How to monitor through laptop speakers

[nd]

Hey guys!
I'm using PT12 on a MacBook Air, with an Apollo interface.
I'd like to set up the option to check my mixes through the laptop speakers.
I'm using a hardware insert on my master fader, so it's not as simple as changing the playback engine (that will disable my in/out).

I'm guessing somehow the aggregate setup may be able to do this? I had a play but couldn't figure it out...

[Drew Mazurek]

Originally Posted by nd

Hey guys!
I'm using PT12 on a MacBook Air, with an Apollo interface.
I'd like to set up the option to check my mixes through the laptop speakers.
I'm using a hardware insert on my master fader, so it's not as simple as changing the playback engine (that will disable my in/out).

I'm guessing somehow the aggregate setup may be able to do this? I had a play but couldn't figure it out...

offline bounce, listen in iTunes.

Simple, easy, less likely to cause issues.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by nd

Hey guys!
I'm using PT12 on a MacBook Air, with an Apollo interface.
I'd like to set up the option to check my mixes through the laptop speakers.
I'm using a hardware insert on my master fader, so it's not as simple as changing the playback engine (that will disable my in/out).

I'm guessing somehow the aggregate setup may be able to do this? I had a play but couldn't figure it out...

You can try, aggregate IO is frequently problematic, I have no idea if it works well with your interface.

create the aggregate in Audio/MIDI setup, normally you would use the Pro Tools Aggregate device that is already there. Aggregate your interface and built-in output. Set the interface as the clock source and check correct drift for built-in output.

Now select that aggregate as the playback engine. you will likely need to go in and edit the IO outputs to add or at least nicely name the Built-in output stereo pair. Once you do that you can route to that path to listen on those speakers.

It may or may not be worth doing all that, depends on how you want to work. Drew's suggestion may be better. Other folks may route out S/PDIF or analog from the interface back into the Mac.

[JuanPC]

Some Swedish House Mafia songs sound amazing on MacBookPro speakers...
But.. In a real club/large sound systems... Not so good.

If you master too hot... Will only sound good in tiny speakers.

Option A) make a mix that works in both systems. Sacrifice things in both.
Option B) make a mix that sounds better in tiny speakers, sacrifice large systems.
Option C) make a mix that sounds better in large speakers, sacrifice small speakers.

[Glenjb]

Originally Posted by Drew Mazurek

offline bounce, listen in iTunes.

Simple, easy, less likely to cause issues.

Or just click on the bounced file in a finder window and hit spacebar, no need for iTunes

[Drew Mazurek]

Originally Posted by Glenjb

Or just click on the bounced file in a finder window and hit spacebar, no need for iTunes

That works as well, but the thing I like about checking with iTunes is toggling Apple's "Sound Enhance" and "Sound Check" on/off to hear their impact. This is important since all Macs come with these features enabled (best I remember)

[nd]

Originally Posted by Drew Mazurek

That works as well, but the thing I like about checking with iTunes is toggling Apple's "Sound Enhance" and "Sound Check" on/off to hear their impact. This is important since all Macs come with these features enabled (best I remember)

Yeah, I already check with this method...but I'm hoping to be able to just switch on the fly, while I'm mixing, so I don't have to bounce and then make changes and bounce again. It's real time bouncing for me, because of the hardware insert.

[nd]

Originally Posted by JuanPC

Some Swedish House Mafia songs sound amazing on MacBookPro speakers...
But.. In a real club/large sound systems... Not so good.

If you master too hot... Will only sound good in tiny speakers.

Option A) make a mix that works in both systems. Sacrifice things in both.
Option B) make a mix that sounds better in tiny speakers, sacrifice large systems.
Option C) make a mix that sounds better in large speakers, sacrifice small speakers.

There's something about the tiny speaker that reveals the lower mid range for me. Even after checking in my Auratone knockoff, I appreciate what the laptop speaker reveals, no matter what speakers I want it to sound best in.

[nd]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

You can try, aggregate IO is frequently problematic, I have no idea if it works well with your interface.

create the aggregate in Audio/MIDI setup, normally you would use the Pro Tools Aggregate device that is already there. Aggregate your interface and built-in output. Set the interface as the clock source and check correct drift for built-in output.

Now select that aggregate as the playback engine. you will likely need to go in and edit the IO outputs to add or at least nicely name the Built-in output stereo pair. Once you do that you can route to that path to listen on those speakers.

It may or may not be worth doing all that, depends on how you want to work. Drew's suggestion may be better. Other folks may route out S/PDIF or analog from the interface back into the Mac.

I don't have the line-in on my Macbook Air.
I'm gonna have to try more with the aggregate and see if it will work....

[gonsdeejay]

You can go to Playback Engine, chose simply the Built-In Output of your Mac, I do That to work out of house with Heaphones......