Monitor Audio In? Options

[BigFatDuck]

I'd like to be able to monitor the audio in through the headphone port and/or audio out. i'm having a difficult time trying to figure out how. is this possible with the stock mac hardware? i'm currently using a dual 867 g4 (mirror door) stock, running 10.2.8. suggestions?

[lepetitmartien]

check your system preferences for sound and the utility audio midi setup hidden somewhere in a sub folder in Applications.

[BigFatDuck]

THANKS! i would have never found that on my own.

now another question. is it necessary to have an amp in order to hook a mixer (vestax 07 pro) directly to my g4 for recording? the pc's i've used in the past this setup was fine, but the audio levels are VERY low on my mac. this was true even going through the stereo first (i thought maybe my stereo had crapped out). it's better if i turn up the audio in levels in system pref -> sound, but even then it's lower than it should be, AND the program i'm using to record (spin doctor bundled with toast) resets the input volume to the middle when i press record (every single time). :\

[lepetitmartien]

Level entries should be LINE so the outs of a mixer should be ok. Note that if you use the mac converters it won't be top quality, but for some use where fidelity is not the goal it's ok.

I can't tell you upon the bug, never used this in this config so…

Beside that i'm still in 9.04 (Steve I'm waiting my Bi 2Ghz with a system that restore audio out at mid level each time I restart and don't ask me why it had 2 or 3 times stayed up to the max…

Check in case there's an update to spin doctor but I'm not optimistic on this. Maybe it's a fantasy of the 10.2.8 (the higher I've touched now is 10.2.7)

[BigFatDuck]

ok, i know very little about recording and working with audio on a computer. all i've done in the past is record audio, cut into tracks, burn to disc. that's about it. that said:

what are the mac converters? i'd like to be able to make some good quality recordings (as good as i can with the mixer i'm using at least).

i have peak DV that i can run in OS 9, but the line in level is still very weak. i'm also completely unfamiliar with OS 9 and so while using Peak i'm unable to do anything else such as connect to the internet (?!?!?).

hmmm, i just noticed there is a second output on my mixer. i'm using the RCA master out and there seems to be another one labeled "Master Out (1/4" TRS 0dB)".
it also says:
tip = (+) hot
ring = (-) cold
sleeve = GND

hmmmmm?

[lepetitmartien]

You master out seems to be a balanced connection so won't be of use until you have an interface with a balanced in (balancing is just an electrical trick to reduce the caption of noise along a cable)

Your 2 different types of out are all masters (says it's the mix) and have Line level (or should have)

The mac converters are the Analogue to Digital converters that translate the audio signal into 0 and 1. converters can be judged upon their resolution (here 44,1 Khz), depth (16 bits), the quality of the input stage (correct we'd say) and the quality of the clock (making the khz thing). Apple converters are ok for some dictaphone trick, video over the net etc. but save for some effects, it's not that good for music and voice.

Now the mixer should be ok to drive the input enough, have you checked the input levels into the mac software? (same morons to check) tune the level at the highest you can without overloading the input (NEVER overload a A/D input, it's ugly)

Hope it helps

[BigFatDuck]

how can i make sure not to overload the input? just keep the input level from hittin the last bar?