Multi-Channel out, SPDIF Out, headphone question

[astrodrummer]

Greetings,

This is a semi-long post so please ber with me...

I would like to record the TD-20 with multi-channels instead of using the master right and left. The manual is clear on how to assign the outputs but I have some questions:

1. Can I use the 8 direct outs with the mains (for a total of 10 outs)?
2. Can I use the 8 direct outs with the mains via SPDIF?
3. Can I use the headphones to monitor the above if yes?

Also, the manual is not clear on this - if I only use the 8 direct outs, can I use the headphones to monitor?

There is another interesting feature that I want to try and that is to assign the mix-in, effects, clicker to the direct outs. If so, can I still hear everything with the headphones?

Basically I want to make sure that I can still monitor from the brain and not the mixer regardless of the routing of the outs - and I want to see if I can squeez 2 extra channels of mix control.

I hope this message makes sense. Those who know me know I am legally blind and my MacSpeach Dictate is having trouble with this particular lingo!

[Michael Render]

Yes, you can use all 10 outputs.
The SPDF is the same signal as the master out and you can use it any time.
Headphones get tricky. They are connected to the master outs. You would only hear the drums assigned to the master outs.

[astrodrummer]

Having all 10 available is a very cool thing - thanks. The monitoring is a bummer. To monitor with the audio device for the DAW will need very low latency.

My Apogee Duet has a noticeable latency and my new device of choice (the Apogee Ensemble), which will be bought in a month will most likely have the same level of latency.

Anyone know of alternate headphone monitoring solution at the source?

Thanks!

[Hercules]

Hi Astrodrummer,

Are you going from your TD-20 directly into the Multi Track Recorder or are you going through a mixer?

If you are using a mixer you can use an auxilliary send for headphones and adjust the send level for each individual track.

[astrodrummer]

The TD-20 is plugged into the Duet right now, and in a month it will be connected to the Ensemble (Apogee).

The inconvenience is that I am using a TranzPort to control Logic because the drums are in another room (that will change when I buy a house) so I will have to monitor from the Ensemble - most likely with a really really long headphone extension cable, about 15 meters long.

I was hoping I could still monitor through the TD-20 headphone jack, which I can with two-channel out, when using multiple outs.

[Michael Render]

Many audio interfaces have direct monitoring options. It simply combines your input with the output, thus bypassing the latency issue. I don't know if the Duet does this, but my MOTU certainly does. I couldn't record without it.

[astrodrummer]

I suppose I should have asked the question this way for simplicity: can I assign everything to the master channel (for headphone use) while assigning certain pads to the 8 outputs?

Having it setup this way could be analogous to having two overhead mics.

[SuperPuss]

I suppose I should have asked the question this way for simplicity: can I assign everything to the master channel (for headphone use) while assigning certain pads to the 8 outputs?

Having it setup this way could be analogous to having two overhead mics.

Yes, you can do that. In fact, the TD20 is configured that way from the factory

[astrodrummer]

If its setup that way, that would make things easy. In fact, it seems I am capable of 10 channels with the default: the 8 direct outs and the mains.

This kinda seems like overkill, but I would like to control the sounds as much as I can.

I am really excited. I am getting the Apogee Ensemble with a Mackie control board next month, and the TD-20 expansion card is coming soon!