2500 + Interface = output through DAW only?

Picked up a NI Komplete Audio 6 (KA6) interface for my 2500 and have a question regarding the output from the interface.

I can only hear the output of my MPC with my DAW (Ableton) opened and an audio track armed. MPC L/R outputs are connected to inputs 3/4 on KA6.

If I close the DAW or unarm an audio track, I can't hear any sound out of output 1/2 of the interface. The KA6 is till receiving input (green lights) but no sound. This only occurs with an external signal; videos and music from PC's HDD or Youtube play fine through output 1/2.

This is my first interface so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior or specific to my KA6. I'd hate to have to open up my DAW anytime I felt like banging some pads

Good lookin', fam!

S6

stop619 wrote:If I close the DAW or unarm an audio track, I can't hear any sound out of output 1/2 of the interface...This is my first interface so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior

Sounds like normal behaviour to me. Most audio interfaces work through your DAW unless there are specific standalone monitoring options. A small hardware mixer should see you good. Your signal path will look like this (below) with your MPC outputs going to a mixer and mixer outputs going to your audio interface. Your monitors and the output of your audio interface are connected to the mixer.

MPC>>Mixer>>Audio Interface>>Computer

Now you can make beats on the MPC and hear what you're doing without the computer turned on at all. Before you go cop a mixer, check the monitoring options of your audio interface just in case you're missing something.

EDIT: "the direct monitoring option provides 100% latency-free monitoring for recording guitars, vocals, or other live sources." http://www.native-instruments.com/en/pr ... e-audio-6/ I suggest you look into this direct monitoring option, might be your ticket. However this is a USB powered audio interface so at the very least your computer will need to be on...

Thanks, Clint. Good info.

S6

my tc electronics impact twin had a sort of "input through" where i could connect the stereo outs of my mpc to line in 3/4 and it would just play out the monitors or headphones even if the thing wasnt hooked up via firewire to my computer.

it was a feature i really liked, but sadly its not on all audio interfaces, it is however a feature that is now going to be a must have for my next audio interface.

Yup, ideally you don't want to need the computer on just for monitoring. Thats a waste of energy and we're trying to save the planet over here. So this is something worth checking out if you are buying an interface and don't have a mixer or other monitoring solution. That Mackie Big Knob looks interesting, I need to investigate that piece, I dont know much about what it brings to the party.

I'm wondering now if a USB mixer would have been a better pickup. Would one of those render the KA6 redundant?

Thanks.

S6

stop619 wrote:I'm wondering now if a USB mixer would have been a better pickup. Would one of those render the KA6 redundant?

It would def have been a better score and made the KA6 unecessary, but again direct monitoring (without the computer turned on) is something worth checking for. In many cases USB powered devices are just that, USB powered, but some will rock with a power adaptor and no computer in sight. Some features will be unavailable without the USB connection, ie. it will be more of a standalone mixer not an audio interface. A bit like my old Digi 002 (albeit firewire not USB).

stop619 wrote:I'm wondering now if a USB mixer would have been a better pickup. Would one of those render the KA6 redundant?

A USB or FireWire mixer can be a nice way of bypassing the need for a dedicated interface, albeit with a general lack of midi and digital connections.

I've recently switched from a Rane DJ mixer/Focusrite interface combo to a Mackie Onyx mixer. I couldn't be happier with it.

Hands-on control and dedicated buttons for everything is more beneficial to me than a hundred different software configurations that my interface offered.

Coz wrote:A USB or FireWire mixer can be a nice way of bypassing the need for a dedicated interface, albeit with a general lack of midi and digital connections.

I've recently switched...to a Mackie Onyx mixer. I couldn't be happier with it.

Hands-on control and dedicated buttons for everything is more beneficial to me than a hundred different software configurations that my interface offered.

That's exactly why I'm trying to get a Mackie 1640 with Firewire, I need that...

They could have at least put some midi I/O on the desk, unless I'm missing something.

It's probably just much simpler and cheaper to manufacture without including midi and digital connections. Some of those Allen & Heath mixers that cover all bases are pricey.

In my case the 4K handles all the midi duties, with my synth also sending midi via USB. Digital connections are MIA for now.

i think motu makes an interface that can work without being plugged into the computer too.

all my yamaha interfaces can operate in standalone...maybe the newer N8/N12 series can too

Appreciate the feedback, gents. I should have checked here first lol.

S6

i just made a past on gearslutz about this yesterday, check it out, quite a few people replied.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-co ... ost8802971

I'm a huge fan of MOTU audio interfaces. They work as stand alone digital mixers without a computer hooked up. With the computer you can use the CUEMIX software that comes with to control all of the settings of the mixer including built in eq, compressor, limiter, reverb. (the compressors and limiters are based on some very famous ones as well and sound very good). You get parametric eq and compressor on every channel. I know you already bought an interface but if you are looking for one in the future look into MOTU stuff