Studio speakers - can I get stereo sound?

E

Escape

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May 30, 2015
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I have 2 Roland studio speakers that have a pre-amp built-in. However they each have an audio cable which is 1/4" plug.

I need to connect them into the lime green connector port which is a single 1/8" jack.

Can I use something like this: http://www.swamp.net.au/images/productimages/Large/L_1-8(m)_2x1-4(f)_30cm.jpg

Would it take the stereo output from my audio jack and split it into two separate audio channels so I would essentially have left and right stereo output?
 
Are you sure they don't also have an XLR socket?

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They don't. These are Roland MA-12. They're old but sound good :)

I'm going to have to abandon them. The analog audio jack on this new motherboard has absolutely 0 shielding from the GPU electronics. As soon as there is a game going or animation going on the screen they buzz incessantly changing frequency willy nilly in sync with what's happening on the screen. I have 0 problem with my USB headphones so I guess I'm going to go to a USB or HDMI speaker setup.
 
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Just get a USB DAC. Onboard analog audio sucks for anything beyond low-impedance headphones.
 
you can pull the ground from the speakers power wires and see if the buzzing stops.
use a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter.
 
Separate dac is the best bet, he needs complete galvanic isolation from the computer and a built in audio card can't give that.
 
Escape, the Y adapter you linked will work fine for the purpose. The Hosa YMP233 would be another option. Same thing, but might just be cheaper or perhaps available at a local pro audio store.
 
Escape said:
Nice I'll try to find one with 1/4" jacks.
Click to expand...

Well, you can find one with 1/4" jacks or you can use the same 1/8"-stereo-to-dual-1/4"-mono adapter with any DAC or sound card that has 1/8". 1/4" isn't uncommon, though, if you go for pro audio stuff. Maybe something from Behringer. Also you could get 2 RCA-to-1/4"-mono adapters if you get something with RCA outputs (red/white circular plugs).

As others have mentioned, check first that you don't have a ground loop by making sure everything is plugged into the same power strip and/or by temporarily using cheater plugs.

If it isn't a ground loop then yes, some onboard is just poorly designed and will have noise and that is when I would agree to just get an outboard DAC or a sound card.

If your onboard sound has digital out - especially optical (TOSlink) which inherently prevents ground loops since it uses light and not electrical signals - then you can get a DAC (or even a receiver) that takes that input. Otherwise USB will usually be fine - though I've actually seen cases where USB devices like hard drives have caused USB sound devices to have significant quality issues. USB is probably best used if you can put it on a USB root port that does not have any high-bandwidth device like HDDs on it.
 
dandragonrage said:
Well, you can find one with 1/4" jacks or you can use the same 1/8"-stereo-to-dual-1/4"-mono adapter with any DAC or sound card that has 1/8". 1/4" isn't uncommon, though, if you go for pro audio stuff. Maybe something from Behringer. Also you could get 2 RCA-to-1/4"-mono adapters if you get something with RCA outputs (red/white circular plugs).

As others have mentioned, check first that you don't have a ground loop by making sure everything is plugged into the same power strip and/or by temporarily using cheater plugs.

If it isn't a ground loop then yes, some onboard is just poorly designed and will have noise and that is when I would agree to just get an outboard DAC or a sound card.

If your onboard sound has digital out - especially optical (TOSlink) which inherently prevents ground loops since it uses light and not electrical signals - then you can get a DAC (or even a receiver) that takes that input. Otherwise USB will usually be fine - though I've actually seen cases where USB devices like hard drives have caused USB sound devices to have significant quality issues. USB is probably best used if you can put it on a USB root port that does not have any high-bandwidth device like HDDs on it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that knowledge.

I only have an SSD in this computer so USB interference from HDD's is a non-issue.

I will shop around for a DAC either RCA or stereo out and apply the right connector.
 
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