OT - Hardware Saga ...

PeterWright wrote on 6/10/2003, 11:44 PM
It started with a Vaio laptop, with which I was able to make several successful multi track recordings in Vegas, on location, using the built in sound card and its mic and headphone sockets.

Encouraged by the results, I decided to increase quality, and bought an MAudio Quattro, 4 ins/outs plus a midi interface. It wasn't till I installed it that I realised it was line in only, and I needed mic in as well.

The man in the shop recommeded an MAudio Audio Buddy, giving 2 ins, either XLR with phantom power or hi-impedance 1/4" jacks for Guitars etc.

Great - I tried it all out and results were good.
When it came to multi tracking, however. I was shocked to find that neither the Quattro or the Buddy has a headphone socket!

When I'm recording at my workspace, no problem - I have a Behringer mixer I can use, but I don't want to keep un-patching this every time I want to record away from here, and have to hitch up yet another box to the laptop ...

Now I realise I may not have made the wisest purchases for what I wanted to achieve, but can someone tell me the "simplest" way of adding a headphone to my mobile rig?

thanks

Peter

Comments

JoeD wrote on 6/11/2003, 1:53 AM
Tried routing a pair of outputs of your new interface to your cheapo soundcard so you could monitor with it? You can still record using the new soundcard, but you might be able to monitor through the cheapy? (or is it disabled?).

Or take the mixer.

Larger problem:
Make yourself a checklist first...
- checklist for what you want to do
- checklist for what you want to spend
- checklist for possible hardware candidates

Running around buying things isn't wise as you've already somewhat stated, you'll probably find out better options once you make these lists.

JoeD
PeterWright wrote on 6/11/2003, 2:21 AM
Yeah, thanks Joe - I'm afraid I had a recording session coming up and took some dodgy "professional" advice in haste.

I'll try the re-routing to old soundcard, but it only has a minjack mic input so impedance may be wrong - may also introduce latency, but worth a try ...

Never mind - I'm still standing, the Quattro gives me a midi interface and the Audio Buddy is also handy as a DI box for my all too rare stage extravaganzas.

cheers

Peter
BrianStanding wrote on 6/11/2003, 10:35 AM
Can't you just plug a headphone into one of the Quattro audio outs? Or are you using all 4 outputs?
PeterWright wrote on 6/11/2003, 7:54 PM
What a ridiculous idea ..... it works!!

Seriously BStanding, thanks - I had never thought that Line out was ok for headphones, but it is - I'll get a little attenuator box so I can vary the volume, and I'm on my way.

cheers
Peter