aepoc Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I connect my Helix to my Yamaha HS5's, and it sounds great. Of course, I want to use the HS5's as the reference speakers for my computer/DAW as well, as I use Reaper and EZ Drummer 2, etc. I record from Helix to PC via USB. The HS5 speakers have XLR and 1/4" inputs, but apparently only one input can be used at a time. Playing through the Helix to the speakers without having the PC on is a big plus for me, which is why the speakers are directly connected to the XLR outs on the Helix. At the same time, I don't always want to have to turn the Helix on (being the "soundcard/interface") when I'm working on mixing, drums, or just youtube/etc. I'd prefer to not have to change connections all the time. Is there an easy way to set this up? I think my brain is over-analyzing this issue. Sorry if it's a simple solution. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverhead Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 I use a similar setup. Since you have the Helix XLR's to the monitors, connect your PC audio outputs to the 1/4" monitor inputs. When Helix is connected, it becomes your computer's sound card and so the audio outputs from your computer will be bypassed and your speakers will receive Helix+Computer combined signal. When Helix is off, your computer's soundcard will be active and you will hear its output. In both situations your speakers are only using one input at a time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommasi Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 If you can leave both inputs connected, the above answer nails it. Otherwise, a small 4ch mixer will do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterHamm Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 The easy answer is an old cheap used Mackie 1202 mixer of some sort. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fukuri Posted January 7, 2016 Share Posted January 7, 2016 Or a Mackie big knob (or Samson cue mix) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aepoc Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I tried having both the XLR and 1/4" inputs in use last night, and the volume seemed significantly lower. I will try tonight with different cables. My backup methods will be to incorporate my (at the moment unused) Focusrite Scarlet 2i4 and balanced cables. Otherwise, I'm thinking this would work: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000068OGY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1GG6M3K7OUABK&coliid=IA4HN3NMJXY0N Though I'd prefer to NOT spend much money, if at all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aepoc Posted January 7, 2016 Author Share Posted January 7, 2016 I use a similar setup. Since you have the Helix XLR's to the monitors, connect your PC audio outputs to the 1/4" monitor inputs. When Helix is connected, it becomes your computer's sound card and so the audio outputs from your computer will be bypassed and your speakers will receive Helix+Computer combined signal. When Helix is off, your computer's soundcard will be active and you will hear its output. In both situations your speakers are only using one input at a time. Hopefully this will work with better cables. Pretty sure I was using HOSA unbalanced 1/4" last night, and the hum/noise drove me mad :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_Igloo Posted January 8, 2016 Share Posted January 8, 2016 We've had six or eight Helices outside QA, powered on 24/7 for at least a few months. It's too young a product for me to say "sure, go ahead and leave that sucker on," but so far, all of them work perfectly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aepoc Posted January 8, 2016 Author Share Posted January 8, 2016 We've had six or eight Helices outside QA, powered on 24/7 for at least a few months. It's too young a product for me to say "sure, go ahead and leave that sucker on," but so far, all of them work perfectly. Very interesting... and good to know. Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aepoc Posted January 11, 2016 Author Share Posted January 11, 2016 So, having both XLR and 1/4" connections at once works, but there's a fairly significant volume difference when the computer is on and I'm playing through the Helix (out of the XLR outputs). For example, I could have the large volume knob on the Helix maxed, and it'll be a decent volume with the computer on. When the computer is off, to get that same volume (out of the same speakers) the Helix volume knob has to go down to about halfway, maybe a touch higher. Strange. I wonder if a speaker switcher would be a better way to do it. Or as some of you have said here.... a small mixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aepoc Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 I use a similar setup. Since you have the Helix XLR's to the monitors, connect your PC audio outputs to the 1/4" monitor inputs. When Helix is connected, it becomes your computer's sound card and so the audio outputs from your computer will be bypassed and your speakers will receive Helix+Computer combined signal. When Helix is off, your computer's soundcard will be active and you will hear its output. In both situations your speakers are only using one input at a time. That's basically what I'm doing.. but there's a huge volume difference between when the computer is on vs when it's off. Very strange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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