Audio mixer newbie question

D

David W. Richardson

Chapelgrove Films
Gonna show my ignorance here....

Are the "Monitor" and "Aux" outputs on a Soundcraft EPM-8 pre-mix? It seems like the only mixed output I can get comes from the two XLR outputs labeled "Mix-1" and "Mix-2". Are these the only two mixed outputs? (Would make sense since they're the only ones labeled 'Mix'.)
 
Generally, Aux and Monitor are separate mixes. The "monitor" knob on the channel feed the "monitor" out. Some mixers have a switch to decide which buss the Aux knob feeds, monitor or aux.

And again, generally - the "monitor" mix is used for musicians to hear themselves or for the control room, while "Aux" is usually used to feed an effect (like reverb).

So if the Mon or Aux knobs on each channel are down, you'll get no sound from those busses.
 
Excellent info, Michael. Thanks!

We'd had our amplifier connected to the monitor out at one point, the aux out at another. I noticed when that was done, the house speakers no longer responded to the master "MIX" faders. Now it makes a lot more sense.

Looking at the mixer, though, I don't see any "monitor" knob on the channels. I do see knobs for "Aux 1" and "Aux 2". And there is a single knob, apart from the channels, that controls monitor gain as a whole.

Thanks again!
 
The EPM8 has two AUX knobs on each channel, and you can use the switches on the right side to select whether these are pre- or post-fader. Quite a versatile setup since you could use one of these instead of a traditional monitor feed.

However, it looks to me like the "monitor" outputs on this particular mixer are just a duplicate of the main outs, intended for a set of control room monitor speakers, not musician's monitors. There is a separate overall volume control for these (next to the headphone level knob) but no way to set up a custom mix in the monitor outs.

I'm pretty amazed at what this little mixer can do for $250 or so ...

- Greg
 
Greg Smith said:
The EPM8 has two AUX knobs on each channel, and you can use the switches on the right side to select whether these are pre- or post-fader. Quite a versatile setup since you could use one of these instead of a traditional monitor feed.

However, it looks to me like the "monitor" outputs on this particular mixer are just a duplicate of the main outs, intended for a set of control room monitor speakers, not musician's monitors. There is a separate overall volume control for these (next to the headphone level knob) but no way to set up a custom mix in the monitor outs.

I'm pretty amazed at what this little mixer can do for $250 or so ...

- Greg
Click to expand...

Does this mean that I could set the aux to post-fade and then use the two 1/4" aux outputs to connect my amplifier? Or is the XLR "Mix" out still the best way to go?
 
I wish it had separate 'phantom power' buttons for each input, though. What if some of the mics require phantom and some don't? Is that going to present any problem?
 
Aux's are essentially separate mixes. If it's pre fader then it is really separate from the main mix, if it's post fader then it's a variation of the main mix. Often aux's are used to send sound out to FX and such and then it comes back in through the "return" jacks. This mixer doesn't have any return inputs so you would bring the return back through a channel (just make sure not to turn up the aux send on that channel). This mixer also has inserts on all of the mono channels and the main outs. You need a special cable to use these. It looks like a "stereo" TRS on one end and splits out to two mono unbalanced plugs on the other end. One of those plugs will be the send and one will be the return.

As to Phantom power. Most mics don't have a problem with phantom power even if they don't need it. Ribbon mics though in general will not be happy if connected to phantom power, as in it can destroy the ribbon requiring you to have a shop replace the ribbon, $$$$. But the odds that you will see a ribbon mic at the church are really small so I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Different manufacturers (and areas) use different terminology. Mackie for instance refers to them "Auxiliary" sends (Aux) and in some instances are fixed pre or post fader selectable. The more elaborate consoles have individual per-channel pre/post assigning. Some are named 'Monitor' or 'Foldback' and are typcally pre-fader. Effects (FX, Reverb or Echo) sends are normally post-fader. in any case, 'a mixer within a mixer' as Scott stated.
 
I think I get it. So the main mix can feed the house speakers, and the aux mix can feed an audio recorder, for instance. I've seen many discussions about how to record good sound of a live band playing a gig, and they often talk about how the house mix might sound great for the room, but be terrible if fed to a recorder. So this could be one way around that issue, right?
 
David W. Richardson said:
I think I get it. So the main mix can feed the house speakers, and the aux mix can feed an audio recorder, for instance. I've seen many discussions about how to record good sound of a live band playing a gig, and they often talk about how the house mix might sound great for the room, but be terrible if fed to a recorder. So this could be one way around that issue, right?
Click to expand...

Here's why the house mix won't record well for a band:

Things like voices and acoustic guitars rely strictly on amplification in the house. Things like drums, bass, keys, and electric guitars are loud of their own accord (bass, keys, and electric guitars having their own power amps on stage, though keys may be patched directly into the system putting them with vocals and acoustic guitars) and require far less extra "push" through the house mix. So, a recording of the main mix buss will be heavy on vocals, acoustic instruments, and possibly keys, and everything else will be weak in the mix.

So, yes, an auxiliary mix allows creation of an independent, custom mix dedicated to the recorder. Pre-fader or post-fader? Well, pre-fade aux mix stays put (unless the input gain/trim is adjusted), and any adjustments to the house mix have no effect on the aux mix. Post-fader, anything that is adjusted in the house mix will affect the aux mix.

Likewise, an aux buss can be used to create a custom mix for your camera.

Your main mix should feed the house. Do you have a monitor feed for musicians or for an assitive listening system? Your aux mixes come in handy there, too.

By the way, while it is far from ideal, a recording from the main mix can yield palpable results if mixed with a stereo recording of the room. In other words, record four tracks - the mix from the board, plus two mics in recording the room - and mix them to taste in post. This isn't a guaranteed solution, and it depends on several factors (the band, the house mix, the room itself), but when you're strapped for discrete mix outputs and you need a recording that's at least somewhat okay, this can be a plan B.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top