new soundcard HELP

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rguagenti

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I am not a tekkie as far as these things go so here goes.

I just upgraded to Home Studio 2004XL and concurrently upgraded my soundcard. I just installed the ECHO MIA soundcard. I was using an ESS Allegro soundcard.

The soundcard has 2 outs and 2 ins. They use the TRS connectors. How do I connect my headphones and stereo spekaers to this thing. If I connect my headphone to any one of the ins I only get one side of the signal. Does this soundcard not work with headphones.

Also, I am still using the speakers that came with the computer. One speaker hooks to the other and there is only one line going into the soundcard. Again if I plug it into on of the outs I only get one side.

I hope I explained this correctly. AM I doing something wrong? PLease help!!

Thanks.
 
rguagenti said:
I just installed the ECHO MIA soundcard. The soundcard has 2 outs and 2 ins. They use the TRS connectors. How do I connect my headphones and stereo spekaers to this thing.
Click to expand...
The 1/4" stereo plug on the end of your headphones has three distinct parts separated by two small black insulating rings. They are Left, Right and Common Return. The outlet sockets on the back of the Echo Mia are wired up in mono, ie signal & return. So when you plug in the headphones you'll only get a signal to one ear piece.

If you want to use headphones direct from the Eco Mia, you'll have to make up a flying lead with two 1/4" mono plugs on one end and a 1/4" stereo socket on the other. Then you can plug your headphones into the flying lead.

To connect your speakers to the Mia, you will need a lead with two 1/4" mono plugs on one end (for the soundcard) and an appropriate connector on the other end of your lead to plug into your amplifier or powered speakers. I can't help you there, because I don't know your precise set-up. You should be able to pick up the appropriate leads or the bits and pieces from Radio Shack, Tandy or Dick Smith's (depending upon which part of the world you are from).

You have made a very wise choice with your soundcard.

--
BluesMeister
 
Thanks Bluesmeister.

I'll give it a shot this weekend. I do not have any amplifier for the headphones as I never needed one with my previous "consumer" sound card.

Any suggestions? What'll a decent amp set me back. i cannot imagine spending more than maybe $100 or so for a headphone amplifier.

I guess a preamp doesn't serve the purpose? Not strong enough?
 
As I was driving to work I was thinking?

It has become obvious to me that I cannot use my computer speakers with the Echo MIAMIDI. Nor can I use my headphones without Y Jacks and amps.

Does it make more sense to purchase an amplifier that powers headphones and non-active monitors(if there is such an amp), or buy the headphone amp and active monitors.

I did not anticipate spending more money when upgrading to the MIA. As it stands I don't have active monitors and am not in the position to spend another 2 - 300(or more even) for monitors, not to mention this amp.

Well, we all make our choices don't we? I'll probably return the card and continue to use my Alegro soundcard. Anyone willing to talk me out of it??
 
rguagenti said:
As I was driving to work I was thinking?

It has become obvious to me that I cannot use my computer speakers with the Echo MIAMIDI. Nor can I use my headphones without Y Jacks and amps.

Does it make more sense to purchase an amplifier that powers headphones and non-active monitors(if there is such an amp), or buy the headphone amp and active monitors.

I did not anticipate spending more money when upgrading to the MIA. As it stands I don't have active monitors and am not in the position to spend another 2 - 300(or more even) for monitors, not to mention this amp.

Well, we all make our choices don't we? I'll probably return the card and continue to use my Alegro soundcard. Anyone willing to talk me out of it??
Click to expand...

I used my Audiophile for well over a year with Monsoon Computer speakers and a stereo receiver before buying studio monitors.
 
Hey brzilian whats up!

Contrary to my prior rantings, I'm not giving up on this thing.

I spoke with ECHO C/S and they told me what I need to do. That and Bluesmeister's suggestion should get me up and running without any further muss and fuss.

Don't worry, since this was your suggestion, I'll send you the bill.
(LOL) (Wink!)

Thanks to all for your help.
 
Okay, so now I am really frustrated, not to mention I couldn't do anything on this for the past three nights.

I installed HS2004XL(upgraded from Music Creator 2003) and my new ECHO MIA soundcard. I ran the wave profiler defined MIDI output devices, the whole thing. And of course, I cannot hear any MIDI. Audio is fine, but no MIDI. SO I disable the MIA , re-enable my onboard ESS Allegro soundcard, NO MIDI!!!

Wassup, anybody please.
 
Problems problems every where, and not a drop to drink! :)

Relax R ( I can call you R can't I?). The Echo MiaMIDI needs a synthesiser to play those MIDI sounds. Fortunately HS2004XL comes with Edirol Virtual Sound Canvas that will play those lovingly created MIDI files for you.

Flip through the HS2004XL manual until you reach the section Working With SoftSynths or something to that effect. The tutorial explains it all very well and is easily followed.

By the way, don't bother with the Tutorial Working with Cyclone DXi 'cause it aint included with HS2004XL!

Good luck R.

--
BluesMeister
 
To Bluesmeister(I CAN call you B can't I)(LOL).

I have used Edirol in MC2003 and it so happens I like it. This was a song I created in MC2003 before I found out about such a thing as Edirol. So I will just redirect all my MIDI output to the Edirol and line them up wioth the proper instruments and case closed.

OK.... I guess.... the Edirol sounds ARE better and offer the opportunity to add effects, etc. Allright I'm down.

I'll catch up with you during or after the weekend to let you know it all went.

Thanks a bunch B.


Ummmmm So to be stupid squared....
There is no other way to get MIDI sounds other than Edirol or a synthesizer(I presume you talking about a keyboard synth with speakers). I've got an old one of those but the speakers in it are sh*t.

later
 
rguagenti said:
To Bluesmeister(I CAN call you B can't I)(LOL).

I have used Edirol in MC2003 and it so happens I like it. This was a song I created in MC2003 before I found out about such a thing as Edirol. So I will just redirect all my MIDI output to the Edirol and line them up wioth the proper instruments and case closed.

OK.... I guess.... the Edirol sounds ARE better and offer the opportunity to add effects, etc. Allright I'm down.

I'll catch up with you during or after the weekend to let you know it all went.

Thanks a bunch B.


Ummmmm So to be stupid squared....
There is no other way to get MIDI sounds other than Edirol or a synthesizer(I presume you talking about a keyboard synth with speakers). I've got an old one of those but the speakers in it are sh*t.

later
Click to expand...

There are tons of 3rd party DXi software synths out there which are all listed on Cakewalk's site.

People in these parts would not refer to a keyboard with speakers as a synthesizer.;) Those are arrager keyboards.

Synths almost never have built in speakers and let you create your own sounds. If you are looking for an external tone generator, you could just buy a sound module rather then a synth with its own keyboard.
 
OK got ya.

So I can just grab a DXi off of the site and use that as an output.

Thanks for your help.


Like I said stupid squared...but I'm learning.
 
Like Brzilian says, there are a bunch of DXis out there. HS2004XL has two, VSC and Dyad (Dyad can play SoundFonts). I've not yet worked out how to play multiple SFs with Dyad, maybe you have to have multiple instances running.

Do you know the answer to that Brzilian?

VirtualSampler3 (VS3) can play multiple SFs and is a DXi. I wrote a tutorial specific to HS2002 & VS3, you can search for it in the CakeWalk Forum here at HomeReccers.

And R, you don't have to call me B. Take a careful look at my Avatar, there's a BIG clue there... :)

Don't ever worry about asking seemingly dumb questions. We who have answers were asking seemingly dumb question a few years ago.

--
BluesMeister.
 
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