Got an UX1 but now the monitors are dead...

[Mapleg4]

I just got a new Line 6 UX1 but still no sound through the monitors... I'don't know if I should use the "MONITOR IN" Jack or the "LINE INPUT" jacks for sending the signal to the monitors. The Monitors are Alesis M1Active 320 USB's.
Maybe it's something wrong with the stereo cable or the monitors... I fear the're something wrong with the cable itself and that I've fried the "MONITOR IN" Jack. I'm totally frustrated because I can't get anything done! I'm considering getting the monitors checked or even getting some more expensive ones. I can sit recording or playing up to 4 hours a day, but I just can't find the error!
I'm so tired of being ridiculed online when I'm frustrated or seeing that 100 people have read something without answering...

 

[Cagey]

I just got a new Line 6 UX1 but still no sound through the monitors... I'don't know if I should use the "MONITOR IN" Jack or the "LINE INPUT" jacks for sending the signal to the monitors. The Monitors are Alesis M1Active 320 USB's.

This is gonna sound like I'm making fun of you, but really, I'm not.

I'm not familiar with that particular piece of gear, but in general with most gear, it's unrealistic to expect output signals from input jacks.

When connecting things up, signal levels aside, you always have to consider signal flow. "Ins" or "Inputs" or "Returns" or things of that nature are usually expecting a signal to come from somewhere else. Conversely, "Outs" or "Outputs" or "Returns" or things of that nature are usually sending a signal to somewhere.

So, since speakers never send signals out, you have to assume they're expecting an input. That means they need to be connected to something with an output. It's usually an amplifier, but in the case of powered speakers such as some monitors, it may be a line-level feed from another device such as a mixing board or effects rack or something like that.

Ins go to outs, outs go to ins. It's flow.

 

[Mapleg4]

There are analog out jacks on it. I've tried to find Stereo-To-Stereo cables or adapters, but I can't find any. It must be a brand I can get here in Norway.
I need something with 4 mono male jacks. Why the hell did they have to have TWO out jacks on the damn thing?!?

 

[Cagey]

I looked those monitors up, and according to what I could find, the inputs they'll accept include:

• USB 1.1 audio interface
• Two unbalanced 1/4" phone jack inputs
• Stereo 1/8" TRS mini-jack input
• Stereo RCA inputs

Those are all very, very common input schemes. If you can't find a way to get into those with that sort of I/O available, you're living in a country that would make Haiti, Nigeria or Outer Mongolia look modern and developed.

The USB input means you can hook a computer to it.
1/4" plugs and RCA jacks mean just about any amp or stereo will feed it.
1/8" TRS mini-jacks mean you can hook up just about any phone or mini-recorder thingy.
The list of devices that can push those things is long.

So, what it boils down to, I suspect, is you're trying to feed inputs to inputs or outputs to outputs, which will never work. The output from one device needs to go to the input of the next, and vice-versa. As I said, it's flow.

Also, you need to be aware of signal levels.

A "line out" is not amplified. It's a signal-level output. It doesn't have any power to drive a physical device like a speaker. However, these are "powered" monitors, which means they don't want any power coming in. They want signal-level input, which is much smaller. So, the "line out" from your recorder (or keyboard or mixer or whatever) should be connected to the "line in" on the monitor. The volume will be set on the monitor itself, because it has a built-in amplifier.

 

[Mapleg4]

So how do I plug the UX1 into the M1Active Monitors? I live in a small town in Rural Norway and the options in the stores here are limited at best.
I think I can find a 2 male 1/4 to 2 1/8 male cable in a store here.

 

[Cagey]

I'm sorry to say this, but I'm not sure that's an option for you. I looked up the UX1, and it's a USB computer interface with built-in modeling/effects/etc. It doesn't have audio outputs. It's designed to take audio inputs such as guitars/microphones/etc. and convert them to digital signals you can feed to a computer via USB that has audio processing/routing software installed.

The monitors you have include a USB input, but I'm not sure how that works. On the surface, it would seem you could connect the UX1 to the Alesis monitors with a standard USB cable. But, I don't know how you'd control anything. Neither one of the devices has much control at all, other than level. So, how would you select/adjust any of the effects or EQ or anything like that? You need a computer between the two.

If you have a computer, and since we're talking over the internet I'm thinking you do, you may want to find out if you have a couple USB ports available, install the software that comes with the toys, and see where that takes you. Maybe review whatever documentation comes with the devices.

Computer-assisted audio work isn't as trivial an exercise as the manufacturers would have you believe. You really do have to read the manuals.

 

[Mapleg4]

i'll get those new cables tomorrow. I know what I need now.
The USB output that goes from the UX1 to my laptop works fine and now I only need sound from the monitors because I had using headphones.

 

[Cagey]

Finally read the manuals, eh? <grin>

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but at least you're closer than you were.

 

[Mapleg4]

Finally read the manuals, eh? <grin>

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but at least you're closer than you were.

The "manual" was a picture of the damn thing with a description that showed that you can link it to monitors, it just didn't say exactly where to plug them in. I thought "monitor" meant "speakers".

 

[Updown]

:icon_scratch: I believe these are an interface !!

Have you got them set up as your interface ?
This may-be why you can't hear anything.

A quote ...
Alesis delivers pro-grade USB speaker performance to the computer desktop.
M1 Active 320 USB speakers enable you to play audio from your computer and record audio coming into the speaker to your computer.
Simply plug in the USB cable to your computer – No special drivers required.
M1 Active 320USB speakers are not only substantial audio monitors, but also serve as a convenient audio interface.
Keyboards, mic pre’s, guitar effects, DJ Mixers, or standard CD and tape players can all easily connect directly to the M1Active 320 USB.
Record them directly into your computer.

Might need to look at these videos here ...
http://www.alesis.com/m1active320usb

 

[Mapleg4]

It's finally working, just got the cable and plugs that I neededl. I was so tired and freaked out about the damn jack on the GX and now I thought I couldn't find the cable I needed!