Running two sets of monitors, from the optical output of my mac

[tbrowne]

Hello here are two questions rolled into one

First of all I have a set of KRK Rokit 5s which I love, but I also have a pair of Eclipse speakers which I would like to run at the same time, on my MacBook Pro. Can I simply use a headphone splitter? Won't this "damage" or somehow reduce the output to each speaker set? Is there a better way of doing this?

Second, when the Mac is charging there is actually quite a lot of noise coming out of the headphone jack for some reason. I have thought of using the optical output as an alternative to drive my KRKs but that would need a pre-amp or DAC of some kind no? What should I do? Perhaps I can combine the two problems into one ie buy a piece of gear that will take the digital optical out from my Macbook, and have more than one set of monitor outputs?

Thanks for the help.

Sorry I should add that the Eclipses, like the Rokit 5s, are self-amplified.

 

[diggy_dude]

Don't use two pairs of monitors at the same time. You'll never get an accurate idea of what you've got on tape that way.

 

[tbrowne]

Don't use two pairs of monitors at the same time. You'll never get an accurate idea of what you've got on tape that way.

gotcha diggy dude. Still I'd live to have 'em all connected at the same time so that I can choose which monitor set I use without uncabling stuff. Also I want to get around this noise problem that I have. Can you recommend a piece of gear?

 

[diggy_dude]

Well, I use an old Technics amp with a 4-position speaker switch (speakers off, main only, remote only, main + remote), but that wouldn't work if one or more pairs has a built-in amp.

Do the Eclipse speakers have a built-in amp, or are they regular passive stereo speakers?

 

[tbrowne]

Well, I use an old Technics amp with a 4-position speaker switch (speakers off, main only, remote only, main + remote), but that wouldn't work if one or more pairs has a built-in amp.

Do the Eclipse speakers have a built-in amp, or are they regular passive stereo speakers?

Yes both pairs are self-amped.

 

[jotangent]

The digital rout sounds like a good plan but can you run both at the same time? If so you need a DAC, these range from cheap and cheerful to mind bogglingly expensive, whats you budget? If its low then an exsternal interface with 4 outs is the way to go, if you have deep pockets then post this on the mixing forum :O Monitoring from the analogue output on your mac probably aint the best plan anyways mate.

 

[diggy_dude]

I Googled a few line level switchers, but they're insanely expensive for what should be a job for a simple switch. If it were me, I'd get a cheap patchbay and some patch cords.

 

[jotangent]

I Googled a few line level switchers, but they're insanely expensive for what should be a job for a simple switch. If it were me, I'd get a cheap patchbay and some patch cords.

Could just get that switch and dig the trusty soldering iron out, if he doesnt have a soldering iron then the mighty B probably do a cheap patch bay, would be a good start, I miss manual patching, perhapse not enough to buy a Bhery though

 

[jotangent]

On the splitter plan, it shouldnt degrade the signal in a significant way, the input of the speakers is very high Z, so high that even 3 line level sources wouldnt load it down. It would reduce the level but you could turn up the speakers. This doesnt solve your switching between monitors problem though.

 

[diggy_dude]

Could just get that switch and dig the trusty soldering iron out, if he doesnt have a soldering iron then the mighty B probably do a cheap patch bay, would be a good start, I miss manual patching, perhapse not enough to buy a Bhery though

I once found a schematic on a DIY synth site for a digitally controlled routing matrix that used standard 7400-series (or maybe 4000-series) analog gates. It may have been Ken Stone's site, although I can't find it there at the moment. Anyway, I was designing a digitally controlled analog synth at the time but gave up on it when I discovered the Curtis and SSM chips were no longer being produced. Now that I think about it, it may be worthwhile to build the matrix for studio switching. I think I would rather use relays instead of gates for that purpose though.

Edit: Oh wait, here's one.

http://www.cgs.synth.net/modules/pic/schem_cgs55_asm.gif

 

[jotangent]

That would be a very elegant way to do it but a 4PDT toggle switch should do the trick in this case, they arent easy to find but a bit of internet trawling should turn one up. Should cost about $10 to rig the whole thing and doesnt require a degree in electronics ;o)