Help With Mixer Setup, using 1/8" audio in on my PBG4/667 Options

[evanmcd]

Hi, I am really impressed by this site and forum; my first time here today. Great job to all those responsible.

I've been struggling with this problem for a while now and have just bought a new mixer (Eurodesk MX-802) with the hope that my old mixer (Spirit Folio) was the problem. It seems, however, that it's not my mixer but my lack of knowledge that is the problem.

I'm a drummer looking to do multi-track recording with my PB G4/667 and Cubase 4.1. Here's how my mixer is setup:

- Electronic drums (Roland V-Drums - the best!) coming in to one of my mixers 1/4" stereo inputs.
- 1/8" output from computer into mixers RCA tape in (for monitoring output from Cubase)
- tape in is sent to main mix (which I'm not using) so that I don't get signal from cubase sent back in to computer.

The problem comes when trying to get a stereo output from the mixer in to my 1/8" stereo input on my computer.

I've tried using the RCA tape out, the 1/4" control room outs, and even the AUX send, but all I get is a mono signal in cubase.

I thought that it must be a problem with my input jack, but after a while I tried sending my headphone out to the computer... and it sounded great! perfect strong stereo signal.

I've tried monitoring the output through the computers out rather than sending it to the mixer, but I get horrible latency.

So I guess my question is: how do I rig my setup so it works correctly?

I won't be surprised (or too embarrassed) if there turns out to be a simple solution, but I've tried lots of things and searched this forum for answers and still am at a loss.

Thanks so much to anyone who might help me out with this.

Sincerely...Evan

[evanmcd]

gosh trlynham, thanks so much for your thoughtful response. i really appreciate it.

I'll try to clarify:

A: when i say 1/4" stereo input, i actually do mean 2 1/4" mono inputs. the reason i say stereo input is because that's the terminology the mixer manufacturer uses for them because they are grouped together under control of one channel strip (level, eq, etc.). i could try using 2 separate mono inputs, but i don't really need individual control over each side of the stereo signal.

B: i have the TD10 v-drum brain (is that what you mean by brain). i'm using the main outputs which are a pair of 1/4" outs so those go right into the aforementioned inputs on the mixer. the reason i need a mixer is because i'll have other instruments to record as well (guitar, bass, keyboard - not that i play them all well, but enough for fun which i want to keep connected to the mixer so i don't have to swap plugs all the time. plus i'll have one of my real guitar player friends over to record once in a while.

C: i guess the above might answer why i don't use the v-drums for monitoring, though i hadn't even thought of that idea before.

D: heh heh, no, i don't feel insulted by that question - i don't think i'm that far above that being the problem. however, i'm quite sure that what i'm getting is a stereo signal from the headphone out. when going from the cntrl room outs i do get sound in both ears, but it seems to be just a mono signal and hence my problem.

So, thanks again. hopefully I'll get this worked out.

Evan