Advice On Audio Set-up

[Pterodacton]

Hello. 

Brand new to the forums so forgive any transgressions on my part.

I've read the FAQ and watch the whole video, but to honest I'm still a little confused. 

I have a pair of ADAM Artist 5 monitors on a set of IsoAcoustic stands, but I would like to start expanding with some other gear.

Eventually I would like these speakers, a pair of high quality headphones, and a high quality microphone (I've decided against having a headset, because I feel it's hard to find headphones with a good mic that sound good, or headphones that sound good that also have a good mic)

This is the microphone I was looking at, if not this model then something pretty similar. 

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/mxl-990-pressure-gradient-condenser-microphone

My problem comes from needing something to plug all of these things into, I was originally going to buy a sound card, but with the microphone I want I'm going to need something that accepts XLR and has phantom power.  

Ideally, I would like something with L and R XLR output for my speakers (so that they're balanced), a 1/4 inch TRS output for a pair of headphones, and a phantom power XLR input for the microphone. 

These are what I was looking at...

http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/pro-audio/all/interfaces/usb-audio-interfaces

But I don't really know what I'm looking for, does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I need to be aware of? Anything I'm missing? 

Thanks in advance.

[bchampion96]

Hello. 

Brand new to the forums so forgive any transgressions on my part.

I've read the FAQ and watch the whole video, but to honest I'm still a little confused. 

I have a pair of ADAM Artist 5 monitors on a set of IsoAcoustic stands, but I would like to start expanding with some other gear.

Eventually I would like these speakers, a pair of high quality headphones, and a high quality microphone (I've decided against having a headset, because I feel it's hard to find headphones with a good mic that sound good, or headphones that sound good that also have a good mic)

This is the microphone I was looking at, if not this model then something pretty similar. 

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/mxl-990-pressure-gradient-condenser-microphone

My problem comes from needing something to plug all of these things into, I was originally going to buy a sound card, but with the microphone I want I'm going to need something that accepts XLR and has phantom power.  

Ideally, I would like something with L and R XLR output for my speakers (so that they're balanced), a 1/4 inch TRS output for a pair of headphones, and a phantom power XLR input for the microphone. 

These are what I was looking at...

http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/pro-audio/all/interfaces/usb-audio-interfaces

But I don't really know what I'm looking for, does anyone have any suggestions? Anything I need to be aware of? Anything I'm missing? 

Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome to the forum! Check out something like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I have the 2i4 and I love it It will do everything you need it to. My 2i4 is in a very similar usage scenario with two KRK RP8 G2s and an Audio technica AT2020. I use my AKG K550s with this setup too. I have no experience with that microphone at all, but you are correct that it is XLR and will require phantom power. Good choice on getting one with an included shock mount. Helps get rid of the vibrations from typing. Are you going to need a stand for that as well?

 

If you want to splash out more mic-wise, I can vouch for this as I have used and enjoyed it http://www.scan.co.uk/products/rode-nt1-a-vocal-pack-1-cardioid-condenser-microphone-shock-mount-pop-shield-20-cable-dust-cover-d

 

Here's the 2i2: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/focusrite-audio-engineering-scarlett-2i2-audio-interface-96-khz-24bit

 

What's your budget for your new gear?

[Pterodacton]

Sweet! Cheers man! Yeah I forgot to mention I'm looking at spending about £100 on an interface, so that 2i2 fits nicely. 

Do you know of any interfaces like that, that would output with XLR? Is there even a difference between the TRS and XLR?
 

I'm currently connected to the motherboards on-board sound via a 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter, then the cable is a 1/4 inch jack to split left and right XLR connectors. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having XLR, TRS, Mono L&R or split stereo L&R? Are there even any differences at all? 

[bchampion96]

Sweet! Cheers man! Yeah I forgot to mention I'm looking at spending about £100 on an interface, so that 2i2 fits nicely. 

Do you know of any interfaces like that, that would output with XLR? Is there even a difference between the TRS and XLR?

 

I'm currently connected to the motherboards on-board sound via a 1/4 to 3.5mm adapter, then the cable is a 1/4 inch jack to split left and right XLR connectors. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having XLR, TRS, Mono L&R or split stereo L&R? Are there even any differences at all? 

 

(Pro Tip: To reply to someone and give them a notification, so they know you replied, press the 'quote' button on their comment) Well I don't know a whole lot about electrical/really tekky advantages, but I'll share what I know. TRS and XLR are both balanced connectors which makes them far more resistant to interference that unbalanced cables. XLR connections frequently have locking mechanisms of some kind on them which makes the connections more robust. So to your question about interfaces that output XLR: they are the same cable, with two different connectors. My monitors are connected to my 2i4 with TRS at the interface end and XLR at the monitor end! The solution you're currently using seems like it would put a whole lot of stress on the motherboard audio connectors. You will have a greater degree of monitoring control over your speakers and microphone(s) with a separate interface like the 2i2.

[Guest]

you could try the behringer xenyx series, they are really good.

[bchampion96]

you could try the behringer xenyx series, they are really good.

 

While using a small portable mixer would work, it is not the ideal piece of hardware for this user's setup. 

[ShearMe]

Do you know of any interfaces like that, that would output with XLR? Is there even a difference between the TRS and XLR?

 

No difference at all between TRS and XLR -both have 3 connectors and 3 wires. Consumer-oriented products like your headphones, mp3 players, computer jacks, etc, generally use stereo unbalanced signals carried across a TRS connector, but production-oriented products like audio interfaces and studio monitors carry a mono balanced signal across TRS and XLR interchangeably. 

[Pterodacton]

(Pro Tip: To reply to someone and give them a notification, so they know you replied, press the 'quote' button on their comment) Well I don't know a whole lot about electrical/really tekky advantages, but I'll share what I know. TRS and XLR are both balanced connectors which makes them far more resistant to interference that unbalanced cables. XLR connections frequently have locking mechanisms of some kind on them which makes the connections more robust. So to your question about interfaces that output XLR: they are the same cable, with two different connectors. My monitors are connected to my 2i4 with TRS at the interface end and XLR at the monitor end! The solution you're currently using seems like it would put a whole lot of stress on the motherboard audio connectors. You will have a greater degree of monitoring control over your speakers and microphone(s) with a separate interface like the 2i2.

My mistake! Replied quickly before heading to bed last night. 

 

you could try the behringer xenyx series, they are really good.

I googled it, it looks a tiny bit overkill for my usage, but thanks!

 

No difference at all between TRS and XLR -both have 3 connectors and 3 wires. Consumer-oriented products like your headphones, mp3 players, computer jacks, etc, generally use stereo unbalanced signals carried across a TRS connector, but production-oriented products like audio interfaces and studio monitors carry a mono balanced signal across TRS and XLR interchangeably. 

Thanks! That puts my mind to rest a little, something I'm always worried about when buying pretty much anything for my computer is are the connectors compatible. 

Couple more quick questions...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/focusrite-audio-engineering-scarlett-2i2-audio-interface-96-khz-24bit

This is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for (Thanks bchampion96), but I was wondering, if in the future I decide to use input number 2, for something that doesn't require phantom power, will having it turned on (for the mic on input 1) damage or otherwise affect the signal at all? I play guitar and having the opportunity to record that at the same time as the microphone is quite appealing to me. 

Second question is, are the outputs on the back (the TRS) balanced?  EDIT: Found my answer here - http://www.fullcompass.com/common/files/18487-scarlett-2i2-user-guide1.pdf 

"The line output connectors are 3-pole (TRS) ¼” (6.35 mm) jack sockets, and are electronically balanced"

 

And thirdly, potentially silly question but I'd just like to make sure, if I connect this to my PC with the USB, and then only have the two outputs on the back going to my monitors, with no other inputs or outputs at all, will I be able to hear my music/games from my PC? In other words, will sound travel from the PC to the monitors through the USB? Or will I need a separate output from the PC into the interface?

[bchampion96]

My mistake! Replied quickly before heading to bed last night. 

 

I googled it, it looks a tiny bit overkill for my usage, but thanks!

 

Thanks! That puts my mind to rest a little, something I'm always worried about when buying pretty much anything for my computer is are the connectors compatible. 

Couple more quick questions...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/focusrite-audio-engineering-scarlett-2i2-audio-interface-96-khz-24bit

This is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for (Thanks bchampion96), but I was wondering, if in the future I decide to use input number 2, for something that doesn't require phantom power, will having it turned on (for the mic on input 1) damage or otherwise affect the signal at all? I play guitar and having the opportunity to record that at the same time as the microphone is quite appealing to me. 

Second question is, are the outputs on the back (the TRS) balanced? 

And thirdly, potentially silly question but I'd just like to make sure, if I connect this to my PC with the USB, and then only have the two outputs on the back going to my monitors, with no other inputs or outputs at all, will I be able to hear my music/games from my PC? In other words, will sound travel from the PC to the monitors through the USB? Or will I need a separate output from the PC into the interface?

 

Question 1: Phantom power isn't like conventional DC or AC current (I don't understand it much really) but I do know that it WILL NOT harm anything you plug into it, so you'll be fine plugging your guitar in!

 

Question 2: Yes they are balanced

 

Question 3: Don't worry about questions you might think are silly. If you've never used an interface like this before, then how are you to know! When you plug the 2i2 into your computer via usb, you can go to control panel to the sound setup thingy, and if you select the 2i2 as your output, then all audio from your PC will be going to your monitors, be it games, youtube, recording software or anything at all! 

 

If you have more questions, you can always PM me or skype me or something and I can show you rather than type things

[Pterodacton]

Question 1: Phantom power isn't like conventional DC or AC current (I don't understand it much really) but I do know that it WILL NOT harm anything you plug into it, so you'll be fine plugging your guitar in!

 

Question 2: Yes they are balanced

 

Question 3: Don't worry about questions you might think are silly. If you've never used an interface like this before, then how are you to know! When you plug the 2i2 into your computer via usb, you can go to control panel to the sound setup thingy, and if you select the 2i2 as your output, then all audio from your PC will be going to your monitors, be it games, youtube, recording software or anything at all! 

 

If you have more questions, you can always PM me or skype me or something and I can show you rather than type things

Sweet, thanks for replying! I don't have Skype sorry but if I have any questions about the 2i2 then I'll definitely message you! Thank you.

Okay, last question I promise... For an extra £10, I could get this...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/tascam-us-366-usb-audio-interface

Which seems to do everything the 2i2 does plus more, it comes with software, has more inputs and outputs, 192khz over 96khz, it just seems better in every way...

Am I missing something? I obviously don't want to be paying for extra features I'll never use but, for an extra £10 is it worth the extra headroom?

EDIT: Just to clarify, I'm not a recording artist, the mic will be used pretty much exclusively to talk to people while in games or VOIP, and maybe, just maybe I might experiment with a podcast or youtube videos down the line, any guitar recording that may or may not happen will be for personal use, I won't be recording anything professionally or anything like that, and I highly doubt I'll ever want to output to anything other than my monitors and a pair of headphones. 

[bchampion96]

Sweet, thanks for replying! I don't have Skype sorry but if I have any questions about the 2i2 then I'll definitely message you! Thank you.

Okay, last question I promise... For an extra £10, I could get this...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/tascam-us-366-usb-audio-interface

Which seems to do everything the 2i2 does plus more, it comes with software, has more inputs and outputs, 192khz over 96khz, it just seems better in every way...

Am I missing something? I obviously don't want to be paying for extra features I'll never use but, for an extra £10 is it worth the extra headroom?

EDIT: Just to clarify, I'm not a recording artist, the mic will be used pretty much exclusively to talk to people while in games or VOIP, and maybe, just maybe I might experiment with a podcast or youtube videos down the line, any guitar recording that may or may not happen will be for personal use, I won't be recording anything professionally or anything like that, and I highly doubt I'll ever want to output to anything other than my monitors and a pair of headphones. 

 

I think you should save the money. With VOIP and stuff, a higher sample rate is going to make 0 audible difference. I also have never seen it before. Look up some reviews and see what people think. I'm afraid you've got to weigh up the features!

[Guest]

While using a small portable mixer would work, it is not the ideal piece of hardware for this user's setup. 

yeh i wasnt sure it was 100% appropriate but i have used it for what the guy wants. it does work pretty well for stuff like recording mic to computer etc. i guess i shouldve let someone like you answer

[Pterodacton]

Alright guys, I went for the Tascam, for an extra £10 it offered quite a lot over the 2i2, the optical input could be quite useful for a playstation or something like that, either way I felt it was more versatile in the long run. 

Thanks for all the help.