Connecting a mixer, interface and monitor question.

[Diocide]

So I have a weird situation. I have a computer based recording setup which consists of a Mac, a Presonus 1818VSL and apart of KRK 8" Rokits.

This setup will soon be residing in my basement music room, which also doubles as my workout area. I currently have a PA setup in there now for playing music while I workout, but that will soon be in my bands new practice space. This leads to my question.

I want to figure out a way that I can use the KRK's to listen to my iPad or iPhone WITHOUT turning on my computer, but also not having to plug/unplug the monitors from my Presonus 1818VSL... The way I normally have them hooked up is the computer to the 1818VSL though USB, and then the balanced 1/4" outs from the 1818VSL out to the monitors.

I'm thinking there's gotta be someway to incorporate a mixer or something (which I'm not against purchasing) in order to be able to switch from the 1818VSL to another device without unplugging, and hopefully not over complicating my setup. The first thing I thought of was to get a small mixer, and run both my 1818VSL and iPad into it, and then go out to the monitors, but that seems kinda bad because I'm not introducing all kinds gain stages, eq'd and etc between the Presonus and the monitors,, which I can't imagine is a great thing to do.

Any thoughts?

[nightflameauto]

I don't know if Presonous is the same way, but my Focusrite you can set up to go line-in->monitors without going through the computer. You'd just have to remember to switch that before closing out your computer when you use it and then you're golden.

[Diocide]

I don't know if Presonous is the same way, but my Focusrite you can set up to go line-in->monitors without going through the computer. You'd just have to remember to switch that before closing out your computer when you use it and then you're golden.

Aaahhh, so it would direct monitor whatever is going into the Presonus, which in this case would be my iPad. That's a good idea. I didn't think of that. I'll have to check if that's a possibility with my unit.

[nightflameauto]

I don't know if Presonous is the same way, but my Focusrite you can set up to go line-in->monitors without going through the computer. You'd just have to remember to switch that before closing out your computer when you use it and then you're golden.

Aaahhh, so it would direct monitor whatever is going into the Presonus, which in this case would be my iPad. That's a good idea. I didn't think of that. I'll have to check if that's a possibility with my unit.

Yeah, I think most units have that capability if they have a monitor out in order to avoid latency. Hope yours does, it's a real handy feature.

[ibenhad]

You could use a balanced patchbay and put the KRK's to a patch. As NFA pointed out most units allow that without turning the computer on. My Focusrite works in standalone mode but obviously needs to be powered on. You could also buy a Mackie Big knob which allows for multiple input output monitoring options.

[Diocide]

I briefly tried this yesterday, and was unsuccessful. I used two inputs, and connected my monitors as normal, and no signal came through. I just emailed Loop and asked if it will work this way, since I can't find a definitive answer online.

[ibenhad]

I would get on the Presonus forums and see if it runs standalone. I did a quick google search but most stuff I found talked about digital conversion not working in standalone. One person did post that in standalone mod he plugged in a mic and couldn't hear it through the headphones. I hope this isn't the case for you. Let us know what you find and good luck.