Live Music Question

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billybandit

New DJ
Nov 25, 2010
7
0
54
www.nemusicgroup.com
I was reading this thread What is the deal with Musicians plugging into your PA? - Our DJ Talk - DJ Help and Resources Chat! and first want to thank all involved as it turned into an education for a newcomer like myself. I understand all of my gear and what I bought and how it is supposed to be connected but wanted to ask a question about tying in live sound to a conventional DJ rig.

I do run a external mixer on my DJ setup. I run a channel for my DJ Controller (Xponent), I run another channel for my wireless system, one for a Ipod connection (special request and backup). So I have a 16 channel board so I do have space.

I don't know live sound and researched the direct box mentioned but just would enjoy a tutorial or list of requirements to hook up a electric guitar, or keyboard to my set.

Thanks in advance and if at all possible be easy on the newbie.
 
Mic all instruments. In other words. Set up a mic in front of the guitar amp or keyboard amp, etc... Monitors are another story and you will need more equipment.

Granted most bands today play with an accompaniment track so a qaurter inch or impedance jack is all you need.

Welcome to ODJT hope you find your experience here an informative and enjoyable one.

Paul
 
Mike's right... micing stage sound and providing quality wedges will help avert stage sound wars. Many musicians work with their own in-ear monitoring ~ something to bear in mind.

You will need dedicated compression/limiting for each input. Never attempt to run live sound without it.

Lastly, inexpensive DJ equipment is not designed to handle live sound. Not saying your rig isn't, just saying on general principle. You'll need amp power with headroom to spare and a PA or FOH that's designed for live sound reproduction.
 
Live sound is a whole different animal. I've done live sound for over 30 years with some BIG name national touring bands and to do it right, you need a lot of gear. The last board I used about a week ago was a Yamaha M7CL Mixer. The board alone runs around 28K. Now add mikes for everything, cables amps and speakers, monitors, mike stands and racks and racks of outboard effects.
 
Also when they are talking about miking the amps, that does not mean putting your vocal mikes down by the amps. You will need specially designed guitar amp mikes for it to sound properly. And miking a drum kit, well, that is an entire discussion on it's own.

this gives you an idea of what you would be looking at adding

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/CAD-KBM412-Bass-and-Kick-Drum-Microphone?sku=270774

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...e906-Dynamic-Guitar-Amp-Microphone?sku=270865
 
Billy,

First of all, welcome!

Second of all, I really commend you for researching out old threads to find info and for absorbing what has already been said.

That being said, I'd ask the gents so far to back up a bit since I feel more clarification is needed here.

All of the answers here are spot-on if by "live sound" you mean amplifying multiple musicians and performers in an ensemble type setting through your system, and I think this is what most have taken from the title of your thread and your post as written.

HOWEVER, I am suspecting you might not be talking about that type of scenario are are simply looking for the easiest and most fool-proof method for integrating these elements into your setup for something like say a solo or duet for a ceremony or during a reception.

In this case, I would opt for a K.I.S.S (Keep it simple stupid!) type approach utilizing direct lines for keys, and a DI Box for guitars (assuming they support plugs and have preamps installed, if not, micing will be your only choice).

This will minimize the number of cord runs, decrease setup and soundcheck time, insure the cleanest signal, give you the most control over the final mix while leaving out many potential negative variables, eliminate feedback scenarios and bleed, etc. In the types of environments we were discussing in that thread, ie ceremonies and solo or duo performances at receptions, volume-wars or performers not hearing themselves won't be an issue.

Please clarify exactly what you're asking and evenb better yet give a sample scenario so we can provide the best response.

If it turns out you are looking for advice on how to run sound for an ensemble, percussion, vocals, the whole nine yards, then this is an entirely different animal honestly beyond the scope of all but a few gents here.
 
WOW

First lest say after reading so many of the threads that I have to thank you all for the education. To provide a bit more clarity, I do mean what is the simplest approach for responding to the solo vocal or solo guitar guy that wants to play at an event that I am working.

I understand the DI concept I think as that will provide protection to my gear. I just want to as I am building my final pieces to my set have enough of an understanding that I am buying and building a set that can provide for what I would think this basic request.

Thanks
 
Basic it is then, quick in, wuick out,m and crystal clear sound with total control over your signal. DI box will be less than 6" x 6" or so, so it's something you can have on you in your bag/box in the vehicle "just in cased" and plug in on the spot.

Carry an extra 25' or so run of xlr dedicated for/available for the DI to your mixer, and consider using one that is battery or phantom powered as all locations may not have easily accessible power by the performer for a wall wart unless you're going to run an extension cord.
 
Based upon your advice I picked up a DI box today Sounds to GO, thanks. I also always have beyond enough backup cable so we are good to go there also. I run a small external mixer as I mentioned before. So in review DI box the keyboard player and guitar. The singer isn't that big of a deal unless of course they are a group. I have a solid wireless setup, even carry an extra 12" Active speaker so I can run a monitor off the booth output of the mixer correct.
 
Billy, for your application the DI box, instrument cable and an extra XLR is a step in the right direction. I would recommend picking up 2 boom mic stands (one for vocal, one for instrument) and either the standard Shure SM57 or Audix i5 for mic'ing nearly anything else. A decent music stand would be a good addition too.
 
DJ Cam, there's 2 reasons that I can think of to have a DI in the toolbag, just in case.

Eliminating hum, many models have a ground lift.

Also, you get to the venue and the guitarist/keyboardist is a considerable distance from you. We've had Sheila in the middle of the dance area playing live dinner music. It was the impact of the presentation that they were looking for. Had to use a DI that night.
 
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