sound quality improves when I pull mixer/audio-interface out

S

slowpork

New Member
hi..

I try different ways of connecting Axe, but I find it's much better to have nothing in the signal chain.

Best Sound:
Axe-Fx Line out -> Active Monitor

Almost-but-not-there-yet Sound:
Axe-Fx Line out -> Rack Stereo Mixer (Terratec - Sine Slm 82) -> Active Monitor

Worse sound:
Axe-Fx Line out -> MOTU Ultralite Line In -> MOTU Ultralite Master Out -> Active Monitor
Axe-Fx SPDIF out -> MOTU Ultralite SPDIF In -> MOTU Ultralite Master Out -> Active Monitor
(I think MOTU A/D/A effects sound)

As I want to share my monitor between Axe and computer(windows xp), which soundcard/mixer (with digital i/o) do you guys recommend? Motu Ultralite was a great device, but I outgrew it. I'm looking at RME HDSPe AIO , do you guys think it will be transparent or will it still have some effects on sound quality? How do you guys connect your Axe & computer ?

PS: Try to connect directly to your monitor and you'll find out how great Axe actually sounds!

Thx in adv !!

-Slowpork
 
i use the rme hdsp 9632 (which is the premodel from the new rme hdspe aio) and a rane sm 26s and the difference between direct to the monitors (mostly adam a7) or through the rme or rane are not really noticeable, on the other hand to have it really better (i mean near perfect or so on) that´s loooots more money - i think you can´t go wrong with the rme cards - the firefaces are good too
 
I am interested in this topic as well, I have been looking into doing a similar type of thing.

I am considering purchasing a cheap mixer (looked at some 100-150 behringers) to route both my axe fx and audio interface out into, so that I can listen to both on the active monitors. I have wondered about how much putting the mixer into the chain would negatively impact the sound quality.
 
Interesting. I'm using SPDIF for my recording signal chain, but can't avoid the D/A of my Firewire 410 going to my monitors. I haven't tried plugging the Axe directly into the monitors to find out what I'm losing. Can't really see a way around it without buying a high end interface, though.
 
Are you using output2 for a loop? Otherwise do OUt1 to your recorder and out 2 to your monitor.
If you need to hear the rest of the mix send it out to an analog mixer. Mine doesn't affect the sound much.
 
Dutch said:
Are you using output2 for a loop? Otherwise do OUt1 to your recorder and out 2 to your monitor.
If you need to hear the rest of the mix send it out to an analog mixer. Mine doesn't affect the sound much.
Click to expand...

Same here and I use and MOTU 82896HD and and 828mkII. I know Ed is using a mkIII as well. Unfortunately it rarely makes any sense for me to plug directly into monitors. I am usually going to the PA, recording, or practicing (mixing with other sound sources).
 
Be sure to check the levels going into the converter. Anything less than optimal (almost clipping) gets you less than the full bit depth and starts to sound thin or cheap.
 
Well I have been testing this setup this morning - XLR out to firebox to monitors - and so far I haven't really noticed much of a drop in sound quality. I still need to play around with the axe output level vs firebox mic in gain some.

So far though, I would say it seems like a good solution.
 
matt15f said:
I am interested in this topic as well, I have been looking into doing a similar type of thing.

I am considering purchasing a cheap mixer (looked at some 100-150 behringers) to route both my axe fx and audio interface out into, so that I can listen to both on the active monitors. I have wondered about how much putting the mixer into the chain would negatively impact the sound quality.
Click to expand...

Behringer mixer is not exactly 100% transparent (as I expected) I did try different ways to hook up my AFX and I can hear the difference between going through the mixer or into the Presonus firepod analog in then analog out to monitors .... Difference is not huge of course but enough to notice..

Another thing that I noticed that D/A converters of AFX are darn good ... Definitely better than my presonus firepod for example (no surprise there again)..

Mik.
 
I record my Axe via S/PDIF into my Firepod. While the FP latency isn't bad, I had the option to bypass that, so I did. So I grabbed the old Rane SM26 and threw that in the same rack. My Axe's analogue outs feed into the SM26, as well as the rest of the monitor mix from the FP, which then feeds the monitors. I haven't noticed any difference in tone.

I have noticed my SM26 is starting to crap out though. Started getting odd noises while playing the Axe and freaked out a bit. Eventually tried moving the Axe on to different channels in the Rane, and haven't had any problems since. Looked at the cost of buying the latest SM26... :shock: I got mine for cheap 2nd hand... Only place I found selling it around this crap hole wants $1100 for it! I'll stick with the 4 channels of my dodgy old one for now thanks. :|
 
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