timtheenchanteruk Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 The USB units I am looking at all have a balanced line out, referred to as a monitor feed, but I am unsure as to weather this means it can be used as a full line out from the connected computer, or if it is purely for monitoring the source going into the unit. can anyone shed any light?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solstace Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Which units are you looking at? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Most professional audio devices simply have the routing decided by whatever software you are running - but, without specifics of the unit, we're guessing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 Oh yeah, would make it a bit easier. At the moment Im looking at CME Matrix K-USBEdirol U-25 or the EM-U 0404 USB. It will more likly beone of the first 2, I prefer the contols in the front, for future racking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 Generally monitor outputs have two main differences from a specific line out: a level control (since the monitor out is designed for use with speakers) and source switching (at least pre/post and sometimes among individual channels. This switching can sometimes be hardware and sometimes in the software installed on your computer. Checking the specs of the CME unit, they state that it does indeed have the level control and switching as above. My memory of the Edirol and Emu units is that they are similar. Neither the level control or the switching automatically preclude the use of the monitor out as an extra line out, but they do make it less convenient and leave open the door to errors if a switch is bumped or something. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 The main reson for wanting it as a line out, is that will be its main use, I`m going to be using it as a link from a laptop, to PA, for use in playback mainly, playing audio tracks, SFX etc, It will only be occasinally used as an input for recordning voice overs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoLiEn Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I do recommend the TAPCO USB kit, its a very good price, has both XLR and 1/4" outputs, two channels for recording, phantom power, plus a separate monitoring control and output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 I assumed you needed an extra line output. If you only need the one, I'd go with the Edirol or the E-mu since they have true line outputs separate from the monitoring. My personal preference is the 0404 just because I've always had good experiences with E-mu gear (and a couple of failures with Edirol) but both have decent specs and reputations. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtheenchanteruk Posted February 20, 2008 Author Share Posted February 20, 2008 thanks, I want to use the USB instead of the internal card, I cant see the 3.5 jacks lasting long, and the internal cards in lappys can be a problem, especially when coupled with the noisy PSUs alot of lappys seem to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Siddons Posted February 20, 2008 Share Posted February 20, 2008 The USB units I am looking at all have a balanced line out, referred to as a monitor feed, but I am unsure as to weather this means it can be used as a full line out from the connected computer, or if it is purely for monitoring the source going into the unit. can anyone shed any light?? I use a tascam us122 and if you listen to the monitor feed you do get what is being sent from the computer so it can be used as a line out from the computer, mind you it will be in stereo so a sereo di on the output from the computer would probably be better ( 1 less gain stage) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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