Connecting studio monitors

[randa112]

This could quite possibly be a stupid question, but....

I am trying to piece together a recording studio for my home and was wondering how I could use my monitor speakers (M-audio Studiophile BX8a's) for both recording and general computer use (watching movies, itunes, etc.).

I don't have 1/4" inputs into my iMac and can only run the monitors through my Mbox 2 Pro. Having that the case, it seems the monitors only work when ProTools is open and the Mbox 2 Pro is powered on. Is there any type of wiring connections I could use for the monitors to work for both recording and general computer applications?

[Phil Ogden]

The CoreAudio drivers that are installed along with Pro Tools software should allow other audio applications to access the Mbox when PT is not active.

Go to System Preferences/Sound/Output and select the Mbox as the default output.

Itunes, Safari etc should now play through the Mbox and M-Audio monitors.

http://www.myspace.com/philogg

[dougied]

You can get a 1/8" stereo to separate L & R 1/4" Y adapter and run them that way. That's what I do. The output on the Mac is 1/8" and you can split it to whatever inputs are on the back of your monitors. I have the KRK Rokits and they have 1/4", RCA, and XLR inputs. So it's whatever you want to split them into. You can get the cables pretty much anywhere, Radio Shack etc... for a couple of bucks.

The only downfall on this setup is that you will have to plug and un-plug the cable for whichever you are doing, recording etc...

I have the 002R and all I have to do is hit the ALT/SRC button on the front to switch mine out.

Hope this helps!!!