D.I. question

[Athox]

Would the optimal solution be to have one pair of DI unit for each synth before running them into my own submixer, then have another pair of DI units before sending it to the PA mix? Or should I just send keys to my submix and then have DI only between that and PA?

When I say pair, I assume DI boxes work in mono mode, so i'd need two. I saw this thing with 4 channels on it, I'll probably get two of those if it helps then. :tongue:

One of my synths are not connected to earth (Go Yamaha!), but the other two are. My submixer does not connect to earth either, strangely enough. I'm considering getting one that does, though.

[HammondToby]

Why would you want to balance the signal before you go into your submixer? You would have to use the mic preamps of your mixer and usually they aren't the best in small format consoles.

Most of the time, I go into the line input of my submix with all my keys. Use the stereo subgroup to send the keymix to the DI. There, the signal will be splittet: the balanced signal is for FOH, the split out goes back to my submix and is (with other signals) for my monitoring. You only have to watch with your routing, that you don't get feedbacks, that's all.

So, I'd say, one (stereo) DI is enough.

Best regards
HammondToby

[Grey Loki]

In addition, do yourself a favour and don't buy a Behringer DI - they look like silver doorstops, and sound like them, too :P

In the southwest UK, there's a company called Orchid that hand-craft very very very good DI boxes that come with a lifetime guarantee.

If you can't get hold of one, try and pick up a Radial box, or something based on the Jensen transformer design ;)


Hope this helps.

[Omega Monkey]

Yeah, buying DI boxes for all your synths just to run to your onstage mixer would be completely pointless. just run the regular instrument (1/4") cables from the keys to the mixer, and then get 2 DI's or a stereo DI box and use that to run from your mixer to FOH.

Im not sure what Toby is on about. Sounds overly complicated and unnecessary to "run back in" to your own mixer, after all, the signal is already there and you can run it to whatever you want.

[HammondToby]

It's quite easy:

I have a Mackie 1402 VLZ. Synths going into the stereo channels and are routet to the subgroup (alt 3/4) > DI > FOH

The splitout is going into channels 1 and 2 (NOT routet to the subgroup), the monitor mix is going into channels 3 and 4, ambience mics to 5 and 6. So I have my keyboard submix for FOH and my complete InEar mix (keyboard EQing completly independent from the FOH signals) on one small desk and under my full controll. With loud monitoring, cancel the ambience mics and there you go ;-)

Sounds complicated, but it's very conveniant, if you're used to work this way.

Best
HammondToby

[el mae de las teclas]

Hi!!
Related to this subject, wouldnt it be the same of instead of using a DI box between the personal mixer and the House mixer, to use the XLR outputs of the personal mixer? After all those are balanced outputs....
Am I wrong here?

Andrés

[Grey Loki]

Hi!!
Related to this subject, wouldnt it be the same of instead of using a DI box between the personal mixer and the House mixer, to use the XLR outputs of the personal mixer? After all those are balanced outputs....
Am I wrong here?

Andrés

It depends - desks output line level signal from their mix bus, whereas the XLR inputs on most desks are only capable of receiving microphone level.

[el mae de las teclas]

Ok, so what you mean is that besides the fact of being XLR type, the signal level they transport is too hot to handle for mic inputs on the house mixer right? I guess I finnaly discovered why on concerts I always have to turn down the main level of my mixer while on rehearsals I always keep it in nominal (0db), stupid me........

O well, I love the fact that I can learn many things from this forum always!

[rex18]

It's quite easy:

I have a Mackie 1402 VLZ. Synths going into the stereo channels and are routet to the subgroup (alt 3/4) > DI > FOH

The splitout is going into channels 1 and 2 (NOT routet to the subgroup), the monitor mix is going into channels 3 and 4, ambience mics to 5 and 6. So I have my keyboard submix for FOH and my complete InEar mix (keyboard EQing completly independent from the FOH signals) on one small desk and under my full controll. With loud monitoring, cancel the ambience mics and there you go ;-)

Sounds complicated, but it's very conveniant, if you're used to work this way.

Best
HammondToby

Just wondering which DI do you use?

[HammondToby]

I'm using two BSS AR-133. Quite expencive, but worth the money. Most of the professional sound guys in my area use them, so I integrated them into my rack.

BSS AR-133 at musicians friend (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/BSS-Audio-AR133-Active-DI-Box-Line-Balancer?sku=186309)

Alternatively, I've got some Palmer PAN 04... a bit cheaper but good sound quality. Not qiute as clear as the BSS, but much better than Behringers or other cheaper stuff.

Best regards
HammondToby