Help me choose a new mixer

Bjazzman · #1 06-06-2009, 10:09 PM

I have a tapco blend 6 which is a great budget amp but im thinking it might be time to upgrade to better the band.

I need at least 4 xlr inputs and 8 other trs inputs.

also i would like to mix it so i when i have the whole band plugged in i can send a mix to my own in-ears and so can the rest of the band even if they are using in ears or monitors

it would be nice if each input has it's own di. or is that possible?

thanks

modulusman · #2 06-07-2009, 11:57 AM

The Tapco is not an amp it is a mixer. As far as i know mixers don't have DIs. You need to use the aux sends to have your own personal monitor mix. Carvin makes the C1644U that can give you 4 monitor mixes plus has built in effects. I use to own one and it was a good deal for the money. You might also look at the Peavey FX series. Allen & Heath also makes great mixers with at least 4 monitor sends.

JustDavid · #3 06-07-2009, 05:00 PM

4 XLR to 8 TRS is an interesting ratio. Why?

I'm not that conversant on newer gear, but I don't know of any mixers that have DIs on the inputs.

Bjazzman · #4 06-07-2009, 07:01 PM

i meant to say mixer not amp.

So if the band all went into my mixer, how would we be able to make sure that i can get my own mix as well as the others in the band?

is that where the aux sends go into play? basically if i want to use in-ear monitors, would i just plug those earbuds into one of the aux sends?

also, how does the house get the level to di it? would they just come out of the main out and go directly into a di?

so still with that being said and the fact that i need at least 4 xlr inputs and 8 trs inputs, do you have any recommendations?

thanks

modulusman · #5 06-07-2009, 09:58 PM

Not understanding what you mean by the DI. Yes the aux sends are for monitors and effects. What IEM set-up are you wanting to use? Are you mixing sound from stage or are you looking to just mix your monitors? They make monitor boards that have built in splitter. This way you can plug into the monitor board and then go out to the FOH. WARNING they are not cheap. Otherwise you need a split snake.

Bjazzman · #6 06-07-2009, 10:09 PM

im looking at the yamaha mg166cx usb mixer. could i accomplish the following?:

use one of the aux sends to plug my shure ear buds directly in so i can mix the band to my ear buds?

i could have the other 2 guys use their amps and give me a signal from their di directly to my mixer so i could hear them through my buds as well as me.

basically i will be the only one with ear buds and those guys want to use their amps.

do you think its possible with this mixer? i understand it only has 2 aux sends but i figure i'd probably be the only one needing one since i'd be the only one with ear buds.

modulusman · #7 06-07-2009, 11:20 PM

You want to plug earbuds straight into the mixer without using the body pack or reciever? I am not sure if or how well that would work. I don't have my IEMs at my house or I would try it myself. If you have the hardwired body pack or reciever it would work.

Bjazzman · #8 06-07-2009, 11:31 PM

yeah i don't use a body pack or receiver anyway. i just use an extension cable from the earbuds to my recording setup at home since i don't use it as wireless. So there is a headphone out on the yamaha but im wondering if i could plug straight into the aux send

GregShadoan · #9 06-07-2009, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bjazzman

yeah i don't use a body pack or receiver anyway. i just use an extension cable from the earbuds to my recording setup at home since i don't use it as wireless. So there is a headphone out on the yamaha but im wondering if i could plug straight into the aux send

Yes, you can use the aux out but you would have to have a headphone amp in line between the aux out and your cans. You can not plug your cans directly into an aux out.
Rolls makes a nice little cheap unit that would work.

T-Bird · #10 06-08-2009, 06:00 AM

Hi.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the way I read Your post is that You want to use the mixer just for the monitors/Your IEMs, not for the FOH?

If that's the case, the AUXes have to be pre-fader, pre-EQ IME.

Pre fader, because You don't want the balance to change every time someone (You

) touches the fader.

Pre-EQ, because You then can distinguish the FOH signal from the original and the orientation-phase-problems will be minimal.

If You want to send the stereo mains (or mono) signal to the house PA, You'll need isolating DI (not all of them really are) in order to avoid ground loops (=hum).

Sub mixers seldom work as there's too much variation of the signal levels between different boards so isolating and level matching eats headroom and raises the noise floor.

One thing You'll also need is the channel strips to have inserts. Only a fool will rely on the onboard compressors, if there even is any, to protect ones hearing. You'll need as many compressor/limiters as there is signal sources.

Regards
Sam

Bjazzman · #11 06-08-2009, 07:17 AM

cool so the only thing i don't understand are the channel inserts. why are they there and what should i be using them for?

modulusman · #12 06-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Channel inserts are for inserting outboard processors such as compressors or reverbs just to the channel they are plugged into.

T-Bird · #13 06-08-2009, 10:30 PM

Hi.

^Yes, just that. Think of them as a kind of a TRS FX-loop, (usually) early in the signal path after the buffer and before the slider.

If there's any unpredictable signal sources in the mix (aren't they all

), You want to have the max levels limited/compressed.

A wrong patch in a FX-pedal, a falling mic, a guitar strap giving away and instrument hitting the floor, a cracling instrument lead, FEEDBACK, the list is really endless, will result a very, very nasty things in IEMs. And in Your ears as a result.

Regards
Sam