Analog mixer setup

Haven’t done that in a while, have a hwole rack in the garage with fx unit (1 reverb, one multi delay, reverb) and stereo eq, comp and sonic maximizer…How do you hook that up? Aux go for the two fx units, but the comp and eq, should that be after the board? I guess comp as a limiter not to hit the power amp too hard? and eq for overall tonal correction?
Haven’t done that in a while :slight_smile:

Hey man. It’s been years since I’ve done this, but I can take a shot at it.

So… all hardware?

1 reverb
1 delay
Stereo eq (I’m assuming with the mini sliders)
Comperssor
Sonic maximizer

And it sounds like you have a mixer (of course)… something like an old Mackie?

Here’s how I’d do it
-Verb and delay on an aux/bus
-I think Sonic Maximizers are usually 1 channel? Give it to your bass player and see if he wants it for his rig
-Stereo EQ between the 2 bus and the power amp - mostly keep everything flat
-Compressor… maybe use the ‘insert’ TRS, and strap it to either the lead vocal, kick, or snare. I’d probably opt for vocal and snare if I had to choose.

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Everything s stereo…and yes, it’s been a while - I am spoiled in the DAW and don’t even remember those dirty analog days :slight_smile:
Everything is stereo, back in the day I ran the Sonic Maximizer on the 2 bus but it was on a full band mix, then got to hate it rather quick. For a little while it was in fx loop of a solid state amp, then retired to the “rack in the garage”.
My original setup was analog mixer->power amp and one verb in the Aux bus, but it seems I need more control of the vocals.
It looks like I can’t get the digital mixer that I want at a price I can afford, have room for a full rack setup, so might as well drag the whole rack setup there like old times.

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Hey there,

I assume you’re cost–constrained, but a patch bay would be ideal. It allows you to make an any–to–any connection and, with a bit of DIY time on your part, it doesn’t cost a ton.

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Looks like I cheated, had a bit of money saved up and honestly excited to be playing out again so I got a digital mixer. I guess I won’t have to re-learn the good old analogue route. Have a patchbay sitting in storage as well…some other time I guess :slight_smile:

Which digital mixer did you get? I’ve got a Behringer X32 Rack and an XR-18. I wouldn’t go back to analog for any reason. I’m also using powered speakers too. Also wouldn’t go back to packing around power amps for anything either! I hope you’re enjoying playing out again.

I went with a digital mixer also. Went with the Yamaha DM3 and it has been excellent! So simple to work with and sound really did improve a bunch. It was a great move

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Allen & Heath CQ-18, pretty happy with it so far. Trying to figure out what practice headphones I can use that will limit my db exposure from amps and live drums.

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Yeah, Allen & Heath make some killer boards. I’ve used their stuff in the past and loved it. They are the ones that make my favorite personal monitor mixer (ME-1). Those work great!

One thing that would be nice - if they make an option to load a cab IR or guitar amp modeler/cab plugin into one of these effect slots. From what I see it’s some kind of cut rate Linux OS running behind the scenes so definitely doable.

Not sure I ma crazy about their echos and reverbs but they are serviceable and the rest of the stuff is top notch. I also enjoy popping in a memory cars and recording the whole rehearsal in multitrack.

That would certainly be interesting! If they could do that without any noticeable lag, then it’d also work great for acoustic guitars, etc as well.