The difficulty is, if you are using an external mixer, then any monitoring on the PC is just going to cause a feedback loop.

Here is how we monitor the sound from the recorder/livestream trough the same external mixer we use to feed the vMix.

We have several Behringer audio mixer with different input options and use them according to the event we cover ( 1 input when the sound is coming from the venue system or multiple inputs when we handle several mics).

All these mixers are USB capable and they use same driver so as long as we use same usb connector each time there is no need to change anything in vMix settings or presets from event to event)

Ex: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/Q502USB.aspx http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/Q1002USB.aspx http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/Q1204USB.aspx


Feeding vMix
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We feed the vMix audio trough USB . That way we avoid the ground loop issues, too.

We created an audio module for the USB line-in comming from the external mixer. That module brings another advantage because we are able to automate the control to mute and un-mute the sound from external mixer when needed ( shortcuts).

So, now we have the sound from the external mixer to vMix.


Monitoring the vMix sound.

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In order to monitor the recording/livestreaming sound we set-up the "Audio Output" to the USB Speakers
Now, in v13 it is even better because we set-up the "Headphones Output" to USB Speakers and the "Audio Output" to the desktop speakers output for other uses.

IMPORTANT!.. All of these Behringer mixers has a button called "USB to .."
We that button you decide what to do with the audio comming from vMix .

There are 2 options:

a) USB to main mix
b) USB to phones

Obviously if you use option a) there will be sound loop and nothing will work

If you use the option b) USB to phones then you will hear the vMIX sound (now including the solo feature).

IMPORTANT! IMPORTANT! - It is relativly easy to push the button by mistake and have the "USB to main mix" loop that will ruin the sound in a live production. So it is very important to pay attention to that button!

That's correct, Richard.

This is not a solution for mixing. It was only a way for us to monitor the sound from vMix.

How you react when you need to change things is another story and I totally agree with you.

As for the delay, it is there. :)

I have run into the same issue a lot running equipment all over our building. Understanding where the loop is introduced is really important for figuring out those hums. If the line that bridges two separately grounded systems is ground lifted, there should not be a ground loop.

For us in the past this has been over Coax, USB audio interfaces and audio snakes. For instance if you have a laptop that is connected to multiple external devices you run a risk for a ground loop hum. This could be over audio cables, video cables or a connected device that is grounded (External HD).


And then you define that audio card as recording device, but can you monitor it in vMix?

We can monitor it in both. We are able to monitor it directly from Ultra Match. In our current system we have the RCA SPDIF going to a sound bar in our production booth. The Ultra Match has Digital RCA, Toslink and XLR/AES outputs as well as a headphone monitoring output. That allows us a monitoring system that is pre vMix.

Appreciate everything you write, but sort of got lost at:


My hope is that since it's possible, then maybe vMix could take care of all the complicated settings (eg "listen to") inside Windows, thus relieving us from going into the control panel and make sure that everything is setup properly everytime vMix is run.

Perfectly put Ovinas!

That setup of internal Aux tracks would be the perfect solution for audio routing and mixing. I don't believe it makes vMix too detailed in terms of routing yet gives some convenient solutions for basic AUX mixing.

Martin, would it be possible to add support for ASIO audio inputs?

I totally agree. I think balancing function and simplicity is going to be important. Just thinking out loud, would it be possible or a good idea to make the audio panel able to pop out to its own window?

I also really liked a previous post, that seems to have been deleted, about the integration of a more in depth audio meter. Precise audio monitoring is really important for our broadcasting. Having a numbered system in dBFS would be great as well as a faster response audio meter.

+1 for collapsible audio inputs as well as the aux bus buttons.

Layout looks great! Would it be possible to have the Outputs and Inputs labels be different colors?

Also, from an audio point of view it might make more sense to have the outputs be on the very right of the panel like you would see on an audio mixer.

The monitoring layout you listed above seem like the best solution for monitoring.

Thank you all! I am getting *really* excited here :)

First some quick comments on a few previous suggestions. Yes, please
- inputs left of outputs
- different colors of slider handles for inputs/outputs
- default audio bus/es for new inputs
- pop out window for vMix's audio mixer

Still, I am a little bit confused after Martin's description, probably because of the terminology and my lack of sufficient insights...

For examples, when Martin writes vMix (as in "Set vMix Audio"), is that "vMix Master audio"? And for "2 Add the audio mixer source as an input in vMix" - which audio mixer source? Maybe it is "2 add the output from the external mixer as an Audio input module in vMix".

I put together this long post. But to be honest, I am not sure I got everything right, so regard it as food for disussions. Maybe the best thing is to get a beta first and play with it...


One thing I am pondering about is how viable it is to have both an "Audio" button in the input modules, a speaker icon next to vMix's faders, and the M/A/B buttons. Why not skip the speaker icon and replace the Audio button with M/A/B buttons on the input modules? (see more in my suggestion below)

Is it assumed that the headphones is for either Master or Solo? That is, it should not be possible to listen to for example bus A?

Furthermore, it might be useful to clearly differentiate between audio mixing done in vMix and external audio mixing. Both for managing the possible settings, as well as making clear for the user what one is doing. Hence, I wonder if there should be different Audio settings available for internal and external audio mixing respectively. If so, maybe something like below.


A new Audio setting, namely:
Audio mixer: (Internal or External)

INTERNAL AUDIO MIXING
When Internal mixing is selected, these Audio settings apply:
- Headphones output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Audio bus A output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Audio bus B output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Recording&streaming audio: (none, Master, A, B)

S solo to headphone, not affecting what's in Master
M button performs like the current Audio/speaker icon
A button displayed if set to other than none, on/off to bus A
B button displayed if set to other than none, on/off to bus B
Faders for Master, and buses if set to other than none.

EXTERNAL AUDIO MIXING
When External mixing is selected:
- Headphones output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Audio bus A output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Audio bus B output: (none or any available audio output device)
- Recording&streaming audio: (none or any available audio input device)
S solo to headphone, not affecting what's in Master
M button performs like the current Audio/speaker icon
A button displayed if set to other than none, on/off to bus A
B button displayed if set to other than none, on/off to bus B
Fader for Master only