UX8 and multi headphones w/ thier own mix
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Posted on Feb 08, 2010 04:10 pm
RockWood610
John
Member Since: May 06, 2007
Hey guys,
I started out real small with my home studio stuff, and am upgrading a lot recently, and looking to purchase a lot of upgrades this week.
One of my upgrades was, I just bought the Line 6 Tone Port UX8 rack mountable recording interface to replace my Tone Port UX2 device (the UX8 isn't here yet, ships out soon).
With this UX8 device, what I need to know is (if this is even possible) what do I need to purchase in order to go from the outputs of the uX8 to a headphone amp to get multiple pairs of headphones plugged in with each pair having thier own seperate mixes. I called Line 6, and they said the 8 output jacks on the back of the UX8 are mono and not stero, so I could use 2 of the mono outputs together to make 1 stereo output. So instead of having 8 mono outs, I'll have 4 stereo outs.
Basicaly, if I have 3 musicians in to record, I want all 3 of them to be able to have a pair of headphones that will have in them the mixes that each one of them wants. So if one guitar player wants more snare, less toms, and no bass, I can give him that while giving the one of the other guys all drums, no bass and whatever else he wants.
I won't need any more then 4 pairs at a time I don't think. And the UX8 also has a main headphone out on it as well.
I figured a headphone amp is needed of course, but have no idea what kind of inputs it should have and what not. What type of cables should I buy? I am looking for a rack mountable headphone amp that won't break much past the $200.00 range if this setup I am looking into is possible with the ux8.
I am assuming that to get the seperate mixes to the headphones it requires a setup of some sort within my DAWS while using the Ux8 as my 'audio card'. But I am really un-sure how to set this all up, and would like to get all my facts straight before making an purchases.
Thanks in advance.
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CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 09, 2010 01:25 pm Ok, I do this and will try to be clear.
First off, the built in headphone outs monitor 1/2 and 3/4. You will have full monitor control over which channels are audible for each stereo output and and how audible they are via the UX8 control panel. The control panel effects nothing in the recording, it's just for fine tuning your monitor setup.
Where I think you may have a problem, finding a headphone amp with 4 sperepate inputs for $200. Most I see support two seperate stereo inputs which is fine for me. With the 1/2 headphone out on the line6 you get could get 3 different mixes.
What I did...
Bought the $50 Behringer 4 channel headphone amp (AMP800).
Routed 3/4 and 5/6 to the headphone amp (only one input is selectable per headphone pair, no mix of the two).
1/2 from the line6 can go to your singer.
3/4 could go to the drummer (this is where I route my DAW's metronome as well)
5/6 could go to guitarists/bassist/keys (I pan the guitarsists 50L and 50R and let the bass ride in the middle, this gives a mix where you can hear everything but you can focus on your part as well). The panning is done in the UX8 control panel so it's not actually recorded any different, once again its just for monitoring purposes.
For a live tracking this setup works well and provides everyone with what they need.
For live tracking while some tones are already recorded you need a different approach so everyone can hear the mix from the DAW.
The problem, my Daw sends the master to only one stereo output (master is 1/2). If I have 3 different headphone mixes I can't send the pre-recorded takes to all 3 without some routing. My solution is to...
Route all guitars to a buss, bass to a buss, drums to a buss etc... Just seperate everything out on its own buss.
I then create a buss called "monitor 3/4" and another called "monitor 5/6" and set their stereo outputs accordingly.
I use the sends (pre-fader and zero'd out) from each of the instrument busses and route them to "monitor 3/4". I then use the send from "monitor 3/4" and send it to "monitor 5/6". This will allow three seperate monitor groups to hear anything going on that's already in your daw. It also allows you to adjust the volume level (from the DAW) for each monitor group independantly.
You seem to know your stuff so I will let it rest at that, if you have any questions feel free to ask. I can snap a pick of my routing setup if you'd like to see it.
Last but not least, setup all routing so it works 100% and save a template. Even if you don't use the seperate monitor mixes for a project it's nice to have everything in place and just have to unmute some channels when needed.
For a rackmountable setup I'd probably go this route. It has more headphone outs than you need but has two stereo inputs which are straight forward and easy. It also has the option of direct ins.
www.zzounds.com...item--BEHHA8000
You could also try this one, I don't like the 1 main input and seperate direct inputs, I'd rather have two mains personally. If you read the manual under docs you can get a grasp as to which one would fit you best.
www.zzounds.com...item--BEHHA4700
Also, the sennheiser HD280pro are fantastic headphones for the price. The block out plenty of ambient noise and seem to remove some mid lows so things don't get muddy.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 09, 2010 02:03 pm Slow day at work, MSPaint ftw!
My lame digagram.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Feb 09, 2010 07:50 pm I skimmed over Cpt's post, so forgive me if i'm jumping, but . . .
the samson s-phone amp is a treat. it's got 4 channels, each with 3 stereo hp jacks, so you can have 12 outs (not that you'd need it).
Each of the 4 channels can have it's own input, plus you get the main input that all of the 4 channels can hear.
It's right up your alley, I'd say.
www.zzounds.com...item--SAMSPHONE
$169
* edit * I can detail the connections if you like, i'm just heading out from work, so I can write more later if you would like.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 10, 2010 12:41 pm That samson is very workable, bout the same as the HA8000 as far as inputs though. Two sets of stereo inputs, a direct input, and more headphone outs on the back for each channel. I have had good luck with Samson products as well so... if I was looking for a rackmount version with more outputs I would definitely consider that.
I am actually very impressed with the Behringer AMP800 personally, two set of stereo inputs (I need no direct input), 4 channels of headphone on front with 4 additional in the back. Beings most interfaces have a headphone out you can send 3 seperate mixes to 9 people for a total of $50 (not including headphones and cables lol).
Now, if you wanted one stereo input coming out of your DAW so everyone can monitor pre-recorded stuff and then a direct input for each channels own mix I still think the HA4700 would be perfect. Route 1/2 to the main inputs and then 3-7 to each direct input allowing each headphone it's own live mix, while all getting the same mix from the DAW.
Feb 11, 2010 02:03 pm Ok guys! Thanks a million. Tripps, that diagram will be helpful soon I am sure. I'm going to have to come back tho this thread here tomorrow when (if) my UX8 gets here. There was a huge back and forth mix up and we had it cancelled on us 3 times because of a banking issue, So I had it over nighted for tomorrow so we'll see what happens.
I do better when I have the gear in front of me and able to actualy see where things are and where to put everything.
Either way, this is the headphone I ended up going with.
pro-audio.musiciansfriend...ones?sku=485296
Mostly because of the extra headphones. I am pretty sure they won't be good for tracking with, but when I have bands in that wanna here whats going on while someone else is recording I can do that.
I hope to be able to have something in front of me tomorrow to start figuring out how to set all this up... I'll be back for sure!
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Feb 12, 2010 11:55 am Nice selection, I have a pair of those sony phones. I would definitely get something a little nicer for tracking when you can as they are very muddy and hard to discern things compared to the 280's I use now.
Feb 14, 2010 08:32 am Thanks Tripps. I figured if 6 FREE pair of headphones came with the unit, they wouldnt be the best for tracking. But the best thing is I have multiple phones no so other members can listen in on the tracking if they want.
I should be getting them and the phones amp tomorrow (Monday). I'll be beack with more questions I am sure. lol
