How can I set up 2 monitors on a pc?

How to set up studio monitors on a pc?

• Ok so I am going to be using a xonar essence stx sound card in my computer and I plan to use studio monitors (yamaha HS5's) with maybe a subwoofer (HS8S). Here are some links to ...show more

• Answer:

  Skip the XLR-to-RCA cord and just use a 1/4" connection between the sound card and speaker. Your sound card is not outputting a balanced signal. If you're not using a balanced connection on both ends, you're just spending extra money and wasting half the hardware and electrons. Balanced interconnects are essential when using very long cable runs, and they're standard on most microphones and preamps, but they add nothing but cost anywhere else in your system. You can use plain old mic cords to connect the balanced output of the sub to your HS5s. As to whether you need a sub, what are you using it for? Near-field monitors, when correctly set up, are completely flat over the range of frequencies they're used for. Small monitors often benefit from a sub because they can't provide the "oomph" at low frequencies. But a properly-configured studio monitor will not sound "fat" or "kicking" like a properly-configured stereo with a sub, because in a studio you want to hear what's recorded on the track, not what it'll sound like in the listener's living room or car. I'd use the sub, but caution you to make sure it's set up right, otherwise your recordings may have so little bass on them that they'll sound anemic.