spinynorman Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Just hoping to bounce my mad uninformed ideas of the experts ... We play rock in pubs, PA only takes vocals and currently consists of a Yamaha EMX512, 2 Mackie C300z passives and a Mackie SRM350 active being used as a monitor. Problem is there's only a 7 band eq on the EMX and it's not enough for every situation we encounter. I've looked at using an external eq with the EMX and it's going to be a lash-up, so don't fancy it. Also if we're going to have 1 rack component we might as well go rack entirely, but I'm trying to avoid having some huge rack setup we can't store or transport easily. Ideally I'd want to fit 2 x 2U rack cases. The PA's only handling 2 mics (lead vocal & BV) and an occasional acoustic guitar, so the mixing requirements are simple, and we don't have anyone running the sound for us. So I can't see the point of a mixer as such. My theory is - 4 channel mic preamp into a 2 x 31 EQ. Take 1 channel from the EQ to the active monitor, take the other channel to a power amp to run the FOH speakers. Would this work? If it would, any recommendations on components. Got my eye on a dbx 213 for the EQ, other than that haven't looked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 [quote name='spinynorman' post='984110' date='Oct 11 2010, 09:47 AM']Just hoping to bounce my mad uninformed ideas of the experts ... We play rock in pubs, PA only takes vocals and currently consists of a Yamaha EMX512, 2 Mackie C300z passives and a Mackie SRM350 active being used as a monitor. Problem is there's only a 7 band eq on the EMX and it's not enough for every situation we encounter. I've looked at using an external eq with the EMX and it's going to be a lash-up, so don't fancy it. Also if we're going to have 1 rack component we might as well go rack entirely, but I'm trying to avoid having some huge rack setup we can't store or transport easily. Ideally I'd want to fit 2 x 2U rack cases. The PA's only handling 2 mics (lead vocal & BV) and an occasional acoustic guitar, so the mixing requirements are simple, and we don't have anyone running the sound for us. So I can't see the point of a mixer as such. My theory is - 4 channel mic preamp into a 2 x 31 EQ. Take 1 channel from the EQ to the active monitor, take the other channel to a power amp to run the FOH speakers. Would this work? If it would, any recommendations on components. Got my eye on a dbx 213 for the EQ, other than that haven't looked.[/quote] How are you going to mix the outputs of the 4 mic pre-amps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
51m0n Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 [quote name='obbm' post='984127' date='Oct 11 2010, 10:03 AM']How are you going to mix the outputs of the 4 mic pre-amps?[/quote] Exactly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 (edited) EDIT: I thought a multi-channel preamp would have a level/gain control on each input and one master output. So I could balance the levels on each mic and then feed that to the EQ. If actually it's going to give me a separate output for each input, then my idea is screwed. Most of the time the lead vocal is on one mic and there's a bit of BV on the other, but nothing like complex harmonies or vocal arrangements. On 1 or two songs per gig the lead vocal switches to the other mic. I can't see the point of carrying a mixer around for, 99% of the time, one mic. Also I did try a small 2 xlr Tapco mixer at one stage and wasn't impressed, so I guessed from that you actually need a bigger mixer to get anything decent. So, if my preamp idea doesn't work, what is the minimum gear I can get away with to get better control over the EQ? (Does the EMX get upset if there's no speakers attached? Line out from the EMX to the EQ and power amp, using the EMX just as a simple mixer, would be ok if it can cope with no speaker load.) Edited October 11, 2010 by spinynorman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Multi-channel mic pre-amps tend to be several completely separate and independent channels each with an input and an output. They are often used in recording to feed a multi-track rcording devices. At some point the signal have to go through a mixer in order to combine them. [quote]I thought a multi-channel preamp would have a level/gain control on each input and one master output. So I could balance the levels on each mic and then feed that to the EQ.[/quote] You've just described a mixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 OK, but I'm looking for something with a footprint like this not this ... So say 4 xlr+jack inputs, a level control for each input and one master output. I don't want to carry around a load of other knobs and sliders I have no use for because its going into a 31 band eq anyway. If there's something like that on the market, lead me to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Savage Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Only three XLR inputs, but three line jack inputs as well which might be useful; basic FX loop too. [url="http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?id=153&cat=15&type=89"]http://www.artproaudio.com/products.asp?id...=15&type=89[/url] [url="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/627451-REG/ART_MX622_MX622_6_Channel_Rackmount.html"]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/6274..._Rackmount.html[/url] And this ticks the boxes too: [url="http://www.lifeismusic.co.uk/DJ/Studiomaster-C3X-19-Rackmount--1403.aspx"]http://www.lifeismusic.co.uk/DJ/Studiomast...ount--1403.aspx[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted October 11, 2010 Share Posted October 11, 2010 Rolls and Rane both make 1U mic/line mixers. Search on Ebay for "1U Mixer". It throws up quite a few options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted October 11, 2010 Author Share Posted October 11, 2010 OK, thanks, that would work. Really don't want to get into this rack lark, as I can predict who's going to be left to store/carry it. And it won't be the guitarist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMT3781 Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 studiomaster do a great 1u mixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted October 12, 2010 Share Posted October 12, 2010 Use a Presonus Firepod - 8 mic pre-amps , makes a great mixer. 1u. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alien Posted October 13, 2010 Share Posted October 13, 2010 There's one for sale on this very forum - [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=106048"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=106048[/url] Don't know if it takes XLR inputs, but got to be worth an ask. A Edit: I see you've found it already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thinman Posted October 16, 2010 Share Posted October 16, 2010 Just a note on the EQ - we've got a 31 band graphic but it's I never really use it for shaping the sound - its main role in life is killing feedback which a 7-and is far too coarse for. I find we can get the monitors up far louder having "rung it out". Otherwise I tend to leave everything flat. I've always been a bit wary of boosting stuff in particular - it's probably fine if you have someone out front doing the sound for you - so I tend to stick with flat eq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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