Monitor Mixer with A/B switch??

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guitars2k4
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Guitars2k4

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Hey... I can't seem to find the right equipment to suit my needs... Here is the situation...

I have great nearfield monitors hooked to My DAW - and a great condenser mic that I use for vocals - I have no vocal booth as I'm just recording in a spare bedroom... so everytime I need to record vocals I have to unplug one of my nearfields so I can connect some headphones to the soundcard - turn the other nearfield off or pan it off (so the condenser doesn't pick it up).. let my singer sing and record vocals (only hearing one side in his headphones) then if I want to hear it back myself in stereo, I have to unhook the headphones plug my nearfield back in and re pan or turn the other one back on... a dumb process that wastes time and could damage my nearfield for turning it on/off every take that I want to hear back...

Basically I need some sort of A/B switchbox that would let me route the sound from my soundcard to headphones/my nearfields/or both... it can all be mono cause the souncard outs are L and R anyway... and I can just get some sort of Y cable to get the headphones to be stereo... I know I can buy an expensive mixer - but I don't really need a mixer - I can mix on my Daw - I just need a way to split the signal... so far it looks like I have to build one myself from parts at radio shack...

Anyone experience this? work arounds? ideas? help...
 
The PreSonus Central Station or, for the more budget conscious, the Samson C-Control might do just what you're looking for.

Actually, in glancing at the C-Control's documentation, I'm confident that it will do what you need. Just run your stereo outputs into one of the audio inputs (it has four you can select between), run one of the Speaker outputs to your nearfields, and plug your headphones into the included headphone jack. If you ever need to use multiple sets of headphones, it also has external Cue outputs for sending to a dedicated headphone amp. It has a mute switch for muting the monitors.

$100 from Sam Ash.
 
I have been looking at the Samson myself, found it for $93 at fullcompass (I have NOT purchased it yet). But yes it will work for your needs and then some.
 
I just can't seem to find any information that says if the monitor outs are powered by the unit or not. My nearfields are active, ergo power is unwanted. I sent them an email yesterday, maybe I have to wait till Monday for a reply.
 
The HP4 is perfect for what you need. The monitor out is not powered, but has gain attenuation only. The monitor mute switch is a great idea when tracking (though you have to remember to press it before you hit record). I've been using this unit for the past 6 mos and am very happy with it.
 
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