Closed IEM System using Audio Interface: Could This Work?

[organworthyplayer337]

Hey everyone,
Basic info:
I have a Focusrite 8PreX.

8 XLR/line inputs, 10 mono line outputs, (5 stereo, but that is a non-factor).

Band:
Three singers, keys player, bass, kick drum mic, and tracks is all we're running currently.

I am currently playing at a location that has a very limited sound set up. We (the band) are unable to personally alter our mixes as they are tied to the main house monitors.

I am considering doing this:
1. Running all mics/instruments into my interface FIRST.

2. Having 10 outputs, I will route each mic signal/instrument back into the stage snake that will go to the front of house, essentially untouched.

3. With the extra outputs, I will be able to have a custom mix for myself and an extra person or two in the band.

I am not a live sound guru, am I missing something here?

Please let me know if there is any more info you need from me.

Thank you!

 

[SoCal80s]

I looked at the manual for the Focusrite 8PreX and it does seem that this is possible, but I wonder how practical it would be to manage your mixes this way as opposed to having a mixer. There will be some latency and you will have to decide if you notice it or not. This is a quality unit, so the latency may be negligible.

 

[tmvt]

Im sure you could but I think latency would be your problem to overcome if you have any.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

Hi guys,
I didn't think about latency. I've never experienced any latency (I use another 8PreX for Drum recording and never noticed any), but that is a legit concern. Thanks for the input. Got something to think about now.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

... I wonder how practical it would be to manage your mixes this way as opposed to having a mixer. There will be some latency and you will have to decide if you notice it or not. This is a quality unit, so the latency may be negligible.

Valid point. This would only be a temporary thing until we get a mixer that can handle individual custom monitor mixes. We have nothing of the sort right now, but I do have the 8preX so it was worth a thought.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

New Plan:
I am think of using a passive microphone splitter (like a Behringer ms8000 or an Invalid Link Removed) to take all the incoming microphones/*instrument signals and split them two-ways.
*instruments going through DI box, XLR into the splitter.

I will route one copy of the signal to the snake as usual. Then the other will be routed into the 8PreX.

I've heard of similar set ups and this is usually suggested for getting into closed IEM systems.

My new question is this: Is it okay to go out of the splitter using its XLR outs and into the 8PreX's TRS line inputs?
Using a XLR female to TRS male snake...

Might be a silly question. But I am still learning the details between XLR vs TRS matters in certain contexts.

 

[LUpton]

The splitter is passive, and adds no gain, so you would need to use the mic in xlr jacks on the Focusrite. The trs inputs would work, but they would be _much_ lower in gain, the difference between a mic in and a line in.

 

[SoCal80s]

My new question is this: Is it okay to go out of the splitter using its XLR outs and into the 8PreX's TRS line inputs?
Using a XLR female to TRS male snake...

I like this idea better, but what I would do is put the splitter and the 8PreX in one rack. Plug your mics into the splitter, and then use 3' long XLR cables to pre-wire the connection from the splitter into the 8PreX XLR inputs. Then you can use another set of 3' (or 6') long XLR cables to go into the house snake. Then, at some point when you get a proper mixer you can just swap the 8PreX with a mixer and everything else works the same.

The other option is to get a splitter snake (one box with tho sets of tails) which could help if the 8PreX will be far from the microphones.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

I like this idea better, but what I would do is put the splitter and the 8PreX in one rack. Plug your mics into the splitter, and then use 3' long XLR cables to pre-wire the connection from the splitter into the 8PreX XLR inputs. Then you can use another set of 3' (or 6') long XLR cables to go into the house snake. Then, at some point when you get a proper mixer you can just swap the 8PreX with a mixer and everything else works the same.

The other option is to get a splitter snake (one box with tho sets of tails) which could help if the 8PreX will be far from the microphones.

Yep, that's the plan! Thank you for your help and for the suggestion.

 

[organworthyplayer337]

The splitter is passive, and adds no gain, so you would need to use the mic in xlr jacks on the Focusrite. The trs inputs would work, but they would be _much_ lower in gain, the difference between a mic in and a line in.

Thank you for this. I knew there were other factors to consider, just didn't know which ones