If your preamp has both balanced and unbalanced outputs you can run one to the mixer and the other to the soundcard. Or you can run the preamp to a compressor with dual outs to do the same thing.

I have a MOTU 2408mkII with balanced inputs, and I run my preamps into a Fatso before the MOTU, even if I don't use the processing on the Fatso.

Since the Fatso has both balanced and unbalanced outputs, the balanced outs go to the MOTU and the ub outs go to my mixer for monitoring. And though I'm adding the electronics of the Fatso into the signal path, it still sounds better than going through my mixer first.

I understand your stuff may or may not be able to work this way.

Most modern mic pres are able to drive a load that is split (or multed) without any audible artifacts. This is a very common practice. I have all the outputs of my mic pres patched into a patch bay that is half normalized to my A/D converters. I can take a feed off the top row (where the mic pres come up) and route it to any mixer input I wish for monitoring. If you don't have a patch bay you can use a simple "Y" cable..

Kurt Foster

I guess it being a low impedance source it loads less. I'll have to try and see if I can hear any artifacts. I know on high impedance sources some frequencies will suffer.

Thanks for the input it gives me more confidence in trying that next.

Jim

I just monitor the returns like any tape machine. Most interfaces use input monitoring so latency is hardly an issue. That way you go Pre -> converter -> mixer for monitoring.

Josh

Yes I am noticing the newer ones are getting better at this. Mine doesn't so a new one may be in order.

Thanks.