Monitoring Levels Whilst Multi Tracking in Reaper

[WeePig]

I’m loving using my CQ18T for live and project studio work. I’m having a wee problem with the transition from using a Focusrite Clarett 8 USB with Reaper. Usually, I would use the Clarett’s monitoring software, sometimes the button on the interface itself to MUTE the speakers when recording / overdubs so the click or previous tracks don’t come over the speakers.

I’m unsure how I would achieve this using my CQ18T as the interface. I need to make sure the incoming channel and master are at unity to get a good recording level, but this means the speakers are full blast. Taking the master fader down on the CQ18T means a low level recording.

I’m able to record and playback multitrack no problem. I just have to unplug my Genelec monitors to do so. I’m sure there’s a simple explanation!

[WeePig]

Anyone?

[Brian]

Your speakers (or the amps driving those speakers) should have a gain setting that you can adjust. Sending the audio through and out of the mixer at unity/nominal levels is the correct gain staging method IMHO. If this means you have to adjust your amps so that the volume in the room is at the desirable level for the situation, then that this the normal procedure. Those people that think they have to run their amps at full gain and then end up turning everything down in the console to get good volumes in the room are using a less than desirable gain structure.

[KeithJ A&H]

Hi @WeePig

You could feed your speakers from one of outputs 1-6 (a pair of them stereo linked), then set this output to be post fade, post-comp and to follow main pan with all send levels at 0dB.
This would allow you to have your main LR turned up for recording, and perhaps to feed to headphones, but allow the speaker outputs to be controlled by the output channel, including level and mute control.
As an extra, you could set up a soft rotary for level and soft key to mute that output.

Hope this helps!
Keith.

[WeePig]

Thanks Brian. It wouldn’t be practical having to fish around the back of each speaker (Genelec 8010a) to turn the volume pot up and down every time I do a take. I was thinking of a Mackie Big Knob or similar, but see Keith has given a possible solution below without any new hardware…

[WeePig]

Thanks for this Keith, sounds sensible and worth a go!

[WeePig]

Hi Keith – had to wait for a couple of cables, but connected up as you advised, and all working as expected. Thanks for your help.

[Author]

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