Tascam Us 428 - Altec Lansing Atp3 2.1 Speakers, Compatibility question Options

[salparadise99]

I want to plug my Altec speakers directly into an IO port on the Tascam US 428, and then the 428 into my Mac. This will keep me from having to purcahse a new portable stereo system to use as monitor playback, since my current stereo doesn't have a RCA inputs. However, someone told me the other day that I need to find out if the US 428 (or possibly the Mac?) will be able to amplify to the speakers. I don't know the answer. I am also open to other possible set up configurations since I haven't bougt anything yet.

[lepetitmartien]

monitoring quality aside, I think what the someone asked was "are your Altec powered or not?" (active loudspeakers that is)

If they are Altec Lansing for computers, they are selfpowered (active). Now I don't know the US 428… you'll can plug if a plug is available

the mac can feed powered speakers, but it's intended for computer "multimedia" active speakers. not monitoring.

Now if you think about some Altec, they make lots of stuff, hifi to multimedia… but won't be a serious choice for monitoring. Though it depend of what you intend to do, your budget and your ambitions.

The ATP3, I know them, they are not that great, I could make the comparison with the same cds on these and the Altec I have at home (the old top range ACS48) the ACS are better.

But I won't recommand either for monitoring. They are ok for mp3, games, cds on the computer but nothing else. The ATP3 lacks also part of the spectrum, some details definitely don't show thru it… and I'm comparing with and old system the same manufacturer…

And it has nothing to do with my Mackies.

Now what do you want to use them for? Exactely.

[salparadise99]

Man, it sure is difficult to read your post. Why don't you type in complete sentences and make sure you stick to answering the question, which is actually rather simple. Just read it. But thanks for offering your reply nevertheless. It is somewhat useful to know that the Altecs are self-powering.

[lepetitmartien]

I was answering to your question. But I was only doing it for the side I know of. I'm not a MODERATOR for nothing

I was writing about MONITORING, does it belong to your dictionnary ? And the fact that these were crap. uh?

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

I think so.

[deleted]

Salparadise, you want to build a system with the altec lansing + us-428 + mac, am i correct?

US-428 has a stereo line out (-10dBu, RCA), so you can plug it into the altec lansing input (is it with a mini-jack?), and control the volume with the us. You'll only need an adaptor (RCA/RCA or RCA/mini-jack, depending on the altec).
After that, you'll be able to monitor anything plugged in any of the 6 inputs of the us-428, and/or monitor any audio generated or previously recorded on the mac.

I hope this helped.
Bye.

[salparadise99]

Yukulele,

Thanks a lot. That's just what I was looking for.

My next step is to be able to record everything (except vocals) through headphones, using a Fender Twin Amp, and a drum machine. Can I go line out from the amp to the 428 and somehow keep the amp from singing through the main cabinet, and instead jam/record through the headphones? (I wonder if the level would be high enough considering headphones won't get nearly as loud as my Fender Twin...hmm??)

This would be the ultimate solution for recording late at night in my apartment without disturbing the neighbors!!

Lastly, I was just wondering, do you work for Apple or are you just a guy that came across the site like me?

Many thanks!

[bjkiwi]

just make sure you've got a 'load' across the speaker output on the amp. If you want to NOT hear the speakers while monitoring the line-out of the amp you'll need to unplug the speakers. But unless you put a dummy load across the speaker outputs you'll blow up your amp ! transistor amps can run without speakers and not get damaged but NOT valve amps.

[salparadise99]

ok thanks. What do you you use for a dumby load?

Also, can you go line out into the 428 and get a good recording level that will not be too loud for a good set of headphones?

[deleted]

Can I go line out from the amp to the 428 and somehow keep the amp from singing through the main cabinet, and instead jam/record through the headphones?

Sure, but the line-out level depends on your amp... Is this a nominal output level (ie independant from the main volume in front of the amp), or a variable output level (ie dependant ...same as above)?
If the answer is independant, then you win ;-)
If it's the second, you'll have to customize your amp, like bjkiwi said.

Bye.

[deleted]

Also, can you go line out into the 428 and get a good recording level that will not be too loud for a good set of headphones?

Yes, the output level from amp's line-out is ok, and you can trim manualy the gain on each 4 us's inputs.

Bye.

[bjkiwi]

as yukulele said you can adjust the gain into the 428 via it's trim pots (I don't know the 428 but I assume they are input level controls) as the fender will give u a line out at standard line levels. A dummy load is basically a bunch of resistors and possibly a heat sink so that the amp 'thinks' it is feeding a speaker and can release it's 'energy'. The resistor must match the impedance of the speaker so as not 2 'confuse' and damage the amp. I'm a guitarist and not a tech so my advise is to talk 2 a techie or guitar shop to make sure u do it right. It's the same principle that the 'power soaks' use 2 run amps really hard but keep the level down

Having said that, if u are getting your line out from the fx loop on the amp (if it has one...some newer ones do I think) then u can keep the master vol. down and still get the pre-amp tone coming out the fx send loop to feed into the 428. Then plug a jack, with no lead on it, into the fx return and that will break the connection to the power amp section and hence no signal will be sent to the power amp that feeds the speaker. This way u won't have 2 disconnect your speaker but the neighbours won't even know u'r home.

If u don't have an effects loop on your amp then get good advise from a techie or post your question on the fender forum, a great forum for all guitar/amp stuff (fenderforum.com) good luck

[salparadise99]

This is great advice. Thanks so much!!

As a matter of fact, I do have an effects (fX) loop. I will print up your reply and bring it to the music store.

Also, you are saying that that great Fender tone comes from the preamp right? (good to know)

Also, I have both an 80 volt and 120 volt (or watt..I'm not an electrician) channel so when I record I can keep the power output down for less feedback and hum when I am recording. I am going to go on Fender's site and read about the fX loop capabilities.

Keep the knowledge coming!

[bjkiwi]

the tone of any valve amp (Fender, Marshall etc..) is the combination of pre-amp and power amp. This is why amps sound great when they're wound up because the power amp (and those big output valves) starts working as well as the pre-amp. Using just the pre-amp stage, like u are, u will miss some of the output stage tone but hey, that's life!
when I said a jack with no lead on it, I meant the signal doesn't go anywhere so if it is a complete lead then just leave it hanging 'cause it's the actual plug in the socket that breaks the connection 2 the power amp. So if u have a spare jack plug lying around u can use that
The 80/120 watt switch or channel selection won't make any difference to the signal if u are recording out of the pre-amp 'cause that is purely a configuration of the output stage which u are not using.
I hope u got on to fenderforum o.k. it's a cool forum and don't forget to plug your speakers back in sometimes and wind it up! YEEAA! F..K THE NEIGHBOURS! why? 'cause it's fun...good luck

[salparadise99]

Thanks, is this the right link for the Fender Forum??

http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html

[salparadise99]

Hey, I just noticed that you have to contribute $30 on that Fender Forums site in order to be able to post a new topic question. That's lame.

[bjkiwi]

I think you'll find u'r mistaken on that one!? that's the right link and once u'r there just register as a new user (top left, no $$ as far as I can see..) and chose an appropriate category from the forum list, go to the bottom of the page and start a new topic...
It never costs me...let me know how u go...