Routing advice

[Taupe1]

Hey there Here’s a weird one I could use some advice on.Say I have 3x synths
2x with stereo output
and 1x mono output and I’d like to have them :

Attached to an interface for recording
And also attached to a pair of studio monitors that I can listen on when not using the computer.

In your opinion what’s the best solution there ?

1. A mixer like the mackie 802vlz4 and route one set of outputs to the interface (not sure how bad that would be on latency when recoding or if an analog mixer would have any added latency/ how bad it would color the sound) and the other set of outputs to the studio monitors and just turn the individual channels up and down on the mackie inputs to choose what to hear/record (concern here is with the one mono synth and mackie outputting a stereo signal would it be hard panned or appear on both channels ?)

2. A patch bay where I have all the synth signals broken out and I can just plug 1/4 cables permanently plugged into the interface, or studio monitors into the output jacks having the signal of the synth I want ( the only concern here is with the mono synth issue above since the input would be in two jacks of the interface )

3. Using the built in headphone jacks on the synths ( in which case I’d have to figure out the impedance the dt880s I use are 80ohm and idk if that would work well)

4. Get over it and monitor through the interface and accept the wear and tear on the jacks plugging and unplugging


There would be a second set of monitors plugged into the interface for when the computer is on and I’m monitoring the DAW/mixing in case that would raise any concerns with ground loops etc


Thanks so much !

 

[Zestwale]

I'd say that option 2 with a patch bay is cool, but it’s more of a pain to reconfigure every time you switch things around, especially if you’re moving fast between setups.

 

[Randyman...]

Just get an interface with enough I/O and leave them all patched and ready to go IMO. The convenience of having everything ready to go is not to be under estimated - especially when creativity strikes. I have my elaborate Recording/PA rig setup this way (see sig).

If you get an interface that will run standalone, you can setup an offline routing to feed all 3 synths to the monitor outs with the PC off - and would generally have a physical knob to control monitor level. I'm an RME fan boy, but there are plenty of cheaper options out there...

Your other options 1 & 2 are all solid as well. The sub-mixer is also a VERY convenient thing to have - and being analog - won't have any inherent latency. But a good interface and its DSP mixer will also be very flexible, generally have sub 2ms throughput in the DSP mixer, but not truly "Hardware" (adding a control surface is generally possible, and makes it even closer to "Hardware" I/O).

 

[Zestwale]

I'd say that option 2 with a patch bay is cool, but it’s more of a pain to reconfigure every time you switch things around, especially if you’re moving fast between setups.

As for ground loops with the second monitor setup, it can happen if things are plugged into different power strips or have bad grounding. If it does, you can grab a cheap ground loop isolator to fix it. I’ve also seen setups and routing ideas on https://blackeaglefg.com/routing/ that might give you more inspiration depending on how you want to wire everything.