I just finished setting up my new homebrew (sort of) computer speaker system.. and it has officially outgrown my desk.
First, I put my Soundblaster Audigy 2 back into my computer, then I ran a few RCA cables out of the Audigy and into my Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. From there, I ran two XLR cables (for a balanced signal) from the main outs on the Mackie to a pair of Event TR5 studio monitors I recently picked up. Then, I hooked up a Creative subwoofer I had laying around to the 1/4" outputs of the Mackie.
I can connect 4 of the Creative speakers to the sub (it kind of acts as a hub for the other speakers), which would allow me to use the Event monitors as the main speakers, and the Creative speakers as secondary speakers, positioned around my computer as I see fit. (or not connected at all, if they don't sound good paired with the Event monitors). I can now control just the sub output using what used to be the main volume control for the Creative setup.
The Mackie now basically acts as a hub for my computer sound card.. I can control the overall volume from the mixer, plug headphones into the mixer, and I have the 12 inputs on the mixer itself at my disposal for recording purposes.
I tested it out at pretty loud volumes earlier this morning.. the speakers are definately a significant improvement over the speakers on my other computer. While the speakers on the other computer would break up and "fuzz out" at higher volumes with a lot of guitar going on, the Event's maintain clarity even while maxed out.
I'm going to have to experiment with using the Mackie as a dorm room practice amp, possibly hooking up a POD or something to act as a preamp. It should make recording simple acoustic ideas a snap.
The only problem is the huge footprint all this equipment leaves on my desk. I have a 21" CRT monitor (my dad's company was throwing them out a few years ago for whatever reason, got it for free :13: ), and that thing is HUGE. An LCD might be in my near future. The new speaker/recording setup is going to occupy a lot of real estate, so I'm going to have to get creative with my setup.
Other than that, looks pretty cool for about the price of what a good computer audio system would cost brand new. (the entire setup cost me around $260).
First, I put my Soundblaster Audigy 2 back into my computer, then I ran a few RCA cables out of the Audigy and into my Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro. From there, I ran two XLR cables (for a balanced signal) from the main outs on the Mackie to a pair of Event TR5 studio monitors I recently picked up. Then, I hooked up a Creative subwoofer I had laying around to the 1/4" outputs of the Mackie.
I can connect 4 of the Creative speakers to the sub (it kind of acts as a hub for the other speakers), which would allow me to use the Event monitors as the main speakers, and the Creative speakers as secondary speakers, positioned around my computer as I see fit. (or not connected at all, if they don't sound good paired with the Event monitors). I can now control just the sub output using what used to be the main volume control for the Creative setup.
The Mackie now basically acts as a hub for my computer sound card.. I can control the overall volume from the mixer, plug headphones into the mixer, and I have the 12 inputs on the mixer itself at my disposal for recording purposes.
I tested it out at pretty loud volumes earlier this morning.. the speakers are definately a significant improvement over the speakers on my other computer. While the speakers on the other computer would break up and "fuzz out" at higher volumes with a lot of guitar going on, the Event's maintain clarity even while maxed out.
I'm going to have to experiment with using the Mackie as a dorm room practice amp, possibly hooking up a POD or something to act as a preamp. It should make recording simple acoustic ideas a snap.
The only problem is the huge footprint all this equipment leaves on my desk. I have a 21" CRT monitor (my dad's company was throwing them out a few years ago for whatever reason, got it for free :13: ), and that thing is HUGE. An LCD might be in my near future. The new speaker/recording setup is going to occupy a lot of real estate, so I'm going to have to get creative with my setup.
Other than that, looks pretty cool for about the price of what a good computer audio system would cost brand new. (the entire setup cost me around $260).
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