox.
only line output TRS (1/4")

you run THAT into your speakers. if your speakers only have XLR on them, get a cable that has 1/4" on one end and XLR on the other

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

The Yamahas have both XLR and 1/4" phone jacks so I can connect the MBox directly to the monitors. That's clear to me. But is there a way to ALSO run a line out to my stereo speakers from the Mbox? Or do I need to always change sound preferences to 'built-in audio' to play sound from the G5?

 

[bennychico11]

i guess i'm confused. you say you're wanting to run your computer sounds through your Mbox and out to the Yamahas, right? You should just need to set the Mac to send computer sounds out the Mbox once...and they should always go out.

But is there a way to ALSO run a line out to my stereo speakers from the Mbox?

which stereo speakers? the Edirols or the Yamahas?

 

[tokyofan]

Re:

Yes, I want to run sound from the G5 to some desktop monitor speakers (the Edirols or Yamahas) but ALSO to my home stereo which is in a different room...for playing internet radio or listening to audio files on a different set of speakers. What options do I have?