Control your DAW from your ISO-booth - howtododat??

Jacob Ekstroem

When I'm in my forthcoming new ISO-booth, I'd like to be able to have full control over my DAW located in the controlroom, i.e. have TWO sets of monitor, keyboard & mouse connected to the DAW.
I'm sure some of you do this all the time. But how exactly??

Someone has suggested a thingy called a "KVM-switch", but I've found these to do kinda the opposite (ONE set of monitor, keyboard & mouse connected to multiple pc's). Don't need that.

So how do one do this? Is it possible to connect multiple sets of keyboards & mouses to a single pc via USB? And then get another kind of thingy to split the monitor-signal, or what?

Keith Jedlicka · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 16:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Jacob,

I've never used this; but I had heard about it a while back:

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

No KVM switch needed, no wires to run into your iso booth. It gets pretty good reviews on zzounds.com...

Keith

Gregory Houser · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 17:14 (GMT) Post subject:

I used a laptop with a remote PC application to do that initially. Worked fine. Eventually since I wanted to have the copy on an LCD as well, I went with a dumb terminal setup with a touchscreen interface that was attached to a music stand. VERY expensive, but nice.

For this audition room I'm working on, I have no need for such a thing, so I'll either use a dumb terminal, or my mobile phone, which is able to use a remote PC app to run the controls. The phone idea is intriguing, but the screen is so small, that it's probably best to use a dumb terminal or a small laptop (such as a Mac). for the task.

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 17:29 (GMT) Post subject:

Why cant you just use a USB hub for the extra keyboard and mouse (obviously they would have to be USB) and just split the monitor signal or get a graphics card with 2 outputs?

Ed Gambill · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 19:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Jacob

I searched Google for computer monitor splitter and found this.

http://www.42u.com/kvm-splitter.htm

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Record on a noiseless CF recorder in your iso booth and run a USB cable to your DAW.

George Whittam · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 21

You can swap your PC video card for a new one with dual outputs (most video cards do these days), and run your video and USB cables into the booth. Or I do recommend the Frontier Labs Tranzport for it's sheer simplicity and reasonable cost. Check their website to be sure it supports your software of choice.

David Oxford · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008, 23:59 (GMT) Post subject:

Jacob:

Why couldn't you just setup your computer tower right outside the booth, cut a hole in the wall of the booth (near the floor) and feed all your cables through it and just use the setup you have now? Your monitor, your keyboard, your mouse - would all function just like it does now. You might need some longer cable - or some jumpers - but if you can locate the PC tower somewhere outside but very close to the booth, you'd be in business.

Am I missing something?

Smile

David

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008, 00:04 (GMT) Post subject:

Guys,

thanks for all your input!

- Keith, George: the Frontier-thingy, nifty as it may be, is not what I had in mind.

Let me just clarify, that I want to have my Nuendo or Wavelab in front of me, when I'm in my booth recording. That means I need two sets of keyboard and mouse, and a slave-monitor. Unfortunately the idea with a dual-head GFX card is not an option, since I already use this, with a dual monitor setup in the control room. So I need to be able to connect three monitors to my pc.

- Gregory: too expensive, sorry...

- Erik: so you're saying that a USB-hub can do the trick regarding keyboard & mouse, without conflicts? Interesting...

But then Ed came along...

- Ed: aaaah!!! I don't need a "KVM switch", but a "KVM splitter!" That changed things around! Great advice, and I'm already on it!!

- Chris: that was not what I had in mind, either. But somehow just I knew you would say this. Again.

- David: yeah, dude.... you're missing the idea, that I will use my booth for recording only (it's small, it's hot, and generally uncomfortable to spend hours in), and do all my editing and other stuff in the control room, but don't worry, the DAW is not located inside the booth, I just want to be able to have full control over it when I'm in it! Very Happy

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008, 00:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Find a VGA splitter here.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008, 00:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Erik,

ooooh.... also a clever little thingy!!!! And cheap, too. But.... what's with the "Mhz" rating? There are 150, 250, 400.... whats wit dat?? Shocked

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Johnny Milford · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008, 11:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Jacob:

How about wireless keyboard and mouse? I usually don't need any control from inside my booth, but on the rare occasion that I do, I just lug the wireless mouse and/or keyboard with me. I can then view the monitor from the booth window. Not sure if this would work for your particular setup, but I thought I'd suggest it.

Lisa Foster · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008, 15:47 (GMT) Post subject:

It's also known as a "reverse KVM" - I have one on my computer and ran the cables through the wall to my studio where I have my second monitor and keyboard. Works like a charm, and all the cpu noise is in the other room! Only drawback is having to leave the studio to put a CD into the cpu for burning or importing music beds. Someday I'll get something set up directly in the studio for that.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2008, 23:54 (GMT) Post subject:

I went with a VGA-splitter and wireless keyboard/mouse. Works perfectly! Thanks guys.