USB audio interface with separate outputs for monitors and subwoofer?

[Marcus Aseth]

Hello everyone, I'm in search of an USB audio interface of reasonable price that has separate output for monitors and subwoofer.

The reason is this - currently, my rig is setup as follow:
Gaming PC <-(USB)-> UMC22 interface <-(TRS a RCA)-> Subwoofer <-(RCA a TRS)-> Monitors

The signal from the PC goes into the UMC22, then is passed to the SVS SB1000PRO, and then to the Kali lp6v2.
The problem in this is that the SVS only accept RCA cables, so it's introducing unbalanced cables in the system. The result is that, when my GPU is under load (for example while running a game) then there is a very audible noise/interference coming out the tweeters and drilling into my brain, today as an experiment I've connected the UMC22 directly to the monitor using an TRS to XLR cable, bypassing the subwoofer, and that obnoxious noise was completely gone ^_^

So my choice here is either to sell the subwoofer, or find a way to use it.
I thought that if I had an interface that could send 2 balanced cables to the monitors and then an unbalanced RCA cable to the subwoofer, it wouldn't cause problems because the subwoofer cannot reproduce that high-pitched noise to begin with.

Am I correct in my assumptions?

If so, can you recommend me the ideal candidate?
It has to be an USB interface so it can be connected to the PC, I need something really basic, since the only use I have for it is to allow me to use these monitors with my gaming PC. A knob for the volume is handy, but not necessary.

 

[JStewart]

I take it Focusrite Scarlet 4i4 is more than you’d like to spend?
Have you tried a usb isolator? One might do the job, be less expensive than a new interface and if purchased from Amazon easy enough to return if it doesn’t work.

 

[Marcus Aseth]

I take it Focusrite Scarlet 4i4 is more than you’d like to spend?
Have you tried a usb isolator? One might do the job, be less expensive than a new interface and if purchased from Amazon easy enough to return if it doesn’t work.

Yeah, 250€ only to be able to plug the subwoofer feels a bit extreme, I was hoping it could be less. This will be my last resort, thank you for the suggestion ^_^
Regarding the usb isolator, I'm not sure what they are, how to recognize the one I need and choose a good one - could you recommend me which one to take?
If it's not trouble, you can see here on https://www.amazon.it the ones that are available for my country ^_^

 

[JStewart]

Yeah, 250€ only to be able to plug the subwoofer feels a bit extreme, I was hoping it could be less. This will be my last resort, thank you for the suggestion ^_^
Regarding the usb isolator, I'm not sure what they are, how to recognize the one I need and choose a good one - could you recommend me which one to take?
If it's not trouble, you can see here on https://www.amazon.it the ones that are available for my country ^_^

I’m not sure I’m seeing all the choices without logging in, but one like this would be what I’d try. You may need to supply power to it. I didn’t translate to see if a power supply is included.
Not sure about Amazon’s return policy in your country, so please be sure you can return it if you’re not satisfied.

 

[Marcus Aseth]

I’m not sure I’m seeing all the choices without logging in, but one like this would be what I’d try. You may need to supply power to it. I didn’t translate to see if a power supply is included.
Not sure about Amazon’s return policy in your country, so please be sure you can return it if you’re not satisfied.

Wow, these things are expensive! xD
Although after some testing, I might simply be able to go by still using the RCA cables, setting the monitors Gain to 25% and the interface to 70%, I've noticed that this way the "noise under GPU load" is so faint you almost don't hear it at 50cm from the speakers, totally bearable!

But thank you for the help ^_^

When I get the chance I'll upgrade to the Scarlet 4i4, but with the current workaround, is not a priority anymore, and this will also buy me time for it to go on a 50% discount or something! ^_^

 

[Todd Anderson]

Wouldn't something like this work? https://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTDT...MIxoil_OvFkgMVmV9HAR1CEhp-EAQYAiABEgLQHfD_BwE

 

[ddude003]

You might look into what Motu has to offer...

 

[Marcus Aseth]

Wouldn't something like this work? https://www.zzounds.com/item--ARTDT...MIxoil_OvFkgMVmV9HAR1CEhp-EAQYAiABEgLQHfD_BwE

By solving driver issues, lowering monitors gain to 25% and increasing interface gain to 75% I've solved 95% of my problems so that even if I'm using RCA cables on this system, the remaining floor noise is really not noticeable unless you go and place the hear close to the speakers, so I think I'm good for now (details on this other topic)

Out of curiosity, how would you connect that to a PC? I'm not sure my motherboard has any compatible port, this is what it has:

 

[Todd Anderson]

I was thinking you’d put it between the UMC22 and the sub

 

[Marcus Aseth]

Hey guys, 2 months later and I was thoroughly annoyed by this left monitor that pops every time I pause or resume a youtube video :\

So I went ahead and swapped monitors places, but the one on the left was always the one popping.
I've swapped the power cables, still popping on the left.
Swapped the inputs, still the same.

But then, I've swapped the outputs cables coming out the interface (UMC22) and the popping noise moved to the right! xD

So the issue in my system is the Left output port of the the UMC22 interface (apparently defective) and this was the last straw, I'm throwing away this garbage, taking @JStewart suggestion and changing this for a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 - I only have one question regarding the outputs:

I'm assuming 1&3 are Left output and 2&4 are Right output.
So can I just hook 1-2 to my monitors and then 3-4 to the subwoofer (SVS SB1000PRO), or I need to do some extra trickery from software (I'm on Windows 11) for everything to work together properly?

 

[JStewart]

I'm assuming 1&3 are Left output and 2&4 are Right output.
So can I just hook 1-2 to my monitors and then 3-4 to the subwoofer (SVS SB1000PRO), or I need to do some extra trickery from software (I'm on Windows 11) for everything to work together properly?

I don’t know what it does out of the box, but the focusrite software lets any input to be routed to any output(s). Scroll down to routing on this page:

https://userguides.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/18676404858386-Using-Focusrite-Control-2-with-your-Scarlett-4i4

 

[Marcus Aseth]

I don’t know what it does out of the box, but the focusrite software lets any input to be routed to any output(s). Scroll down to routing on this page:

https://userguides.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/18676404858386-Using-Focusrite-Control-2-with-your-Scarlett-4i4

Even looking at the routing section at that link, I'm not clear if once I have it hooked up to Windows 11 it will let me decide which output is Left and which is Right... probably a silly doubt, but can anyone confirm that's an option?
Otherwise I'll have to go with the safe choice and buy the Scarlett 2i2 which has L & R clearly written on top of the ports on the back.

 

[ddude003]

Is this what your looking for? From the spec sheet referenced in the above link...
Scarlett 4i4 output channels...

Output - Channel
1 - Output Left
2 - Output Right
3 - Line Output 3
4 - Line Output 4
5 - Headphones Left
6 - Headphones Right

Also scan down this link until you get to Examples of Usage... https://userguides.focusrite.com/hc...etting-started-with-your-Scarlett-4i4-3rd-Gen
There are several graphics which show how to hook up Active speakers and/or to an Amp and then Passive speakers...

 

[Marcus Aseth]

Is this what your looking for? From the spec sheet referenced in the above link...
Scarlett 4i4 output channels...

Output - Channel
1 - Output Left
2 - Output Right
3 - Line Output 3
4 - Line Output 4
5 - Headphones Left
6 - Headphones Right

Also scan down this link until you get to Examples of Usage... https://userguides.focusrite.com/hc...etting-started-with-your-Scarlett-4i4-3rd-Gen
There are several graphics which show how to hook up Active speakers and/or to an Amp and then unpowered speakers...

My idea was this:
since my subwoofer requires unbalanced RCA cables, I would use the Output Left and Output Right (from the table above) to connect the monitors with XLR balanced cables, and then a second set of left-right outputs (channel 3 and 4 in my mind) for the subwoofer's RCA L-R cables.

But from that table, port 3 and 4 are just labeled with a generic "Line Output", so I'm still unsure if with it I can realize my vision or not ahah

 

[ddude003]

Are you wanting to use your SVS SB1000 Pro sub? Its an Active sub... If so, why not just get some TS to RCA cables, use Line Output 3 & 4 and call it a day?

I have the same SVS SB1000 Pro as you and run from my preamp's second line out stereo pair... Only difference is I have RCA to RCA and you have TS to RCA...

 

[Marcus Aseth]

Are you wanting to use your SVS SB1000 Pro sub? Its an Active sub... If so, why not just get some TS to RCA cables, use Line Output 3 & 4 and call it a day?

I have the same SVS SB1000 Pro as you and run from my preamp's second line out stereo pair... Only difference is I have RCA to RCA and you have TS to RCA...

Yes, that's precisely what I wanted to do, I just wasn't sure it would work, wasn't sure if the output 3 and 4 would give my subwoofer what it's looking for, or something else I don't have business messing with ^_^' (sorry, I'm still a noob at this, that's why I'm probably asking the obvious lol)
But from what you said I'm getting it works the way I'd hoped it work, so I'm getting it then.

Thank you

 

[ddude003]

To connect the 1/4" balanced TRS line outputs of a Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd or 4th Gen) to RCA inputs, you need two 1/4" Mono Jack (TS) to RCA male cables or 1/4" TRS to RCA cables. While the 4i4 outputs are balanced, they work perfectly with unbalanced RCA inputs via these cables...

Your welcome