I use the L/R outputs with TRS-to-XLR cables and go directly to my monitor speakers. Sometimes I like to use wireless though, so I unplug the XLRs from my monitors and plug them into my wireless transmitter. Works well, but it’s a bit of a pain and I’d like to have both options available without having to plug/unplug anything.
So I picked up a TRS to XLR splitter, so I can go from the headphone out and plug into the wireless transmitter from that. Ugh, SO MUCH NOISE with just that short run of unbalanced cable, so that’s basically worthless. I’ve gone back to plugging and unplugging the cables.
I’m looking for a solution to either:
A. Take the balanced output from the OUTs on the HX, and then send one set of balanced outputs (either TRS or XLR) to my monitors and another to my transmitter. (Mixer?)
B. Take the TRS stereo headphone output and split it into two balanced cables going into the L/R inputs on the transmitter. (DI box?)
Do you also use the XL Stomp as a DAI? Or do you never use your computer to a) record, or b) add backing tracks etc.?
If there is a computer, you might get a little DAC unit and send audio from your computer to the DAC (via USB) and from the DAC to the monitors. Then, you could keep the XL directly plugged into your transmitter, if I get that whole setup right…
Yep, it’s always connected to a computer via USB for recording or just playing backing tracks, and also running HX Edit. But it’s also the audio interface/soundcard in this case, so playback/monitoring occurs through the HX. In Reaper, I can’t have one audio interface for input and another for output.
I’m starting to think what I need is a mixer that has two stereo output channels with distinct volume controls for each. That way I can switch between the two by turning one up and the other down.
Hey that’s worth a try, thanks! I actually do have Loopback but haven’t used it in quite some time. I’ve got a Focusrite around here somewhere too, if I can remember where.
This does require that I be connected to the computer to play through the wireless, though, whereas the hardware mixer lets me keep the option I have today of just plugging in and playing. But if it works well, it’s likely worth the tradeoff.
I can record on all six channels I use, playback works great through both the monitors connected to HX out directly, and the Focusrite Scarlett Solo which is then connected to the wireless.
What doesn’t work so well is hearing my bass. With the monitor volume set low on the Solo, the playback audio is fine but the bass is too low to hear adequately. When I turn the monitor dial up on the Solo, I can hear the bass but it gets crazy noisy. It’s like the bass signal needs amplification somewhere along the line that it’s not getting.
Oh absolutely! The question was not if but which one
Probably the simplest solution imo. My signal chain looks something like…
Bass / Guitar
Pedal boards (bass = Boss GX-10 to preamp with dual DI out, guitar is biog pedalboard with preamp with dual DI out)
Mixer - Bass and guitar each get 2 XLR inputs, I’m running them both in stereo. EQ’d and panned to boost bass / low mids on the left, treble and high mids on the right.
Mixer is also my DAI into garageband. I just mute the 2 inputs I’m not using at the moment.
I run my monitors through TRS to XLR from the control room ports on the mixer. I’ve also got the headphone jack that I can use if I want to just go with headphones. I’ve also got the left (unbalanced) main out to use if I want to plug in my amp and use it as a subwoofer with my monitors.
That’s a nice setup! I knew you ran a mixer and was hoping you would chime in. That said, with the HX at the heart of my setup I really have everything I need minus the optionality of which monitors to use. The Mackie Big Knob (lol) is dead simple and exactly what I’m looking for here I think. Hope so, I just ordered it!
I used to have the same mixer @faydout has and yeah that will be fine. The only bummer is its interface only has two channels so this will all get mixed down to two tracks in the DAW.
Something like the Zoom LiveTrak L8 has more inputs.
I am loving my Bitwig connect 4/12 as a DAW controller and interface but TBH as an interface it’s a lot more limiting than I am happy with. It can only direct monitor its first two inputs, which sucks; inputs 3/4 are also lacking any gain controls other than a fixed 0/+12dB thing. They really feel pretty halfass as inputs for audio (which is probably to be expected as they are doubling as CV inputs too.)
The device also does not have ADAT so I cannot add more inputs. ADAT is now a required feature for me in interfaces.
TBH it’s a fantastic interface and I love the Bitwig integration, but I might swap it out already for a different higher end interface.
That’s really nice looking. I dig the way it’s laid out and it seems to cut out some of the fluff (like the FX crap) on the Mackie that I don’t use. Getting to set all four tracks up seperately in Garageband would be way awesome. I’m gonna tuck this one away to pick up after christmas.
