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Newbie Monitor Cabling Help

Hari Seldon

Hari Seldon

Dec 27, 2016
84
104
#1
I'd like some help setting up monitor speakers. I want to do this:

Computer Stereo Output (1/8th inch jack)
AND
Steinberg UR-22 Mark 2 interface (1/4th inch left and right output) ---->

Mackie Big Knob Passive 2x2 Monitor Controller (has a L and R 1/4 inch input as "A", and a "line in" 1/8th option for "B") ---->

KRK Rokit 4 G3 speaker pair​

I'll use a 1/8th inch stereo cable to go from the computer to the 1/8th inch "line in" "B" input jack on the Mackie. I'll use a TRS/stereo instrument cable to go from each output (L and R) on the Steinberg interface to the L and R inputs on the Mackie (is this the correct cable to use??).

From the Mackie I'll use 1/4-inch stereo/TRS instrument cables to go from the "A" output's L and R outputs to the left and right balanced/TRS speaker inputs. Should that indeed be a stereo instrument cable?

Will that work for me to be able to switch back and forth between using the computer's audio output and the Steinberg's output through the speakers? I already have the Steinberg working to record via a USB connection to the computer and listening to my bass and the DAW's output via headphones attached to the Steinberg. I'm trying to get to the point where I can use monitors when doing the final mastering within my DAW.

The Steinberg: Steinberg UR22mkII
The Mackie: Mackie Big Knob Passive 2x2 Studio Monitor Controller
The speakers: KRK ROKIT 4 G3

Thanks for the help!!
 
Last edited:
#3
And I said:
Using balanced (TRS) cables is a good idea. But I'm still confused as to why you want to use the 1/8" out from your computer's built in audio at all if you have an audio interface.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. As far as using the 1/8" out from the computer, it's so I can use the monitors as my primary computer speakers. I figure they have to be better that what I'm using right now.
 
#8
@And I has the right idea. Just leave the interface running and control it with the Mackie Big Knob.

Also, if you're using this for any critical listening/mixing/mastering duties I would get rid of the Big Knob while doing that work. It's a great piece of gear for convenience when switching between multiple monitor sets or integrating a talkback mic into a home studio setting, but it has very well documented coloration of your signal path. Most notably a reduction of high frequency content. This is not what you want for critical operations. For casual use it's just fine, albeit not terribly necessary if you're only using a single set of monitors.
 
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#9
Good to know, thanks. I essentially use the interface as a practice tool at this point and find it fun to make MP3's of me playing along with backing tracks. So hardly critical use, but knowing that I can save the myself the cost and coloration of the Big Knob by using the interface as my primary computer audio output sounds like a winner, so I think that's what I'll try. Balancing the volume when switching from using the DAW to "other" computer sounds/output might take some getting used to but I'm willing to give it a shot.
 
#11
And I said:
Using balanced (TRS) cables is a good idea. But I'm still confused as to why you want to use the 1/8" out from your computer's built in audio at all if you have an audio interface.
Click to expand...
If I understand the poster correctly, he doesn't use balanced cables. When he writes, he is using a stereo cable, does this mean two combined mono TSR cables, or one stereo/symmetric TSR cable for each speaker?
I supposed he uses a cable like this:
https://www.thomann.de/de/cordial_cfu_15_pp.htm

But should use two of these, one for every speaker he connects to the interface.

https://www.thomann.de/de/cordial_em_05_vv_elements.htm
 

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