receiver for studio monitors

[WmAx]

Wonderful..so the behringer dcx, the adcom gtp, and the dayton sub are a go..any specific wiring i may need? from what i read it will go 3.5 plug(from soundcard) to xlrs input(on the dcx).. output highpass xlr from the dcx to the mackies and and xlr to rca lowpass to the sub? if im right where does the preamp come in?

The pre-amp goes between the sound card and the DCX. Most sound cards seem to have a very low output level, which can be a big problem connecting to a pro audio dvice like the DCX that expects reasonably high voltage input signals. However, if you get a pro audio sound card with balanced outputs and higher voltage output, you could skip the pre-amp. As for specific recommendations of soundcards; that's not my department - I don't keep up with those. But one example is the E-MU 0404 USB, which has all of the features/options needed to avoid needing a pre-amp.

-Chris

 

[gus6464]

The pre-amp goes between the sound card and the DCX. Most sound cards seem to have a very low output level, which can be a big problem connecting to a pro audio dvice like the DCX that expects reasonably high voltage input signals. However, if you get a pro audio sound card with balanced outputs and higher voltage output, you could skip the pre-amp. As for specific recommendations of soundcards; that's not my department - I don't keep up with those. But one example is the E-MU 0404 USB, which has all of the features/options needed to avoid needing a pre-amp.

-Chris

He would be far better off getting an E-MU 0404 and just using the DCX and speakers with no preamp. In his case the preamp will do nothing but just add another piece of gear in the middle. Even an M-Audio USB mixer as preamp would serve him well too. I've done Mac Pro setups for people with M-Audio usb mixers or sound cards and powered monitors with no problems. I am guessing it is a PC right?

 

[gus6464]

This baby has a built-in DSP as well which would not require the DCX.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackUltra-main.html

Use firewire for the PC connection.

 

[WmAx]

This baby has a built-in DSP as well which would not require the DCX.

http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FastTrackUltra-main.html

Use firewire for the PC connection.

Don't assume it's equal to the DCX unless the documentation is clear about that. The DCX has specific, very powerful DSP allocated to specific functions to ideally integrate speaker systems, of which are almost always an afterthought on multi-purpose devices, and with far less versatality/adjustment.

-Chris

 

[eggyhustles]

That m audio device is nice..but its 449 lol..you think replacing the adcom with the E-MU 0404 USB would be a good idea? and yes gus6464 its a pc..dell xps 410 to be exact..

 

[gus6464]

Don't assume it's equal to the DCX unless the documentation is clear about that. The DCX has specific, very powerful DSP allocated to specific functions to ideally integrate speaker systems, of which are almost always an afterthought on multi-purpose devices, and with far less versatality/adjustment.

-Chris

That M-Audio device is certified to work with Pro Tools.

 

[gus6464]

That m audio device is nice..but its 449 lol..you think replacing the adcom with the E-MU 0404 USB would be a good idea? and yes gus6464 its a pc..dell xps 410 to be exact..

$349
http://cgi.ebay.com/M-AUDIO-FASTRACK-ULTRA-8x8-USB-2-AUDIO-INTERFACE-3567_W0QQitemZ350077647049QQihZ022QQcategoryZ41784QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

 

[WmAx]

That M-Audio device is certified to work with Pro Tools.

That has nothing to do with the subject of loudspeaker management. If the M-Audio has pro level voltage outputs then it can be directly connected to the DCX with no need of a pre-amp, though.

-Chris

 

[eggyhustles]

WmAx or gus what do you suggest i recommend to my friend?

 

[gus6464]

WmAx or gus what do you suggest i recommend to my friend?

It's a tough call really. If your friend is just going to be making music I would go with the Fastrack Ultra. If he is also going to watch movies and listen to music I would go with an EMU DCX combo.

The thing with the Fastrack is that it eliminates the need for a sound card and preamp in one blow. I am guessing the $300 was for preamp only and sound card was separate budget right?

Because if that is the case then with $300 preamp budget and $200 sound card budget you are looking at $500 which could get you both the fastrack and the DCX.

 

[eggyhustles]

It's a tough call really. If your friend is just going to be making music I would go with the Fastrack Ultra. If he is also going to watch movies and listen to music I would go with an EMU DCX combo.

The thing with the Fastrack is that it eliminates the need for a sound card and preamp in one blow. I am guessing the $300 was for preamp only and sound card was separate budget right?

Because if that is the case then with $300 preamp budget and $200 sound card budget you are looking at $500 which could get you both the fastrack and the DCX.

yeah it's just for music..the soundcard budget is 300...and 300 for the preamp or mixer or whatever i need..i told him to hold off on buying the dayton sub till i figured out what he should get but he pulled the plug and bought it anyway..know of any soundcard sites? i was for sure recommending him a soundcard since know he's only using onboard sound and well we all know that sucks lol..i didn't really do much research on the soundcard i was gonna have him go with..but it seems like that's a gaming card which wouldn't be suitable for this situation

 

[gus6464]

yeah it's just for music..the soundcard budget is 300...and 300 for the preamp or mixer or whatever i need..i told him to hold off on buying the dayton sub till i figured out what he should get but he pulled the plug and bought it anyway..know of any soundcard sites? i didn't really do much research on the soundcard i was gonna have him go with..but it seems like that's a gaming card which wouldn't be suitable for this situation

I have the most experience with M-Audio on Macs, but if their Mac drivers and software are any indication then it will also run great on the PC. My friend has one of their USB mixers which he uses on his XP machine and he absolutely loves it.

I don't know any computer music creation sites you can visit, but I do know most amateurs and beginners go with M-Audio because of the features they have for the price. What software will he be using to create music?

 

[eggyhustles]

I have the most experience with M-Audio on Macs, but if their Mac drivers and software are any indication then it will also run great on the PC. My friend has one of their USB mixers which he uses on his XP machine and he absolutely loves it.

I don't know any computer music creation sites you can visit, but I do know most amateurs and beginners go with M-Audio because of the features they have for the price. What software will he be using to create music?

Fruity loops..hes running vista btw

 

[gus6464]

Fruity loops..hes running vista btw

32 or 64bit?

 

[eggyhustles]

32 or 64bit?

32 bit..should he upgrade to 64?..what do u think of this card?

http://cgi.ebay.com/M-Audio-Audiophile-192-192kHz-High-Def-PCI-Card-AP24192_W0QQitemZ310066967360QQihZ021QQcategoryZ41784QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The Audiophile 192 continues the legacy of M-Audio’s industry-standard Delta audio card line. Building on our Audiophile 2496—one of the world’s most popular audio cards—the Audiophile 192 features high-definition 192kHz sampling rate, digital I/O, balanced analog I/O and an amazing signal-to-noise ratio. The Audiophile 192 represents a new benchmark in audio performance that’s as good as it gets for music production, mastering and critical listening. As with all Delta cards, you get rock-solid drivers and seamless integration with your favorite Mac and PC applications. The Audiophile 192 is the new world-class standard in stereo audio cards. NEVER BEEN OPENED!!! Pro Tools M-Powered compatible!

 

[gus6464]

32 or 64bit will depend on how much ram he is going to have in the system. 32bit windows systems will only read up to 3gb of ram no matter how much you have in it. In this case I would recommend he go for the E-MU 404 because it has drivers for both 32 and 64bit vista whereas maudio has no 64bit vista drivers. Stick with the external usb devices for more flexibility. So in his case he can get the E-MU 0404 and Behringer DCX without the need for a preamp and get an ECM8000 mic in order to measure his room and tweak accordingly with the DCX.

So with $600 this is what he can get and still have some money to spare for cables.

E-MU 0404 $200
Behringer DCX2496 $250 new
ECM8000 measurement mic $50

With this setup he can always add a sub or two later on if he desires.

 

[eggyhustles]

32 or 64bit will depend on how much ram he is going to have in the system. 32bit windows systems will only read up to 3gb of ram no matter how much you have in it. In this case I would recommend he go for the E-MU 404 because it has drivers for both 32 and 64bit vista whereas maudio has no 64bit vista drivers. Stick with the external usb devices for more flexibility. So in his case he can get the E-MU 0404 and Behringer DCX without the need for a preamp and get an ECM8000 mic in order to measure his room and tweak accordingly with the DCX.

So with $600 this is what he can get and still have some money to spare for cables.

E-MU 0404 $200
Behringer DCX2496 $250 new
ECM8000 measurement mic $50

With this setup he can always add a sub or two later on if he desires.

i could've sworn vista 32 takes up to 4 and 64 up to 8..guess i was wrong lol..so you think no soundcard is needed?

and yes m audio does have the drivers..

http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.drivers&f=882

 

[gus6464]

i could've sworn vista 32 takes up to 4 and 64 up to 8..guess i was wrong lol..so you think no soundcard is needed?

The E-MU 0404 is a sound card, mic preamp, mixer, and more. 64bit windows systems can address up to 64GB of ram.

Edit: BTW those drivers you linked are beta so I wouldn't trust them 100%.

 

[eggyhustles]

The E-MU 0404 is a sound card, mic preamp, mixer, and more. 64bit windows systems can address up to 64GB of ram.

Edit: BTW those drivers you linked are beta so I wouldn't trust them 100%.

OHH ok..now i got u lol..Thanks alot for the help..it's truly appreciated..one more thing..what cables would he need..and how would he go about hooking everything up?

 

[gus6464]

OHH ok..now i got u lol..Thanks alot for the help..it's truly appreciated..one more thing..what cables would he need..and how would he go about hooking everything up?

He will need a pair of 1/4" TRS male to XLR male cables and a pair of XLR female to XLR male cables.

Connection will be the following:

PC -> usb cable -> E-MU 0404 -> 1/4" TRS/XLR -> DCX2496 -> XLR female/male -> Mackie HR824

The two cables from the E-MU 0404 go to the input A and B on the DCX. And XLR for speakers go on output 1 and 2.