Mackie 808 analog amp/speakers to my PC?

bill-kranz wrote on 12/30/2011, 1:56 PM

Hello.
I now have a 2nd new PC that is a budget ($1,130.00) HP model with their Beats sound management system= Beats Audio (tm) -- integrated studio quality sound in a Pavilion HPE h8z Series computer.

My main PC has speakers powered by a receiver that is hooked up to a Creative Platinum sound card with the breakout box.
I would like to hook up the Mackie 808 to this HP PC or switch the receiver to the HP and the big boy amp to the main PC.
My general question is do I still need the receiver to interface with the amp in order to make this work?
I looked at some You Tube videos and it seems this can be done, I.E. amp straight to the PC...
Just wanted some further validation so I don't burn up a PC in the process.

Thanks,
Bill

Comments

rraud wrote on 12/30/2011, 6:04 PM

Do you want to send audio from the Mackie to the PC, or use the Mackie PA for playback/monitor?
In any case, if you are imputing to the PC from the Mackie, you do not want to send a speaker level output to the PC's soundcard. Use the left/right 'Tape out' (usually RCA connectors) or 'Mixer line out' 1/4" TRS. Make sure your soundcard is set to 'Line level'. If it's set to 'mic level', the audio will likely be horribly distorted.
There are a number of ways to get in and out of the Mackie. If you can explain in detail what you want to achieve, we can suggest other options.

bill-kranz wrote on 12/30/2011, 8:41 PM

Hello and thanks for those guidelines. This will help.

I am looking to use it for playback/monitor as you would a speaker set that
would more commonly be used with a PC.

I do have both kinds of hookups you mentioned.

Thanks,
Bill