Uploaded May 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
When using the USB as your input and output, you can't hear audio in both directions. Let's fix it! ► All gear linked below*.
The good news is I found a few ways to use this mixer to monitor both the incoming and the outgoing audio. Despite this limitation, it's still possible to monitor both sides!
Option 1 - Mix-Minus
The first solution would be to remove the USB from the audio chain. One of the nice features of the Q802USB is that it provides you with an auxiliary channel (labeled FX Send). Using the mixer in a classic mix-minus setup enables you to monitor the audio in both directions because you are not relying on the USB connection.
Audio from the computer is being sent into an available channel on the mixer and audio from the mixer is being sent out the FX Send, minus the channel that has the computer audio on it. To understand how this works and to setup a mix-minus for yourself, see my complete guide and video.
There is another nice advantage of going with a mix-minus setup that actually brings the USB back into play. because you are not using the USB for Skype or other VOIP software, you can record all the audio from your mixer into audio recording software (Audition, Audacity, etc.) using the USB connection. This is great option for recording your interviews, podcasts, etc., on the very same computer that you are using Skype on.
Option 2 - Splitting the Headphones
The next option is sort of a hack but I was very happy that it worked. If you still want to use the USB as your input and output for Skype, you can monitor both directions by using a Y-cable to split the 1/8" connection of your headphones to 2 1/4" leads that will pull audio from the phones (Skype) while at the same time send your own audio into your headphones via the Main Out.
The Main Out on the Q802USB always receives all analog inputs. Therefore, by plugging one lead of your headphones into the Main Out, you will be able to hear yourself. At first it may feel strange to have yourself in one ear and your guest in the other but with time you may actually come to prefer monitoring the audio this way. You can more easily pick out which side contains any audio issues.
To create this split headphones setup, you'll need a female to female adapter that fits the size of your cabling. In my case, my headphones have a 1/8" male lead and the Y-cable has the same. The adapter allows me to make the connection between the headphones and the Y-cable.
Once you've created your split headphone cabling, place one 1/4" lead into the Phones output and one into the left side Main Out.
In the USB routing section, leave both buttons in the up position if you want to also use the USB to record into software.
Option 3 - Splitting to a Recorder
Another option is much like the last except in this setup, you don't need the female to female adapter.
Use a Y-cable like before, plugged into the mixer the same way (one lead into Phones, one into Main Out) and plug the 1/8" lead of the Y-cable into an audio recorder.
From there you would monitor the audio on the recorder itself which is receiving both sides of the audio.
Option 4 - Software Monitoring
The final option is the least favorable. If you are using Skype recording software that allows you to monitor the incoming audio such as Audio Hijack, you monitor both sides of the Skype call.
When you enable monitoring in Audio Hijack, it sends back your own audio albeit with some latency.
See the full post including images at thepodcastersstudio.com/Q802USB
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**GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO**
• Q802USB mixer podhelp.me/Q802USB
• Y-Cable: podhelp.me/hosayinsert3ft
• Female to female adapter: podhelp.me/35mmfemaletofemaleadaptBH (I used an old one from Radio Shack).
• Edirol/Roland audio recorder: podhelp.me/r-05bh
• ATR2100 microphone: podhelp.me/ATR2100
• Canon 80D podhelp.me/80DbodyBH
• Canon 28mm f2.8. podhelp.me/Canon28mmf28ISBH
• Eneloop (pro) rechargeable batteries (non "pro" seen in video) podhelp.me/enelooppro4AAwChargerZon
• Transcend SD card 32GB Class 10 UHS1 podhelp.me/trans32uhs145zon
*all links should be considered affiliate links. Using these links helps support this content. I always encourage you to shop around for the best prices at the time you are viewing this. You can read my ethics statement via thepodcastersstudio.com/ethics. Thanks for the support!
When using the USB as your input and output, you can't hear audio in both directions. Let's fix it! ► All gear linked below*.
The good news is I found a few ways to use this mixer to monitor both the incoming and the outgoing audio. Despite this limitation, it's still possible to monitor both sides!
Option 1 - Mix-Minus
The first solution would be to remove the USB from the audio chain. One of the nice features of the Q802USB is that it provides you with an auxiliary channel (labeled FX Send). Using the mixer in a classic mix-minus setup enables you to monitor the audio in both directions because you are not relying on the USB connection.
Audio from the computer is being sent into an available channel on the mixer and audio from the mixer is being sent out the FX Send, minus the channel that has the computer audio on it. To understand how this works and to setup a mix-minus for yourself, see my complete guide and video.
There is another nice advantage of going with a mix-minus setup that actually brings the USB back into play. because you are not using the USB for Skype or other VOIP software, you can record all the audio from your mixer into audio recording software (Audition, Audacity, etc.) using the USB connection. This is great option for recording your interviews, podcasts, etc., on the very same computer that you are using Skype on.
Option 2 - Splitting the Headphones
The next option is sort of a hack but I was very happy that it worked. If you still want to use the USB as your input and output for Skype, you can monitor both directions by using a Y-cable to split the 1/8" connection of your headphones to 2 1/4" leads that will pull audio from the phones (Skype) while at the same time send your own audio into your headphones via the Main Out.
The Main Out on the Q802USB always receives all analog inputs. Therefore, by plugging one lead of your headphones into the Main Out, you will be able to hear yourself. At first it may feel strange to have yourself in one ear and your guest in the other but with time you may actually come to prefer monitoring the audio this way. You can more easily pick out which side contains any audio issues.
To create this split headphones setup, you'll need a female to female adapter that fits the size of your cabling. In my case, my headphones have a 1/8" male lead and the Y-cable has the same. The adapter allows me to make the connection between the headphones and the Y-cable.
Once you've created your split headphone cabling, place one 1/4" lead into the Phones output and one into the left side Main Out.
In the USB routing section, leave both buttons in the up position if you want to also use the USB to record into software.
Option 3 - Splitting to a Recorder
Another option is much like the last except in this setup, you don't need the female to female adapter.
Use a Y-cable like before, plugged into the mixer the same way (one lead into Phones, one into Main Out) and plug the 1/8" lead of the Y-cable into an audio recorder.
From there you would monitor the audio on the recorder itself which is receiving both sides of the audio.
Option 4 - Software Monitoring
The final option is the least favorable. If you are using Skype recording software that allows you to monitor the incoming audio such as Audio Hijack, you monitor both sides of the Skype call.
When you enable monitoring in Audio Hijack, it sends back your own audio albeit with some latency.
See the full post including images at thepodcastersstudio.com/Q802USB
🎉 Join The Podcasters' Studio [free]: thepodcastersstudio.com/join
► Subscribe youtube.com/thepodcasterssstudio
► TWITTER: twitter.com/podcasthelper
► FACEBOOK: facebook.com/podcasthelper
► SNAPCHAT: PodcastHelper
https://www.snapchat.com/add/podcasth...
► INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/podcasthelper
► PATREON: patreon.com/ray
**GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO**
• Q802USB mixer podhelp.me/Q802USB
• Y-Cable: podhelp.me/hosayinsert3ft
• Female to female adapter: podhelp.me/35mmfemaletofemaleadaptBH (I used an old one from Radio Shack).
• Edirol/Roland audio recorder: podhelp.me/r-05bh
• ATR2100 microphone: podhelp.me/ATR2100
• Canon 80D podhelp.me/80DbodyBH
• Canon 28mm f2.8. podhelp.me/Canon28mmf28ISBH
• Eneloop (pro) rechargeable batteries (non "pro" seen in video) podhelp.me/enelooppro4AAwChargerZon
• Transcend SD card 32GB Class 10 UHS1 podhelp.me/trans32uhs145zon
*all links should be considered affiliate links. Using these links helps support this content. I always encourage you to shop around for the best prices at the time you are viewing this. You can read my ethics statement via thepodcastersstudio.com/ethics. Thanks for the support!
