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Updated PA...doesn't sound nearly as good

#41
ficelles said:
Ok ok I know I said I wouldn't get drawn in... to my ears live sound is precisely where you hear the difference between analog and any sampled/reconstructed signal due to the inherent loss of clarity in the reconstruction process and the subsequent indistinctness at higher volume levels. So I'm sure we all know about aliasing and artifacts in D to A and how these inherent problems in the process are - supposedly - dealt with, but that's where the difference is between analog and digital. Pro sound reinforcement DSP certainly reduces this as much as possible (compare sound reinforcement DSP to the wall of indistinct mush that comes out of most guitar processors) but it's still there. Imho of course and I'm sure someone will now quote sampling rates and lossless reconstruction, but my ears still prefer the analog domain :)
Click to expand...

How much do you pay for your IEC cables or your 1/4'' cables ?
 
#42
I have my own XR18 and running old Mackie SRS1501 subs and QSC K12 tops. The first gig I did with this system I accidentally put a Compressor acrosss the FOH mains out. It was absolutely slamming the compressor - I'm talking 20dB+. A mate of mine showed up at the gig - I told him I couldn't get any level, everything sounded muddy etc. He had his iPad with him so connected to my XR18 during our first set. He found the issue, but it was slamming the comp so hard he was scared to switch it off! we waited until set break, took it off and reset the levels. The difference was night and day the following set, like someone had taken a blanket off everything.

It could be something this simple. Check eveything is ungated, uncompressed, with flat eq and start again. With things not in a rack blinking at you like old anologue systems it is easy done.
 
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#44
fokof said:
To OP:
I'd say : hire a good soundman for one gig and keep his file and start the other gigs from that File.
(Eq , gain structure, etc...)
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Thing is our bandleader is probably the best soundman in 10 counties and our sound guy is probably #2. They are the guys who get called to fix others issues lol. That's why we are ripping our hair out.

However thank you for a the input and ideas. I have said all along we are making this too complicated and that the answer is probably one dumb thing. Will take it all into consideration and post the results after the weekend.
 
#45
badstonebass said:
Thing is our bandleader is probably the best soundman in 10 counties and our sound guy is probably #2. They are the guys who get called to fix others issues lol. That's why we are ripping our hair out.

However thank you for a the input and ideas. I have said all along we are making this too complicated and that the answer is probably one dumb thing. Will take it all into consideration and post the results after the weekend.
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The X-Air mixers have the nice functionality to do a factory reset. That might be a good starting point and then very deliberately set everything that you need.

How do I reset my Behringer X-Air mixer to factory settings? | SweetCare
 
#46
ficelles said:
Not much DSP in a Venice (for example) unless you are using the firewire outs... or do you think otherwise?
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Sure, you're right about the Venice - but it's discontinued as far as I know and the only analog stuff remaining is the Verona. Everything else is completely digital, and for good reason. I think Midas know what they are doing...
 
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#48
lakefx said:
You do realize that Behringer owns Midas and uses their preamps in the X-Air series right?
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Not true

The cheap series consoles from Music group are Behringer consoles with a Midas sticker on it.

If you want a Midas preamp , you have to get your wallet out and buy a Pro-X
You'll be lucky to get an XL-42 lower than 3000$....

16 Midas preamps for under 5000?
Yeah right......
 
#49
fokof said:
Not true

The cheap series consoles from Music group are Behringer consoles with a Midas sticker on it.

If you want a Midas preamp , you have to get your wallet out and buy a Pro-X
You'll be lucky to get an XL-42 lower than 3000$....

16 Midas preamps for under 5000?
Yeah right......
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From Link Removed

"40-Input, 25-Bus Digital Mixing Console with 32 Programmable MIDAS Preamps, 25 Motorized Faders, Channel LCD's, 32-Channel Audio Interface and iPad/iPhone* Remote Control"
 
#50
They own the label , they can use it in whatever way they are pleased.

That's why Music Group bought Midas , to give a lift to their Uber bad reputation.
It works , obviously.......

My guess is that these will soon have Midas preamps too
Link Removed

:rollno:
 
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#51
fokof said:
And I wouldn't use a Behringer mixer even if you'd pay me to.
Digital or analog.
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Thankfully I am paid to... but really the Behringer X series stuff is perfectly adequate (not saying that's true of every Behringer product). The X series was a direct result of taking over Midas (as other others have stated/implied) and is quite different from other product lines.
 
#52
I agree that the Behringer X series stuff is OK for the money.
I would never use it because of the history I have with Behringer products but that's another thread.

The problem I have is with MusicGroup's marketing decision to use the Midas band name with Behringer products.
They paid big money to buy the brand name so they have all the rights to use it as much as they want but I don't drink that Kool-Aid.

In my world , a dual channel Midas preamp is around 4000$ (XL-42)
The Pro-X series IS a Midas board , the M series is a Behringer with a Midas sticker and the Behringer preamps are worlds away from having "real" Midas preamps.

But hey , if you like their Kool-Aid.....
 
#53
In most cases the Behringer gear is marketed as having "Midas designed preamps" which I interpret as meaning they are the same design but built in China with lower quality control.

In saying that, over the years I've come across a lot of Behringer gear that has worked faultlessly for years. One of my good friends owns a Behringer powered mixer and two 15" passive top boxes that are still working well after 15 years. No dead or scratchy faders or pots at all and he's not exactly careful with his gear. It's been gigged occasionally and used for a jam every week. He's just upgraded to some Yamaha DBR10 active speakers and a Soundcraft Ui12 plus Behringer Sub simply because he wanted to save room and have better sound, not because of any issue with the Behringer gear. I could go on with numerous other stories like this about their products.
 
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#54
fokof said:
But hey , if you like their Kool-Aid.....
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I agree with you regarding their marketing and the "midas" preamp issue. As for their Kool-Aid: it's palatable, but not that single malt Kool-Aid I might prefer. Apologies to the OP for the derailment... I agree with some others that as long as it is up to spec, the Behringer isn't the source of your sound issue.
 
#56
upload_2017-4-25_14-41-29.png
 

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