Hooking up to my PA

[Charlie Brown]

Next weekend a band wish to hook up to my PA.



I would like to hook up to your PA, if that’s possible. It’ll be me, bass (which will have its own amp, so no need to worry about that) and drums – which will be loud enough anyway. I’ll need a mike and a jack input. If you’ve got a second mike to pick up the acoustic guitar (as well as the jack input) that gives a fuller sound – but that’s icing on the cake!

I will be running a Denon DNX 500 and a pair of Mackies with a sub.

Will this be possible with the Denon?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You are joking?

Are you charging them?

What guarantees do you have they won't damage anything?

If they are a band, why don't they have a vocal P.A.?

[NXDisco]

I'm not too sure. In my experience, its probably better using a separate mixer, ideally one that is used for live PA and not a DJ mixer.

I have a Spirit Notepad your welcome to borrow if you arrange courier to pick it up etc. Its quiet light so shouldn't be too much.

[wensleydale]

Aside from the "will they damage my equipment" and whether it's right or wrong to do this, it sounds as if all they need is one or ideally 2 mics, which is possible as I believe the Denon has inputs for a main mic and an aux mic.
You can either let them have one, or have 2 and Charlie go without a mic whilst they are on (which I know is not ideal).

[Charlie Brown]

You are joking?

Are you charging them?

What guarantees do you have they won't damage anything?

If they are a band, why don't they have a vocal P.A.?

No, I'm not joking. :lol:

Remember the music thread about my old English teacher? He is in a wee band (for fun) with two other friends. They want to do a set whilst people nibble on the scotch eggs and overly buttered ham sandwiches.

[funkymook]

Next weekend a band wish to hook up to my PA.
I will be running a Denon DNX 500 and a pair of Mackies with a sub.

Will this be possible with the Denon?

I think there's a few threads on this already.

But personally I say no for various reasons - if it sounds rubbish it's down to you! If they blow anything, you'll be left limping along the rest of the night. DJ mixer isn't really that useful for vocals and acoustic (better having a bit of reverb etc). You'll be obliged to be there whenever the band want to set up for sound checking and fiddling with your mixer while you should be concentrating on your own set-up.

A polite way to say no is to say your insurance doesn't cover your equipment for 3rd party use.

[Charlie Brown]

I can't say no! I asked him if he wanted to use my system to save him setting up etc. I didn't want him faffing around with gear, when he is meant to be enjoying himself.

Kinda wish I didn't now.

Perhaps Peter will be able to help. The call centre he setup for Denon mixers, worked a treat last time. ;)

[funkymook]

I can't say no! I asked him if he wanted to use my system to save him setting up etc. I didn't want him faffing around with gear, when he is meant to be enjoying himself.

Kinda wish I didn't now.

Perhaps Peter will be able to help. The call centre he setup for Denon mixers, worked a treat last time. ;)

You can still get back and say you double checked your insurance and it doesn't allow it and you're ever so sorry for being a :muppet: :D

Otherwise have you got a spare back-up speaker to put them through instead of your main system? And check what mixer they have, would be better if they could use that instead of yours.

It's great to be helpful and offer to do these things Charlie, but they often end up being more trouble than they're worth unless you have the right equipment and you know what you're doing!

[DAVESOUNDS SERVICES]

And dont forget the vocal mike will probably need a bit
of reverb too!

do i read that as 1 mike / 1 jack (line) plus another mike for the accoustic?
cheers

[mattydinx]

If you have access to a normal mixer (one designed for this kinda thing) I'd run everything through that. Connect it straight to your PA then run your DJ mixer through that desk.

That's the setup my band uses - Having said that, I'm the one in charge of the mixer at the gigs we do.
If they do have their own mixer and you used the same setup - I'd keep a keen eye on their master fader and output levels to your PA.

[Charlie Brown]

If you have access to a normal mixer (one designed for this kinda thing) I'd run everything through that. Connect it straight to your PA then run your DJ mixer through that desk.

That's the setup my band uses - Having said that, I'm the one in charge of the mixer at the gigs we do.
If they do have their own mixer and you used the same setup - I'd keep a keen eye on their master fader and output levels to your PA.

Thanks Matt. Makes sense.

So, it's not possible for me to do this with a Denon mixer?

[Excalibur]

Next weekend a band wish to hook up to my PA.




I will be running a Denon DNX 500 and a pair of Mackies with a sub.

Will this be possible with the Denon?

Short answer, NO!
Medium answer, it's possible, but I would strongly suggest that you don't do it.
Long answer, you want a FOH mixer to pile everything into, band, your Denon, the whole shooting match. EQ on all channels, kill switches, as a minimum. Then you probably want a bigger PA. With subs at least. Last but not least, you want a significant financial contribution from the act.


Edit: Matty is on the money with his advice, Charlie. You can lend a comedian a spare mic with the type of kit we use, but that's it.

[Charlie Brown]

I could understand if they were a proper paid act but they're not!



Remember the music thread about my old English teacher? He is in a wee band (for fun) with two other friends. They want to do a set whilst people nibble on the scotch eggs and overly buttered ham sandwiches.

They are used to running a small system. They do it for a bit of fun - nothing serious?

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well what are you asking for then? You obviously have made your mind up.

[Excalibur]

They are used to running a small system. They do it for a bit of fun - nothing serious?

Then let them bring in their "small system". It's designed for what they do. As a general rule, DJ kit isn't. ( unless you're one of the sizeable number on here who DJ with a sixteen channel FOH mixer )

[wensleydale]

Short answer, NO!
Medium answer, it's possible, but I would strongly suggest that you don't do it.
Long answer, you want a FOH mixer to pile everything into, band, your Denon, the whole shooting match. EQ on all channels, kill switches, as a minimum. Then you probably want a bigger PA. With subs at least. Last but not least, you want a significant financial contribution from the act.


Edit: Matty is on the money with his advice, Charlie. You can lend a comedian a spare mic with the type of kit we use, but that's it.

I disagree slightly here- it is possible.
It's not ideal, granted, but it is possible.
There are 2 mic inputs on the Denon and the band want 2 mics.

Whilst I dont make a habit of it I worked with a singer last year who used my mic and an acoustic guitar mic'd up and it was fine. As there was no other music being played at the time I used the main eq to make it sound a little nicer, but could have coped without.

Appreciate its not an ideal way of doing it and in an ideal scenario a proper desk would be used, but Charlie asked is it possible.

It is.

[Excalibur]

Appreciate its not an ideal way of doing it and in an ideal scenario a proper desk would be used, but Charlie asked is it possible.It is.

And in the Medium answer, I stated exactly what you have just said. It's possible. I also advised against it, because I think Charlie is short on the necessary knowledge.

[TonyB]

As they are just doing for fun, I can't see a problem giving them a couple of mics. The Mackies were designed for live acts and some just plug a mic straight into them - no reverb. Reverb is an effect that isn't always necessary. Done it myself through a DJ mixer loads of time without a problem.

As a one of, I can't see a problem doing it with what you have as long as you stand over the mixer and keep an eye on the levels. An acoustic guitar and vocals are unlikely to blow anything.

You will probably need a couple of mic stands too.

[wensleydale]

And you may find that when you get there the acoustic guitar has a mic inbuilt, so it's worth taking a jack to jack cable if you have one.

[Charlie Brown]

Cool!

Thanks guys. That's all I wanted to know. I'll drop him an email explaining it's not practical etc but I can do it.

So, I just need two microphones? That's all?

[wensleydale]

Cool!

Thanks guys. That's all I wanted to know. I'll drop him an email explaining it's not practical etc but I can do it.

So, I just need two microphones? That's all?

And 2 cables.
And a jack to jack cable if you have one.
And 2 mic stands if you have access to them.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Charlie next time your unsure about being able to provide a "service" make sure you can do it and what it entails.

I'm sure it will be fine however I don't let people go through my PA after the famous drag queen incident last year!

[Charlie Brown]

And 2 cables.
And a jack to jack cable if you have one.
And 2 mic stands if you have access to them.

Thank you very much. Where will the jack to jack cable plug into?



I'm sure it will be fine however I don't let people go through my PA after the famous drag queen incident last year!

Brilliant story. :sj:

[wensleydale]

Thank you very much. Where will the jack to jack cable plug into?



Brilliant story. :sj:

Mixer to their Guitar if it has an inbuilt mic in the acoustic.

[Charlie Brown]

Mixer to their Guitar if it has an inbuilt mic in the acoustic.

Right,

Where does the jack plug into in my Denon? :)

[wensleydale]

Right,

Where does the jack plug into in my Denon? :)

Mic input on the back?
I think there's two of them isnt there?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Charlie - In case this scenario should ever arise again, why not spend (for example) £100.00 (maximum) on a little Behringer Xenyx 1202FX. I have one that I use for both Karaoke and Open Mic nights and it's perfect for them. I have also had 2 occasions last year where someone wanted to go through my system to save on space (small acoustic act). I charged an extra fee and provided 2 x Mics on stands and the leads going into their acoustic guitars. The performers were more than happy, it sounded great and I made some extra cash.

[wensleydale]

Charlie - In case this scenario should ever arise again, why not spend (for example) £100.00 (maximum) on a little Behringer Xenyx 1202FX. I have one that I use for both Karaoke and Open Mic nights and it's perfect for them. I have also had 2 occasions last year where someone wanted to go through my system to save on space (small acoustic act). I charged an extra fee and provided 2 x Mics on stands and the leads going into their acoustic guitars. The performers were more than happy, it sounded great and I made some extra cash.

Good idea- you could even get something for a fair bit less than £100-

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8544-behringer-xenyx-1002.html/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base

[NKR]

Its not something I would ever do as you are not going to get it sounding great and its not ideal. Remember its your system that will not be sounding great in front of people.

Also I wouldn't want any instruments plugged into my Denon.

Just beware the guitarist just pulling the jack out when he has finished and before you have had chance to turn his channel down. Lovely big popping noise when one did it to me and that was through a FOH desk.

[sweetie]

Good idea- you could even get something for a fair bit less than £100-

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/8544-behringer-xenyx-1002.html/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=base

british eqs ?:confused: ?!!

[mattydinx]

british eqs ?:confused: ?!!

A 3-band EQ that emulates that of British mixing consoles from the 70's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_EQ)

[Excalibur]

Charlie - In case this scenario should ever arise again, why not spend (for example) £100.00 (maximum) on a little Behringer Xenyx 1202FX. I have one that I use for both Karaoke and Open Mic nights and it's perfect for them. I have also had 2 occasions last year where someone wanted to go through my system to save on space (small acoustic act). I charged an extra fee and provided 2 x Mics on stands and the leads going into their acoustic guitars. The performers were more than happy, it sounded great and I made some extra cash.

At last, the voice of sanity.

Yes, as many of us know, it's possible to do what Charlie wants with a Denon, but a hefty chunk of knowledge and a big box of cables will help a lot.

[Digital Jack]

And a compressor..............
IMO anything that's live must go through a compressor and / or limiter, you run a big risk of speaker damage if you fail to do this simple thing.

[CRAZY K]

And a compressor..............
IMO anything that's live must go through a compressor and / or limiter, you run a big risk of speaker damage if you fail to do this simple thing.

I find use of the volume control more than adequate if things get out of hand.;)

[NKR]

And a compressor..............
IMO anything that's live must go through a compressor and / or limiter, you run a big risk of speaker damage if you fail to do this simple thing.

A desk with built in compression and a peak warning light is always good. Keeps me in control of any potential problems ;)

[Kernow]

As they're doing it for fun,and not as a pro act;) , one of these allows the mixing of 4 inputs into one output. From personal experience it works quite adequately with both mics and electro-acoustic guitars.
http://www.soundlightuk.com/shop/products/Soundlab-4-Channel-Stereo-Microphone-Mixer.html

Pic for proof :o ;)

[Excalibur]

All I can see is an unshaven git hiding behind a guitar! :p

If I remember that mixer right, it's four channel stereo, so you can make it eight mono, with the right cables.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

At the end of the day Charlie, use your DJ equipment for DJing. If you have to help people out then either charge them for using your stuff or get something in like I suggested earlier which will save you some bother. Your Mackies (as said before) will be perfect for live stuff but you won't have any speakers or anything else left that is working if you don't monitor everything.

It's easy to say "yeah you can go through my system" and try to be nice and accomodating but think about it properly.

[Kernow]

All I can see is an unshaven git hiding behind a guitar! :p

If I remember that mixer right, it's four channel stereo, so you can make it eight mono, with the right cables.

Absolutely correct :beer1: , but that means two outputs and therefore two inputs to PA.

Vocal mic & guitar ( as demonstrated in the pic, and actually using that mixer ! ;) ) only requires two mono channels.

DO NOT !!...... repeat DO NOT !! contemplate mic'ing up drums or bass players.

[Davy]

If your mixer has 2 mic channels then all you need is

2 mic's
2 decent length cables
2 stands

That's it , don't plug a guitar into a mic input on a Dj mixer but using a mic is fine .Bass player is using his own amp and drummers on an accoustic kit so no need to complicate things.


I'm in a band and have a few ways if doing things .... Small venues and large .

Small venues similar to above except we all use electric guitars and I run mine through an effects processor that I can select an accoustic sound.guitars on independent amps and accoustic kit , only thing through the main PA is vocals .

Large gigs

Same as above only we use the line outs on the guitar amps or mic up the amps and drums , on stage monitors for vocals and an engineer that way everything goes through the FOH


This seems like a simple gig , if they want effects tell em to bring their own kit, all there asking for is 2 mic's so no need to complicate things.I have a few desks with loads of effects and barely use the effects for vocals but it's there if I want it.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Charlie - In case this scenario should ever arise again, why not spend (for example) £100.00 (maximum) on a little Behringer Xenyx 1202FX. I have one that I use for both Karaoke and Open Mic nights and it's perfect for them.

Do you run the Behringer from a line on your disco mixer or use it separately?

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Mixer (from Master) to Behringer so that I can still play my tunes in stereo through channels 1 & 2.
Laptop to Behringer for Karaoke with Mics on channels 3 & 4.
Behringer to Amp or Actives.

[Excalibur]

Mixer (from Master) to Behringer so that I can still play my tunes in stereo through channels 1 & 2.
Laptop to Behringer for Karaoke with Mics on channels 3 & 4.
Behringer to Amp or Actives.

Gary, I'm confused. :daft: :daft: Can you not run your DJ mixer as normal into one channel on the Berry, leaving all the rest of the Berry for live acts, control of your bit on the DJ mixer, and the output of the Berry into your PA? Simplest way in my opinion, but I could be missing something.

Edit: I think I've sussed what you mean. Personally, I often run the laptop into the DJ mixer,rather than the live mixer, and still run mics into the live mixer.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I know what you're saying but the Behringer I have has 12 channels so there is plenty there.
Saying that, I have a new Vestax mixer which has a seperate dedicated input on the front of it for laptop connection so next time I do Karaoke I may use that and see what it's like.

[Charlie Brown]

It worked a treat. Sounded really good!

Thanks guys.

[Excalibur]

It worked a treat. Sounded really good!

Thanks guys.

Glad to hear it Charlie, a day without learning...........:D :D