Mixer to audio interface

[Reptil]

Best is to use the balanced out +4 because balanced cables have less distortion and you'll get a better signal to noise. you can then do long cable runs and put the computer in a closet (get a long video monitor cable and USB), so the room where you listen will be more quiet. I noticed it helps concentration if there's no fan or high pitched noise. makes me appreciate the "blackness" of silence. (I live in a city so there's ALWAYS noise)

if you connect the unbalanced line level -10 dBU that is perfectly fine as well. adjust the settings on the audio converter/soundcard if this is possible.

the inputs on the soundcard are most likely balanced but will accept unbalanced as well (but I'm guessing here, you should check the manual of it)

and let us know please how it sounds?

[Nedavine]

Originally Posted by Reptil

Best is to use the balanced out +4 because balanced cables have less distortion and you'll get a better signal to noise. you can then do long cable runs and put the computer in a closet (get a long video monitor cable and USB), so the room where you listen will be more quiet. I noticed it helps concentration if there's no fan or high pitched noise. makes me appreciate the "blackness" of silence. (I live in a city so there's ALWAYS noise)

if you connect the unbalanced line level -10 dBU that is perfectly fine as well. adjust the settings on the audio converter/soundcard if this is possible.

the inputs on the soundcard are most likely balanced but will accept unbalanced as well (but I'm guessing here, you should check the manual of it)

and let us know please how it sounds?

Thank you for such a detailed and friendly reply.

I'm not sure if the cables I have a balanced or unbalanced so I am guessing the latter. I will order new cables tomorrow.

[Reptil]

you're welcome
Try first without new cables. If it's ok sounding to you, and there's no noise, or hum or whatever, then stick with that.
Figure out how to route the computer soundcard output into the mixer. This way you can use those outputs in a mix as well. You can also choose to record parts into the computer and mix there. But to have everything under faders is nice, and avoids having to align the audio (latency?) later.

Then how to route the monitor output of the mixer to the monitor speakers/amplifier. The monitor output knob on the mixer then becomes a volume control for the speakers, independent of the level on the main output.

What cables do you need? It depends on the connectors on your soundcard. if those are "Jacks" TRS 6,3mm then choose that kind of cable.

here's some information about cables
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanced_audio
here's detailed information about cable connections
Sound System Interconnection

go for cables with Neutrik connectors, don't buy (very expensive) audiophile cables with gold damped connectors those are useless if the other side is not gold either, buy microphone cables (XLR), these are not expensive. It is possible to buy cables with stereo jack plugs 6,3mm
Neutrik NC 3 FX - Thomann Nederlandse Cyberstore
best is if you make them yourself, since then you can choose very good cable (Canare, Belden, Mogami etc.) for small amounts of money. something to consider before buying a lot of cables for multi output synths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvgazaC9t8k

if you don't want to solder you can buy an XLR-stereo jack cable for the main output.
like this the sssnake SMP6BK - Thomann Nederlandse Cyberstore