Hooking up HT devices (mixed use)

[howard416]

Not quite sure where to put this...

I have the following equipment:

• TV
• Motu UltraLite-mk5 (with 2 SM58 XLR mics)
• Stereo amp (2 channels, non-integrated)
• [Looking at buying something like a] Denon X1800H
• Sources:
  • PS5 (HDMI out)
  • Non-gaming laptop (HDMI video out, and USB audio)

I would like to set it up such that:

1. No added lag for PS5 A/V (especially since I plan on playing some 2D fighters where input lag will be quite noticeable, relatively speaking)
2. I want all the modern HDMI features, e.g. VRR, 4K/120, auto low lag, blah blah blah
3. All audio passes through the receiver so that I can use its remote control for master volume attenuation
4. No cable swapping required (i.e. all cables are connected, all the time)
5. Mics are available always, i.e. no adjustments or settings are needed when going straight from watching a movie to doing karaoke/vocals
6. I don't particularly care if my stereo amp is used or if the receiver does all amplification

Currently, I have:

• the PS5 connected directly to the TV, and the TV's optical audio output is fed to the Motu for PS5 audio
• Motu inputs:
  • pass-through optical input from TV (see above)
  • the 2 mics
  • USB-C from laptop
• Motu outputs:
  • balanced TRS stereo output to stereo amp

and Motu being used for main volume control, although I tire of frequently getting up to turn the tiny-ass knob.

Does anyone have a good idea on how to connect everything?

Thanks in advance!

 

[staticV3]

Sounds like all you need to do is replace the Stereo Amp with an AVR, then use the AVR's remote control for volume instead of the mk5's knob.

Actually, since you can't make use of the AVR's video features like HDMI and CEC due to your karaoke requirements, technically a simple integrated Amp would suffice and would cost less.

That is, if I understood your use case correctly (mixing HDMI/USB audio and microphone audio into speaker output).

 

[howard416]

Ah, unfortunately I neglected to mention that I also have a subwoofer... so even an integrated stereo amp (2.0) with remote control for volume wouldn't be ideal since the sub volume wouldn't covered

 

[staticV3]

Could you expand a bit upon what you doing karaoke/vocals entails?

Where does the backing track audio come from? And where are you putting the mixed audio out? To the laptop for recording? Or to your speakers?

 

[howard416]

Could you expand a bit upon what you doing karaoke/vocals entails?

Where does the backing track audio come from? And where are you putting the mixed audio out? To the laptop for recording? Or to your speakers?

Generally, the backing audio comes from the laptop (YouTube or other programs). The audio (mics plus backing) only needs to go to the speakers & sub, no need for recording.

Before the PS5 was introduced, the audio setup was laptop USB audio output -> Motu (with mics) -> amp/sub, and on the video side, laptop straight to TV over HDMI.