We recommend the following two options, determined predominantly by what existing equipment is already at hand and also on what monitoring sound you want to base your decisions.

Routing 1: Decisions are based on the final outputted sound to the speakers (i.e. what the listener would be hearing if they had an identical stereo).

Routing 2: Decisions are based on the final outputted sound to monitor speakers via the mixer.

The question is, should mastering decisions etc. be based on a) the "studio sound" or b) the "hi-fi sound". Some people prefer to monitor what the end-listener would hear (via hi-fi), others prefer to make their decision based on the best sound they can achieve through their mixer and monitor speakers.

We would only recommend Routing 1 if you have a high quality hi-fi setup (amp and speakers). Otherwise purchasing some decent monitor speakers and choosing Routing 2 is preferable.

Routing 1. Monitoring for end user via stereo

• audio source (mic / guitar etc.) > mixer
• mixer > soundcard line in (computer)
• soundcard line out > stereo amplifier
• stereo amplifier > speakers / headphones

Routing 2. "Studio Monitoring" from the desk/mixer

• audio source (mic / guitar etc.) > mixer
• mixer > soundcard line in (computer)
• soundcard line out > mixer
• mixer > monitor speakers / headphones

For more on this see the Audio Capture section