Dual stream setup with 2 mics

[BeardoGames]

Hi,

I have a problem and need some answers.
Let me explain the situation.

My wife and i started streaming and we both used usb mics, her mic is connected to an iMac and mine was connected to my pc.

We wanted to upgrade our audio so we went and bought a usb mixer a phabtom power box, a Y splitter for her mic and 2 xlr condenser microphones.

Everything is working as expected on my end. The pc is getting the full mix from the mixer to use in the recording program and i use the effects channel to route my mic to the pc to use as a stand alone mic input.

Here is the kicker.
My wife also needs to use her xlr mic as an input.
Her cable routing: microphone > phantom power > y splitter (one connection to the mixer and one to the imac via Line in). The iMac receives signal. But it is very very faint but clear (i'd say 15% when yelling)

From what i have researched is that the iMac or any other line in needs to have it at line level.

My question is. Would a preamp with Phantom power turned off give enough signal to the mac to make it audible?
Like i said. The mic currently works but the volume is way to low.

Or are there any other cheap solutions to this problem?

Thanks in advance!
Beardo

[Drew Stephenson]

Basically, yes.
The mic still needs a pre-amp in the chain because the mac doesn't have one.
Can you not route both mics to the mixer, pan one hard left, the other hard right and send the two separate outputs to the two machines?

[BeardoGames]

Wont that make the mics in final mix also to be on the left and right? Left being me and right being my wife?

[Drew Stephenson]

Not if they go into mono inputs.
Can you let us know exactly what kit you have and I'm sure we'll be able to come up with a solution that does the job. Hopefully without spending any more money.

[BeardoGames]

I have a behringer xenyx Q1202 usb mixer
2 superlux e205 condenser mics
Devine mps 500

Pc with line in and usb offcourse
Imac 27" 2011 with headphone jack and line in jack

3 xlr cables
1 y splitter female to 2 male xlr
Xlr to jack
Jack to mini jack plug

If you need more info, please let me know
I have been breaking my head on this for the last 3 days

[Sam Spoons]

If you don't use the onboard fx you could use the fx send from the mixer to feed the iMac. That is at line level and balanced so you would need to use a suitable lead to unbalance it and feed both L&R of the iMac line input (I'm guessing it is stereo).

[BeardoGames]

If you don't use the onboard fx you could use the fx send from the mixer to feed the iMac. That is at line level and balanced so you would need to use a suitable lead to unbalance it and feed both L&R of the iMac line input (I'm guessing it is stereo).

I use the effects channel as my isolated mic channel. So thats a no go. Thanks anyway

[Sam Spoons]

Ah, ok, sorry missed that.

Then you need some kind of mic preamp, the cheapest way to get one would be either another small mixer or a basic USB interface. I'd favour the latter, maybe a Behringer UM2 for £40 which also gets you around the problem of relying in the iMac's line in/A>D conversion which won't be stellar. Still only 48/16 but would get the job done.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/behringer-u-phoria-um2-audiophile-2x2-usb-audio-interface-with-xenyx-mic-preamplifier-um2?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIucynws2F7wIVjpntCh2BVAEREAQYAyABEgLmq_D_BwE

[BeardoGames]

Ah, ok, sorry missed that.

Then you need some kind of mic preamp, the cheapest way to get one would be either another small mixer or a basic USB interface. I'd favour the latter, maybe a Behringer UM2 for £40 which also gets you around the problem of relying in the iMac's line in/A>D conversion which won't be stellar. Still only 48/16 but would get the job done.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/behringer-u-phoria-um2-audiophile-2x2-usb-audio-interface-with-xenyx-mic-preamplifier-um2?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIucynws2F7wIVjpntCh2BVAEREAQYAyABEgLmq_D_BwE

That what i figuered. I actually found the same preamp and was thinking that would do the trick. Im no audio expert. But it feels kinda good that someone who knows what he's talking about recommending that solution.
Im gonna order it and let you guys know.

[BeardoGames]

Thanks everyone

[Drew Stephenson]

So the only issue is the signal getting into the mac, but you want this signal just to be your wife's mic? Not the rest of the mix?
And what software are you recording into on the pc.
Because if you pan the mics to each extreme you could then split the stereo signal into two mono signals in your DAW and you wouldn't need to use the FX channel to get an unmixed signal.
So you could then use that to feed the Mac - or do the same split-and-mono in the DAW on the mac.

[Sam Spoons]

Not sure if I'm right but I think, while it's doable that way it's not simple as it would only send the mix to one side of the USB interface into the PC. Mrs B's mic could be panned central so it appeared in the mix to the PC as well as the other analogue output to the iMac but the OP would need a special lead to get that into the iMac's stereo line input.

[Drew Stephenson]

I think we need to understand what's happening in the software at both ends.

[BeardoGames]

So the only issue is the signal getting into the mac, but you want this signal just to be your wife's mic? Not the rest of the mix?
And what software are you recording into on the pc.
Because if you pan the mics to each extreme you could then split the stereo signal into two mono signals in your DAW and you wouldn't need to use the FX channel to get an unmixed signal.
So you could then use that to feed the Mac - or do the same split-and-mono in the DAW on the mac.

Yes. That is correct. My pc will get all of the mixer inputs and my fx channel, the imac should also receive the second mic.
I am using OBS, buts its nothing fancy. I just wanna controll all my sounds with the mixer but everything on that end is fixed. Its just a matter of the imac getting a strong signal

I have tried the left and right channel. But weirdly enough all the mics input are left only. Did i buy the wrong xlr cable? Mics are mono right?

[Sam Spoons]

Without a full, exact and detailed, rundown of your dual signal paths, and an explanation of exactly what you hope to achieve (don't be worried that we'll get bored with all the detail ) it's gonna be hard to give useful advice.

But

I have tried the left and right channel. But weirdly enough all the mics input are left only. Did i buy the wrong xlr cable? Mics are mono right?

Rings some alarm bells. WRT the main mix too the PC, are you using the mixers USB interface? And the iMac, describe the cable you are using after the splitter.

Yes, to explain, mics are mono but yours, as it usual with anything with professional aspirations, output a balanced signal. The input to the iMac is (I think) stereo. Many adapter cables which have an XLR on one end and a TRS jack (mini or ¼") on the other simply connect the two connectors pin for pin, XLR 1 to sleeve, XLR 2 to tip and XLR 3 to ring. In your use case this won't work.

Come back with some detail and we'll try to help some more.

[BeardoGames]

Wow. I dont know how or why. But it actually worked.
I put in a jack to minijack in the right channel for the control room the minijack in the input of the iMac. Then I panned my channel to hard left. And mrs b's mic central and boom. She got input on the imac.

We had a stream this evening and everything worked like a charm. I really want to thank you guys.
I could still do a rundown. But my knowledge of audio is like bare minimum. I have to say i thought it be easier and cheaper. But its all working like i want it to.

Thanks!

[zenguitar]

Thanks for the feedback

Glad you got it working.

Andy

[Sam Spoons]

Likewise, thanks for the feedback...

[Drew Stephenson]

Good stuff and good luck with your projects.

[ef37a]

This old brain is a bit boggled here but just one caveat?

The word "panned" is being bandied. Do not assume a USB mixer sends a panned signal to the PC.

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

I was assuming a single stereo single via USB. But if you only have two sources and they're panned hard left and right respectively...

[ef37a]

I was assuming a single stereo single via USB. But if you only have two sources and they're panned hard left and right respectively...

Yes, as I said, this old fool is not really with it but e.g. on son's 8FX Soundcraft mixer you cannot pan a solo guitar to record centrally although of course it pans correctly in the Main Outs.

Likewise EQ has no effect on the USB feed.

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

This old brain is a bit boggled here but just one caveat?

The word "panned" is being bandied. Do not assume a USB mixer sends a panned signal to the PC.

Dave.

I may be misunderstanding but I'm pretty sure it'll send a stereo mix, if the OP sends L to one computer over USB and R to the other over a wire (panning the mix left and Mrs B's mic central so it goes to both computers) he'll have is desk mix in the left channel only on the USB fed computer. Not much point in having a 'stereo USB' connection otherwise?

[ef37a]

This old brain is a bit boggled here but just one caveat?

The word "panned" is being bandied. Do not assume a USB mixer sends a panned signal to the PC.

Dave.

I may be misunderstanding but I'm pretty sure it'll send a stereo mix, if the OP sends L to one computer over USB and R to the other over a wire (panning the mix left and Mrs B's mic central so it goes to both computers) he'll have is desk mix in the left channel only on the USB fed computer. Not much point in having a 'stereo USB' connection otherwise?

I may have only a very tenuous grasp as well Sam but I am pretty sure ONE mic into a mixer will result in one channel via USB regardless of the position of the pan pot. USB MICROPHONES on the other hand record 'double mono' i.e. a phantom centre sound.

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

The OP's xenyx Q1202USB manual says "Connect your mixer to your computer using a standard USB cable. This enables a stereo signal to be sent to and from your mixer and computer. The signal sent from the mixer to the computer is the same as the main bus" so surely that will be with pans in place?