Only sound on headphones when main output slider is open

Most likely the output-oriented routing concept of TM FX is not understood.
If you move faders in the top and middle rows, then this is only applicable to the just-selected HW output.

Each HW output (bottom row) has a submix/routing of its own.

Check that you are in submix- (not free-) mode, see the blue area on the right side of the TM FX window (options -> routing).

The fader positions of the top and middle rows show which channels are routed to the just-selected HW output (bottom row):
- top row is audio from HW inputs (routed on the device itself with near-zero latency; only around 2 samples delay)
- middle row is audio from the PC/DAW over USB (latency heavily depending on the configured buffer size, around 1-45 ms per direction).

So if you want to compare the routing of two different HW outputs (bottom row), then you have to click on them "one by one" and inspect the routing by observing the fader position of the channels of the top and middle rows. The fader position shows what channel is routed and with what volume level.

The fader in top and midle row show at the bottom the name of the selected HW output. This gives you additional optical feedback for what submix the fader position is for.

If you want an overview about the routing for all channels then you have to use the matrix view (X).
The mixer view (M) is - in submix mode - for showing the routing for one particular ("selected") HW output channel.

If you have further questions to the routing, please post a screenshot of the submixes of interest.
Select the particular HW output, post the screenshot and write what is connected behind this port.

In case you do not know how to post screenshots on the RME forum, see my blog article.
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … rum-EN-DE/
It explains why I use dropbox for this purpose and what advantages it offers.

Further sources of information, also containing a link to excellent TotalMix FX tutorials on YouTube, see this sticky posting:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=34394

Thank you so much for the answers and comments; I really appreciate this.
At my age, it is not easy to get the hang of the many possibilities...
I could be wrong, but besides not understanding everything about TM, I also fall short when it comes to knowledge of Cubase Pro.
Since my main outputs are currently routed to 1/2, I assume that when using the Control Room, the output needs to be routed to 7/8 (headphones)?
As a test, I created an extra stereo output to 5 and 6, after which I saw that all tracks in Cubase were routed to the main outputs 1/2 – not to the added outputs 5 and 6. After adjusting the tracks and routing them one by one to 5 and 6, it worked as expected.
I am probably making the same mistake somewhere in the control room?
Somewhere, the control room output will need to be routed to headphone outputs 7 and 8.
I don;t know how to do this, other than adjusting each track to the mentioned outputs one by one, and that can't be the right way?
In any case, I am going to look into it.
Thanks !

In any case, I will get to work on it and get back to you if that’s okay. I also still have the option not to use a Steinberg Control Room, as I have always done so far.

@Dorrus vdv

Nobody forces you to use the Cubase Control Room. I never use it !
I have my stereo sum in Cubase Pro 15 and Nuendo 15.
This stereo sum I am sending to an output, lets say Analog 3/4.
You will see audio from PC in the Middle Row, Software Playback AN 3/4.

Now you can select any HW output that you want by simply clicking to the HW output
and raising the fader of SW Playback AN3/4.

Save the routing to your monitors to Snapshot 1 and rename it to "Monitors.
Save the routing to your headphones to Snapshot 2 and rename it to "Phones".
Save the workspace.

Now you get the DAW sum either routet to your main monitors or to the headphones.

You can do this with any output channel, also those that got shifted to the TotalMix FX control room,
by assigning channels to "Main Out", "Main Out B", "Phones 1 ..4".

The only reason in TM FX to assign output channels to the control room is, that you can use control room functions,
like DIM or MONO.

I use control room in Cubase. Firstly create all inputs and outputs in connections in Cubase. Next assign the software output you want for main output, headphone output and any other output you want (I also use cue outputs). In TotalMix select the main output and then turn up the software output you want to go to main. Do that for all outputs. Name the software and physical outputs so you know what you are doing. I couldn’t be without control room. I use it for all sorts including routing of click, setting up outputs for more speakers and headphones. I also use SoundID in control room so I don’t have to put it on the master and remember to remove it.

Dear Dorrus vdv.

Please do not delete your postings.... I lost around 20 minutes of work because posting my answer to you failed
as you deleted your posting meanwhile while I was typing....

As you didn't answer my e-mail to you, which I sent through the forum mailer, I am posting this here.

No problem, Dorrus vdv, thanks for your understanding.

Regarding infos, you're welcome.

In my previous posting I wanted to ask you two things

a) which audio driver are you loading in the DAW as you mentioned/listed 6 WDM devices, but you need an ASIO driver.
b) How is your DAW project organized, am I assuming right, that you send all audio to a DAW sum
and this channel is Analog 7+8 out or is it another channel? Finally it can be any of the outputs.
I like to separate the audio streams coming from PC a little which allows you to create more "finegrained" submixes.

Whats missing somehow, a few screenshots that show the setup.
What driver is loaded in the DAW.
The channel assignment in Cubase, e.g. what output channels you use.
What the channel for your DAW sum is.

And finally a screenshot of TotalMix FX with the HW output (submix) selected for your DAW monitoring.

Maybe also a quick ASCII drawing, how the devices are connected to each other, including the mixer.
Example for an ASCII drawing, see this posting: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 89#p230989

I do not get the point at the moment of what the last remaining issue for you is.

What you intend to do appears to me as if this is nothing complicated, so I am wondering what's going wrong.

Ok, so is this your setup (physical connections)?

[ click to the link in front of the image, to download the JPG, just in case your Browser renders the picture too small ]

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6yy6mej … q&dl=1

This is the logical signal flow.

[ click to the link in front of the image, to download the JPG, just in case your Browser renders the picture too small ]

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sp809kbz … j&dl=1

TM FX settings follow... tbc...

You can store the monitoring through Monitors and Phones into two different Snapshots.
Snapshot 1 - Main Out - mute here the phones output
Snapshot 2 - Phones1 - mute here the output for the active monitors (AN1/2 aka Main Out).

Save your Workspace to disk.
You can additionally save the workspace to the 1st of 30 so called Workspace Quick Select slots.
Then you can restore the settings simply by the key combination ALT-1
The first 9 WQS Slots can be restored by ALT-1 .. ALT-9.

The monitoring is now being done entirely in TotalMix FX.
And this is good because the audio is directly routed on the UCX II itself with near-zero latency
so you are completely independend from the ASIO buffersize that you choosed.
Except you work with backing tracks which would be played through USB.

For the recording you need no routing settings in TM FX.
Audio from the inputs of the UCX II is directly passed to the application/DAW.

In Cubase you only need to load the ASIO driver; ensure that you have the latest driver.
Then in Cubase you need to define Audio Connections (F4).
Inputs:
6x mono channels (AN1 - AN6) for the 4 Mics and 2 DI Boxes
1x stereo channel for the Kemper (AN 7/8).
Outputs:
1x stereo channel for the DAW Sum, the monitoring (AN 3/4)
Audio will show up in TM FX middle row SW Playback AN 3/4.
AN 1/2 I would reserve for Windows Sound to separate Audio from Windows/Youtube and Audio from the DAW.

Thank you very much for your extensive, clear responses and your great effort and time. I really appreciate this Ramses. I'll get to work on it.

I translated the above information into activities/steps of what to do in what order or, in other words, to set it up from scratch.

You can download the ASCII file from here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xhnzg8bd … e&dl=1

Step by Step Guide for Your UCX II based setup

1. Connect UCX II to a USB port; it can be any USB 2 or USB 3 port

2. Backup your system, preferably by creating a disk image (Macrium Reflect Home and other programs)

3. Backup your current TotalMix FX settings
   a) TM FX: File -> Save Workspace As
      - Choose a location on your disk that is part of your backup
      - Create a TotalMix folder there, e.g: "Documents"\RME\TotalMix"; store all your TM FX workspaces there.
   b) To a "Workspace Quick Select" (WQS) Slot, e.g. #10 (of 30), then it is visible without having to scroll down the list.
      TM FX: File -> Workspace Quick Select -> Slot #10; name it "Old Workspace"

   c) Manual Task: Write down the gain or reference levels of HW Inputs AN 1-8.
      Important, because then you can restore exactly these settings in your new setup in step #18 below.

4. Download and install the latest USB ASIO driver; the latest version (as of today) is 1.276.
    In addition to the driver it also installs TM FX (but possibly still the old version 1.x).
    For getting the latest version of TotalMix FX 2.x based on scalable vector graphics, see step #6 below.
    https://rme-audio.de/downloads/driver_usb_win_1276.zip

5. Download and check for firmware updates (needs installed ASIO driver, step #4).
    Executing the FUT tool is the safest way to check, whether the device is "up-to-date" or not.
    https://rme-audio.de/downloads/fut_usb_win.zip

6. Install the latest version of TotalMix FX, currently 2.03, with scalable vector graphic.
    If you are used to the old design, don't worry; you can toggle between the new and old design
    (TM FX: Window->Toggle-Old-New-Design).
    Download of the latest version 2.03:
    https://rme-audio.de/downloads/tmfx_203_1991_win.zip
    Restart the computer to ensure that TM FX 2.0 is started fresh.
   
7. Open RME Driver Settings (see the little icon on the right side in the Windows notification bar).
    - Set sample rate to "44.100" kHz
    - Set Buffer Size to "256" or "128" for a start
    - Set WDM devices to "1"
    - Set Clock Source to "internal" (the UCX II will be clock master)
    In the other TAB ("Global" or "About"): enable "MMCSS for ASIO".

8. Open Windows Sound
    Make the WDM driver for Analog 1+2 (created in step #7) the "default sound device"
    Use Windows sound scheme "no sounds".
    See also the screenshot "RME Driver Settings - Windows Sound"
    https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 80#p252280
   
9. Open TotalMix FX
    a) Choose a window size that allows you to see all channels and the controls comfortably.
    b) You can zoom in and out on both parts of the TM FX windows: left, the channels; right, the controls.
    Zoom in and out by holding the "Ctrl" key pressed and by moving the mouse wheel up/down.
    You might need to repeat a) and b) until you find the sweet spot that everything is good visible.

10. Before making any changes to the TotalMix FX channel settings and routing: save the workspace !!!
     TM FX: File -> Save Workspace As
     To the location on your disk, TotalMix Folder from step #3a.

11. Additionally, save to a Workspace Quick Select Slot (WQS)
    TM FX: File -> Workspace Quick Select -> Slot #9 and rename it to "Initial Config"

12. From now on you can return to these "initial settings" at any time by either
      a) restoring the workspace from disk (File -> Load Workspace) or
      b) by using the key combination "ALT-9" which restores WQS Slot 9 "Initial Config".

*** Initial TotalMix Setup ***

13. TM FX Preferences (F2)
      - [x] Save changes regulary
      - Snapshots and Workspaces: Do not load "---"
      - [x] Always Init DSP Devices with TotalMix FX Settings
      - [x] Reduce volume peaks on Snapshot load

14. Reset TotalMix FX, clear all submixes
      TM FX: Options -> Reset Mix -> Total Reset
      TM FX: Options -> Reset Mix -> Clear all submixes
      It is the best strategy to clear all submixes and to create only the needed routings.
      This makes it easier to troubleshoot any issue in the "Mixer View" (M) and also in "Matrix View" (X).

15. Put the monitoring channels into the TM FX control room
      Hit "Assign" button:
      - Map "Main Out" to "Analog 1/2"
      - Map "Phones 1" to "Analog 7/8"
     By this, the two outputs in the bottom row will move to the "bottom right" into the TM FX control room.
     The purpose of this is that you can use control room functions like DIM and MONO on those channels.
   
16. Set a proper reference level for your monitoring outputs.
     For active monitors and phones outputs use a reference level with the lowest output volume.
     In the TM FX Control Room, you see the two monitoring channels:
     - Main Out (AN 1/2) and
     - Phones1 (AN7/8)
     Click on the "wrench" or "tool" icon in the channels to extend the channel view to see the "hidden" controls.
     AN 1/2: towards active monitors
      - move the output fader to -40 dBu to ensure a lower volume
     AN 7/8: Phones output (UCX II)
      - set reference level to "Low, +4 dBu"
      - move the output fader to -40 dBu to ensure a lower volume
     You need to "refine" both volume levels later.
    
17. HW Input 1-6 (top row) needs to be mono channels
     Click on the wrench or tool icon in the channels to extend the view of the channels to see the hidden controls.
     - HW Input AN1/2: click to "stereo" button to get two mono channels, AN1 and AN2
     - HW Input AN3/4: click to "stereo" button to get two mono channels, AN3 and AN4
     - HW Input AN5/6: click to "stereo" button to get two mono channels, AN5 and AN6
     - HW Input AN7/8: keep it as stereo channel for the Kemper.

18. HW Input 1-8 (top row) restore the reference levels from step 3c (the "Manual Task")
     - HW Input 1-4: by restoring the gain value (Mic inputs and Inst Inputs have a gain setting)
     - HW Input 5-8: by restoring the reference level (pure line level inputs support multiple reference levels)
   
19. TM FX: Configure the routing for Snapshot 1 + 2 (see the snapshot buttons 1-8 on the right side of TM FX window)
     Prerequisite: assumed, you are in TM FX "submix mode".
     See options -> routing -> "submix" in the light blue area on the top right side.
     We configure the monitoring for "monitors" and "phones", here the two snapshots that we are about to create below:
     - Snapshot 1 - "MainOut" - Monitoring through active monitors (see A) below)
     - Snapshot 2 - "Phones"  - Monitoring through headphones      (see B) below)
     The advantage, one template saves work, you only need to mute the monitoring channel in a snapshot, that you do not need.
   
    A) Select HW Output "AN1/2" (or "Main Out"). You will see "AN1/2" at the bottom of all channels in top and middle row.
    - Top Row (HW Inputs)
      - Faders of all channels are down at "infinite".
      - set the panning of HW Input Analog 1 - 8 to center
    - Middle Row (SW Playbacks)
       - SW Playback AN 1/2: Move fader to 0 dB (routes Windows audio to the selected submix AN1/2 OUT)
       - SW Playback AN 3/4: move fader to 0 dB (routes Audio from DAW to the selected submix AN3/4 OUT)
         Note: In Cubase set AN 3/4 to the default output channel "DAW Sum".
       - Mute Output AN 7/8 so that Phones1 (UCX II) are not active while monitoring via active monitors.
    ==> Store this routing to TM FX "Snapshot 1" and rename it to "MainOut 1".
   
    Note: to save some work we use Snapshot 1 as source for creating Snapshot 2.
   
    B) Select HW Output "AN7/8" (or "Phones 1"). You will see "AN7/8" at the bottom of all channels in top and middle row.
    - Top Row (HW Inputs)
      - set the panning of HW Input Analog 1 - 8 to center (you can change it later for your liking).
      - Faders of HW Input 1-8 to "0 dB" to route audio to the selected submix AN7/8 OUT.
    - Middle Row (SW Playbacks): nothing to do here; this has already been prepared in step 19 a)
    - Important: Mute Output AN 1/2 so that active monitors are not active while monitoring via headphones (!!!!)
      By this we prevent a feedback loop during recordings through the Mics.
    ==> Store this routing to TM FX "Snapshot 2" and rename it to "Phones 2".
   
20. Now you can add Channel Names
    TM FX: Options - Channel Layout
    - Tab Inputs:
      - Channel AN1: Name (User): "Mic1 1"
      - Channel AN2: Name (User): "Mic2 2"
      - Channel AN3: Name (User): "Mic3 3"
      - Channel AN4: Name (User): "Mic4 4"
      - Channel AN5: Name (User): "DIBass 5"
      - Channel AN6: Name (User): "DIGuit 6"
      - Channel AN7/8: Name (User): "Kemper 7/8"
    - Tab Playbacks:
      - Channel AN1/2: Name (User): "Win 1/2"
      - Channel AN3/4: Name (User): "DAW 3/4"
    - Tab Outputs:
      - Channel AN1/2: Name (User): "MainOut 1/2"
      - Channel AN7/8: Name (User): "Phones1 7/8"
    Note: I am adding the channel number to the end of the user defined name.
     
21. Save this channel layout to Mixer Layout 1 and name it "b/w" (as we do not use color here).
    Later we will add a Channel Layout with colors. Then you can switch between the two styles.

22. Add a color to the channels in the Channel Layout (see step #20).
    The colors are only a proposal, choose what you like and what looks best.
    Inputs:
    - For mics, try "green"
    - For DI boxes, keep "white"
    - For Kemper try "yellow"
    Playbacks:
    - For Win use "green"
    - For DAW use "blue"
    Outputs:
    - For monitoring devices, try "red"
   
23. Save this channel layout to Mixer Layout 2 and name it "color"
    Now you can switch between a layout with and without colors. Choose what you prefer.
   
24. Select TM FX Snapshot 1
    Select "AN 1/2" (or "Main Out") in the control room
    a) Save the Workspace to a file "UCX II TM FX v001 Final Workspace"
    b) Workspace Quick Select:
    Save this to Workspace Quick Select Slot #1 and name it "Monitoring via active Monitors"
    Save this to Workspace Quick Select Slot #9 and name it "Backup"
    Select TM FX Snapshot 2
    Save this to Workspace Quick Select Slot #2 and name it "Monitoring via Phones (UCX II)"
   
25. From now on you can use the key combinations
    ALT-1 to restore WQS "Monitoring via Active Monitors" (as an alternative to selecting Snapshot 1 with the mouse).
    ALT-2 to restore WQS "Monitoring via Phones (UCX II)" (as an alternative to selecting Snapshot 2 with the mouse).
    The 9th WQS slot, "Backup," is there for backup purposes.
    If you damaged slot #1 and #2 then you have here a chance to clone from this backup
    and with only little adjustments, it's easy to recreate #1 and #2 from it.
    The Slot #10 is still there if you want to cross-check your old settings.
    After inspecting a few things in the old workspace, you can return to the actual settings quickly using ALT-1 or ALT-2.

26. Adjusting the headphone submix to your needs or liking
    - Use the volume sliders of HW Inputs 1-8 to adjust the volume between the four mics, 2 instruments and the Kemper.
    - Use the PAN knob to position the instrument in the stereo panorama.
    As a last step update snapshot 2 for the headphones and backup the changed workspaces as you did before
    - as Workspace file and
    - by updating the WQS Slot #2.
   
I think this should do the trick ;-)
Enjoy, cheers!