Basic Setup Question

[s1mplem1nds]

Hi

i'm hoping someone can help me with a question i have with my basic setup. I have a Nord Piano 88 and currently i use a Roland UA-25EX to capture the audio from the Nord to my iMac.
The connection i use is 2 x stereo jack (left and right) from the Nord to the UA-25EX and then there is 2 audio outputs for speakers and a usb connector form the UA-25EX to my iMac. I also have a Yamaha M08 that i used alot prior to getting the Nord, but i would like to use both via that audio capture device without disconnecting the left and right audio cables from the Nord, and then into the Yamaha and nice versa. So, my question is, is there a splitter or something similar that i can connect two of the devices into and then it channel to the audio capture as the audio capture only has the ability to capture one device at once.

[s1mplem1nds]

You can try to connect them all together via Y cable, but I don't think it'll perform as you'd like. The only other option would be a mixer. This is the type of cable I'm thinking of:

http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shoppe ... add=action

But it might degrade your sound quality. I honestly wouldn't do that, personally, but I've got a bunch of small mixers at the ready.

[mjbrands]

Y-cable works pretty well for sending the same signal to two 'consumers', but not so well the other way around. In that case a small mixer or another (small) interface would probably be the way to go.

If the MO8 has audio inputs, you might be able to plug the Nord into the MO8 and the MO8 into your audio interface. I know that works fine on a Roland Fantom and Yamaha Motif, but I have no idea if the MO8 had inputs.

[s1mplem1nds]

Y-cable works pretty well for sending the same signal to two 'consumers', but not so well the other way around.

I had always heard this, but it's tough to point at anything other than vague anecdotes, so I can't discount that it'd work.

[s1mplem1nds]

thanks for the replies. I get very frustrated with midi , hence why i really like experiementing with sounds and audio recording etc. I will have a look and see if i can find someone in Australia who sells those y-cables. I wont be using both keyboards at the same time, all i want to do is play one at once - and record onto blank tracks in logic (mac). But then not have to unplug the left and right cables and plug into the nord or yamaha etc. I wouldnt mind investing in a small mixer also, as it might come in handy later on. Can anyone recommend a basic mixer that isnt the size of a house?

Thanks again, i really appreciate these responses.

[Gustavo]

Hi there,

Buying a mixer is a great option, as it may come in handy for gigs and such. Personally I think that the VLZ3 line of Mackie mixers is great. I got a 802-VLZ3 and it has worked like a charm. I had an Alesis mixer and also a Behringer ones for a short time, but none of them were as good as the Mackie.

Also, since you are willing to get a new small-format-mixer and you already got a Mac with firewire inputs, you might want to look into the Mackie Onyx 820i, it has a very decent amount of inputs and it has a firewire audio interface integrated and guaranteed to work with your Mac. But if money is a problem and you are not willing to ditch your Roland UA-25EX, then the 802-VLZ3 is the way to go.

ALSO: keep in mind that besides getting the mixer, you will need: another pair of cables for the MO8 and another one to go from the mixer to the Roland UA-25EX. It happened to me that when I started with my Nord Stage 2, I ended up not buying a better mixer with integrated audio interface due to the cost of cables (I need good ones).