Monitoring your production sound properly

[DJ Headkick]

Hey, I'm planning on starting to get a little serious with my production. Primarily, I just use the headphone jack on my laptop to monitor the sound output, and it would be a very simple thing to assume that this is the first step to take; a proper sound system to go along with the laptop.

I have a pair of KRK5's, although I've heard that KRKs aren't the best in terms of mastering/monitoring in a production atmosphere. However, I'm producing breakcore, so I don't quite mind if the production value isn't the greatest in the universe; I just need to get basic, accurate readings. If a channel is boosted up 17+, I need to know. Would it be okay to use my KRKs, or would you highly recommend that I grab a different pair of speakers to do this with?

Then there's the issue of hooking the laptop up to the speakers. This is where shit hits the fan; I know that the old UCA202 won't do the job, and I wouldn't trust it to do the job. At all. As far as I can figure, I'd assume that I'd be looking at a different sort of box that I can plug into the laptop via USB, which I've illustrated as "A" in the diagram below:



What exactly would this box be called, and anyone know any good ones they'd recommend? I suppose this is the end of my question spree, but if you have any extra points to make, don't hesitate to tell me about it. Rep for sale!

[g-sep]

External soundcard is what you need.

[JackStalk]

I use an external sound card as well. It's basically just a USB mixer that I can run multiple sources through. I also have turntables and CDJs hooked through it so I can record directly to the PC and monitor out to the speakers. They can be had for under $100, but I paid the extra money and got a 12 channel for times when I want to record other sounds. This is the one I use, Alesis Multimix 16USB; its like 10 years old but it works great. You only really need a small 2-4 channel one for your application. IT might even be better to get one with XLR output so you can run a balanced signal directly to the KRKs (I use TRS-XLR)

[DJ Headkick]

I took a look at them on various music sites, but all I could find were bigass 16/8-channel-ers. The 8-channel version of the mixer you showed me is going for $130 new, so I assume that that'd be about $100 used; not bad at all. The 4-channel version is also available. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...-compact-mixer Got a question though, do they come with XLR outs? I'm a total noob when it comes to XLRs/production gear.

Also, the KRK's have 1/4' balanced inputs too. Would 1/4' deliver the same sound quality as XLR? Something tells me not. Like, something tells me it's a fancy, three-pronged hole for a reason. ...Double innuendo mode, ACTIVATE!

EDIT: Oh, and this thing just looks sexy. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...nnel-usb-mixer

[JackStalk]

I use TRS 1/4" from my KRK8's to the mixer. There's only XLR inputs on the alesis mixer, and all of the booth/master outs are 1/4". I haven't had any feedback problems because all of my equipment is far enough away to not cause any interference. Everything sounds fine with the 1/4". You may even be able to go to guitar center to find a cheap USB mixer. They aren't abused like DJ mixers so the buttons and faders dont wear as much in my experience.

[DJ Headkick]

Just out of curiosity, what exactly is the point of running turntables/CDJs through the Alesis?

- Do you use it as a DJ mixer? / Is it suitable as a DJ mixer? / How's the sound quality compared to, say, a Vestax Mixer? I have a PMC280.

- Is it good for making 320/Wave vinyl rips?

Etc.

[JackStalk]

I use it as an external sound card. The Pioneer DJM is my DJ mixer, routed to the Alesis mixer. The PC is also routed to the Alesis mixer. The mixer enables me to use the KRK monitors as my computer speakers as well as my DJ monitors. I can also record mixes directly to the computer without having to touch any wires. Since I do a weekly podcast mix, it's most viable for me to use this setup. I also use the other inputs to record external samples/instruments with a microphone for production purposes. I wouldn't use the Alesis as a DJ mixer because it only has upfaders/filters and no crossfader (it's designed for recording). I'm sure you could use it to rip vinyl as well, but I would probably go with the highest quality USB mixer as it's the weakest audio link in the setup (I got mine for $200 and it's ten years old now).

It looks somewhat like this.

[PONTUS.2]

i got a fast track pro

[bobbyd]

If you aren't that concerned about quality - you can just get an adapter to run from the 1/8" headphone jack into the KRK-5's. That works. As long as you aren't using garbage cables, it will get the job done.

[JackStalk]

If you aren't that concerned about quality - you can just get an adapter to run from the 1/8" headphone jack into the KRK-5's. That works. As long as you aren't using garbage cables, it will get the job done.

It also has the possibility of creating an assload of feedback if you have other electronic equipment nearby (wifi, TV, radio, etc), but most of the time that would probably be a doable cheap option