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.

Doesn't look like it's possible. According to the manual, the headphone jack output is always the same as 1L/2R. The block diagram on the back indicates the same. I do instrumentals only -- non-acoustic instruments -- so this hasn't been an issue for me.

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...?

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.

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

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.

Yeah I didn't realise that till I got mine...  The octa-capture has a simple switch which is either mains+headphones or headphones only so it's surprising that the quad doesn't have that option. The front face is pretty cluttered on the quad but I'm sure they could have squeezed it in if they tried.

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.

both jbl and presonus make control stations where you can connect multiple speakers and headphones to a single amp with a volume control enabling monitoring of various sources.

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

I don't have this device, but it sounds like an idiotic design to me. I looked at the manual and apparently the USB cable carries both MIDI and audio signals to the computer so apparently they expect you to have your audio system or monitors connected to the computer and not the QuadCapture, but then wouldn't that introduce latency? They should have had separate volume controls for the Line Outs and the Headphones even if it was in the control panel software. Lesson Learned: Read the manual before buying any device so you get the real story and not the advertising hype .