headphone mixes - how to?

[-Noodles-]

Hey, I've had a good search of the forum a couple days ago,.. and I couldn't find how to set up multiple headphone mixes using something like a 4 headphone box.

I use Protools

Thanks!

[AlexLakis]

I see you have an 002r? I give 4 independent headphone mixes with my 002. I use the analog outs 1-8 for headphone mixes, and the SPDIF out for monitoring (I use a Central Station.) I run 8 cables into a Mackie HM-54. So, headphone mix 1: Analog 1-2, headphone mix 2: Analog 3-4, headphone mix 3: Analog 5-6, headphone mix 4: Analog 7-8. I set up an Aux channel within Pro Tools for each headphone send. Set the input to the stereo bus of your choice and the output to the corresponding analog out on the back of your 002r. Then, I set up a send (to that bus) on each track for each aux channel. So, for a four piece band, I would have 4 sends on each track: Bus 1-2, Bus 3-4, Bus 5-6, Bus 7-8. So, since you're monitoring SPDIF, you'll have to change the output of every track in your session (including the master fader) to SPDIF, except the headphone aux channels, which will have your analog outs as outputs (and, of course, anything else you choose to bus somewhere directly.) This gives you ultimate control over your headphone mixes, as you can mix the level of the sends independently from your control room mix. To note, you should check the "pre" button on each of the sends, as this allows you to mute, solo, etc. in the control room as you're recording without affecting the headphone mixes. Also to note if you are using a track for talkback, you should NOT set it's sends to "pre," as you will probably want to mute that frequently, universally.

I hope that was clear!

[-Noodles-]

Yeah, i got what you mean.
I don't have internet on my music pc, so i'll write it down and try it out

Thanks!

So, basically you're using an AUX channel per headphone mix?
And to control the mix, you're using busses from each 'instrument' channel (or group for drums)?



Oh, and another question - how would you integrate something like this; PreSonus HP4 Headphone Amp from zZounds.com!
to provide headphone mixes?

[AlexLakis]

Yes, you've got it! So, you control the volume of each track in each individual headphone mix via the individual bus faders, and control the overall volume/headroom of each headphone mix via the faders on the aux channels (and the volume knobs on the HM-54, of course.)

I had an HP4 but I sold it for a Mackie HM-54 because the HM-54 accepts 8 individual 1/4" inputs, which is what I'm running out of the 002. Google images for the two pieces and look at the backs of them, it will make sense. I think the HM-54 is discontinued, tho...

[-Noodles-]

Ah okay, so essentially - You have to use the outs on the 002, inputted to the Mackie? (for instance).

[AlexLakis]

Correct. I have an Apogee Rosetta 800 that I use for running tracks out to my outboard during mixdown. The 8 analog outs on the 002 are permanently wired for headphone mixes. In Pro Tools, I am using the SPDIF out as master, so I am not using the monitoring section of the 002 at all (I'm using the Central Station.) I do have the main outs of the 002 wired into the Central Station, tho, for playing stuff outside of Pro Tools like Winamp, Windows Media Player, etc..

[-Noodles-]

On a lower side of things, something with 8 outs (like an 8Pre) or similar would give me outboard capabilites?

And, a total n00b question, but how do you use the 002R to listen to things such as winamp? I use iTunes myself, and can't find how to change the output settings..
Does Winamp enable this?

Thanks!!

[AlexLakis]

No prob!

You'll wanna be looking for something with 8 channels of conversion via ADAT. You can only do up to 48k sample rate, but some of the 192k converters simply sound better anyways. If you wanna go ultra-cheap (this is the low end section after all,) you can get something like a Behr***er ADA8000, which would give you 8 pres, and 8 channels of A/D-D/A. I use outboard pres and the Rosetta. It's all about your budget and what does it for you sonically.

As far as 002 in Windows, you'll want to download "Digi MME Helper" by Rail Jon Rogut software (it's free.) This is a non-active-process utility in which you can specify programs (.exe files) that you would like to have access to the 002. Go here for more info: Digidesign | Support | Digi MME Helper