I started to write a detailed reply to this and then it turned out I really couldn't answer, your question is not detailed enough.

1) Are you recording 1 track at a time?

2) Do you have an amp and speakers or only headphones?

3) Does the Carlsbro have any other outputs - direct outs or insert points on the channels perhaps?

4) Why are you using the mixer in the input chain? Are you using the mic preamps on it? Could you plug your instruments straight into the Emu?

Jamie

1. Yes im using only one input to record and just changing instruments

2. I usually monitor through headphones but i do have a set of active speakers connected to the aux out

3.the only out puts as such on the carlsvro are a) main outs b) one monitor out c)fx out and return d) another 2 outs underneath the main outs and tape in and outs

4.i could plug straight into the emu but then i would be using the dsp onbaord mixer and there hangs another story so i use an external mixer so i can eq before it gets into the puter and also becuz i need to preamp the signal as there are no preamps as such on the 0404

regards

Lou

Well the reason is as you half-identified, if i understand your post correctly. Its pretty confusing but then its hard to get across.

You've connected all your monitor outs to the one input. Therefore the monitor levels of your other tracks will feed back in.

The Carlsbro probably has very poor crosstalk and other specs i.e. zero is not true zero, and therefore you always hear bleed.

Firstly, drop the adaptor. Without being too much of an authority, its gonna be messing with impedances and can't be a good thing. This is me assuming the 0404 is a 4-in 4-out and you are connecting all 4 ins to the monitor out?

You only need to use one input to the Emu, if you're recording one track at a time. You should just repatch it.

I can't find any info on the Megamix, but look to see if you have a direct out, or a channel insert.

If you can (check the email manual) connect your instruments to the Emu direct from now on, and bypass the mixer. When you come out of the Emu again, why do you need to use the mixer? Can't you just connect the Emu direct to your amp?

The only thing I can see you would need the mixer for is to use it as a preamp for your vocals - in which case if you have to, go into the mixer, then you should be coming out of a direct out or insert point specific to that channel. It doesn't sound like the Carlsbro has this.

What you are doing is to come out of a shared bus (the monitor bus) which doesn't have very good separation and is picking up your output channels.

So try this:

Source if line - straight into the Emu. EQ it in the box. ANY benefit you are getting from the Carlsbro EQ will be negated by the fact that (a) the mixer has very poor specs and (b) you are adding unnecessary circuitry.

If mic sources, your gonna have to live with it. Have a look at your AUXes and see if they are prefader so you can go mic --> aux out --> Emu --> DAW with decent levels. If not try the effects send following preamplification.

But come straight out of the Emu to your active speakers or headphones - it sounds like by going through the mixer (you're using it as a headphone amp right?) you're getting crosstalk. If you need to use headphones while tracking, seperate their gain stage by using the monitor outs and keep the auxes for your inputs - so inputs to the desk follow a different path to the Emu than outputs from the Emu do back thru the mixer.

As soon as you can, change that desk to one with direct outs and/or insert points, and one that is powered. I am still slightly bemused how an unpowered desk provides mic gain - it can't be in a good or balanced way....

Make sense?

thanks for your input some is making sense but still confused by the last 2 paragraphs

for your info the emu 0404 has one pair of unbalanced analog inputs and one pair of analog unbalanced outputs.

it says the out puts can feed any linelevel inputs such as a mixing board

im stiull confused as to how monitor through headphones if i do as u suggest.

regards

lou

sorry - just assumed your speakers would have a headphone socket - most computer speakers do.

otherwise, you need to connect the headphones to a seperate chain within the mixer, i.e. connect the headphones to the monitor outputs and use the auxes to feed the Emu.

you are gonna need to upgrade before you get much flexibility or performance.