Monitor help please

[JimmyBob]

Hi, I've recently upgraded my creative 5.1 speakers to a pair of KRK Rokit RP5 G2 Monitor Speakers. I've plugged my guitar through a mixer (Line6 POD 2.0) into one of them and it sounds great. Though my problem is, is that I'm a bit of a moron when it comes to technology, but i want to learn!

I want to plug my monitor speakers into my computer so I can listen to music through them, and play through them with my guitar aswell (I'm not sure if this is possible).

The speakers have:

XLR (3-pin), RCA & 1/4" TRS - 10k Ohm, Balanced / Unbalanced ---- none of this makes any sense to me, and all the monitors came with was a power cable.

The main question is, is how I connect them both together and to my computer. Also will they sound ok with my sound card (Realtek HD audio, which is built in my computer), or should i buy another one.

Any comments and help would be great!

Thanks
JimmyBob

 

[guitarplayr82]

In order to make the proper connections and get the most quality out of your monitors you will need to purchase an audio interface and use it in place of your soundcard. The monitors will most likely connect via 1/4 inch cables to the audio interface and the audio interface will connect via USB or Firewire into your computer. With the audio interface you will be able to play music from your computer through your speakers and you will be able to record and monitor guitar and microphones by using the 1/4 inch/XLR inputs. In order to play guitar through your monitors you will need to use the direct monitoring function on the audio interface, or you will need to use a piece of software to do software monitoring.

You can start out by researching audio interfaces. Some things to look for while researching are the number of inputs (two is probably good for you), hardware monitoring, 1/4 inch inputs and outputs, XLR inputs, and phantom power (something you may use in the future). You also want to make sure your interface is capable of recording and outputting 24-bit audio. Some good brands to look for are M-Audio, PreSonus, Focusrite, Emu, Tascam, and Mbox. I'm sure you'll be able to find an interface that is in your price range and is right for you. Good luck!

 

[tpb]

I use line 6 gx 1, lookup tone port, this will act as your sound card so you can connect your speakers play guitar through it and listen to mixes or music from your computer. Hope this helps
Tim