How can I play my R3 through PC speakers?

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Mon May 10, 2010 3:17 pm

I have Logitech speakers and the only cord that seems to be there is a small green one (far too small to fit in the back of the R3) - How would I make this work? Thanks!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon May 10, 2010 3:36 pm

Are there two (red and white) RCA connectors at the logitec end? There usually are.

If so then you can get a pair of (or stereo pair that are bound together) RCA to 1/4 inch Jack leads to connect the L/Mono to the white (left) and R to the red (right).

Alternatively if that cable is wired straight into the speakers, you can get a 3.5mm to 1/4in jack adaptor.

The connectors on the R3 are 1/4in jack connectors typically used by professional equipment and instruments - e.g. guitars, synths, modules...
They are also mono meaning they have two 'pins' - the 'tip' and 'sleeve', one being the signal and the other being the ground. Stereo is provided by using two mono connections for the left and right signals individually.

The connector on your speakers is a 3.5mm Jack - typically used for computers and MP3 players where there is not much physical space. It is also usually a Stereo connector (very unusual to find mono 3.5mm connectors). It has a 'tip' (left signal), 'ring' (right signal - the middle contact band on the connector), and a 'sleeve' (again, the ground).

RCA connectors are typically found on Home/Hi-Fi and DJ gear such as DJ mixers, tape decks, record decks, TV and Stereo systems, etc. and looks a bit like a coaxial(co-ax) aerial connector.

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Mon May 10, 2010 5:35 pm

Thanks alot, I'll look into it

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Mon May 10, 2010 5:45 pm

Just to confirm, this is the 3.5mm plug from the speakers (the only plug)

So this would be what I'd need?

Description says 3.5mm to 6.5mm

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon May 10, 2010 5:51 pm

Yes, that would be what you want if you were going to plug into the headphones socket.

So the cables from the speakers isn't plugged into something else at the speakers end? it just comes straight out of the housing?

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:06 pm

It just goes:
Subwoofer - Power Supply / L Speaker
L Speaker - R Speaker / Lead to 3.5mm plug

Its the Logitech X-230

Thanks again for your help

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Mon May 10, 2010 7:09 pm

to play DIRECTLY into the speakers you'd need these 4 cables:

http://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT ... 401&sr=1-4
2 of those- they'll send the output of out your r3's left and right

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP153-Stere ... B0002CZZ0G
this will convert the 1/4 output of your r3s into a single 1/8 stereo output

http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Female-Ster ... 48&sr=1-12
this will allow you to plug the above adapter into your speaker wire

However, an easier option than all of the above is to simply route your instrument through your computer to your speakers using a mixer or sound card; it will make for better mix and volume control and let you use your PCs audio at the same time.

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Mon May 10, 2010 8:22 pm

tpantano wrote:to play DIRECTLY into the speakers you'd need these 4 cables:

http://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA-AT ... 401&sr=1-4
2 of those- they'll send the output of out your r3's left and right

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP153-Stere ... B0002CZZ0G
this will convert the 1/4 output of your r3s into a single 1/8 stereo output

http://www.amazon.com/3-5mm-Female-Ster ... 48&sr=1-12
this will allow you to plug the above adapter into your speaker wire

However, an easier option than all of the above is to simply route your instrument through your computer to your speakers using a mixer or sound card; it will make for better mix and volume control and let you use your PCs audio at the same time.

I agree a mixer would be a better option but your first response is just more or less the same as what I suggested but with more components and more cost.
I don't see a problem with plugging straight into the headphone socket for home use, if you're only using it on its own. I used to do this with my microKorg.

tpantano · Post by **tpantano** » Mon May 10, 2010 8:42 pm

X-Trade wrote:I agree a mixer would be a better option but your first response is just more or less the same as what I suggested but with more components and more cost.
I don't see a problem with plugging straight into the headphone socket for home use, if you're only using it on its own. I used to do this with my microKorg.

ya I guess you're right lol.

C3NZO · Post by **C3NZO** » Tue May 11, 2010 10:47 am

What about plugging a KP3 or Kaossilator into the R3 what cords would I need? Thanks!

X-Trade · Post by **X-Trade** » Tue May 11, 2010 11:05 am

one of these:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=36304

or generally cheaper and easier to find would be:
two of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1280
and one of these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=1020