Cacophony Forums
Unofficial Mackie User Forums => DL1608/DL806/DL32R/ProDX Mixers => Topic started by: seventhson on April 08, 2014, 02:15:17 PM
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After using the DL1608 for the first show last weekend I've decided I'm going to keep it. So now comes the task of racking it up and getting everything organized and show ready. Most musicians and sound guys love setup pictures and I did a search and didnt find a thread about it. I'm not quite done with my setup yet but I'll probably be posting a picture tonight but I'm always interested in seeing how other people run their rigs, what works for them and what doesnt. Anyone have any setup pics of their gear in action?
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Waste of time
What a ray of sunshine. :lol:
Why is it a waste of time to try to learn what works and what doesnt from other people who are using similar equipment in similar environments? In other forums I frequent, we share information and it helps everyone become better.
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I'll shoot my mixing stack. Haven't got a gig for a while. On the other hand, it's more useful to know that on the outputs, I've got the LR running to a DriveRack PX and then to ZXA1s with matching subs. Running Aux 1,2 linked into another DriveRack PX and on to a Crown XLS 1000 amp that I use for various stuff. (Monitors, LF amp at my next gig...... It's not getting used too much right now.) In the mixing stack I also have mounted with double sided tape, two wireless receivers for a headset and handheld mic. I do a lot of political rallies and events and the handheld wireless gets used a lot and makes my life simpler. (And yes, the DL1608 is rack mounted with the Mackie kit on the top with enough space above it to leave any connectors attached.)
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Either I don't understand the OP's request or PeterKorg doesn't. I looked back at it and it reads to me as the OP wants to see what the system looks like when you have it setup. The way I'm reading PK's reply is that he thinks the OP is talking about saved shows. Maybe I don't understand PK's replies. We could use some clarity here.
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Hi seventhson,
Here's my setup, I made up three cable runs that are permanently hardwired in my rig, one for stage inputs, one for amp rack and one for drum kit. I show up for a gig, whip out three runs and done, breakdown is in minutes!
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t647/tommyrimshot/00b59a89da03ef93e60ff9c6cb58facd_zpsb363284d.jpg)
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t647/tommyrimshot/49edccc4ebadc9dea160ef5aada106b1_zps78c82045.jpg)
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t647/tommyrimshot/Mobile%20Uploads/26D63196-3882-4ED2-986B-9171D91BDEC6_zpsl2urjpia.jpg)
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What Trshot posted was exactly what I was referring to. Thanks! That looks like a great setup. Is that a light behind the Mackie by the outputs? I am swapping over to the DL from a MixWiz in a rolling rack with DBX EQs, three stereo comps (run 6 mono), a 4 channel gate and a few effects. It was tall enough that I could comfortably mix standing up. I was trying to scale down in size, leave the DL pretty much side stage and not have to deal with long snake runs. This is what I came up with tonight. I'll see how it works out. I had to fabricate the rack shelf out of spare parts I had in the garage (a slotted shelf and some rack ears that I had laying around). It's in a Gator rolling case with everything attached to the shelf and all cables neatly tied up underneath. All I have to do it attach the input/output cables.
(https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/q71/s720x720/1902713_10203205258513228_756725938166970930_n.jpg)
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I had a MixWiz as well before the DL. . I modified my rack by lowering the slant top so I could leave the inputs connected. Believe me it saves a lot of time! Yes, I have a switched dimmable light controlled from the front panel of the Furman It's there so I have instant light inside the rear of the cabinet if needed. With all my processors gone I've added three drawers for mics, spare cables, connectors, tools, etc...
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OK, I'm not quite an idiot. I put one of those under cabinet battery operated LED lights in the bottom back of my case to easily light up any internal connections I need to make. (Like the outputs to subs or FOH.) In one position, they are movement sensitive and shut off when not making any connections back there. (Can be useful.) I also have a magnetic flashlight that normally hangs off any metal in the rack. (Think it's sticking to the mixer's rack mount underside.) I just love LEDs. They run forever on batteries. I'm surprised to see all these pictures using Apple's Airport Express. (Current version, just like the one on my rack.) What is it that caused so many people to purchase the exact same unit? I've recently got a stereo out to dual XLRs to run AirPlay. Very slick, now that I know how to use it. (One of the least intuitive Apple controls I've ever seen.) I know that won't work for everyone, but I still have about 5 extra channels after using two for Airplay. (And I'm more than willing to add my Alesis Multimix 16 firewire mixer if I ever did need a lot of extra channels. I use it for recording normally.)
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I had the light there with all the outboard gear I had and left it of course after all was removed. As you mentioned Wynnd, with all the connections back there you need to light up when something in the signal chain isn't working! Apples AP express has been widely talked about in both the old Mackie forum and this one as well. I'll bet a very large majority here are using it!
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I read about the Express here as well and I really like that I can stream break music wirelessly using it. Especially since I'll be leaving the board side stage for the most part now. I really like that rolling rack you have. Makes me reconsider what I did. Maybe move the MixWiz to a smaller case (for backup) and buy some drawers for mics. I'm currently using a rolling case for all my mics but that's because I wanted to leave the mics onstage while setting up and didn't want to keep running back to the mix position. Having everything by the stage would alliviate that.
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I'm a less is more kinda guy, I try to streamline my setup and breakdown time. This roller is on stage so mics, cables, adapters, DI's, tools, etc are steps away. I use a rolling trunk that has my lights at the bottom, speaker stands, poles and mic stands on a removable mid shelf and then two drop in boxes for speaker cables, back up cables, power drops, etc. I used alum 90* angle stock to support shelf and boxes. I can load my mains or mons on top and roll a lot more gear with less trips!
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I'm the same way. I'd rather have a few big cases on wheels than a bunch of little case. After I bought my trailer about 10 years ago I switched over to the big cases. For most clubs around here, I can have everything I need in the club within 15-20 minutes. Set up usually takes about an hour. Makes a world of difference when you are only making 3-4 trips to the trailer rather than 8-9.
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Just by making up cable drops I'm set up in about 1/2 hr. I only have three drops ( 21 cables) to roll and I'm done with the stage. The only time consumer are my speaker runs as they are individual and it's not a lot of time. It all makes it soooo much easier especially at the end of the night when I wanna go home! :lol:
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Very nice. I'm thinking about leaving my little 8 channel snake plugged in and just running that to the drums each time. That should shave a few minutes off setup. I'm using all powered speakers (mons and mains) so like you, running the speaker lines takes a minimal amount of time. I'm usually waiting on the guys to set up their equipment so I can mic it all up. I'm always looking for ways to save time. Bands around here usually play until 2-2:30 AM so I'm done at the end of the night and ready to go home.
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Hi everyone,
I am selling my SKB case that I use for the DL1608. ALREADY SOLD!
This is a two space case but I am in need of a four space case just like it so I can add two splitters as well as the two wireless mic receivers.
Only the case is included, not the mixer, iPad, wireless router, wireless receivers or audio connectors.... just to be clear :)
I would take $120.00 USD PayPal which I believe is very reasonable.
If you are interested here is the eBay item number 161280496878
Thanks everyone and Happy Easter!
Dan
(http://www.dankury.com/miscuploads/SKB_DL1608_case.jpg)
(http://www.dankury.com/miscuploads/lid_open.jpg)
(http://www.dankury.com/miscuploads/right_angle_connectors.jpg)
(http://www.dankury.com/miscuploads/right-side.jpg)
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Just PM to you
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it is sold, sorry :(
Dan
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Sigh
I read you article on building it and was so impressed.
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Hi music man, if you decide you'd like to have one let me know and I would be happy to do the modifications for you and ship the rack to you, you could tell me what you are going to install in it and we can go from there,... I would do it very reasonably.
Thanks,
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Thank you I will keep that in mind. You did an amazing job.
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Here are a couple shots of my DL1608 in a EWI road case I customized. I also added some numeric stickers to the gain knobs and input XLRs to make them easier to read.
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All are very nice solutions but I also want 2 to 4 rack spaces underneath.
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All are very nice solutions but I also want 2 to 4 rack spaces underneath.
I like my setup. Nice and small and easy to transport, but like you, am thinking about going a little larger. I have a nice plywood case with a slant top and 6 spaces under it but my current snake it 100' that I use to use with my full FOH rig and won't fit underneath. I have a small 8 channel that I may use just for drums/back line so I don't have to run every cable side stage but the thing is hard to move. Not tall enough for wheels but heavy enough to need them. I'm thinking of putting it on an 8 space rack with a drawer for my cables/mics/whatever and using that. Might work out.
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no pics yet, but a similar setup; rolling rack that used to have a mixwiz on top, a bunch of processing in the front and power amps on the bottom now has the DL on top, two sub snakes (a 6ch and an 8ch) stuffed under it, a drawer for mics and such under that, and the amps still on the bottom.
the sub snakes stay plugged into the DL, which stays plugged into the amps, so there's no wear on any of the mixer's jacks with use, and mic setup is much neatened and expedited when it's all into the sub snakes, one up front for vocal mics and the other by the drums for backline.
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...I've got the LR running to a DriveRack PX and then to ZXA1s with matching subs.
(http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t647/tommyrimshot/00b59a89da03ef93e60ff9c6cb58facd_zpsb363284d.jpg)
if i may ask, what's the point of the driveracks?
now that we can set crossover filters, parametric curves and even alignment delays straight from the DL, and especially running into powered speakers that may not benefit from that kind of stuff anyway, why add the latency of another piece of digital in the path?
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You need to read the fine print on this setup, there is a amp rack which most likely means passive speakers. If you really think that DL has useful crossovers you need to look closer and you have no simple way to break out for 3 or 4 speakers. I'll bet the delay is minimal anyway.
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As WK stated, I'm running passive speakers and also have multiple sub ( single and dual boxes) setups that I save in the DRPA along with other functions....
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I'm running a combination of speaker types. My EV ZXA1s are used as monitors in some cases, mains in others when used with the matching subs. I also have 4 Yamaha pole mountable floor monitors and I also have two EV SX100s and did I mention that I also have a pair of 1965(?) Kustom PA speakers with 15" Altec Lansings and round horns that I bi-amp and process through a DriveRack PA. And did I mention that I also have a couple of three way stacks that are EV Eliminator W bins and Altec Lansing mids and Altec Lansing cellular horns. I'm a bit tired of hauling that around and the ZXA1s are nearly as loud and sound as good or better. So, the mixer stack gets used for a lot of different configurations with powered and passive speakers systems. The DriveRack PA and 2 DriveRack PXs get a solid workout for EQ, Crossovers and Anti-feedback. I probably could get rid of one of the PX units. But the stack would get a lot lighter if I replaced the Hafler PA1500 amp with something seriously lighter. (Only need about 100 watts a side and the Hafler weighs 22 pounds.)
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I really didn't want to get into all the other features of the PA in my case the PA+ that Mackie is dreaming about. A Q of 16 or about 1/12 octave is not a notch filter to eliminate feedback. I also didn't see mention of Linkwitz/Riley or Butterworth crossover filters and a way to implement the results in the DL, not to mention all the other setup tools. If you can ignore all this and make your clients happy the DL is your friend.
PS. Wynnd I bet your not running all those at the same time. ;)
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While I have run the Altec tri-amp system with the Kustom bi-amp outdoors for more juice at the front of house with the 4 Yamaha's as monitors, that's as close to using them all at once that I have ever gotten. I did run the auto EQ with the final amp/speaker configuration setup. Had 85 dbc at about 250' from the stage. (No walls, no ceiling and concrete walks with a fountain in that space.) The band was a beach/punk group from Crested Butte. They were so much fun. (And surprising.)
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So you were busy blowing eardrums out at a 1 ft and 133 dBc ;D
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Don't think anyone was standing that close. There were steps up to a plaza that provided a nice stage and the FOH was right on the top edge of the steps. You remember that I don't like loud and from where most were standing the levels should have been fairly reasonable. I didn't want to push too much sound because across the grass was a library and beside the grass was the police station. Interesting place. Event was an electric vehicle event with Kill-a-Cycle drag bike represented there. Tesla didn't exist yet. (It's been a few years.)
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about why the driveracks, your answers make sense for the multiple speaker arrangements and whatnot; in my mind the 1608 as a 16ch board means "bands in bars" means simple 2-way systems that i can do with using aux 6 as a sub out and using the 24dB filter rolloffs as an ad-hoc 2-way crossover.
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Got the DL last Sept. Been using the DriveRack PA since 2005. Been doing sound events in Colorado since shortly after 9/11. (Anti-war protest with 4000 attendees.) The driverack makes setting up odd speaker configurations pretty easy.
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about why the driveracks, your answers make sense for the multiple speaker arrangements and whatnot; in my mind the 1608 as a 16ch board means "bands in bars" means simple 2-way systems that i can do with using aux 6 as a sub out and using the 24dB filter rolloffs as an ad-hoc 2-way crossover.
Let me give you my rendition. First you stated that you have amps, that means you have more than one and you are running passive. Control of the speakers is awkward at best using aux6 and L&R (I would use aux1 since it is close to L&R for switching) for loudness or balance control. As to the "ad-hock" crossover, there is a reason why speaker processors exist and the last thing you'd want to do is generate a notch in the vocal range. There is also no reason "bar bands" have to suck. Unfortunately Mackie did a poor job of providing a decent crossover (actually none) in the DL probably because they would have had to address the multiple speaker control with a better solution than layer switching.
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sure;
nothing saying bar bands have to "suck", just that excess complexity may not be needed when the system is just balancing out stage volume half the time.
+1 to a proper crossover being a sadly missing element here; a "2+1" arrangement with an aux turned into a proper "subs out" that follows the main levels would be nice, as would say an option for a mono "tops/subs" instead of "L/R" on the main outs.
(also, i don't get too many notches in the vocal range at my 100Hz crossover point. if you're talking about trying to fudge 3-way mid/high crossovers with DL aux channels, then yeah, that seems pretty unlikely to turn out well.)
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My own thought is that bar band PAs don't have to suck. most of them can be set up quite well. Few are. I think it's like when someone decides that they like bass, so they turn the bass the whole way up. The speakers, if marginal, die and then you have no bass. Or more likely, the excessive bass starts to muddy the sound and overall sound quality drops. (And the user has no clue as to why. But he likes bass and is happy.) A lot of poorly setup PA systems are lacking in the midrange. The infamous "smiley face" EQ. (Sometimes it's a frown.) Whenever someone draws a smile or frown on an EQ, it's a sign of not understanding what an EQ is for. Properly setup, it should look more like some missing teeth. (And maybe not many.) I'm probably preaching to the choir.
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WalterW since I don't know what speakers and amps you have I'm operating blind. The crossover for various systems can vary widely. For instance a Peavey PR-15 has a crossover at 1800 Hz, which starts at 49 Hz. A QSC Ksub goes from 44 to 144 Hz at 10 dB down quite a limited range yet their K12 starts at 48 Hz and that crossover is a mystery (DSP controlled). Vocal range is from about 120 Hz to 880 Hz for the fundamental unless your Royce "The Voice" Reynolds whose start at 60Hz. A lot of setups can crossover in the vocal range and you need to include the harmonics which takes you to 8K - 10K.
One of the ways I've used the DL in a tri-amped (well almost) situation (tops/sub) is to use L&R and pan. All control is with the master fader using L for tops and R for subs. The balance of what goes to subs and what to tops is controlled in the channels pan and loudness of both is with the master fader along with overall balance of the mix, no aux's required. Most amps I'm familiar with have mono in dual mono out to drive at least 2 tops and 2 subs.
Wynnd you need to get some control over your gang. :) Actually the GEQ your referring to is still to broad for notching out feedback since it's at a 1/3 octave and fixed frequency. Better than nothing but the parametrics at 1/12 octave and frequency accurate are a better choice for now.
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WalterW since I don't know what speakers and amps you have I'm operating blind.
pretty prosaic stuff, like yorkie E15 tops off of non-DSP amps, and powered subs; i just run tops LR and run the sub out of aux 6, using the nifty 24dB high and low-pass filters to cross over at 100Hz. (i roll the internal crossover on the powered subs well up above 100, so they're not involved.)
One of the ways I've used the DL in a tri-amped (well almost) situation (tops/sub) is to use L&R and pan. All control is with the master fader using L for tops and R for subs. The balance of what goes to subs and what to tops is controlled in the channels pan and loudness of both is with the master fader along with overall balance of the mix, no aux's required.
so this is all into powered boxes with their own crossovers going on? i like it! (that's not "tri-amped" as i understand it though, as you're not running separate active crossovers between mids and highs. )
Actually the GEQ your referring to is still to broad for notching out feedback since it's at a 1/3 octave and fixed frequency. Better than nothing but the parametrics at 1/12 octave and frequency accurate are a better choice for now.
big +1, letting me get rid of those stupid graphics was the best upgrade mackie did after the pre-compression aux update. i just wish the "ghost" image of them wasn't still there in the background, i want them to go away entirely.
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Yup that's why I said "almost" you have control of the subs and the tops but your at the mercy of the manufacturer on the mid/high crossover in the tops. But most do a decent job even if they don't spec it. Works for both powered and passive combo's.
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Yup that's why I said "almost" you have control of the subs and the tops but your at the mercy of the manufacturer on the mid/high crossover in the tops. But most do a decent job even if they don't spec it. Works for both powered and passive combo's.
This is how I mix when I need every once of power I can get for a Hair Metal band. I use Left for the subs, and only allow kick, keys and bass into the subs. The sound is cleaner, and I can get maximum thump out of just (2) JBL 18" xlf's. I run the tops (PRX615's) in their full range mode.