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Newby setting up PA Rack...what order does this stuff go in

troy mcclure

troy mcclure

Mar 5, 2007
3,299
931
Central Florida
#1
I have run powered board set ups before with built in effects but now am outting together a rack for my rock cover band.

Mixer
compressor
vocal effects
stereo eq
optional exciter

Obviously the mixer goe first..in which order should I put the other racks?

Do they all chain through each other or are they fed seperate feeds?

Thanks..I got 2 weeks to get the cabling correct.
 
#2
troy mcclure said:
I have run powered board set ups before with built in effects but now am outting together a rack for my rock cover band.

Mixer
compressor
vocal effects
stereo eq
optional exciter

Obviously the mixer goe first..in which order should I put the other racks?

Do they all chain through each other or are they fed seperate feeds?

Thanks..I got 2 weeks to get the cabling correct.
Click to expand...

Mixer ---> EQ ---> Compressor... I think :hiding:
Run the effects through the effects loop.
 
#3
The exciter can be used to prop open the door for load in. With everything else it depends on what you are trying to do.

What vocal effects are we talking about here? If it's something effect-y that is specific to the lead vocal I'd put it in that channel insert. If we are just talking about some delay/reverb I'd feed it with an aux and return to a channel strip.

I'd use one side of the EQ on the main mix and one on whatever is the touchiest monitor mix. If you have insert points for the sends you could put it there, or you could put it in line.

What are you using the compressor for? If I only have one compressor it's usually on the kick drum, but not always. It would be in a channel insert, if anywhere. Maybe just let the mixer side of an insert cable dangle so it can float.
 
#5
#8
a general rule for sound stuff is that if you don't know what something is for, you don't need it.

that list of stuff doesn't all go in one order.

the main out of the board goes through the EQ, then on to the crossover and the amps.

the compressor is good for vocals (it lets you get them up loud without peaks getting too loud), but if you can't "insert" it (or don't know what that means), skip it.

effects are not "in line" with that other stuff. they get fed by an "aux" out ("send"), which gets fed back in to the board afterwords into an open channel or into an "aux return". if you have only one, make it a delay for the vocals. if you have 2 (with 2 separate auxes), do one delay for vox and one reverb for drums and other acoustic instruments.

+1 to maximizers and exciters as doorstops.
 
#9
Agree with Walter.
Compressors go where needed--and in my experience they are most valuable on the lead vocal, then the kick drum, unless someone else in your band has horrible dynamics that need controlling more.

* * * * * * * * * *

WayneP said:


Mixer --> Compressor --> EQ, actually. The compressor tries to “quash” signal peaks, so it will tend to minimize the effects of equalization if it's after the EQ.
Click to expand...
Only if you're a fan of boosting on the main EQ.
If you're a "cutter" like me, the compressor will squash the signal based on information that you didn't want anyway.
I used to cut out the junk and mud first, then the comp only saw and reacted to the frequencies that I was actually interested in .
The difference doesn't much matter as long as you're very aware of it and respond accordingly, although it was only after extensive testing that I decided to EQ first.


I haven't compressed my mains in over ten years and get a much more open and natural sound this way, although a limiter is used for protection against a-holes and accidents.
 
#10
 
#11
hey look at that, a big fat pile of knowledge! nice.

putting a compressor on the whole mix just creates weirdness; when one guy sings really loud, the rest of the entire band mix will drop in volume, then come back up (called "pumping" or "breathing"). also, compressors aren't "free", in that they can color the sound a little. pushing the whole band through one might lose you some fidelity on your overall mix.
 
#12
Stumbo said:
Here are a few links the the OP may wish to peruse along with other interested TB'rs:

~PA/Lighting
First P.A.
1 What size?
2
Configuring
Placing Subs
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
1 Upgrading
2

1What mixer is your band runnin'?
2
QSC K series PA discussion
Microphones

Low cost lighting

~FOH
Working with the "sound guy"
Cheap vs. Expensive DI
Working a DI
1 Learn live sound mixing
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Link Removed
Frequency ranges of band instruments
Link Removed
FOH vs. on-stage sound
Solving odd feed back situations
Isolating Head/Cabs from stage/each other
Link Removed

Best wireless?
First P.A.
Click to expand...

Great source, thanks for sharing this instead of opening all the threads searching on how to set up a PA rack etc.
 
#13
Thanks.
I am using an older mackie board. CR 1604.Beringer 4 channel gate compreesors and a lexicon mx400.
I believe I am going to run each channel with a seperate gate/compressor on mics to kill feedback chances, then chain into 4 channel effects rack for the vocal mikes then back into the return.
Going to use another gated compressor on kick drum, then eg it and back in return of that channel.
I am wiring tomorrow, I will let you know how it sounds.
 
#14
troy mcclure said:
I believe I am going to run each channel with a seperate gate/compressor on mics to kill feedback chances, then chain into 4 channel effects rack for the vocal mikes then back into the return.
Click to expand...
huh? kill feedback exactly how?

just gate your kick mic to keep it from booming out too long and to stop the bass guitar getting in it. gates on vocals at this level don't really work. if you have toms in the mains then gating them a little can help with long ringing, too. (don't gate the snare.)

compressing (not gating) vocals a little is nice for a more even mix.

and what does "chain into 4 channel effects rack for the vocal mikes" mean?

troy mcclure said:
Going to use another gated compressor on kick drum, then eg it and back in return of that channel.
I am wiring tomorrow, I will let you know how it sounds.
Click to expand...
you mean a gate and an EQ inserted into that channel's "insert" jack? that can work, but is a bit excessive.

one 4-channel gate should be all you need for kick and toms, though.
 

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