from aux out to headphone ?

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:06 pm

I dont think it's a good idea to plug a set of headphones directly into an Aux output on my mixer. er, i dont know if it's a good idea; but i dont want to learn the hard way.

Is it safe to plus a pair of stereo headphones into an Aux out? i believe the out is stereo, but what if it's mono?

do i need some sort of adapter or something?

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 10:09 pm

Is the aux out amplified? If yes, forget it. If not, you can but it'll be quieter. If it's mono then you have no problems, it'll put the signal to the left ear only.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:08 am

The Aux outs on a board are not "amplified". They are a relatively low-level signal that is designed to drive a fairly high-impedance load. Most commercially available headphones are much lower an impedance than the Aux out is designed to "see". At best, you'll get a fairly weak signal, and it may be very distorted.
Just curious, why do you want to use the Aux to drive 'phones directly?
I have had to adapt an Aux mix to drive phones many times. Currently, I'm using an Aux mix to drive a small headphone amp, which in turn, is driving not headphones, but a couple of these little digital handheld voice recorders (!). The recorders are of the lowest level, mainly for sermons, and they don't sport a dedicated line level input. The only inputs are these 1/8" stereo mic ins. The only way that I've been able to get a relatively clean, hum-free signal to them is via a headphone amp signal. I made up an "attenuation/adapter" cable for it to go from the headphone jack on a small Mackie 1202 mixer to the recorders. I drive the Mackie with the live boards' Aux 6 buss. I know that it sounds whacked, but that's what has worked fer me. And everyone should have a nice compact mixer like the 1202 to "multi-task" live gigs!

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:14 am

moonbaby wrote:

Just curious, why do you want to use the Aux to drive 'phones directly?

i have 6 aux sends on my board, and i'm just curious about using 6 different mixes when doing live recordings.

i figured that each member of the band could have their own mix via the Aux sends.

if I can get each instrumentalist (notice i didnt say musician, haha) their own mix, then i could - in a live multitrack situation - keep all amps at fairly low volumes and pump whatever they need through headphones. it would certainly cut down on bleed into the drum OH mics.

i'm sure this is a fairly common thing. what can i use to make the aux a "louder" signal? i dont want to have to buy a headphone amp for each Aux/headphone mix.

thoughts?

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:09 am

What about something like this?

You could send your 6 aux sends separately, and still have 2 spare channels to crap out on you.

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:21 am

Sorry - not too many options there.

If you want 6 different mixes, you're going to need 6 different headphone amps. Or the Mackie unit (something 56x or something).

Or you can get by with maybe 4 or so -
Send the main mix with the lead/vox/guitar low in the mix to the drummer and bass. Then send that main mix with each musician on their own aux to a headphone amp.

In any case, you're going to need to bite the bullet and do it the right way.

You may just want to invest in a hear-back system. $1500 and you're set with one of the coolest capabilities to hit the planet (as far as headphone monitoring is concerned...)

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:04 am

Unless I'm reading the description incorrectly, the B@#$%#ger headphone amp I linked to above has 8 independent channels. (Essentially 8 headphone amps in one box).

Seems like an easy, inexpensive solution which would do exactly what the OP is looking for...

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 9:53 am

mwacoustic wrote:

Unless I'm reading the description incorrectly, the B@#$%#ger headphone amp I linked to above has 8 independent channels. (Essentially 8 headphone amps in one box).

Seems like an easy, inexpensive solution which would do exactly what the OP is looking for...

Edit: Yeah it does look like it will accept separate inputs for each channel.

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:23 pm

The Presonus HP60 will accept 6 different ins, has talkback, and does a really great trick of individually mixing input A and input B. $300.
Should work great in your set up. http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail.aspx?ProductId=6

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:33 pm

AHA! My very good friend DonnyWright has joined the fray.

Say hi everybody............

Donny is a Pro Equipment Expert and an incredible Bassist. As well as a damn good Guitarist and songwriter.

Welcome Donny. Cool

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:45 pm

Welcome to RO!

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