Playing MP3s, and .wav files through my Mackie HR624s instead of computer speakers...

[pisces7378]

I have a MOTU 828mkII Firewire audio interface which I use to record via Logic Audio Plat. 5.5.1 into a Dell PC.

I have the system set up so that anything within Logic will playback through my Mackie monitors. But when I want to listen to an MP3 or .wav file that I have downloaded or watch a DVD on my DVD-ROM it always comes through the little crappy computer speakers that came with the Dell.

I have Windows XP Home. Can anyone walk me thoruh step by step on how to switch this so that all the sounds come through the Mackies?

And when I say "walk me through"... I mean literally: Press START. Then CONTROL PANEL... etc.

I am PC illiterate.

Thansk guys!

P.S. If you think this is a horrible idea for any reason please tell me.

Cheers!

Mike

 

[crankz1]

Navigate to Control Panel ... Double click Sounds and Audio Devices then click on the Audio tab .... there you will find scroll boxes for Sound Playback, Sound Recording and MIDI music Playback.
In the top section for Sound Playback you will see it says Default device, then in the scroll box it should be listing your current normal soundcard .... click the little arrow at the right of the scroll box. You will then get a drop down list of all available devices. Provided you have the MOTU turned on prior to going to the control panel, that drop down list will include options for the MOTU.
There is also a tab for Voice, which contains options for changing the default device as well.
Once you have selected the MOTU as the default device for the different options, all volume control will be done via CueMix or the front panel of the MOTU. The little speaker by the clock will be gone and windows will have no volume control over the MOTU.
WinAmp 5's volume control will effect playback volume though. Not sure about any of the other players as I don't use any other ones.

Hope this helps

-Ken

 

[crankz1]

Also .... it's not really a horrible idea, but ..... you may find yourself having to change the sampling rate back to whatever you use if it's anything other than 44.1kHz as I've found that, any time I play an mp3 in WinAmp the sample rate goes to 44.1 kHz.
Also you may want to disable windows sound schemes by clicking on the Sounds tab and setting the Sound scheme to No Sounds. I don't think it will hurt any to have the MOTU play all of the little windows noises, but I find them rather annoying. I don't care to hear some silly sounds every time I minimize, maximize, click this, click that... etc... etc...

 

[pisces7378]

But... maybe since my Audio Device is a Firewire device (MOTU 828mkII) it doesn't work.

When I go to the control panel and the Audio Playback bit, in the drop down menu, there is nothing. There is the default system: "SoundMAX Digital Audio"... but nothing else.

How do I fix this?

 

[crankz1]

Did you install the Multimedia Drivers (WDM) along with the ASIO drivers, when you installed the MOTU software?
If not .... now would be a good time to go to Motu and get the latest drivers and install them.

You are given three options of drivers to install.

WDM or Multimedia

ASIO

and Giga Studio

You want to install both ASIO and Multimedia .... Giga if you use Giga Studio.

Provided you have the Multimedia Drives installed and the MOTU connected and turned on, when you go to the Sound and Audio Device Properties ... the options should appear. At least it does for mine ... I have the same unit.

Make sure you have the MOTU turned off when you install the drivers though.
Then turn it on prior to going to the control panel... etc...

 

[pisces7378]

I fixed the damn thing.

I just had to have the 828mkII powered ON when I go to the control panel. Then the drivers showed up in the drop menu, and I selected the apprpriate "MOTU Main Outs".

Cheers guys!

Mike