how to use 2.1 system with Motu UltraLite Mk3

[Andreasonica]

Hi you all!
I'm wondering if it's possible to use 2 monitors plus a sub woofer (from a former 2.1 system) with my UltraLite. I would like to try because my girlfriend is going to dump her old 2.1 because the monitors are gone... but the sub is still working.

I tought that i can set main outs as audio out, use two cables to link them to two inputs (for example 3-4) and then use two different mix (to different outs, like 1-2 and 3-4) with thoose inputs un-muted... and link monitors and the sub (using the outs eq to set the "crossover").

is this the only way?? it seems a little bit complex...
any suggestions?

I apologize for my bad english and hope my question is clearly understandable

Thanks to all!

[torrentg]

Hi,

In mix bus 1, set up everything how you want it. Set up the output to be Main Out 1-2 for your regular speakers/amp. Pan one of them hard left and the other hard right so it is stereo.

Now click Edit | Copy

Go to mix bus 2 and click Edit | Paste

On this new mix bus 2, set its output to something else than in 1 (output 3-4 would be good), and attach the subwoofer to those outputs. You can control the bass volume level by using the volume slider for output 3-4 or on the subwoofer hardware itself.

[Andreasonica]

thanks torrentg for your answer!

I think it will not work for me. I didn't said that in windows, I use Motu Main Out 1-2 as device for the audio (Sorry, I didn't said it before). so if I use main out, only from them I get the sound. Can I split audio from PC to different outputs?
I know I can do it with Phones out, but where will I connect them if I use it for the Sub?

other suggestions?

[NazRat]

Search this board for loopback to get some ideas. Just be very careful about feedback loops.

[Andreasonica]

Thanks NazRat!
I think this is the same situation:
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... ck#p420839

I tried what zombiesound wrote at the end, but it doesn't work (or I have made a mistake) so I think I will use the method I had tought, maybe using the s/pdif in/out. But in analog isn't it better then in digital?

[HCMarkus]

If the subwoofer has stereo ins and a low pass filter and the satellites a built-in high-pass filter, I'd recommend simply splitting the L and R main outs to feed both the sub and respective satellite. Or pass thru the sub if the system has a built-in crossover network.

If the system does not include crossover, you can purchase an inexpensive active crossover and run the main outs to it, splitting the signal to the 2 and .1

You will want to calibrate your system so you get an accurate balance between the satellites and sub. Your mixes will suffer if you don't.

[Andreasonica]

If the subwoofer has stereo ins and a low pass filter and the satellites a built-in high-pass filter, I'd recommend simply splitting the L and R main outs to feed both the sub and respective satellite. Or pass thru the sub if the system has a built-in crossover network.

I'm not going to use a 2.1 system complete, only a sub from a former 2.1 system (consumer product from my girlfriend... maybe a Creative, I don't remember) and a pair of reference monitor Empire. It was only an experiment.
On my empire I have only rca input (to whom I usualy connect from Motu Main Outs), bass and volume. on the sub (i'm going to pick it this evening) there is quite the same configuration : bass (it feed the woofer, like on every 2.1 system) volume and a mini jack input.
I would try using the main out as device on windows, link them to input 3-4 and use this input on a mix for the monitors and an other mix for the sub. I think i don't need, in this way, a crossover, because using the eq of the mixes I can feed the sub with frequencies under 50, 70, 80 hz (I need to try that plaything to understand how much can it give) and the monitors with the rest... Also only with the hpf lpf just to ear some more vibes while I'm listening to music, not for producing or performing.

I think it's not possible to split the main outs... I'm looking everywhere in cuemix but I can't find this option. HCMarkus, what do you mean with split the main outs?
(pardon me, my english and my understanding in english)

[HCMarkus]

By Split, I mean with a "Y" Cable. If the sub has stereo input, so you can split the left and right outputs and run each channel to the the respective satellites and the sub, this will probably work well. If not, then you probably need a crossover network.

[Andreasonica]

I will use a Y cable (two jacks and a mini-jack) to link the out pair assigned to a mix with the sub and the width to 0 for the channel in that mix. this way (width 0.00) i will have it to mono, right?
I will not use the satellites of the sub, but a pair of monitor, so I need different out to use all the stuff and I prefer not to drive the monitors with a cheap xover inside the sub. in this way, I think, I could equalize in two ways the mixes (a mix for the sub and a mix for the monitors) so I could have only the bass side of the audio in the sub and the other frequencies in the monitors.
It's only to have more bass when I listen to music and not overload the monitors.
This evening I'm going to try... so I will give a feedback

ps. better to use the s/pdif in and out (the out as device for windows and the in channel in the mixes) or 2 analog out for windows and 2 analog in for the mixes?? analog are better, aren't?

[Andreasonica]

I have done and it works great! Just the way I told before. why to buy a crossover when you have CUEmix! simply using the eq parameters I've got a cut on 120 Hz: in the mix called "monitors" (the outs to the monitors) I've cut away almost everything under 120 Hz (at 120 starts to go down, at about 110 it's a vertical cut; I've feeded the sub mix only with the frequencies till 115 hz (linear) and total cutted at 125 hz.
It works great! obviously it's just for listening with more bottom dub music (that I love and produce), I've tryed to use this configuration with Ableton Live but sucks (I knew that).
So, now I have a home system, longside a stodio configuration, without need to use different audio devices: simply loading the hardware preset and setting windows audio on Motu Analog Out 3-4.

but again the same question.... are better analog outs or the S/PDIF for a loopback?

[torrentg]

You wouldn't want to use any analog for loopback operations due to the fact it's analog and there would be a loss in signal. For example: Degradation.

S/PDIF is fine to use because it is completely digital. For example: Never any loss.

[Andreasonica]

You wouldn't want to use any analog for loopback operations due to the fact it's analog and there would be a loss in signal. For example: Degradation.

S/PDIF is fine to use because it is completely digital. For example: Never any loss.

You're absolutely right!
I think I'll buy a digital cable (I never needed it before) as soon as possible. I really like this set up, so if in the future I'm going to buy a REAL subwoofer, I also know that with Motu and CueMix I really don't need an external xover!