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wire routing question
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| JD8180 |
Hello all. My scenario is that I have a DJM 400 and I am having issues with the fact there isn't two volume controls (one for master out 1 and the other for master out 2). My first master out is connected to my PC so I can record everything, and my second is connected to my Behringer Truth monitors.
My monitors play far too loud (even though I have the gain set to the minimum). I have to put my master volume knob to around 10 oclock in order to play at a comfortable volume. But then my PC doesn't record because the signal coming out of the mixer is too low (at the knob in that position, the master volume LEDs on the mixer either don't show or are on the first green bar). I have my sound card settings to record at the maximum volume but that still doesn't do it.
Is there anyway I can route my monitors somehow or is there such thing as just a volume control knob I could buy (say something like with RCA females on one side and males on the other and just a volume adjusting knob to have the sound come out lower)? |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by JD8180
Hello all. My scenario is that I have a DJM 400 and I am having issues with the fact there isn't two volume controls (one for master out 1 and the other for master out 2). My first master out is connected to my PC so I can record everything, and my second is connected to my Behringer Truth monitors.
My monitors play far too loud (even though I have the gain set to the minimum). I have to put my master volume knob to around 10 oclock in order to play at a comfortable volume. But then my PC doesn't record because the signal coming out of the mixer is too low (at the knob in that position, the master volume LEDs on the mixer either don't show or are on the first green bar). I have my sound card settings to record at the maximum volume but that still doesn't do it.
Is there anyway I can route my monitors somehow or is there such thing as just a volume control knob I could buy (say something like with RCA females on one side and males on the other and just a volume adjusting knob to have the sound come out lower)? |
Firstly, Try this: Set the level so you get a decent signal going in to your computer, then using the input trim on the back of your Truth's, try to turn it down to a manageable level.
There might not be enough a trim control on the truth's though. If so, you have two options:
1, Connect the monitors to the output of the PC, so you are hearing what is being recorded but this sucks as you won't be able to hear what you're playing unless your PC is on.
2, Get the SM pro patch NANO, which is a passive volume control for active monitors, It costs about $60. Like a mackie bigknob, but cheaper and less noisy. Problem solved. |
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| JD8180 |
| quote: | Originally posted by DJ RANN
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Thanks for your input. I have the trim lowered as much as possible on the Truths and it's still way too loud. I think I am going to go with option 1 of what you told me. I really don't get how a volume knob could be so expensive for something so simple.
I have all the stuff in my bedroom including my computer, and the computer is usually on all the time when I am home/awake. So having the computer on to play won't be an issue. I was actually looking for something exactly like that volume knob, but didn't know where to look. I'm just not willing to pay a price like that for it. :(
Again, thank you. |
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| n3lly |
I'm doing the rounds at the moment with all the new threads lol
I dunno if I'm just being thick but have you tried to swap the outputs.
Put your computer onto the Master out 2.
Sounds like Master 1 is controlled by the volume knob? Hook your monitors to that. Then hook your computer up to master 2, maybe this isn't controlled by the volume knob.
Not sure, but I'm sure you tried the above. |
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| JD8180 |
| quote: | Originally posted by n3lly
I'm doing the rounds at the moment with all the new threads lol
I dunno if I'm just being thick but have you tried to swap the outputs.
Put your computer onto the Master out 2.
Sounds like Master 1 is controlled by the volume knob? Hook your monitors to that. Then hook your computer up to master 2, maybe this isn't controlled by the volume knob.
Not sure, but I'm sure you tried the above. |
I haven't, but I don't think it would work. I am going to try it regardless, though, after I relax a bit from this hangover. :p
I don't think it would work because if the knob is down, then both the volume out of the monitors go down, and the volume going to the pc goes so low that the recording is almost mute. Where as if I raise the volume, the PC starts getting better recordings, but the monitors are deafening. So I think the knob controls both outputs simultaneously.
Regardless, I will try it because if that fixes it then that will save me some time and money. Thanks for your input! |
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| DJ RANN |
| quote: | Originally posted by JD8180
I haven't, but I don't think it would work. I am going to try it regardless, though, after I relax a bit from this hangover. :p
I don't think it would work because if the knob is down, then both the volume out of the monitors go down, and the volume going to the pc goes so low that the recording is almost mute. Where as if I raise the volume, the PC starts getting better recordings, but the monitors are deafening. So I think the knob controls both outputs simultaneously.
Regardless, I will try it because if that fixes it then that will save me some time and money. Thanks for your input! |
AFAIK, both master outputs are controlled by the one master knob.
The issue here is that the signal coming from the mixer is a line level (albeit variable) signal. The Truth's are configured to be a a certain output volume when receiving a line level signal. This is because they expect you to have some for of volume control for the signal going to it.
I know what you're thinking, how can a simple passive stereo volume pot cost that much. That box really isn't that expensive when you think about having to source the parts (about $5-10 for decent) then put them in a box with a nice knob, make the thing durable and get it into shops with a profit margin.
My first option will work for you, you just need to get a program with a master volume output control (like wavelab).
Glad it's sorted! |
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| JD8180 |
I ended up just buying a splitter for my sound card. So my PC speakers and monitors are both connected to the PC. I tested it out and it works great, I just change the volume knob on the PC to where I feel comfortable and record away.
Thanks everyone.
edit: and yes, that volume knob I am sure does not cost more than like $5 to make. Probably takes the factory like 30 seconds to make as well. |
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| miamitranceman |
| quote: | Originally posted by JD8180
I ended up just buying a splitter for my sound card. So my PC speakers and monitors are both connected to the PC. I tested it out and it works great, I just change the volume knob on the PC to where I feel comfortable and record away.
Thanks everyone.
edit: and yes, that volume knob I am sure does not cost more than like $5 to make. Probably takes the factory like 30 seconds to make as well. |
Hey man, I have the same issue with the exact same setup except I have a dell laptop. I guess I can try an output splitter too, but I like being able to see the volume out on the mixer VU meter. Damn you Pioneer and your 2 mic inputs and no booth out! :whip: |
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| MERiDiAN5i2 |
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| if you route the audio thru your computer, isn't it going to have a considerable lag therefore making the monitors useless for beatmatching? |
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| JD8180 |
| quote: | Originally posted by MERiDiAN5i2
[img]http://www.rane.com/jpg/sm26sfp.jpg/img] |
+$300, sorry, my $5 alternative seems a lot more feasible as of right now. :p I'd rather save that money and use it to upgrade my mixer, which would probably have a booth volume knob.
As for the lag, I've been playing with it and I don't really notice anything. It sounds great to me and beatmatching doesn't feel any different. |
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