Simple Connection Question

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RhythmRmixd

RhythmRmixd

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Hey Yall,

If I wanted to run a stereo signal from my sound module (an E-MU Mo'Phatt) into my Motu 828mkII interface, would the best way to do it be to use a Y cable or Y converter (2 quarter inch cables to one), to connect the left and right main outs from the module into a single analog input on the motu? Before I was running a single quarter inch cable from just the left channel of the module into the analog input on the motu, because it said in the sound module manual that the left jack serves as a stereo jack carrying both the left and right channels when the right jack is empty. Whenever I pan things in my MIDI tracks (before I record it to audio), I get the loudest signal when I pan hard left, a softer signal when panned center, and no sound when I pan hard right. That makes me think only one channel is being recieved. Plus, is there any degredation in the sound quality when using a Y cable or Y converter to route 2 signals into one? Thanks
 
Are you sure the left 1/4 out is not a 'Left/Mono? Stereo out on a TRS seems a bit odd, (allthough you do have that pan problem).
I'm pretty sure you sould not Y' two outputs together.
Wayne
 
Yeah, left and right outputs into left and right inputs and pan hard in your recording domain.
 
I think I was going about my problem in the wrong way. I did some experimenting last night and figured out some new things. First, here's what I know based on the Mo'Phatt manual. I have two main outputs on the Mo'Phatt, a left and a right. The manual says that the right output serves as a mono output when the left output jack is empty. It also says that the left output serves as a stereo output carrying both channels when the right jack is empty (as stated above). When I plug in the left (supposedly stereo) jack I have that strange pan problem (stated above). When I plugged in the right (mono) jack only the pan position didn't affect anything at all, I got the same sound and volume level across the pan pot. This is where I get confused. Don't you have to have two physical connections going into something to get a stereo signal?
The Y cable idea I had is unnecessary in my opinion, so what my real question is, should I continue to run my setup as I currently have it, with the left jack plugged in, the right empty, and going into the analog 1 input on my 828mkII ? Or should I have it running into the 828 from the right (mono) jack only? Or, lastly, should I have both TRS jacks from the left and right main outs on the mo'phatt going into analog 1 AND analog 2 on the 828mkII? Do I really need to use two analog inputs on my 828 interface to get the stereo signal I want?
 
RhythmRmixd said:
... Do I really need to use two analog inputs on my 828 interface to get the stereo signal I want?

Yes, if you wish to maintain the stereo image. Use two inputs of the MOTU and pan them hard left and right respectively. Otherwise, whatever stereo image you've got going on with the Mo'Phatt will be lost and all crammed center of a mono track.
 
Yeah, be careful about combining those left and right signals. They're meant to be total stereo, and sometimes combining two stereo signals can sound awful.
 
Cool, thanks for the help guys. I do know that if I use both main outs on the Mo'Phatt, then the left jack won't produce a stereo signal, as the manual said "The left jack serves as a stereo output "IF" the right output jack is empty. Then I think I'm supposed to create a stereo bundle in Digital Performer 4, including Analog 1 and Analog 2 inputs on my 828, so that it serves as a single stereo input into DP4 from both the main mono outputs of my Mo'Phatt into the analog inputs (1 and 2) of the 828.
 
I have one more thing to add. I'm taking my individual MIDI tracks, and recording each of them as an audio track where I'm doing all my panning, fader levels, effects, EQ, etc. All my mixing is occuring after each track has been recorded as an audio soundbite, not while I'm sending MIDI data to the modules for module playback. Since this is the case, is it even necessary for me to be trying to run a stereo signal into the 828 for recording each of the MIDI tracks?
Since each MIDI track has only one specific sound (snare, kick, strings, hat) and since all my panning is being done after recording to soundbite, wouldn't it be just as good to record the MIDI to audio in mono, for each track? Would there be any additional volume boost if I were to record each MIDI track to audio in stereo? I know that if I were recording several MIDI instruments, panned around in various places, to a single audio soundbite this would matter, but does it matter at all if it's just a single instrument to its own audio soundbite?

Thanks
 
Volume would not be the factor for stereo vs mono. Some patches may have useful stereo spread, maybe string, piano, what ever has real differences from left to right, even stereo effects on mono instruments if you're using that from the synth. Otherwise, or if you want them narrower or panable in the mix, mono does it.
 
mixsit said:
Some patches may have useful stereo spread, maybe string, piano, what ever has real differences from left to right.

Yea I hooked up everything in the order I said I would last night, using two analog inputs for the Mo'Phatt and 2 more for the Proteus 2000. There's definatly more activity in the stereo field between my monitors for the patches on each module, especially some of the crazy synth noises. And my panning problem was fixed as well. I can't believe I've had those modules for almost 3 years and I'm just now getting the most optimal sound quality out of them. You live and you learn I guess.
 
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