aaroncomp
1-20-2009
I'll be getting my first real monitors soon (Wharfedale 8.2a's from Deepwater) and have been contemplating the connection I'll be using. I'd preferably like to use the balanced XLR inputs to them rather than the unbalanced RCAs. The latter is easy for me, the former is not.
I use a, *gasp*, SB Audigy 2 Platinum (scoff if you must, but the end product never disappoints) - my plan is to send the signal out of the soundcard's optical pipe. That's the only part I'm sure of. So, we have optical out of computer-->gear in the middle to manipulate signal-->need for XLR/balanced TRS output to monitors. "Gear in the middle" consists of my Fostex FD8 digital 8 track, a Presonus MP20 preamp, and a Roland SRC-2 Digital Rate Converter. The optical in from soundcard can either go to the 8-track or to the Rate Converter. Ok, we're in "the middle" one of two ways. Now, getting out is my problem. Following are the I/O options for "the middle":
>Fostex FD8 8-track - 2 XLR inputs, 6 unbalanced ins; 2 auxillary chains; optical output, optical input (already mentioned); RCA outputs for monitor (as mentioned above - undesired)
>Presonus MP20 Preamp - 2 XLR inputs, each with an insert patch and XLR output; both assignable to the L or R of the Stereo Bus (another 2 XLR outs).
>Roland SRC-2 - 2 seperate input sections: each with optical, coaxial, and XLR in; and 1 output section with: optical, coaxial and one XLR out.
Before I go any further (ha!), would really nice RCA cables at a distance of 10-12 feet show that much of a difference from this hassle I'm attempting to run?
Things I've considered so far:
1) I send the optical straight to the rate converter and then out the XLR out. Is there any way this one XLR can effectively be split to L and R monitors? I'm doubtful.
2) Like #1, but instead of sending a split XLR directly to the monitors, I send each split to a seperate preamp channel, pan one L, pan the other R and send them out the stereo bus. Btw, how transparent can I keep things going this route?
3) Messing with the Inserts/Auxillary sends/returns - I've rarely messed with these and thus remain ignorant to their possibilities, but have a hunch this might work best. Someone more experience can hopefully chime in here.
In the end (thank if you're still here), I can always use the RCA unbalanced if I have to. Thanks a million to any help that can be provided.
I use a, *gasp*, SB Audigy 2 Platinum (scoff if you must, but the end product never disappoints) - my plan is to send the signal out of the soundcard's optical pipe. That's the only part I'm sure of. So, we have optical out of computer-->gear in the middle to manipulate signal-->need for XLR/balanced TRS output to monitors. "Gear in the middle" consists of my Fostex FD8 digital 8 track, a Presonus MP20 preamp, and a Roland SRC-2 Digital Rate Converter. The optical in from soundcard can either go to the 8-track or to the Rate Converter. Ok, we're in "the middle" one of two ways. Now, getting out is my problem. Following are the I/O options for "the middle":
>Fostex FD8 8-track - 2 XLR inputs, 6 unbalanced ins; 2 auxillary chains; optical output, optical input (already mentioned); RCA outputs for monitor (as mentioned above - undesired)
>Presonus MP20 Preamp - 2 XLR inputs, each with an insert patch and XLR output; both assignable to the L or R of the Stereo Bus (another 2 XLR outs).
>Roland SRC-2 - 2 seperate input sections: each with optical, coaxial, and XLR in; and 1 output section with: optical, coaxial and one XLR out.
Before I go any further (ha!), would really nice RCA cables at a distance of 10-12 feet show that much of a difference from this hassle I'm attempting to run?
Things I've considered so far:
1) I send the optical straight to the rate converter and then out the XLR out. Is there any way this one XLR can effectively be split to L and R monitors? I'm doubtful.
2) Like #1, but instead of sending a split XLR directly to the monitors, I send each split to a seperate preamp channel, pan one L, pan the other R and send them out the stereo bus. Btw, how transparent can I keep things going this route?
3) Messing with the Inserts/Auxillary sends/returns - I've rarely messed with these and thus remain ignorant to their possibilities, but have a hunch this might work best. Someone more experience can hopefully chime in here.
In the end (thank if you're still here), I can always use the RCA unbalanced if I have to. Thanks a million to any help that can be provided.