Split monitor signal to 2 pairs?

[Chrisc_o]

Here is one very good option

It may not be "cheap" per se, but it is the first that comes to mind for balanced switching.

[DaVogi]

you could do that with software if you have a multichannel (>2 DA) interface/soundcard

some DAWs have functions build in (in cubase/nuendo it is called control room) but you could always use 2 tracks with different output routings or 2 aux/bus-outputs fed by the same track.

[Red Mastering]

coleman LS3
as a simplest&cheapest one (completely passive, important -doesn't add anything to audio)
or any other coleman controller..
I use it when ABX blind testing, brilliant
when mastering to comapre before/after tracks, levelled to same dB

very handy thing

[Eric Pederson]

With software you'd have to figure out a good scheme to switch between the two output pairs, if you have a controller you could hit both mutes at once, otherwise I am having a hard time thinking how you would just quicly switch on a downbeat

[Xander]

Originally Posted by Eric Pederson

With software you'd have to figure out a good scheme to switch between the two output pairs, if you have a controller you could hit both mutes at once, otherwise I am having a hard time thinking how you would just quicly switch on a downbeat

In Pro Tools you can set up two tracks going to different outputs. Mute one of the tracks. Now put the edit cursor on one of the tracks and shift-click on the other so that the cursor is on both tracks. Now every time you hit Shift+M it will switch the mutes on both of them, allowing you to AB instantly. You can also do it by soloing and using Shift+S instead.

[dickiefunk]

Originally Posted by DaVogi

you could do that with software if you have a multichannel (>2 DA) interface/soundcard

some DAWs have functions build in (in cubase/nuendo it is called control room) but you could always use 2 tracks with different output routings or 2 aux/bus-outputs fed by the same track.

I'm using Cubase 5.1.1 at the moment with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 DSP interface.

If there is a way I can do this within Cubase that would be great!!

How do I do this?

[DaVogi]

you just have to connect one monitor pair to e.g. 1-2 and the other pair to 3-4

than enable control room and add 2 monitor outputs in vst-connections. in the control room mixer you can than switch between the two pairs of monitors!

for further informations just check the control room section in the manual...

be sure that you level match the trims on the montitors because louder = better!

[soul&folk]

or try something like this

this a/b switch was intended for 2 amplifier to share one pair speakers but I have a hunch you could set it up for one amplifier sharing two sets of speakers.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by soul&folk

or try something like this

this a/b switch was intended for 2 amplifier to share one pair speakers but I have a hunch you could set it up for one amplifier sharing two sets of speakers.

I believe that that unit is intended for passive speakers.