I'm doing a gig at a bar on saturday and I was chatting with the sound tech about what the requirements were to get my controller hooked up to their sound system and he said that they need a line level output. I'm not 100 percent sure what he is talking about and he said the if my mixer doesn't provide that, I'm responsible for providing something that does. How do I know if a mixer provides line level output or not? I want to use my numark mixtrack pro for mixing since I'm pretty confident with it and I'm already nervous about this show as is so I don't want to switch things up at the last minute. The mixtrack pro has a built in audio-interface (I believe it's the djio soundcard) but it only has 1 RCA output. Would that be good enough? Or do I need to rent a soundcard or different mixer? I'm also concerned about the booth level since my controller only has 1 master volume controller.
Bar & Club Line level output?
- Thread starter DJ Hijack
- Start date
Unless you have the Sound Output set to Mono, you should be using TWO/Left & Right Outputs. Why are you using one side? There are two pairs of outputs on that Machine. If you only use one side, then you are loosing part of your music and it will sound like SHYT. The outputs from your Mixer/Soundcard should be a Line Level output. What the guy wants from you is 1/4" Male Connectors. One each for Left and Right. You will need to buy the following cables. 2 x RCA Male to 1/4" Male.
In other words two of these in the length that you need to reach the Sound Board. View attachment 25543
In other words two of these in the length that you need to reach the Sound Board. View attachment 25543
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I'm guessing he's like me, and refers to a stereo output pair, as one output...
For example, I refer to the Gigaport as having 4 outputs, you refer to it as 8. Matter of semantics I believe...
According to the Numark page, the Mixtrack pro has 2 sets of outputs, one for cueing (booth) and one main out. As Canute said, you'll need at least 1 cable of dual RCA (L/R) to dual 1/4" to connect to the house system. I would bring a set of dual RCA to dual RCA as well in case that is the only input available(unless you find out ahead of time). One or the other should be available. You should also bring a second identical set to patch into the booth monitoring system (if available) so you can cue locally.
BTW, most mixers output at line level. The 3 "normal" audio levels are microphone, line and speaker, each specifying a different working voltage level. Mic level mixers exist, but usually as a front end to a final mixer. I don't know of any DJ mixer that is anything but line out level.
View attachment 25544
BTW, most mixers output at line level. The 3 "normal" audio levels are microphone, line and speaker, each specifying a different working voltage level. Mic level mixers exist, but usually as a front end to a final mixer. I don't know of any DJ mixer that is anything but line out level.
View attachment 25544
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I do that too haha. It's an RCA pair, the one red and one white. I have both sides. I still don't know what the techie means by "line level" output. Is that the strength of the sound signal?
All DJ eqiptment with rca outputs are at line level. If it has ballanced outputs ( XLR or tsr outputs ) it is a bit hotter signal.
Line level (balanced or un-balanced) is a description of 2 things, the voltage level of the output relative to a reference and the impedance of the output. The voltage output of a "line level" ranges from about .5 volts (consumer level) to around 1.5 volts (pro level, balanced or un-balanced). Impedance is usually around 100 ohms for most gear. Mic levels run in the millivolts and speaker levels run in the 10's-100's of volts. Almost all DJ equipment (cd players, mixers, sound cards, media players) run at line level outputs and inputs (except for microphone inputs). Speaker levels are normally only seen at amp outputs and speaker inputs, although there are some DI boxes that will work with those levels.
Thanks for the help guys. I'm sure that my soundcard is line level output. The sound tech I guess just didn't know and assumed that it wasn't. I will have to book a meeting with him and clear things before the show.
I have played stadiums before, and a ton of concerts. The sound guys are usually band-oriented, meaning they work mostly with bands and live instruments. In my experience, most sound techs don't know much about DJ gear, and a lot of them do not think of it as "real" sound equipment.
What everyone said is true though... any L/R outputs you have will work. If you have a balanced output it would be better, but they will probably hook you up to a mono box anyway (I forget the technical term for those signal boxes). And the reason you want two RCA to 1/4" cords instead of a dual RCA-1/4" is just for reasons like that. One mono box might be on the left side of you and the other 5' in front of you. It's all up to the sound tech.
What everyone said is true though... any L/R outputs you have will work. If you have a balanced output it would be better, but they will probably hook you up to a mono box anyway (I forget the technical term for those signal boxes). And the reason you want two RCA to 1/4" cords instead of a dual RCA-1/4" is just for reasons like that. One mono box might be on the left side of you and the other 5' in front of you. It's all up to the sound tech.
Just ask the sound man to patch you in to a Stereo Pair. It is usually the pairs of 1/4" inputs right after the XLR Mix Inputs on a Live Sound Board. Again, DO NOT USE A SINGLE L or R from your Numark as you will loose some of your program. Take a look at this pic as an example. He can patch you in to ST 1 IN
(Click on the pic to enlarge)
http://www.sweetwater.com/images/items/1800/ZED12FX-xlarge.jpg
You should actually take the time to read the other person's posts Canute...
As I suspected, like me, he considers a L/R pair as a single output.
HiJack, if you want, give me a shout when yer with the sound tech, and I'll help ya out -- number and email is on my site
I'm guessing he's like me, and refers to a stereo output pair, as one output...
For example, I refer to the Gigaport as having 4 outputs, you refer to it as 8. Matter of semantics I believe...
In case y'all fergot, Hijack is a girl.
I know that and read that after my first post. You are dealing with him and the Soundman. You would be surprised what happens when it comes times for hookups. I deal with that everytime. If I had a nickel for every SINGLE cable that was handed to me from a Y Connector used backwards I would be rich!You should actually take the time to read the other person's posts Canute...
As I suspected, like me, he considers a L/R pair as a single output.
HiJack, if you want, give me a shout when yer with the sound tech, and I'll help ya out -- number and email is on my site
I pay myself the big bucks for a reason -- I know how to work with people, and not alienate them...
And pray tell my dear fellow, what is that supposed to mean?I pay myself the big bucks for a reason -- I know how to work with people, and not alienate them...
I guess what that means, is you endeavor to look into what someone is trying to say/ask, as opposed to trying to interpret their words literally...
Dealing with other humans, is a combination of science and art. Most of the art, involves understanding the way people communicate.
If you go strictly by the words, you may lose the intent.
Capiche...?
I used a MixTrack Pro for my very first bar show a few years ago and noticed that the output from JUST the MTP (the Channel 1 output from the back of the controller plugged directly into the house speakers) had a super low volume max. It couldn't be turned up to anywhere NEAR as loud as it needed to be for the show. I think what the techie guy was saying is to make sure you bring an independent powered mixer capable of boosting the signal level between the controller and the house system. I use a Behringer Xenyx1202fx and it works flawlessly. Check into this a bit more, but I THINK that's what he was referring to.
I provide Sound for other DJs and small bands as well. I have heard of this and have also experienced the opposite where the signal I got from the other DJ was too "Hot". Some of those internal Soundcards can be lacking.