Tascam Us 428 - Altec Lansing Atp3 2.1 Speakers, Compatibility question Options

[salparadise99]

I want to plug my Altec speakers directly into an IO port on the Tascam US 428, and then the 428 into my Mac. This will keep me from having to purcahse a new portable stereo system to use as monitor playback, since my current stereo doesn't have a RCA inputs. However, someone told me the other day that I need to find out if the US 428 (or possibly the Mac?) will be able to amplify to the speakers. I don't know the answer. I am also open to other possible set up configurations since I haven't bougt anything yet.

[lepetitmartien]

monitoring quality aside, I think what the someone asked was "are your Altec powered or not?" (active loudspeakers that is)

If they are Altec Lansing for computers, they are selfpowered (active). Now I don't know the US 428… you'll can plug if a plug is available

the mac can feed powered speakers, but it's intended for computer "multimedia" active speakers. not monitoring.

Now if you think about some Altec, they make lots of stuff, hifi to multimedia… but won't be a serious choice for monitoring. Though it depend of what you intend to do, your budget and your ambitions.

The ATP3, I know them, they are not that great, I could make the comparison with the same cds on these and the Altec I have at home (the old top range ACS48) the ACS are better.

But I won't recommand either for monitoring. They are ok for mp3, games, cds on the computer but nothing else. The ATP3 lacks also part of the spectrum, some details definitely don't show thru it… and I'm comparing with and old system the same manufacturer…

And it has nothing to do with my Mackies.

Now what do you want to use them for? Exactely.

[salparadise99]

Man, it sure is difficult to read your post. Why don't you type in complete sentences and make sure you stick to answering the question, which is actually rather simple. Just read it. But thanks for offering your reply nevertheless. It is somewhat useful to know that the Altecs are self-powering.

[lepetitmartien]

I was answering to your question. But I was only doing it for the side I know of. I'm not a MODERATOR for nothing

I was writing about MONITORING, does it belong to your dictionnary ? And the fact that these were crap. uh?

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

I think so.

[deleted]

Salparadise, you want to build a system with the altec lansing + us-428 + mac, am i correct?

US-428 has a stereo line out (-10dBu, RCA), so you can plug it into the altec lansing input (is it with a mini-jack?), and control the volume with the us. You'll only need an adaptor (RCA/RCA or RCA/mini-jack, depending on the altec).
After that, you'll be able to monitor anything plugged in any of the 6 inputs of the us-428, and/or monitor any audio generated or previously recorded on the mac.

I hope this helped.
Bye.

[salparadise99]

Yukulele,

Thanks a lot. That's just what I was looking for.

My next step is to be able to record everything (except vocals) through headphones, using a Fender Twin Amp, and a drum machine. Can I go line out from the amp to the 428 and somehow keep the amp from singing through the main cabinet, and instead jam/record through the headphones? (I wonder if the level would be high enough considering headphones won't get nearly as loud as my Fender Twin...hmm??)

This would be the ultimate solution for recording late at night in my apartment without disturbing the neighbors!!

Lastly, I was just wondering, do you work for Apple or are you just a guy that came across the site like me?

Many thanks!

[bjkiwi]

just make sure you've got a 'load' across the speaker output on the amp. If you want to NOT hear the speakers while monitoring the line-out of the amp you'll need to unplug the speakers. But unless you put a dummy load across the speaker outputs you'll blow up your amp ! transistor amps can run without speakers and not get damaged but NOT valve amps.

[salparadise99]

ok thanks. What do you you use for a dumby load?

Also, can you go line out into the 428 and get a good recording level that will not be too loud for a good set of headphones?

[deleted]

Can I go line out from the amp to the 428 and somehow keep the amp from singing through the main cabinet, and instead jam/record through the headphones?

Sure, but the line-out level depends on your amp... Is this a nominal output level (ie independant from the main volume in front of the amp), or a variable output level (ie dependant ...same as above)?
If the answer is independant, then you win ;-)
If it's the second, you'll have to customize your amp, like bjkiwi said.

Bye.

[deleted]

Also, can you go line out into the 428 and get a good recording level that will not be too loud for a good set of headphones?

Yes, the output level from amp's line-out is ok, and you can trim manualy the gain on each 4 us's inputs.

Bye.