About speakers versus headphones:
Well for recording headphones are indeed the normal thing to use, since it doesnot leak the audio into your mic (assuming it is recorded in the same room as where your computer stands). Mixing down is another story, some good speakers would be more appropriate there. Headphones in mixdown should only be used for focussing on certain details, but not for the real mixing down process. They might be called flat, but in fact they don't have the same bass response as speakers do and the stereo mix is seperated by the head, something that would give the wrong image since most people listen back on speakers, just to name two disadvantages of the use of headphones in the mix. For recording they are of course perfect. If you have tried the trouble shooter I mentioned in my first response, you should be able to make your conclusion about the FXrack that you use in BB. The setup I mentioned in the second part still can be used if you have the possibility to turn off or mute the speakers. In that case your recordings should be with the monitors off and mixing down could be done through your speakers. If you feel the quality of your headphone would be better in quality, you can use those for extra reference to see if the sound is still in order, but not for creating the stereo image. If the speakers are not so good, the only thing you can do is train your ears to compensate for the limitations that the speakers have. You can only do that by listening often, compare on good speakers and/or to play a reference CD. That should be a proffesional recorded CD that you know very well and which contains comparable music style/feel that you want to be creating. By comparing you know what the shortcomings are. It is a method of trial and error though, so don't expect the mix to be right immediatelly after the first mix. Enuff said...

For your setup
Your setup I would suggest three different ones so you can chose which one would work best for you.

Usage:
setup A: Monitors or (if you can mute the speakers as mentioned above)headphone monitoring. This is the setup I mentioned in my 2nd reaction above
Setup B: Headphone monitoring during recording and mixdown
Setup C: Headphone recording, monitor mixing (almost same as A).

Setup A:
1)"FX send", Main out L/R, or the "CD/Tape output L/R" to your computer line in

2)line out on the computer to "CD/tape input L/R.

3)The switch for "CD/tape to CTRL" pressed (recording mode), or released (input signal monitoring).

4)The switch for "CD/Tape to mix" Should ALWAYS be released.

Setup B:
1)Any line out on your mixer (Main out L/R, FX out or Tape out L/R) to the line in on the computer

2)Headphone to the computer headphone in.

3)CD/Tape to CTRL button pressed (to prevent the inputsignal still going to the speakers)

4)No return from the computer to the mixer.

Setup C:
1)1)"FX send", Main out L/R, or the "CD/Tape output L/R" to your computer line in

2)line out on the computer to "CD/tape input L/R.

3)The switch for "CD/tape to CTRL" pressed (recording mode), or released (input signal monitoring).

Notes during recording:
a) speakers should be muted, disconnected or turned off
b)The headphone either put into the H/P in on the computer or on the mixer.

Notes during mixdown:
Attach/turn on/unmute speakers

4)The switch for "CD/Tape to mix" Should ALWAYS be released.


For the software
1. Using BiaB with RB
Create your music in BiaB. Save it as a regular Band in aBox file and import it into RB.
There record your voice/instrument.

2. Using Biab in combination with Audicity
Create your music in BiaB. Save all tracks with their own wav file (including the MIDI-files thru VST plug). Import all the wavfiles into Audicity. Record the other tracks like vocals or instruments.

Long story I know, but I think it covers all angles giving you the freedom to chose the right method for you. Goodluck!

Last edited by abaudio; 03/26/09 11:38 AM.