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Keyboards, mixers, interfaces, and confusion

MMcC

MMcC

Sep 10, 2005
739
3
43
Dallas
#1
So my predicament is this...

I have an organ and a separate piano that run in (1/4") to a Behringer mixer that runs out (RCA to XLR) to studio monitors. I run them each in stereo, so I'm using 4 inputs on the mixer.

This is the set-up for casual, non-recording play.

Also running in to this mixer is my interface (Propellerhead Balance).

If I want to track either of the keyboards in my software (Reason 7), I'd have to unplug them from the mixer and in to the interface.

Could I keep both the keyboards plugged in to my mixer and run a pair of 1/4" cables OUT of the mixer and IN to a channel on the interface? The thing that confuses me is this interface already has a pair of cables running OUT of it and IN to the mixer that feeds the studio monitors.

I don't know why this worries me, but it does. It's creating a loop {keyboards > mixer > interface > mixer} that just reminds me of "crossing the streams" a la Ghostbusters.

So if this makes sense, and you know what I'm talking about and have some insight, please help.

Thanks a bunch,

Matt
 
#2
MMcC said:
So my predicament is this...
Could I keep both the keyboards plugged in to my mixer and run a pair of 1/4" cables OUT of the mixer and IN to a channel on the interface?
Matt
Click to expand...
Yes, you can do this. I have my mixer/audio interface/monitors connected this way.
MMcC said:
The thing that confuses me is this interface already has a pair of cables running OUT of it and IN to the mixer that feeds the studio monitors. I don't know why this worries me, but it does. It's creating a loop {keyboards > mixer > interface > mixer} that just reminds me of "crossing the streams" a la Ghostbusters. Matt
Click to expand...
And yes, you can get a feedback loop going if you're not careful. Here's how my setup is connected:

Bass, keyboards, etc. to various mixer inputs. Mixer Mains Out to audio interface, audio interface USB to computer, audio interface Audio Out to mixer Tape In, mixer Monitor Out to monitor speakers. So mixer Main faders control volume going to audio interface while mixer Monitor volume control controls volume of monitor speakers. I also connect mixer Tape Out to a cheap amp connected to cheap speakers to give me an alternate monitor capability, but that's just my setup. This setup gives me good control over recording and playback, including just listening to MP3 audio from my computer.
HTH
 
#4
Oh, I forgot to mention... I do have the ability in my mixer to switch on and off the Tape In signal to the Main Out and the Monitor Out. That's actually important under one fairly normal condition: If you are overdubbing a track while playing back in your DAW, you do need to make sure the Tape In (i.e. connected to the audio interface Audio Out) does NOT get routed to the Main Out as this will record the playback into your overdub channel and most likely cause a feedback loop as well.

Post how things works out for you.
 
Last edited:
#6
In the meantime, the mixer is a Behringer Xenyx 1202. It has stereo Main Outs, stereo Control Room outs, a main mix slider, a control room knob, and 2 knobs that say 2-TR to CTRL Room and 2-TR to mix.

Does this sound at all like your set-up?
 
#7
MMcC said:
In the meantime, the mixer is a Behringer Xenyx 1202. It has stereo Main Outs, stereo Control Room outs, a main mix slider, a control room knob, and 2 knobs that say 2-TR to CTRL Room and 2-TR to mix.

Does this sound at all like your set-up?
Click to expand...
Very similar. I have a Souncraft EPM8 (which is actually 10 channels, 8 mono and 2 stereo, Soundcraft seems to name differently than others). I looked up your Xenyx 1202. Your CD/Tape to Ctrl button should be the same as my Tape to Monitor button and your CD/Tape to Mix button should be the same as my Tape to Main button. You should be good to go.
 
#8
Well, I think I have it set up, but I'm having some problems. I have the keys, my computer audio, and the interface plugged in to 4 stereo inputs. I have the main outs going to the studio monitors. I have the control outs going to the interface. I've had some feedback, but I'm figuring things out.

I can't control the volume of the playback anymore without altering the input of the keyboards. I was hoping I'd be able to control each separately, but this is only done with my Main Mix slider on my mixer. The control room knob and the control room button function, but the main mix slider is in charge if that makes sense.

I'm not going to be able to track without headphones, am I?

Also, I did a test run with the two separate keyboards. When I play them back, I get a faint hiss when both tracks are going. But when I solo either one, it's gone. This goes for the headphones coming out of my interface and my studio monitors.

Any thoughts?
 
#10
MMcC said:
Well, I think I have it set up, but I'm having some problems. I have the keys, my computer audio, and the interface plugged in to 4 stereo inputs. I have the main outs going to the studio monitors. I have the control outs going to the interface. I've had some feedback, but I'm figuring things out. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
OK, let's start with your setup just to make sure everything's setup the way it should be. From your description, I can't tell for sure whether it is or not. I also had to look up your Propellerhead Balance unit. Looks like it is a 2in2out audio interface with a little bit of other capability mixed in. Here's how I think you should have it set up:

Keys to the Berringer channel inputs (stereo inputs if any of the keys are stereo)
Berringer Main Outs (L+R) to one of the 2 Propellerhead Balance Line Ins (L+R)
Propellerhead Balance USB to your Computer USB (remember that your Propellerhead Balance *is* your computer audio now)
Propellerhead Balance Line Out (L+R) to Berringer Tape In (L+R)
Berringer Control Room Out (L+R) to the studio monitors

See if that helps any.
 

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