audio interfaces, gaming and uh, cables

[nex]

About to splash out on some KRK RP8s, and getting an audio interface (looking at the Alesis IO2). Thing is I use my PC for gaming (and films, tv etc too) and I know that audio interfaces are generally a bit rubbish for gaming. Has anyone had any experience with models that seem to be decent enough for gaming sound? I'd rather not have to try and use some sort of dual setup and switching between the two for gaming/production. I don't care that it won't sound as good as some top of the range pro-sponsered gaming soundcard wankery (been coping fine with onboard sound til now) but I don't want it to make all my games sound shit either. Obviously I'd rather have an interface that's great for mixing and sub-par for gaming than great for gaming and sub-par for mixing, but the best of both would be ideal.

Just to tag on a dumbasfuck question: the monitors & audio interfaces aren't gonna come with the cables I'll need to connect them, right? Can someone just confirm what cables I'm gonna need, cos I'm ordering everything online to save a few quids and I just wanna make sure I order the right stuff first time round (so many fucking cables that all seem pretty similar to me). For the monitors from the audio interface: XLR, RCA or TRS?

Cheers guys

[silentk]

The interafce should come with its own usb cable to plug it into your computer. the moniters will come with power leads but nothing else.

i would recommend using the balanced TRS inputs on the moniters because the interface has balanced 1/4" outputs. so you'll need 2 cables. i would recomend spending as much as you can on the cables, and get some really good quality ones that will alst you for a lifetime, rather than crappy ones that will break after a few months. theres nothing worse than crappy cables, get the best you can

[nex]

Thanks man. I'm guessing something like these would be a bit over the top? Or are they worth it? If not then are these pretty standard?

Damn cables

[kindofblue272]

Thanks man. I'm guessing something like these would be a bit over the top? Or are they worth it? If not then are these pretty standard?

Damn cables

If you keep your PC tower on the floor, then 3 feet may not be long enough to reach your monitors. Go for the 6 footers. I use these:

http://www.zzounds.com/item--MONMSLST

[powerpill]

i would recomend spending as much as you can on the cables

rubbish

[daft cunt]

Spending € 42 on cables doesn't make sense to me. Been using the Sssnake cables you can find @ Thomann and they're fine to me, never had any problems with them.
Also I don't see any reason why you'd prefer to go with TRS rather than XLR.

[nex]

Are there any big differences between TRS and XLR when it comes to relatively low-end monitors?

And yeah, guess nobody here uses their production computer for playing the odd cheeky game on? Think I'm just gonna have to take a leap of faith with this Alesis IO2, I can't believe it'll sound that bad for your basic FPS game.

[powerpill]

i dont understand what your worried about, there monitors. they will put out whatever your putting into them, dont waste money on expensive cables - spend the extra cash on monitors and buy standard xlr cables. i can guarantee you wont be able to tell the difference if you spend loads of money on expensive cables.

[silentk]

im not talking about the sound quality you'll get out of them, i'm talking about general build quality. i suppose in this instance it wont as much of a difference because you'll just plug in your moniters and forget about it. but if you are regularly plugging in and unplugging stuff or the cable has to put up with a lot or wear and tear then a good quality cable will last you for a lifetime, and crappy cheap one will just end up with a break somewhere and start crackling or just give up.

and i'm not talking about ridiculous amounts of money, just think about spending that little bit extra for decent ones.