DI banned by the sound guy

[DJ Bebop]

This is what I would call the first real mixer I used one time in about 82.
It had a lever to lock the built in spring reverb when transporting and a built in crossover.
View attachment 5306300

Two of the very first mixing consoles I got started on back when these were new.

Altec 1220 for live sound

Tascam Model 10 with expander for recording. Probably with a Tascam 34B or something similar.

My childhood!

 

[agedhorse]

The first real console I ever mixed FOH on (~1979):

 

[DJ Bebop]

The first real console I ever mixed FOH on (~1979):

View attachment 5309801

 

[tshapiro]

The first real console I ever mixed FOH on (~1979):

View attachment 5309801

Analog VU meters… you were spoiled

 

[agedhorse]

Analog VU meters… you were spoiled

I actually mixed on the earlier version with huge VU meters, this was the closest I could find.

Here's the bigger meters, I had never seen meters like that on a console before or since!

 

[tshapiro]

I actually mixed on the earlier version with huge VU meters, this was the closest I could find.

Here's the bigger meters, I had never seen meters like that on a console before or since!

View attachment 5310780

Nice!

 

[frankie5string]

I actually mixed on the earlier version with huge VU meters, this was the closest I could find.

Here's the bigger meters, I had never seen meters like that on a console before or since!

View attachment 5310780

Not only that, but those seem to be Simpson meters. A relative upgrade. lol.

 

[agedhorse]

Not only that, but those seem to be Simpson meters. A relative upgrade. lol.

All I remember is that they were "enormous".

 

[D.A.R.K.]

The first real console I ever mixed FOH on (~1979):

View attachment 5309801

That's awesome- I've had series 400, series 500, and there was an 800B at a venue I worked at. I mixed a lot of dub on those desks! They took a beating, too.

 

[agedhorse]

That's awesome- I've had series 400, series 500, and there was an 800B at a venue I worked at. I mixed a lot of dub on those desks! They took a beating, too.

Worked on a lot of them, but we were a Yamaha shop primarily.

 

[direwolf333]

I call BS on the sound guy. My guess is that he didn't want to fry your helix by accidentally sending it phantom power. Sending phantom power to a helix will not harm it but it's not recommended obviously. It degrades the audio if you do.

When sending a Line 6 Helix to a PA system, you should use the "Line" setting in the global menu:

Connection	Setting
Helix to PA	"Line"
Helix to stompboxes or guitar amps	"Instrument"

 

[Geri O]

Worked on a lot of them, but we were a Yamaha shop primarily.

I actually mixed on the earlier version with huge VU meters, this was the closest I could find.

Here's the bigger meters, I had never seen meters like that on a console before or since!

View attachment 5310780

Off-topic, but seeing these old Soundcrafts makes me think of the Soundcraft Series and the 3 4Ks that are sitting in a barn that haven't seen the light of day in over 10 years.

What a waste….

 

[DWBass]

Where do they find these guys?

 

[Lowbrow]

He does have levels on his board??

 

[fokof]

Sending phantom power to a helix will not harm it but it's not recommended obviously. It degrades the audio if you do.

I call BS on that

 

[GrapeBass]

Setting up for a gig the other night the sound guy refused to take a DI off my Helix and insisted i use their backline amp (a keyboard amp) that he miced up. He said the PA was worth £20k so couldn't risk the bass player blowing it.

I think he was being ridiculous, what are your insights?

While I agree he was being ridiculous, and unprofessional, I probably would haver said, "interesting, I've never had an issue in the past; but, hey, whatever you want." I'd then just carry on (shaking my head though - LOL).

 

[Azari]

Stuff like this is why I always bring my Tech 21 SansAmp BDDI to gigs. Soundguys always know what it is & are never weird about it.

 

[paskisti]

I call BS on that

Please don't. I have DG B7K and noticed that it cuts the low end if phantom is on to DI line. I called Darkglass tech support and they said it can happen depending on the impedance. That low end loss was definitely noticeable in our studio session, when phantom was on for a moment in second day. We were wondering what is going on when comparing the recorded tracks of both sessions. Luckily we noticed it before proceeding in second day.

 

[brianrost]

I think he was being ridiculous, what are your insights?

He's clueless. I'd dime the amp immediately after sound check

 

[fokof]

Please don't. I have DG B7K and noticed that it cuts the low end if phantom is on to DI line.

That's a bad design.

Run Forest , Run !!!!!