Old Motifator threads are available in the Archive.
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
Does anyone have any good suggestions on a good way to split sound from a Motif XF with a Ipod into headphones? I have some Bose Quiet Comfort headphones and they sound great with my Motif or with my Ipod. I am using a “Y” adapter so I can plug both in at the same time but I loose a lot of quality. I like to practice songs quietly at times. I cant seem to find a decent “Y” adapter to use, I am getting a equal split with both the keyboard and the Ipod into the headphones but it just dont sound the best, not terrible but getting enough distortion, looking for better quality somehow. |
meatballfulton
Total Posts: 3022
Joined 01-25-2005 status: Guru |
Run the iPod into the audio input of the XF and plug the headphones into the XF only. |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
Ok thank you, I noticed that my Ipod was only coming out of one side of the headphone which makes sense because I only had it connected to R or L so I added a “Y” adapter to the back of the Motif to input the Ipod which gives me stereo but not the best quality at all. It might be because my “Y” adapter is kind of old, maybe 10 years ago. I am also not hearing vocals on the music when using this “Y” adapter. Maybe if I purchase this Monster “Y” adapter it would improve the sound quality alot, hopefully. Any additional input is always appreciated. http://www.guitarcenter.com/Monster-Cable-Stereo-Female-2-Male-1-4--Y-Adapter-104005533-i1172767.gc |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
Maddogz4, I have no idea how you are thinking of using this Y cable, but I really don’t think it is going to work out. If I am following you correctly, you want to listen to your iPod and your XF through the headphones at the same time...in stereo...while you are playing along(?) If that is correct, then meatballfulton has given you the solution. You need to plug a stereo audio cable into the output of the iPod, and then “break-out” the stereo signal (Using a stereo Break-out Y cable like This) into the L and R A/D inputs on the Motif. Then, mix the iPod signal internally with your Motif sounds, and all sounds will be available in stereo at the XF Headphone output. See the Audio In/Out Settings [Utility] on page 223 of the XF Reference Manual to set the input signal type and output level of the iPod signal. |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
cmayhle - thank you for the assistance, I am new at this. That is correct just trying to listen to my Ipod and XF through my headphones at the same time. I was not familiar with a TRS type of cable, so this type of cable will balance the left and right channels correctly? I am still a little confused on how this differs from the one I chose being mine also had (2) 1/4 connectors to (1) female 1/4 connector. After I purchase this I will run a 1/8 male audio stereo connector out of my Ipod into this 1/4 female connection on the TRS “Y” adapter (using a stereo 1/8 to 1/4 plug adapter) |
Way_ne
Total Posts: 1291
Joined 01-26-2003 status: Guru |
You could also consider streaming songs directly from a USB stick or drive plugged into your XF in .wav or .aiff format. |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
Yes, that would be the same thing. I was thinking that you were thinking of using it for a headphone Y of some sort!
That is another way to solve this, Way_ne. It might be a little harder to get the balances mixed correctly, I am not sure. |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
So is the output on the Motif unbalanced where it should be a TS type of cable, I see the female on this “Y” adapter you showed me is TRS where the one I chose seems like it is a TS female so do I want to use your cable with the TRS female for the input for my IPod, does this sound correct? If so does that mean I should use a TRS cable from the Ipod to the Y adapter? |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
Yes! That is how you get a stereo iPod signal into (2) separate 1/4” unbalanced inputs, L & R at the A/D Motif inputs. |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
Ok thank you, so does that mean if I used a TS type cable (instead of a TRS cable) from my iPod to your recommended adapter it would not work correct? |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
That is correct, it will not work. You need to deliver a stereo signal to the stereo Y “break-out” adapter (Whether you buy the Monster or the Hosa), and that requires a TRS balanced cable in this configuration. We both want the same thing here, correct? Stereo iPod and stereo Motif both playing together in a pair of stereo headphones? |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
Ok I understand now, thank you! For future reference are all 1/4 input and outputs on the Motif TS (unbalanced) type connections? |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
That’s correct, with the exception of the Headphone out jack and the FC jacks (and the Sustain jack with an FC3 attached). The L & R inputs and outputs are all unbalanced TS jacks. |
motidave
Total Posts: 426
Joined 10-03-2010 status: Enthusiast |
I use a small 4-channel powered mixer, plug both into it then monitor headphones out from the mixer. the mixer I got was about $100 at GC, but they had cheaper 4-channel mixers for under $50. just anohter option. it works great for me. |
cmayhle
Total Posts: 3116
Joined 10-05-2011 status: Guru |
That is another good option motidave, Here is a little inexpensive mixer that would fit the bill. |
Maddogz4
Total Posts: 17
Joined 02-21-2013 status: Regular |
I purchased my adapter yesterday and it sounds great! I did notice that depending on the song I was playing through my Ipod I would have to mess with the gain alot on the back of the Motif to get the mix right, not the easiest to reach. So a mixer like this would make it easy to tweak the levels on the Motif and the Ipod easily correct? Thanks for the link cmayhle that one looks nice, which one do you have motidave? |