no mixer

[Thames Valley Discos]

is there anyway without a mixer of connecting say a pc to amp? i think not, but what i,m kinda getting at is. Is there a way of not carrying a backup mixer all the time.:beer1:

[leighinstoke]

Yup - simply wire direct into the amp with relevant cables and connectors and use mixer on PC to control levels - you can often also plug a mic into the PC and get that to output along with your playback package.

[Thames Valley Discos]

can you really?educate me. so my sound card has phono outputs, would a connector that converts phono to xlr just plug straight into amp?

[leighinstoke]

As to what? The PC to amp or mic?

[Thames Valley Discos]

As to what? The PC to amp or mic?
sound card to amp and mic

[leighinstoke]

PC to amp - well basically leave out the mixer - and connect the two together - if your amp input is balanced inputs you will have to convert to unbalanced (can't remember how at this exact moment!) then simply set an amp level and then the output level of your PC and you're off. Used this in the past when doing corporate AV when the first thing you setup is the kettle and the second thing is the sound system so you can have some music while setting up.

As for the mic - using the relevant leads again sometimes unbalanced - this depends on the PC as I've seen some which will let the mic audio pass through as 'mixed' audio with other sources (wave, line, CD, midi, etc) whereas other's wont - so it's a case of try it.

Leigh...

[funkymike]

Yes you can connect a pc straight to a amp, just plug it in, works fine, if you use say sam 3 you can also plug a mic into the pc.

As for a mixer going down, unless its a drink, I would have thought highly unlikely.

[BeerFunk]

Yep, sound card output should be line level.

Someone toppled a drink over the booth I was DJing in on NYE, it was lemonade and something - all over the left hand side of the mixer. The image of the fizzing bubbles all down the mixer still sticks in my mind :eek:

Anyway, unbelieveably enough, it didn't short out the mixer! The right hand channel worked perfectly, and the left hand side had 'stuttered' sound. Luckily it was the last track, and I got away with it.

By the way, it was the club's installed mixer, and this pic (http://www.belter.eclipse.co.uk/31-12-06-A.jpg) should explain that they really had it coming to them! (I discovered it wasn't the first time, and I'm not surprised really)

[Dragonfly]

eeewww someone left a sample next to the mixer thats just dirty lolol

[Corabar Steve]

That's put me right off my cider!

[DMX Will]

You can connect directly, although you may find your can't get as much volume out of it as you would normally. I presume chucking two pre-amps (one per channel) in before it hits the Amp would be a solution.

This will also depend on your amp, as the bigger power amps require a louder input to do their job properly.

[BeerFunk]

I presume chucking two pre-amps (one per channel) in before it hits the Amp would be a solution.
You might as well take a spare mixer! :)


This will also depend on your amp, as the bigger power amps require a louder input to do their job properly.
All power amps are designed for a line level input, regardless of their power rating

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You might as well take a spare mixer! :)




I was just thinking that!

I have one of these (http://www.decks.co.uk/products/mixers/behringer/dx626) in a 10" flightcase for backup and the whole lot cost me less than £100 and takes no room whatsoever!

[Paul James Promotions]

This will also depend on your amp, as the bigger power amps require a louder input to do their job properly.

Incorrect :( :D

[DMX Will]

This will also depend on your amp, as the bigger power amps require a louder input to do their job properly.

In regard to "bigger power amps" being your rack mounted PA amp, and your NOT "bigger power amps" being a Hi-Fi Amp.

[BeerFunk]

In regard to "bigger power amps" being your rack mounted PA amp, and your NOT "bigger power amps" being a Hi-Fi Amp.
Still don't know what you mean, they still all accept line level inputs as standard, unless it's a really old amp, where it might only have phono inputs :)

The only difference might be due to input sensitivity/impedance, but that is not related to the power of the amp - only the quality

[sleah]

corporate AV when the first thing you setup is the kettle and the second thing is the sound system so you can have some music while setting up.
Leigh...

I think you mean have some music while the kettle boils, make a brew, drink the brew, THEN setting up :D

Yes you can of course connect direct to a power amp, but outputs from a sound card, especially lappys, is notoriously low, so a second cheapo mixer would be a better option. Also PC mic ins are particuly nasty, and how would you quickly bring the music level down and up anyway......

Just carry a second mixer!!!!!!

[symo]

Decent soundcard should give you either XLR or 1/4" jacks to output to.

[BeerFunk]

I've never seen a soundcard with either 1/4" or XLR outputs - 3.5mm or digital coax maybe...

Remember, soundcards are not designed primarily for use with PA gear :)

[axeman]

and how would you quickly bring the music level down and up anyway......

by using the computers software, pcdj or whatever you use, also the mic level could be controlled (basically) using the pc software too. although i wouln't fancy the situation, it would get you by.

[symo]

I've never seen a soundcard with either 1/4" or XLR outputs - 3.5mm or digital coax maybe...

Remember, soundcards are not designed primarily for use with PA gear :)
A decent soundcard should also let you specify the output. On mine last night (EMU 1212M mounted on PCI card) the software can switch the gain between -10 and +4.

[sleah]

by using the computers software, pcdj or whatever you use, also the mic level could be controlled (basically) using the pc software too. although i wouln't fancy the situation, it would get you by.

Exactly my point. I doubt any PC mixer has auto gain for the mic (i.e. music goes down when you speak), so would really want to be leaning over using a mouse to carefully pull down a fader which in reality is only about 2inches long, whilst you make a witty comment and/or be changing tracks??:confused:

Stick to a real mixer, I say :)