Komplete audio 6 - some questions before purchasing (connectivity and win 8.1)

Hello

I'm about to buy a Komplete audio 6 interface but there's just a couple of questions holding me back.

The first thing is about my equipment:

• I have a mixer (where all my synthesiers are connected to) that sends his main outs with XLR.
• I have 2 audio monitor systems, 1 logitech speaker system (which used RCA inputs)
• and 2 KRK rokit 6 which are using balanced jack inputs.

These are the connections (besides MIDI) i'd like to use:

• I'd connect the mixer out XLRs to the input 1/2 jacks (via XLR to jack cable) on the front of the Komplete audio 6. -> this is possible right? It doesn't look like a female jack connection to me.
• I'd connect the audio 6 OUT 1/2 via jack to the jack inputs on my KRK monitors
• I'd connect the audio 6 OUT 3/4 via jack to RCA on my logitech speakers

So if I get it right, my input signal from 1/2 gets send to output 1/2 and 3/4. The volume of output 1/2 I can control via the big knob on the panel and the volume of 3/4 I can control on the logitech speaker unit itself (I don't want to get to the back of my monitors each time to adjust volume). So It's no problem when my monitors are off? The signal will still be send to out 3/4? This is because I'm not always using my monitors (I live in an appartment).

So the audio interface allows me to record everything from input 1/2 to my DAW, right? But does the USB connection also works the other way? I mean, if I'm playing audio with itunes I can send it to the Audio 6 VIA USB which will proces it to out1/2 or/and 3/4? OR do I have to connect the build-in audio card on my computer to input 3 and 4?

Last but not least, does it works with Windows 8.1? my previous interface (something cheap) didn't support that and it's one of the reasons I'm ditching the system.

Sorry for the crapload of questions but I want to make sure I'm buying the right product.

 

That setup will work perfectly, even with Windows 8.1.

Regarding the XLR, I'm using the same audio card, but with Yamaha HS80M, connected with XLR cables...so it works.

 

As with most XLR/TRS combo inputs, the XLR serves as a MIC input, whereas the TRS serves as a Line/Instrument input. Therefore you should use XLR-to-TRS cables to connect your mixer outs to the KA6.

The KA6 manual does not specify the correct way to connect unbalanced speakers, but I would assume from page 23 that the cold output should be grounded, i.e. use 2x mono TS to RCA adapters along with standard RCA cables.

Yes, the USB interface is two-way. You can use the KA6 as your sound card output for all applications on your computer.

The specifications page includes Windows 8 as a supported OS, but you may need to do some optimisation of your system to prevent glitches and dropouts, as you would with any low-latency sound card.

 

Thanks so much for the reply, this clears up so much for me! You mention the RCA cables, is it also possible to use 2 standard TRS cables with a RCA adapter ? This is what I have laying around at this moment.

Also. Windows 8 support differs from windows 8.1 support because they changed the USB3 win drivers. My old interface (Hercules DJ trim 4&6) had support of windows 8, whereas it was completely useless on win 8.1 without some serious driver modification. Any insight on this?

And ... normally you'd use input 1 and 2 on the front as separate inputs or mono inputs. But i'll connect the input 1 to the left XLR output on my mixer and input 2 to the right. D you think this will give problems when recording into my DAW? or it is something that is easily configured?

Again ...Thanks so much for your clear reply! I'm so on the edge of buyng one

 

You could use those, but they might put excessive strain on your speaker RCA sockets as the adapter and jack will be sticking straight out. Depending on the internal wiring, it may or may not work for converting the balanced output from the KA6 to unbalanced RCA, as it might combine the Hot+Cold outputs, rather than grounding/floating the Cold output.

There is no problem using the two inputs as a stereo pair instead of independant mono inputs. You just need to use the TRS sockets for line-level input.

I can't comment on 8.1 vs 8 compatibility though.

 

Thank you again, you just convinced me to purchase the KA6. Let's hope I get lower latency than my old Hercules, but I assume so ... as this should be a premium product. You're very helpful man, a true contributor to the forums. Cheers!

Too bad that it ships with Komplete Elements, as I already have a copy from buying my Maschine 1. Do you think it is allowed to sell it again?

 

You can sell Elements if you include it with the product it came with, e.g. if you sold Maschine.