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Interface options with Stereo Direct Monitoring?

Z

zenabi

Aug 1, 2022
139
131
#1
I'm currently looking for my first Audio Interface for Bass Guitar and maybe a Drum Machine at some point in the future. I've almost made a decision to get a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, but I want to make sure I've not missed something else that I should consider.

There were other interfaces that I was considering, until I realised that not all interfaces will output dual mono when using Direct Monitor. This is a feature that I believe I will need. So, although I barely know anything about the software, the 2i2 appears to have the hardware features I want.

So are there any other similarly priced interfaces I should consider that have 2 inputs, 2 outputs, separate volume controls for Monitor out and Headphone out, with the ability to switch between mono and dual mono for Direct Monitor?
 
#3
silky smoove said:
Your thread title says stereo monitoring but the first post says dual mono monitoring. Are you trying to get direct monitoring of a stereo or dual mono signal?
Click to expand...
Good point. I want to Direct Monitor a bass guitar, but in both ears, not just one. I keep seeing it referred to as either Stereo or Dual Mono, although it's not really any of them.
 
#4
Also, as a separate question about the main output...

If I am going from the 1/4" jacks out of the 2i2 to RCA inputs at the other end, I'm guessing that I only need TR jacks, as RCA is not balanced.
 
#5
zenabi said:
Good point. I want to Direct Monitor a bass guitar, but in both ears, not just one. I keep seeing it referred to as either Stereo or Dual Mono, although it's not really any of them.
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That’s a stereo output of a mono signal. Dual mono doesn’t apply here, which is good as I’m not aware of any outputs on consumer interfaces that are specifically dual mono. Anything with a dedicated stereo output and an option for direct monitoring will work fine for this application.
 
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#6
zenabi said:
Also, as a separate question about the main output...

If I am going from the 1/4" jacks out of the 2i2 to RCA inputs at the other end, I'm guessing that I only need TR jacks, as RCA is not balanced.
Click to expand...
Are the speakers you’re connecting to this interface using RCA for connection, or are you connecting to some other type of device?
 
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#8
silky smoove said:
That’s a stereo output of a mono signal. Dual mono doesn’t apply here, which is good as I’m not aware of any outputs on consumer interfaces that are specifically dual mono. Anything with a dedicated stereo output and an option for direct monitoring will work fine for this application.
Click to expand...
Most of them have a main Stereo output, but not that many seem to have the option to listen to the Direct Monitor in Stereo.
 
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#10
zenabi said:
Most of them have a main Stereo output, but not that many seem to have the option to listen to the Direct Monitor in Stereo.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure I follow you. Any interface is going to have a means of connecting a stereo pair of monitor speakers and and a pair of headphones which will also be stereo. The only distinction is whether or not a specific interfaces affords the option of direct monitoring. Most interfaces include this option as it's quite a popular method of avoiding most system latency at the expense of not being able to monitor through ITB processing.
 
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#11
zenabi said:
Also, as a separate question about the main output...

If I am going from the 1/4" jacks out of the 2i2 to RCA inputs at the other end, I'm guessing that I only need TR jacks, as RCA is not balanced.
Click to expand...

1/4" jacks come in two common flavors. TS (Tip/Sleeve) and TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve).
The TRS can be used for unbalanced stereo, like on headphones for instance. This carries L, R, and shield. The shield acts as the return for the L and R audio.
The TRS can also be used for balanced audio (single channel). This carries +, -, and shield. The audio is carried on the + and -. The shield is not used in the audio path.

Since RCA is a single unbalanced signal, your 1/4" on the other end should be TS (Tip/Sleeve).
That is not to say there aren't other possible configurations of RCA <---> 1/4", but Tip/Ring is not typically used.

Be sure you know how your cable is wired and what the connectors you plug it into are doing.
 
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#12
silky smoove said:
I'm not sure I follow you. Any interface is going to have a means of connecting a stereo pair of monitor speakers and and a pair of headphones which will also be stereo. The only distinction is whether or not a specific interfaces affords the option of direct monitoring. Most interfaces include this option as it's quite a popular method of avoiding most system latency at the expense of not being able to monitor through ITB processing.
Click to expand...
I just want to be clear that I am talking about the Direct Monitor feature that allows you to hear the output without it being routed out to a computer and back again. So the unprocessed input going straight out to the headphones.

I was checking reviews and comparisons of Audio Interfaces. There was one comparing a Scarlett 2i2 to a Behringer UMC202HD, during which the guy stated that the Behringer plays one input in the left ear and the other input in the right ear when using Direct Monitor, but the Focusrite has the button to change between doing the same or in Stereo.
 
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#13
zenabi said:
I just want to be clear that I am talking about the Direct Monitor feature that allows you to hear the output without it being routed out to a computer and back again. So the unprocessed input going straight out to the headphones.
Click to expand...
Correct, that is what I'm describing. It's a little more complicated than you're describing as all direct monitoring options still pass both the AD and DA converters in an interface, but the software hosting the interface (typically a DAW) doesn't get factored into the latency, or signal processing options. With that in mind I'll state again that most consumer interfaces these days offer that option, and all of them are stereo.
 
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#14
silky smoove said:
Correct, that is what I'm describing. It's a little more complicated than you're describing as all direct monitoring options still pass both the AD and DA converters in an interface, but the software hosting the interface (typically a DAW) doesn't get factored into the latency, or signal processing options. With that in mind I'll state again that most consumer interfaces these days offer that option, and all of them are stereo.
Click to expand...
I wish they'd make it a bit more obvious then.
 
#15
The obvious ones put a direct monitoring control on the front panel such as Presonus' mix knob which blends between direct and software monitoring. Others make it a toggle switch in the software driver/mixer that pairs with the interface. In all cases you'll want to be sure that your DAW is set to not monitor through the software. In some cases doing this will force your interface's driver/mixer software to respond accordingly and follow suit.

As always though; If you're planning a purchase, read the manual before paying any money for it to be sure that the function you want is actually capable with the device you're hoping to buy.
 
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#16
silky smoove said:
The obvious ones put a direct monitoring control on the front panel such as Presonus' mix knob which blends between direct and software monitoring. Others make it a toggle switch in the software driver/mixer that pairs with the interface. In all cases you'll want to be sure that your DAW is set to not monitor through the software. In some cases doing this will force your interface's driver/mixer software to respond accordingly and follow suit.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I guess it was just bad luck that came up in the first comparison I watched between Focusrite and another brand. It also didn't help that I have very little knowledge of Audio Interfaces and assumed that anything without a button/switch on the front would only play in one ear of the headphones when using Direct Monitor.
 
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#18
I’ve been using the Audient SONO. It’s a tube interface designed to record guitar and bass and anything else an interface can accept (two Xlr inputs on the back, as well 1/4” guitar/ bass input). Also has a dedicated re-amp output as well. The monitor mix knob goes between input and computer and also has separate dedicated speaker and headphone level knobs. I upgraded from the Scarlett 2i2 to the SONO.
 
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#20
Cave Puppy said:
I’ve been using the Audient SONO. It’s a tube interface designed to record guitar and bass and anything else an interface can accept (two Xlr inputs on the back, as well 1/4” guitar/ bass input). Also has a dedicated re-amp output as well. The monitor mix knob goes between input and computer and also has separate dedicated speaker and headphone level knobs. I upgraded from the Scarlett 2i2 to the SONO.
Click to expand...
First time I've seen that one mentioned, seems decent. I'll have a closer look.
 
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