Problems with monitoring

[metallisomething]

I have a M-Audio USB DUO. It works great, except I can't seem to find a way to monitor what I'm recording while I'm recording it. I can only hear whats being played back (another track that ive already recorded) How can i hear both at the same time? The headphone jack on the front just seems to output like the outputs on the back. It also has a stand alone button that I can't seem to figure out what does.

I use Cool Edit pro or Adobe Audition.

Thanks guys

[DT Chris]

from M-Audio DUO USB Manual
"Pressing in and engaging the Standalone switch will connect the Mic and Line inputs directly to the analog Line Outs, S/PDIF output, and the Headphone output. Standalone mode allows for use of the Duo as a mic preamp and/or analog to digital converter independent of the computer. This feature of the Duo also allows you to directly monitor the inputs when connected to a computer."

Make sure you mute the track you are recording to, so you don't force the track to play back while you are recording to it, causing latency that will throw you off.

[metallisomething]

"This feature of the Duo also allows you to directly monitor the inputs when connected to a computer."

I know it monitors the inputs, but I want to hear the input along with the tracks I'm recording over, as well as the computers onboard metronome.

[DT Chris]

from M-Audio DUO USB Manual
"Audio from your computer is sent simultaneously to the Duo’s two
balanced/unbalanced Line Outputs on 1/4” TRS jacks, the coaxial S/PDIF
Output, and the Headphone Out."

Ok, it's not a problem with the audio interface. Perhaps you haven't told Adobe Audition which device will play back the audio.

Options->Device Order->Playback



I have mine currently set to playback the wave files in Audition using my computer's soundcard (just for listening). It is set as the first device used in the list.

When I want to monitor my current recording and all tracks playing back, I need to use my Fast Track, so I would set this device to be 1st in the list instead.



Now all the audio playing from Audition should be routed to the Fast Track for monitoring.

[brandondrury]

I don't think I would like monitoring in the fashion that you are describing. I think the preamp gain and actual level in the headphones are sometimes different and I like to use compression plugins when I track.

My method involves running the signal into your recording software first, getting the mix right, and then sending it back to your soundcard / headphones.

The downside is latency, but I haven't had any problem getting that down to a reasonable level with a modest computer.

Brandon