Hi all!  New to the forum, maybe a couple of newbie questions.  Thanks for any help!  Sorry if this is a little long.
 
FYI:  I am pretty certain my V-Studio is on the latest version.  I have X3 Studio, also latest version.  It's running on a PC with Windows 8.  Pretty basic setup:  V-Studio into computer.  I have a Joe Meek external pre-amp (the 3Q) as well as a Behringer external headphone amp.  Two Mackie powered monitors.  I also have Eventide stomp box effects which could be brought into this if need be.
 
1.  Is there a way to monitor through headphones only when I am recording and don't want the main speakers on?  Right now I have to disconnect the main speakers.  When I am recording by myself I just plug into the VS headphone out- I don't tend to use the Behringer.  Right now the monitors are connected to outputs 1 and 2 on the VS.  Is there a way to separate the main playback volume from the headphone volume so I can turn down the mains with out turning down the headphones?  Can I do this somehow if I use the Behringer? 
 
2.  Is the answer to number one somewhere in the buss assignments, or the master outputs?  What is buss anyway?  What does that do?
 
3.  How do I add effects when recording without it being permanently part of the track, if you know what I mean?  If I want to do a vocal and want to hear some reverb or delay, but I want to make permanent decisions later?  Is this also a matter of buss or output assignments?
 
All help appreciated.  Thanks!
 
len

1. No, there is no separate volume control for the main out, refer to the signal flow diagram on page 42 of the V-Studio 100 Hardware manual. In my case, my audio interface does have a volume knob but I still have my monitors on a power strip with the on/off switch next to the audio interface.
2. No, it requires the interface to provide the capability. Busses provide a facility for submixing like tracks (ex. drum tracks) and adding an effect(s) common to several tracks (ex. reverb)
3. If you asking about using software effects while recording, all tracks are recorded dry. Software effects added to tracks are not recorded.

I don't know anything about this particular device, but looking at the back panel in pictures, I see that there is a Main Out (1-2) and an Out 3-4.  Does the headphone simply follow whatever is on Out 1/2?
 
In my case, I have a Layla 3G with a similar arrangement.  The headphones and the out 1/2 carry the same signal.  So instead of running my monitors off of out 1/2, I have them plugged into Out 3/4.  Then, I have my master bus set so that I can change where it sends its signal.  so when I want headphones, I just change the out on the master to out 1/2 (which I have friendly named headphones) and when I want to hear through monitors, I send it out to out 3/4 (friendly named monitors).
 
Does that help at all?

scook
1. No, there is no separate volume control for the main out, refer to the signal flow diagram on page 42 of the V-Studio 100 Hardware manual. In my case, my audio interface does have a volume knob but I still have my monitors on a power strip with the on/off switch next to the audio interface.
2. No, it requires the interface to provide the capability. Busses provide a facility for submixing like tracks (ex. drum tracks) and adding an effect(s) common to several tracks (ex. reverb)
3. If you asking about using software effects while recording, all tracks are recorded dry. Software effects added to tracks are not recorded.

Thanks!  That's very helpful.  Sounds like I can't do what I am thinking about UNLESS...  maybe using outputs 3 and 4 into the Behringer and connecting the headphones to that- But I bet all those outputs are under the same volume controls.
Now I am thinking- Could I take the inputs from the VS but output the audio through my computer and plug the headphones into that?  I think that may be doable.
 
Bussing- sounds like that is internal to the software; like subgrouping tracks or sending all tracks into the same effect.  Cool.
 
The effects aren't recorded onto the actual audio.  At least not until final mixdown.  Cool.
 
Thanks!

Blades
I don't know anything about this particular device, but looking at the back panel in pictures, I see that there is a Main Out (1-2) and an Out 3-4.  Does the headphone simply follow whatever is on Out 1/2?
 
In my case, I have a Layla 3G with a similar arrangement.  The headphones and the out 1/2 carry the same signal.  So instead of running my monitors off of out 1/2, I have them plugged into Out 3/4.  Then, I have my master bus set so that I can change where it sends its signal.  so when I want headphones, I just change the out on the master to out 1/2 (which I have friendly named headphones) and when I want to hear through monitors, I send it out to out 3/4 (friendly named monitors).
 
Does that help at all?

I see what you are saying and that may indeed help.  I think that is what I was thinking when I was asking about busses and what not- signal routing.
Sorry I am not real good with the terminology.
 
I think the other reply indicates that this won't work, but it is worth a try,
 

 

I did not notice the other line outs on the interface. You could create a separate headphone and master out using buses and point the master out to 3+4.

OK so I was thinking the right thing!  I don't suppose you could give me a quick tutorial on how to set that up?
I also think just sending the output to the computer sound card when I am in headphones only would work, but maybe not sound as good.
 
Thanks!

The simplest way would be to use the default normal template, a master bus is already setup. All your audio will default to the master bus. Then use the master bus output drop down to control which interface output(s) are used.

That's what I was thinking.  Thanks!  I will try it.