Headphone monitoring while recording with Roland Quad-Capture

So I got the Quad-Capture in order to work with Windows 8.

In the past, my interfaces have allowed me to monitor through the headphones--SPEAKERS OFF--when I'm laying down a vocal.  Do I have it right that this is not possible with the Quad-Capture?

It appears that the "Direct Monitor" affects BOTH the headphone and the speakers.

So...I have to unplug the speakers each time I'm doing a vocal?  

Or have I missed something simple here?

Thanks in advance.

Yeah, the UA-25EX which is the previous model has the same problem. It's really annoying. I just unplug the cables from the back of the interface and make sure they aren't touching on something so it humms... Too much hassle to reach around the back and turn them off all the time...

One solution would be to make a toggle box which comes out of the back and sends one signal to your monitors, but with the flick of a switch, sends the other to your headphones. I don't know enough about the voltages and stuff going on in there though to know if you can do that passively (without power)... It might need an additional amp for the headphones. But you could probably test it by just plugging in your headphones into the L or R 1/4" on the back and see if you get plenty of volume. At the very least, a simple 'switch' which just turns the signal off to the speakers would be easy and cheap to build. Just stick it onto the top of your interface..

Maybe someone with some better electrical knowledge could let us know if this could be build easily with a simple switch and without the need for amps and a circuit and all that...?

Ok, I thought I might be an idiot--but clearly it was the folks at Roland and not me. 


I like the idea of a switch box.  Maybe something along the lines of this:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RADIO-SHACK-2-WAY-AUDIO-SWITCH-BOX-MP3-CD-PC-/221215764424

jerrypettit


Ok, I thought I might be an idiot--but clearly it was the folks at Roland and not me. 


I like the idea of a switch box.  Maybe something along the lines of this:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RADIO-SHACK-2-WAY-AUDIO-SWITCH-BOX-MP3-CD-PC-/221215764424

It might work but it's going to only be 3.5mm stereo which is ok for the output on the headphones, but if you're running a balanced xlr you need to convert that to unbalanced 3.5mm stereo to get it into the converter then back out again. It's not the ideal pathway and I guess there is potential for some noise to get into the system with something like that. For serious mixing, I'd be worried about what it might potentially do to the sound. It might be fine, but it also might not.. Ideally you'd want a proper switch that kept the line balanced the whole way. That might be more difficult to find.

One option is to send outputs 3/4 spdif through a d/a converter and into a headphone amp.

I may have missed the point here but, I have this problem with my UA101. 

I have powered monitors so just flick them off whilst I track. Is this not possible your end? 

>I have powered monitors so just flick them off whilst I track. Is this not possible your end?  <

@STinGA:  That solution was way too simple!  

That'll be what I do then.

jerrypettit


>I have powered monitors so just flick them off whilst I track. Is this not possible your end?  <

@STinGA:  That solution was way too simple!  

That'll be what I do then.

Maybe use a small power bar with a built-in switch? Put it somewhere easier to reach than the back of the speakers.

I use this:  Hosa SLW-333

Very high quality, totally quiet and lets me choose between 3 monitor outs.

Paul P


I've been surprised that no one has mentioned this since I've been here. This is the number one reason I passed on Roland when I needed a relatively cheap interface.

The overwhelming number of recommendations for the quad capture must indicate that this isn't a problem for most people.

Maybe because they (including me) all use powered monitors? (if I understand correctly the issue the OP is talking about)

mattplaysguitar

Jlien X

Paul P


I've been surprised that no one has mentioned this since I've been here. This is the number one reason I passed on Roland when I needed a relatively cheap interface.

The overwhelming number of recommendations for the quad capture must indicate that this isn't a problem for most people.

Maybe because they (including me) all use powered monitors? (if I understand correctly the issue the OP is talking about)

I use powered monitors and it's quite annoying having to get up and reach behind the monitors and switch them off so I can record a quick vocal test, then turn them back on because I want to see how it sounds on the monitors, not headphones. Then try another, reach back, switch them both off, recording, reach back and switch them on again, listen. Again. Again. Again. Can you see how that would get a little annoying? When you're trying to be creative and stay in the creative zone, it really does get ultra fiddly and frustrating. It takes you out of it.

You don't check a product's detail before buying it? I take nothing for granted so I always make sure the product I'm considering buying has what I need. I see your point and frustration very well, but I don't think it's Roland's fault.

Jlien X

mattplaysguitar

Jlien X

Paul P


I've been surprised that no one has mentioned this since I've been here. This is the number one reason I passed on Roland when I needed a relatively cheap interface.

The overwhelming number of recommendations for the quad capture must indicate that this isn't a problem for most people.

Maybe because they (including me) all use powered monitors? (if I understand correctly the issue the OP is talking about)

I use powered monitors and it's quite annoying having to get up and reach behind the monitors and switch them off so I can record a quick vocal test, then turn them back on because I want to see how it sounds on the monitors, not headphones. Then try another, reach back, switch them both off, recording, reach back and switch them on again, listen. Again. Again. Again. Can you see how that would get a little annoying? When you're trying to be creative and stay in the creative zone, it really does get ultra fiddly and frustrating. It takes you out of it.

You don't check a product's detail before buying it? I take nothing for granted so I always make sure the product I'm considering buying has what I need. I see your point and frustration very well, but I don't think it's Roland's fault.

No, it's my fault for not researching it better. These units tend to be entry level units. As such, before I bought it, I was using headphones all the time and didn't have a set of monitors. Hence I never even thought of it as a problem. After purchasing my UA-25EX and some HS80m's, only then did I realise the limitation. In hindsight I'd probably have considered something else, but at the time I knew no better and there is not a lot I can do about that. Most people start out on these things with limited experience so would tend to not even realise that this might be an issue.

I like the way it is, switching my speakers gives me a lil bit body streching. Its good for the body sometimes.

mattplaysguitar

I'm just in a bad mood because I can't find a job :P 

Again, fully understandable. :)

jerrypettit


>I have powered monitors so just flick them off whilst I track. Is this not possible your end?  <

@STinGA:  That solution was way too simple!  

That'll be what I do then.

Glad to help :-)