Creating Subgroups Out of Auxes and Channels?

[jive1]

I'm considering upgrading my mixer, and the Mixwizard 16:2 is a contender. My only beef with it is that it doesn't have subgroups. I'd like to have one subgroup for the drums, so I can use a single slider to adjust the volume. So, I was wondering if there was a way around that.

Is it possible for me to create a subgroup using aux outputs and an extra channel, and still have it sound good?
What I'm thinking is of having 4 drum channels run into an aux prefade, and then run the aux output into a single channel. Since it's prefade, I'd set the fader to off and use the aux controls for the volume to the 'subgroup' and then use the channel fader for the volume to feed it to the master mix. If I want to send it to an external device like a recorder, I can use the direct out. If I don't want it in the master mix, I can run the fader off and feed a prefade aux output to an external device.

So is this possible without sounding bad? Or am I missing something here? Forgive me if this shows my ignorance, but I'm open to remedying that.

 

[MuzikMan]

I don't know but I'm going to go along for the ride.

 

[projectMalamute]

You could do that.

Unless you have a pressing reason to run the FOH stereo you do in fact have two groups with that mixer.

Those are good little mixers.

 

[SteveC]

You could also get a little 4-6 channel mixer for the drums. A bit of a pain, but pretty affordable.

 

[uhdinator]

You can do the aux sends back to a channel.

If running mono. Pan drums left everything else right. Use the L/R masters as subs that are hard wired to the mono out fader.

You dont gain anything by running stereo for live gigs except spending more on cables, stereo EQ's etc. Most live stuff is all done mono.

 

[jive1]

Never thought about panning left and right. I guess it would work for live use. But for recording purposes, I'd still want to do it in stereo.

 

[uhdinator]

Recording I go direct outs for every channel. You never get a good stereo recording of the mains in live gigs.
When you mix guitar you are blending the PA with Stage volume so instruments are not always needed as loud on mixer as the vocals. What you will get is a recording with vocals too loud.

Better off using 2 pre fade auxes for left right if stereo recording. Then panning to use sub groups does not effect it anyway.

 

[KeithAlanK]

Using aux outs for anything but is going to bite you in the ass eventually.
Once you start using monitors and outboard efx's, the available aux outs become a precious commodity. I use all 6 of mine.
Get a board with submixes, or deal with having to move more than 1 fader at a time.

 

[TimmyP]

Learn to live without subgroups. I seldom adjust mine from 0 anyway. The superior channel EQ of the MW is of far more value than subgroups.