Hooking Up Studio Monitors?

[DJ Idol]

Hey guys, I have a few questions.

The whole time I've been producing, I've been using laptop speakers and headphones, and I think it's time for me to get some studio monitors now.

My only question is, how do I connect them to my computer? I'm pretty sure I need an audio interface, but I have no idea what kind, I've seen some with RCA's, some with XLR's, but I can't tell if you can use any interface for both speakers and microphones, or if some are made specifically for each thing.

Say, for example, I'm going to get to KRK Rokit 5's, what type of affordable interface would I need to get sound from my Macbook Pro? Does Firewire make a whole lot of difference in quality vs. USB?

 

[apexxhiphop]

Hey guys, I have a few questions.

The whole time I've been producing, I've been using laptop speakers and headphones, and I think it's time for me to get some studio monitors now.

My only question is, how do I connect them to my computer? I'm pretty sure I need an audio interface, but I have no idea what kind, I've seen some with RCA's, some with XLR's, but I can't tell if you can use any interface for both speakers and microphones, or if some are made specifically for each thing.

Say, for example, I'm going to get to KRK Rokit 5's, what type of affordable interface would I need to get sound from my Macbook Pro? Does Firewire make a whole lot of difference in quality vs. USB?

My buddy got this plug that goes into the back, i forget what its called, but he's able to plug his studio speakers into his headphone jack on his computer.

 

[krushing]

[...]but I can't tell if you can use any interface for both speakers and microphones, or if some are made specifically for each thing.

You can use most interfaces for both - it's really only the high end that provides separate "specialist" pieces...

Say, for example, I'm going to get to KRK Rokit 5's, what type of affordable interface would I need to get sound from my Macbook Pro? Does Firewire make a whole lot of difference in quality vs. USB?

Well, pretty much anything without knowing what else you might need. Are you going to be using any other outboard pieces with it? What kind of a budget are we talking about here? Firewire doesn't make any difference to the sound quality; it's just 0s and 1s by the time it passes through that digital bus - the analog to digital converters and the possible mic preamps decide how it sounds. And like apexxhiphop there said, it is possible to just use the regular line out from your computer's built-in sound chip with an adapter cable, but those stock outputs aren't exactly of the highest quality. Not that they're completely trashy either, but not really meant for precision audio work.

 

[DJ Idol]

You can use most interfaces for both - it's really only the high end that provides separate "specialist" pieces...



Well, pretty much anything without knowing what else you might need. Are you going to be using any other outboard pieces with it? What kind of a budget are we talking about here? Firewire doesn't make any difference to the sound quality; it's just 0s and 1s by the time it passes through that digital bus - the analog to digital converters and the possible mic preamps decide how it sounds. And like apexxhiphop there said, it is possible to just use the regular line out from your computer's built-in sound chip with an adapter cable, but those stock outputs aren't exactly of the highest quality. Not that they're completely trashy either, but not really meant for precision audio work.

First, thanks alot for the help, it's much appreciated. Now, my friend found a Lexicon Omega at his apartment complex he's gonna give to me, I just need to get the AC power supply for it. (Product: Omega | Lexicon Pro)

Would this be a decent thing to use? Also, would I then plug the speakers in through XLR or would I use RCA's? Is there a quality difference? As far as my budget goes, it's very low lmao. I work for minimum wage at a movie theatre and I'm a college student, so I don't really have any money to spend on monitors, but I know in the long run it will be worth the investment.

 

[apexxhiphop]

You can use most interfaces for both - it's really only the high end that provides separate "specialist" pieces...



Well, pretty much anything without knowing what else you might need. Are you going to be using any other outboard pieces with it? What kind of a budget are we talking about here? Firewire doesn't make any difference to the sound quality; it's just 0s and 1s by the time it passes through that digital bus - the analog to digital converters and the possible mic preamps decide how it sounds. And like apexxhiphop there said, it is possible to just use the regular line out from your computer's built-in sound chip with an adapter cable, but those stock outputs aren't exactly of the highest quality. Not that they're completely trashy either, but not really meant for precision audio work.

Im about to get some KRK Rokit 5 g2 or M audio bx5a pretty soon, cant choose between the two and hopeing you could help me decide...also when i get them i was thinking about just plugging them into the line in of the computer like how my friend does, but you stated I lose sound quality that way. Im fairly new to this upgrading thing, how would you recommend me hook up my new up incoming speakers to my computer?