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inout about how to run a pa set-up

Discussion in 'Live Sound [BG]' started by TimmyGT, Jun 30, 2008.

  1. Jun 30, 2008 #1
    TimmyGT

    TimmyGT

    May 19, 2008
    so I have a mixer and amp that I use for my pa system and I was thinking about selling my combo units that I just use for the line out on it anyway. what I wanted to know was with having the pa for the power can I get just a pre-amp that I can run into the mixer or should I buy a head unit and just use the line out and not us the internal amp?
     
  2. Jun 30, 2008 #2
    Deacon_Blues

    Deacon_Blues

    Feb 11, 2007
    Finland
    That's what a preamp is for. You should be just fine running a preamp straight into the mixer. Can't think of a reason why it wouldn't work.
     
  3. Jun 30, 2008 #3
    TimmyGT

    TimmyGT

    May 19, 2008
    ok, good! because I have never even known what a pre-amp is let alone seen one but as my gear kept changing I am learning what other things I'm able to do/use.
     
  4. Jun 30, 2008 #4
    TimmyGT

    TimmyGT

    May 19, 2008
    how about brands to look for or stay away from? I would want one for both my bass and guitar!
     
  5. Jun 30, 2008 #5
    Deacon_Blues

    Deacon_Blues

    Feb 11, 2007
    Finland
    I've never used separate preamps, but I've heard people talking good about SansAmp and Radial preamps, but there are other brands as well. Try out a few different models and see which one you like the most.

    I would not recommend the same preamp for both bass and guitar. I have a guitar preamp, a Hughes & Kettner Tubeman, and you can't get a decent bass sound with it, I've tried. Also, most effect pedals meant for guitars don't work well for bass. If you want to use the same for both, go for a bass preamp.

    EDIT: Just make sure the preamp has a DI out. (I guess most preamp have one but with my limited experience with separate preamps I can't say that's always the case). You use the DI out to connect the pedal with the mixer.
     
  6. Jun 30, 2008 #6
    TimmyGT

    TimmyGT

    May 19, 2008
    yeah, I was looking at the tech 21 SansAmp RPM for the guitar and RBI for the bass. has anyone used these preamps before and would use them again if they had to do it again?
     
  7. Jul 1, 2008 #7
    TimmyP

    TimmyP

    Nov 4, 2003
    Indianapolis, IN
    The best DI values IME are the Radial ProDI (passive) and Pro48 (active - the best for passive instruments). If your mixer has decent channel EQ, you should not need a preamp at all. If the EQ that best suits the house does not work in the monitors, just wye the DI into two channels - one for the house and one for monitors.
     
  8. Jul 1, 2008 #8
    TimmyGT

    TimmyGT

    May 19, 2008
    the mixer is just a cheap behringer and only has an EQ on the 2 channels I use for the mics. do the preamps your talking about not have any EQ at all?
     
  9. Jul 1, 2008 #9
    danders

    danders

    Mar 19, 2007
    Forest Grove, OR
    You can run straight from the bass into the mixer by using a DI box. Radial builds some good ones as others have suggested; use a passive DI like the ProDI on an active instrument and an active DI like the J48 on a passive instrument.

    A preamp is also an option instead of a DI box. The preamp will add some sound shaping control so you can alter what the board is receiving. I generally use a Radial ProDi when playing through a PA and use a through line on the DI to a smaller amp and cab that serve as a stage monitor. It doesn't have to be too loud as the PA is handling most of what the audience hears and for better or worse, the sound guys are setting eq for that.

    I also have a separate power and preamp set up which consists of a BBE BMax-T preamp and QSC power amp. I really like the tone I get from it but it's also considerably more money than just a DI box. If you don't see yourself needing the tone shaping EQ and other functionality of a preamp, I'd say buy a good DI box and be done with it.

    Dave