Can I use a headphone amp to boost the mixed volume from my TD25?

[tmitch45]

I have a TD25 which I'm not using yet as its a Christmas gift. My only reservation in buying the kit was that in the shop it sounded quiet through headphones and when I played my ipod through it (as I will do a lot at home) the ipod music was lower than I'm used to but over powered the sound of the TD25's drums so to get the right balance I had to turn the ipod down which resulted in a pretty low overall volume. In addition to this I'm also getting some decent over ear cans like the Sony MDR 7506 or Beyerdynamic 770's and have read that something like an ipod or laptop cannot drive these headphones sufficiently so the volume will be very low which will make my situation even worse. So will buying a headphone amp to connect between the TD25 module and my headphones provide the decent quality high volume sound I'm after?? My though that if I mix/balance the volume between the laptop/ipod and the drums from the module at a lower volume and then boost the outputted sound to my headphones will this work? Following a little research I've read about headphone amps and DACs which aim to improve the sound volume and quality from laptops and ipods but I'm not sure this would work for me as boosting the volume going into the module won't help as its the volume post drum mix that I need to boost.

If you haven't guessed I'm pretty new to this sound tech stuff so any advice would be greatly received including recommendations on headphone amps.

[ohlarikd]

I have a TD9, and it had low phones output. I tried a lot of things. A headphone AMP did work. I eventually sold that and got a Mixer so I could pump in music as well. A mixer, like a small Mackie, also has the headphone amp, so you the benefit of both. Then you can balance them easily and also have a master volume.

[tmitch45]

I have a TD9, and it had low phones output. I tried a lot of things. A headphone AMP did work. I eventually sold that and got a Mixer so I could pump in music as well. A mixer, like a small Mackie, also has the headphone amp, so you the benefit of both. Then you can balance them easily and also have a master volume.

I thought mixers were just mixers, I didn't think they worked like an amp as well? Which model have you got?

Are you talking about something like this:-

http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Mackie-Mix5-Compact-Mixer/148S

Would this allow for the two inputs to be mixed and then the output is boosted to drive some decent headphones?

[ohlarikd]

I thought mixers were just mixers, I didn't think they worked like an amp as well? Which model have you got?

Are you talking about something like this:-

http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Mackie-Mix5-Compact-Mixer/148S

Would this allow for the two inputs to be mixed and then the output is boosted to drive some decent headphones?

I am using a Mackie 802VLZ3 which is a 8 input version. But the one you show looks like it will work as well. Put the TD25 into Line 1 (mono or stereo), your music into Line 2 (L/R stereo), and headphones into Phones. Control the relative levels with the Level controls at bottom, headphone volume and MAIN for overall volumes. So you can turn down headphones and play through an AMP, and visa versa.

[tmitch45]

I am using a Mackie 802VLZ3 which is a 8 input version. But the one you show looks like it will work as well. Put the TD25 into Line 1 (mono or stereo), your music into Line 2 (L/R stereo), and headphones into Phones. Control the relative levels with the Level controls at bottom, headphone volume and MAIN for overall volumes. So you can turn down headphones and play through an AMP, and visa versa.

So does you Mackie increase the loudness of the output from both the module and say a laptop/ipod?

[ohlarikd]

So does you Mackie increase the loudness of the output from both the module and say a laptop/ipod?

Yes, the MAIN and PHONE knobs control volume of all plugged in devices together. The individual knobs for each input control relative volumes between wach source.

[EssKayKay]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-xenyx-802-mixer

Good luck and Merry Christmas. . .

[tmitch45]

Behringer also makes an inexpensive unit that works pretty good. I have the 502 that works fine for me – only five channel but that’s all I need (Spotify IN x 2 , TD-15 IN x 2, split the OUT with splitter - one back to my laptop for recording, the other to my ATH-M50 headphones). Looks very similar to the Mackie.

I see MF has a special now on the 802 for the same price as the 502 – however may only be available in US.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/behringer-xenyx-802-mixer

Good luck and Merry Christmas. . .

Thanks very much for the advice I'll look into this!

[tmitch45]

Ok so after more research I'm still a little confused. The Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer is available at a great price at a local shop but before going for it I need clarification on 3 things if I may:-

1. Once my Ipod goes through the mixer will it boost the ipods volume as this is my main issue?

2. Will the mixer boost the output enough to drive decent high resistance headphones?

3. Do I just need a stereo cable from the headphone socket of my drum module to the mixer or is there a better way giving the best music quality?

edit this takes my fancy for the same price and adds USB connectivity for recording to laptop what do you think? http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-...-USB-Mixer/IPI

Many thanks and sorry for the newbe questions!

[EssKayKay]

Ok so after more research I'm still a little confused. The Behringer Xenyx 802 Mixer is available at a great price at a local shop but before going for it I need clarification on 3 things if I may:-

1. Once my Ipod goes through the mixer will it boost the ipods volume as this is my main issue?
--- Yes

2. Will the mixer boost the output enough to drive decent high resistance headphones?
--- Yes, I assume so

3. Do I just need a stereo cable from the headphone socket of my drum module to the mixer or is there a better way giving the best music quality?
--- See below

edit this takes my fancy for the same price and adds USB connectivity for recording to laptop what do you think? http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-...-USB-Mixer/IPI

Many thanks and sorry for the newbe questions!

• TD-15 USB to laptop
• TD-15 left and right channel out (1/4-inch TRS) -> Mixer in
• Laptop 3.5mm headphone/sound out split into two 1/4-inch plugs -> Mixer in
• Mixer headphone out (with 1/4-inch splitter) -> one to ATH-50 headphones; the other to Laptop mic in (to record via Audacity)

[kktkhor]

If you just want to balance the volume of the music & drum, just copy those musics into a thumb drive & plug into TD-25 module. The module has a separate "Backing" control knob to adjust volume of music played. Besides, you can set each drum kit's volume level.

Furthermore, you can also adjust individual music volume through Menu setting. Unfortunately, this setting reset to default of 100% volume level after module is turn off.

I believe with some play around, you should able to find a balance that suit you.

[Kenster]

Absolutely....headphone amps do wonders. I use the Behringer AMP 800.

K

[JonWanez]

I just recently bought the TD-25KV. I use the Beats Studio headphones and there is no issue whatsoever with volume being too low.
Major, major difference with the beats. Maybe the way to go if you don't want to buy any additional gear by way of headphone amp, mixers, etc. Plus then you have some kick a## headphones.

[tmitch45]

I just recently bought the TD-25KV. I use the Beats Studio headphones and there is no issue whatsoever with volume being too low.
Major, major difference with the beats. Maybe the way to go if you don't want to buy any additional gear by way of headphone amp, mixers, etc. Plus then you have some kick a## headphones.

The problem is mainly balancing the mix in and the drum module volume. With my TD25 is I plug an ipod into mix in the volume from that is very very low.

[tuphat]

This may not be the ideal solution or exactly what you are looking for, this is what works for me.

I use a product from Astrogaming called MixAmp. Allows me to mix the a streaming source such as an iPod or game such as RockBand with my TD-11 via optical or standard 1/8 stereo jacks. I can mix between the two sources and it also amplifies the sources too, hence being called a MixAmp. I push the sounds out into my Logitech z5500 speakers, but I assume I could just plug my headphones directly into the MixAmp.

So for your scenario, you could push the sounds of the TD25 and the iPod into the MixAmp, mix between the two sources and push to another device such as headphones.