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Mixer/Amp Configuration

gazza501

gazza501

Guest
Jul 25, 2015
5
1
54
#1
Hi

A few months ago I bought my daughter a cheap electric bass guitar and practice amp. She's really taken to it and set up a band with a few friends (guitarist, drummer and lead vocals). They played a 10 minute set at an open air youth festival the other week and it was great, apart from the fact that none of them had any decent equipment. As a treat for doing well in her mock exams I bought her a Behringer 180W Ultrabass amp which she loves. This didn't solve the problem for the band though, and when I spotted a second-hand Phonics Powerpod K-12 mixer going cheap I snapped it up. I thought it would simply be a case of everyone plugging in to the mixer, but it seems I've overlooked some technical issues regarding the instruments. Do I need DI boxes for the guitars and, if so do I need active or passive? Ideally she would still utilize her bass amp, but when I connect the line out from that to the mixer, I get no signal. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

Gazza
 
#2
From what little research I did that bass amp may have a DI (xlr) out and a line out. Use the DI with a mic cable. The channel gain knob is where to start. Raise the level with the knob and stop before clipping. Is there an clipping indicator? Do you have mixer manual? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Then raise channel fader and master faders. When working with the guitars and keys you may need to engage or disengage the pad button to acomodate different signal levels. Best to start with all faders down so no big surprises. Behringer does make the GI100 the has a switched 4x12 cab simulation and cab be used either between guitar and amp or between amp and speaker. somewhere near $40 (kinda red box clone) but try guitars direct first using the gain knob and the pad unengaged (out typically).
 
#3
Thank you for your advice.

I have tried the bass guitar direct to the mixer and I get no signal. I have tried the bass guitar in to the bass amp the line out in to the mixer and the mixer gets no signal. Yes there's a DI out. I have an XLR to 1/4 inch cable I tried and the mixer gets no signal. Unfortunately I don't have an XLR to XLR cable but I guess I'd better order one and try it out. You think, failing that I should get a DI box? The one you've suggested is active - is that important? I prefer the price of the Behringer DI400P which is passive.

Thanks again

Gary
 
#5
Backtracking a bit...Is this board labelled "powered mixer" and did it come with speakers? Speakers plug into "main out". I agree with verifying that it works by using a mic and a cable that are known to be in good working order. Try all channels.
I agree that running guitars through the board is not the ideal way but I have managed to get a very good sound doing so with Guitar --->Pedal Board--->DI--->Mixer. Of course there won't be speaker interaction but given you situation and what you are trying to accomplish it may just work until the kids all get day jobs and buy vintage Marshall stacks.

edit: make sure the mute switch is disengaged and the mode switch is where you want it9 both located near mains out jacks ...at least in the picture of the 16 channel in the manual
 
#6
Hi there

Yes it's powered. I have it plugged in to some fairly hefty speakers at the moment and it sounds very good playing "CD" music. I'm going to try and get hold of an XLR cable and test the DI output of the amp before going for a DI Box. The mute is switched off and the mode switch is set to A B stereo.

Thanks again - I'll report back!

Gazza
 
#7
Rick Auricchio said:
First, are you sure the Phonic mixer is in good working order? All inputs and controls working?

And you really won't get a good sound from an electric guitar plugged into a PA; guitars really need to have dedicated amps to sound right. Bass isn't generally an issue.
Click to expand...
Hi

No I'm not sure it's in good working order. I need to establish that asap if I'm going to return it. I think at the moment any sound will do!

Thanks

Gazza
 
#8
Problem solved and mixer working fine.

Unfortunately I hadn't appreciated what a combo jack was. I had been pluggin the guitar lead in to something called an INS port which is for processors rather than the combo jack which is for either 1/4 inch or XLR! Cue the groans.

Thank you very much for your help.
 
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