recording concert using output PA system

P

proy

New member
I'm recording and providing sound for a small concert in a couple weeks. I have a PA system that has 6 input and 4 output sources from the PA. I will be running a CD with music through the system along with one vocal mic and mixing the two using the EQ on the PA system.

The main output are the speaker output, a main input/output for connecting another amplifier to the PA system, a monitor output, and RCA record output. This is my first time trying to record out of the PA system into my DVX100. According to my PA manual, the Main line out is post EQ, my monitor out is Pre-EQ and my Record out is also post EQ. I would prefer to record from the Main line out instead of the RCA record output if possible, the connection is easier because I don't have to deal with RCA to XLR connection

I tested inputing an audio signal from the Main out line directly into the DVX and it worked fine, but even though the PA manual says that the audio signal from the Main out line is at line level not speaker level, I found that the audio level into the DVX was still bouncing in the red zone. If I reduce the L and R audio input, then I can balance the audio signal coming in better but I lose all audio in my headphone even if I increase the headphone audio to it's maximum.

The audio section in the DVX manual is rather short and I'm wondering if there is a way to better control the volume of the audio into the DVX and control the headphone level.

Maybe there is better way to do this. Appreciate any help you can provide.
 
A somewhat misleading thing (I think) with the DVX audio level display is that it turns red at a fairly low level (-12db). To me, the display seems to imply that you should stay below the red which will probably give you a low recording. I try to set levels to peak at 2 or 3 segments into the red but that's just my own guideline. You always need to keep enough headroom to handle the audio dynamics at the time. The last thing you want it to hit the far right limit which means you're clipping.

As for which output to use off of your mixer, I would probably use the RCA recording outputs. If you check the main outputs of your mixer, they are typically spec'd at +4dBu. The line level inputs of the DVX is spec'd at 0dBu. RCA record line outputs are typically -10dBV (-7.8dBu). I would feel better staying on the low side of the DVX input spec. YMMV Check your equipment specs and test it out during a rehearsal or warmup.

-Dan
 
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Thanks Dan,,

Question....should I be setting the input of the DVX to Line in instead of MIC IN when getting a signal from the line out of the PA system or I guess even any audio equipment line DVD or CD player. When I switched between the MIC in and Line In on the DVX there was no sound coming into the DVX when set to LINE IN. I could only get a signal when set to MIC IN it seemed.

Appreciate your help,
Thanks
Paul
 
Hmmm... yes, as a rule you should be setting the DVX for line level if you're feeding it from some audio equipment. It's usually more of a question as to which line level. What's the brand and model of the PA system you're using? I'll see if I can find a manual online to see what you're looking at.
-Dan
 
Dan,

The PA is a Yorkville Sound MP6D and I have the manuals for it. Unfortunately nowhere does it specify what the line level out is. The 4DBU is standard line level out as you say. Funny thing is that I purchased today an RCA to 1/4 inch adapter to test out the RCA recording out of the PA system and I'm not getting any signal out of the PA either using Line of Mic into the DVX. I also tried outputting directly from a CD player into the DVX and it worked fine using the Line into the DVX. When I switched to MIC in using the CD signal in, there was lots of distortion. So I know the line in the DVX is working fine.

Now I'm wondering if the RCA out of the PA is maybe not working, I don't have a tape deck to try this out. So I went back to using the Main out line of the PA system into the DVX. Again, I can only get a signal through the MIC in on the DVX and nothing on the Line in on the DVX. Maybe because the Main out of the Pa system is 4DBU as you mentioned, the DVX recognizes it as a MIC instead of a line in.......

I did set the audio level lower on the DVX when using the Main out line level from the PA to see 2 to 3 red bars and that seems to work ok. I would prefer to use the Main output because it is post eq whereas the RCA output is pre-eq.

I you think of anyting let me know, thanks for your help,
Paul
 
Paul,
Yes, it sounds like you may have a problem with the record out. I also took a quick look at the manual and, you're right, no information on signal levels. So I guess we're left to assume. As long as you're able to control the level from the PA to the DVX, you could be OK using the main output. Ideally you would use a pad to drop the signal level to match the DVX.
-Dan
 
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