Mixer set up question

[rlcmusic]

Hi,I've recently invested in a mixer (Mackie1402 VLZ3) in order to have more control over the volume of my monitors amongst other things.... Up until now, I've done everything 'in the box'. This may seem like a very basic question but I'd like to know that everything is being set up 100% correct with the mixer. I'd like to go for a set up the same as described here (2 way communication / using alt 3-4 output):- http://www.tweakheadz.com/how_to_hookup_a_mixer.htmMy audio interface has 2 line ins and 2 outs. Is there any difference between using 4 balanced leads (ie: 1 lead from alt L to line in 1 on audio interface and 1 lead from alt R to line in 2........then 2 leads going from line out 1 & 2 of interface into 2 mixer channels) and using 2 Y-cables? (ie: going out of alt 3-4 and simply just into line in 1 of interface, then the other coming out of Out 1 interface and going into 2 mixer channels?I just want to avoid doing anything wrong! Thanks a lot.Rachel

[mazz]

The way they suggest looks good. The Y cables would give you mono (sort of) which you don't want at that point of your signal chain. If your speakers and interface use balanced inputs, get some good balanced cables. Particularly at this point in your studio, you don't want crappy cables affecting what you're hearing or recording.Good luck,Mazz

[milfus]

yeah, well and too if you use alt outs for your interface you have the option of using your alt send knobs to send tracks easier IMO, then having to solo them out and you wont lose your entire mix when you are sending the peices, might be nice incase you have to adjust the mix because you are clipping or whatever because you dont have to check back and forth, just my 2 cents though, cause theres less steps, that and you can have an actuall send mix (minus the pans) and indepent monitoring mix if you needed a quick headphone mix for a take, thats if you where tracking against it later

[rlcmusic]

Hi,Thank you both for your replies. I've just found the Mackie link that I was looking for earlier which suggests possible set ups. This was actually what made me question the Y-Cables and made me wonder whether the 2 above set-ups would work in the same way. The more I think about it, what's L / R , what's going where, what's mono/stereo etc..- the more I confuse myself!Although this is not included in the manual, the 3rd diagram down will show a 'computer set up' using Y cables it seems:- http://www.mackie.com/pdf/vlzproseries_hu.pdfIf these Y cables aren't ideal as suggested above or actually change things, then I'll go for the 1st set up I mentioned above with the 4 balanced leads (everything accepts balanced). Then use a further 2 balanced leads from control room outs to R / L monitors.I just wanted to come here to ask this as I need to buy some cables and obviously it's good to understand what's actually going on first!Thanks again.

[milfus]

what always helps me, on huge projects, is to picture the cable as one big long cable, and give it one direction, like just picture the line from the guitar or mic, all the way through to the computer, like a shoe lace, and the plug in holes are just eye holes in a sneaker