Output on Input Channels

[thqt07]

Hi everyone,

I'm an experienced computer user, but have relatively little experience using Windows with a DAW.

I had a configuration that was working well a year or so ago but I recently started using it again and now have a problem that has defeated me, and a couple of friends with more experience than me in this area.

My standard set up is a windows 10 computer (version 22H2 if that matters) with a Mackie ProFX6v3 attached via USB and Reaper as my DAW. I have the latest Mackie driver installed and the latest Reaper version. The problem is that everything that goes to the Mackie as output (channels 3 and 4) is coming back on the input channels 1 and 2. Whether it's the metronome or playback of other tracks. Even general computer audio (which is also set to use the ProFX channels 3 and 4 to use the monitors) shows up as input. Input on channels 1 and 2 is working as it should, but intermixed with the unwanted output signals.

So far I have tried the following:

• Checking and double checking the driver settings and routing matrix

• As mentioned, uninstalling and reinstalling the latest Mackie driver, Reaper version, and taking all driver updates from Windows Update

• Swapping the Mackie for a small Berhinger mixer which uses completely different drivers (not ASIO)

• Using Audacity instead of Reaper

The issue of output appearing in input persists through all of this which leads me to believe that it is something within Windows itself. I have gone into the advanced sound settings and reset everything to defaults. Curiously the 'normal' audio on the computer works fine - output to the Mackie channels 3 and 4, and input from the webcam microphone.

My next recourse (short of buying a new computer) is to re-install Windows from scratch or see if I have a recovery point that works, but this is a general use computer so I would really rather not.

Can anyone suggest what on earth might be going on?

Thanks,
Mike

[Hugh Robjohns]

Read the manual for the mixer again.

I think your monitoring outputs from the computer DAW need to be routed through the USB 1/2 outputs which only feed the mixer's control room outs and headphones.

The USB3/4 outputs from the computer appear on a stereo channel which gets mixed with everything else and appears on the mixer's stereo bus which you're then recording via USB1/2 inputs to the computer.

So it's a DAW output configuration problem.

[thqt07]

Hi Hugh!

That fixed it!! Thanks so much. The manual is a bit misleading because it headlines with using 3-4 as output but then buried in an appendix it mentions that using 1-2 is best for "overdubbing" (which is what I guess we are doing in the DAW).

That being said, as well as changing that in Reaper I had to mess about with the advanced sound settings in Windows for Reaper too because it had remembered the old settings. And those keep disappearing when I close Reaper, but fortunately it seems to retain them even if it isn't showing them to me.

Again, many thanks!

Mike

[Hugh Robjohns]