Mixer/Soundcard/Monitor Connectivity Questions

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hi. I'm entirely new to recording. I'm a guitarist and plan to record acoustic and electric guitars and all other instruments myself (bass guitar, drums and keys via a USB Midi Keyboard Controller) in a small bedroom studio. Based on research I've been doing here at HR.com over the past few months, I've been purchasing components, and I now have (or will have within a couple of weeks) enough gear to get started. But first, I have to get everything properly connected. I've been reading the manuals that came with the gear -- an Audiophile 2496 soundcard, a pair of Wharefdale Diamond Pro 8.2a monitors and a Wharfedale R1604 mixer -- but I can't figure out how to connect everything. The manuals aren't very clear about that. I've even tried to research connectivity here, but I haven't found much useful info and I'm still confused.

The following is my understanding (please correct me where I'm wrong) along with a number of questions...

- The MXL V67G (for vocals) and pair of MXL 603s (to x/y my acoustic) (now on order) will connect to three of the XLR channels on the mixer. My electric guitar 1/4" cable will connect to my Line6 POD then to the Line Input on the fourth channel. Then, I believe I have to connect the unbalanced 1/4" Aux 1 and 2 Sends directly to the RCA Analog Ins 1 & 2 of the Audiophile. If so, does Aux Send 1 go to In 1 (left) and Aux Send 2 to the In 2 (right). If this is so, does it really matter which Audiophile Ins the Aux Sends from the mixer connect to? As for the correct cable to buy, should I get a 1/4" (one end)/RCA (other end) (assuming cables are made like this), or a 1/4"-1/4" and attach an RCA adapter on the end to go into the Audiophile? Is one arrangement better than the other? I speculate it doesn't matter.

- The Audiophile manual mentions the various Windows requirements, but doesn't mention XP. Will my card work with XP once I install it? Also, although the included CD has the drivers, I assume I should download the latest? The manual says that there's a Digital Monitor Mixer. Since I have Cubase SX 2.0, do I need to use this Digital Monitor Mixer in Audiophile?

- Where do the Audiophile Analog Outs 1 & 2 go? To the mixer, or directly to the monitors? I suspect to the mixer, but if so, what jacks do they connect to? The only inputs available seem to be:
* Stereo EFX Returns (accepts 1/4"),
* 2-Track In/Out (accepts RCA), and
* Control Room Out (accepts 1/4"). I suspect this CR Out might be used to connect directly to the monitors (XLR). If not, maybe it's the Main Outs on the back of the mixer that connects to the monitors?

- The back of the mixer has a Main Output section (a right and left balanced XLR out, and a right and left balanced 1/4" out), and an Alt Output section (a right and left balanced 1/4" out). As I said above, is it possible that the Main Out XLRs go to the monitors? If not, where do they go to? As for the Alt Output section, I have no idea what this is for.

- I'm also about to buy a small (49 key) M-Audio USB Midi Keyboard Controller. I assume this will just connect to the USB of the PC and not need the Midi In/Out on the Audiophile breakout cable connector? Also, with such a keyboard, are there any cables that'll go from the keyboard to the mixer? If so, where would they connect?

- Based on my gear/setup, I assume I won't be using the S/PDIF (whatever that stands for???) on the Audiophile breakout cable connector???

I realize I've asked a LOT of questions. Thanks in advance for any help. Much appreciated!

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

I read the following having done another search. Based on my longwinded explanation (sorry), is this basically my solution?

"You just need a bunch of instrument cables and XLR cables, from what i can tell its nothing fancy. I would go main outs on the mixer to audiophile, XLR to RCA I assume, and then 1/4 control room outs to XLR for monitors. You dont need to use any connections for your keyboard. I would suggest canare cable."

If this is correct, I'm still confused about where the Audiophile Outs go to, and what the Aux Sends and Alt 3/4 Outs are for. Any advice on the other questions I asked is appreciated.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Hi again,

Tomorrow I'm hoping to go buy the cables I need to get recording. Without confirmation of how to properly connect things, I'm dead in the water. I can only assume that the reason no one is responding is due to the length of my post/number of questions I've asked, because I'm sure my questions are as basic as they get. Maybe I broke a rule by doing so. Maybe I should have asked in a series of posts. If so, I didn't know. Sorry. Either that, or maybe because these questions have been asked so many times people are tired of answering. If so, trust that I have tried to get clarification by searching here and reading the manuals that came with my gear.

I'm going to take another (brief) guess...
* Main Outs Left/Right (XLR) > Audiophile Ins 1/2 (RCA)
* Control Room Outs (1/4") Left/Right > Monitors (XLR)
* Audiophile Outs > ???
* USB Midi Keyboard Controller > USB on PC (no midi ins/outs required)
* Aux Sends -- not needed?
* Audiophile 2496 will run on Windows XP?

Please help!

 

[Rokket]

Well, I am not going to be much help because I don't record to my pc. But I can tell you that the cables and connections you are going to need will be covered in the manuals.

Some basics you will need:
Shielded XLR cables for mics
TRS cables for stereo connections
TS cables for guitars, bass, etc.

Your posts are very wordy. I think you should have asked these questions one or two at a time. I personally don't like to read long posts like that. I will be honest and tell you that I skimmed over it just enough to answer this.

I hope someone who does record to their pc will give you some time. Maybe if you start a new thread, and keep it short but concise, you will get a better response.

I'm sorry that I couldn't be much help...

 

[estring]

what you have going right now should work. The only thing you might condsider is taking the outs of the 2496 to an available in on the mixer. This will allow you to monitor your recording through your mixer. This is a good thing.
You can use those aux sends for external effects I believe.
The CR outs can go directly to your monitors.
Check the M-audio website for its latest drivers and for XP compatibility.

 

[Carter]

Hi again,


I'm going to take another (brief) guess...
* Main Outs Left/Right (XLR) > Audiophile Ins 1/2 (RCA)
* Control Room Outs (1/4") Left/Right > Monitors (XLR)
* Audiophile Outs > ???
* USB Midi Keyboard Controller > USB on PC (no midi ins/outs required)
* Aux Sends -- not needed?
* Audiophile 2496 will run on Windows XP?

Please help!

* Yes
* Yes
*To two avaliable channel strips
* Yes
* For outboard gear
* Will run on Windows XP SP2

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

*To two avaliable channel strips

Thanks guys. I appreciate it! I'm almost there in my understanding.

Carter, when you mention that the Audiophile Outs go to two avaliable channel strips, the following seem to be the only inputs available on my model of mixer (doesn't have inserts for each channel, if they would've been an option -- the higher model does have them):
* Stereo EFX Returns (accepts 1/4"),
* 2-Track In/Out (accepts RCA).
Will one of these work?

Thanks.

 

[Carter]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it! I'm almost there in my understanding.

Carter, when you mention that the Audiophile Outs go to two avaliable channel strips, the following seem to be the only inputs available on my model of mixer (doesn't have inserts for each channel, if they would've been an option -- the higher model does have them):
* Stereo EFX Returns (accepts 1/4"),
* 2-Track In/Out (accepts RCA).
Will one of these work?

Thanks.

The two track will work but it will be limited, I not sure on your mixer but you might not even be able to pan, what I meant by channel strip is the same place you plug your instruments in at... Channel 1 and 2 with the faders is what I use for left and right from the 24/96.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

The two track will work but it will be limited, I not sure on your mixer but you might not even be able to pan, what I meant by channel strip is the same place you plug your instruments in at... Channel 1 and 2 with the faders is what I use for left and right from the 24/96.

Oh, ok. I can plug into a couple of channels. I hope to keep Ch 1/2 to x/y mic my acoustic, Ch 3 for vocal mic, and Ch 4 for electric guitar. I'm at work right now, but I believe I have other channels 5/6, 7/8 etc., so I assume I can use two of these. Thanks for the help.

 

[Carter]

Oh, ok. I can plug into a couple of channels. I hope to keep Ch 1/2 to x/y mic my acoustic, Ch 3 for vocal mic, and Ch 4 for electric guitar. I'm at work right now, but I believe I have other channels 5/6, 7/8 etc., so I assume I can use two of these. Thanks for the help.

Any two avaliable channels will work. Have fun!!!

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

I found this link through another thread which is a great graphic illustration of how to hook things up. It is completely relevant to my situation and in addition to those who have tried to help me, has confirmed all my questions. http://www.tweakheadz.com/images/nmodisetup.jpg

 

[Carter]

I found this link through another thread which is a great graphic illustration of how to hook things up. It is completely relevant to my situation and in addition to those who have tried to help me, has confirmed all my questions. http://www.tweakheadz.com/images/nmodisetup.jpg

Glad to see you understand now!

 

[input_output]

hi cheeky monkeysorry to hijack yer thread, anyway thanks for yer link on the mixer connections.
are there anymore where u found them??
ive been searching ard to see wa/how others have done with a behringer UB1202 mixer (connection wise)
currently i using an rca cable on one end and a 1/8 jack to my soundcard.
read a thread few pages earliear mentioning dat he uses same mixer but uses the main outs to soundcard. wat are tape in/ctrl room out for?