I have been using my Octacapture with Sonar flawlessly for the most part yet fairly blindly. If something doesn't work right the I just re 'initialize' the unit and go on. Wel, now I need to know how to work this thing. I have a pair of very flat active monitor speakers I have been using for a while and have always just run them through the out 1/2 as 'direct mix' with controls for volume etc on the front of the unit. I now have a set of more balenced (tuned?) active speakers that I would like to play through as well, but only at times. But when they are connected to the 3/4 outs they will play without regard to the monitor external controls. Anybody can tell me how I should set the patch bay outs so I can control the volume of the 1/2 and 3/4 outs with the external monitor volume control?

Shouldn't I be able to use the 10 (coax) out? Although when I do I get no sound, I have meters jumping on the 9/10 out but no sound. using a coax cable from the out to an input on the active monitor, I tried the line in,  I've tried the RCA in, (with a splitter) and there is even a 1/8" plug for an iPod or something and I tried it. Now if I run direct from the 3/4 out and route a Direct mix to the 3/4 I get sound but am unable to control it with the external volume on the OC. I kinda need that advantage. I guess I could just split the reference monitor signal and splice into the 1/2 outs but it seems such a waste with four more sets of outputs not being used.

If you click the [Multi-Monitor] button, Direct Mixer A–D will be output directly to output jacks 1–8.

OUTPUT 1-2  & OUTPUT 9-10 ~~~> Direct Mixer A  
OUTPUT 3-4 ~~~> Direct Mixer B 
OUTPUT 5-6 ~~~> Direct Mixer C 
OUTPUT 7-8 ~~~> Direct Mixer D 
 
Click Close

On the Patch Bay, Select:
OUTPUT 1-2 ~~~>  Direct Mix A
OUTPUT 3-4 ~~~>  Wave OUT 3-4
OUTPUT 5-6 ~~~>  Wave OUT 5-6
OUTPUT 7-8 ~~~>  Wave OUT 7-8
OUTPUT 9-10 ~~~> Wave OUT 9-10
 
Basically you have to set the Direct Mix to use Mixer B to send the audio alt 3/4, so you will follow the settings above and when you are ready to listen to the music through the speakers connected to Outs 3/4, Press the Mix Select Button until you see Mix B and this will send the audio to those monitors connected to 3/4.
 
The easiest way is to get a Mackie Big Knob.  This is what I use to A/B/C my mixes $299.00 but you can find them for about $239.00
 
Mackie Big Knob  ~~~> Studio Control Centers
 
 

 

 
The Behringer XENYX CONTROL 1USB Studio Control is a good buy with three Monitor select choices as well, for a lot less $$$.

Thanks Jessie, I was just trying to eliminate a few steps in accessing the second monitor set. ( any idea 'bout the difference between Direct Mix and Wave out? )
Mackie is good stuff, just always a bit beyond my budget constraints. Behringer gets a lot of sidestepping due to their affordability, but their products spec out real nicely, I have owe end several with out disappointment, thanks again for your time and help!

Basically, the four mixes, Mix A, B, C and D allow creating up to four different cue mixes (Wave Outs) for different musicians - the vocalist wants to hear more vocals, the bass player wants to hear more bass, etc. For live recording, you could ignore the Output Mixer entirely, and use the Input Mixer to set up four different monitoring scenarios for wedges or in-ear monitors. This is from Craig Anderton's Article below.
 
http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Forums_General/pro-reviews/30964656-roland-octa-capture-interface--30964656
 
I would say to invest in the Behringer Studio control USB 1 Monitor Station first and see if that suits you. It is just like an inexpensive version of the Mackie Big Knob if you really look at it.  The layout and design are very similar.  Behringer is known for making products which imitate well know products and they work just as well too.  If I didn't have the Big Knob, I would have saved some money and purchased the Behringer Studio Control if it was out at the time. 
 
I purchased the Behringer BCF2000 2 years before I had the Mackie Universal Controller (MCU) and the BCF2000 was a joy to have until I was able to buy the real deal.