So Confused (Feedback, cables, and sound card help)

Alright, I have 2x KRK Rokit 8 G2's, and a Asus Xonar STX sound card.

The card has TRS for headphones. But for speakers, it has RCA. So I bought RCA (From sound card) to XLR cables (Plugs into monitors).

On the KRK's, I get feedback when the gain is at 0dB or above. So if I go less than 0dB, the music isn't as loud as I like by using windows volume. I REALLY wished I could set the KRK's to 6+dB, and have no feedback.

Anyways, is the problem my cables or am I just not suppose to have gain that high? I have gain on -4dB, but like I said, it sucks. I have amazing monitors, but can't put the gain higher due to feedback.

If I unplug the cable from the sound card, then there is NO feedback. So what can I do?

Should I do RCA to RCA instead?




Also my cables are Hosa 10" RCA to XLR. My friend said any average cables will sound good. So I trusted him, but now is that my problems? I am thinking of biting the bullet for Mogami cables, but don't know if that'll solve the problems.

Also is the sound card good for me, or should I have gotten an external DAC? But I figured DAC's were for headphones or something...

Thanks for any help! -Justin

Edit: Well if it's REALLY quiet in my room, I still hear feedback even with the gain at -4dB...

My music friend said to add a mixer or DAC. (Monitors>DAC>Soundcard), and then all my issues will be solved. Is that true?

I just want this fixed SO bad...

I don't see how I can plug an iPod in directly, and get NO feedback, even at 6+dB, but then I plug into my expensive soundcard, and get feedback issues.

Quote:

Originally Posted by obobskivich 

I doubt this is "feedback" - can you be more descriptive of what exactly the sound is? My suspicion is that you've got a grounding problem - you can't feed unbalanced into your KRKs? 

 

Your friend is right regarding cables; this is something else. 

 

Thanks man.

Well it sounds like alien sounds (Or whatever you call it). But I have noticed when I click my mouse real fast alot, then it gets quieter. Also if I drag my mouse around fast, it's quiet. Then gets louder when I stop.

And I thought my cables are unbalanced to the KRK's? I have RCA from the PC to XLR (Monitors).

Thanks so much for the help.

Well if I unplug my monitor, the sound is still there.

If I plug an iPod directly into them, the sound is gone. It only happens when they're connected to my computer.

You already posted that...

Well I think somehow it's fixed (Crossing fingers, knocking on wood, throwing salt over shoulder, etc).

My friend who is a sound tech for a band, said to use a different mouse, I did and it's gone! I guess the mouse is bad, or just doesn't work with this setup, I really don't care. I'm so happy right now.

I also have cheapy Hosa cables, he said to go with Mogami.

So now I will either buy RCA to XLR, or RCA to TRS 1/4" Mogami's, and be done!

Ahh gotcha.

Well for me, what is best? A DAC or a Sound card? Sorry I don't know that much about how DAC's work with my speakers.

Since they're analog, I don't need a DAC, right?

Ahh thanks. Gotcha. One final question, then I'll shut up!

Which DAC will suit my needs, and be a good brand without breaking the bank?

Also I currently have the below cables. Will I need anything more, since I'll be using a DAC?

2x RCA to male XLR

2x TRS 1/4" to XLR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roseval 

 

You do.

All file based audio is digital.

All amps are analog.

Obvious you need a DAC= Digital to Analog Converter.

 

What is a DAC?

DAC=a chip doing the DA conversion (engineers speak)

DAC= a box with digital input and analog output (audio speak)

Soundcard= PC speak for a DAC.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by obobskivich 

What I meant by unbalanced is that, the XLR inputs are probably a balanced line; that's likely a level mismatch and a floating ground - that can bring in problems. Do the speakers have an RCA or otherwise unbalanced/single-ended (SE) input? Take that from your RCA outputs and you're done. You do not need any extra gear aside from your soundcard, it is correct for what you are doing. And your friend (not to be rude) is wrong about the cables (at least based on what you've posted; I have no idea what he/she is thinking inside) - if they work they work. 

 

 

Gotcha, thanks man.

Yeah on the monitors (Speakers), they have XLR, RCA, and TRS 1/4" connections. I had a RCA to RCA cables (For TV), plugged it in, and got lots of static. But I guess that isn't even made for sound haha.

But just tell me which Mogami cables to buy, and I will. I was thinking RCA (From sound card), to XLR. But I see your point now. One has a ground, when the other side doesn't.