It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
After some advice folks.
So at this last weekends gig on Saturday night we had a problem with our gear, which I think was down to a dodgy power source, Venue was a marquee on a village green, power source provided was one 2 way extension running from a village hall next door.
The gear being used was a Presonus Studiolive 16.4.2 desk, 2 KV2 EX12 tops and to KV2 EX2.2 bass bins. 2 Guitar amps and a bass amp were also running, as well as a laptop, and various rack gear (Singers wireless Mic, Wireless In ear monitors)
We set everything up as normal, went to start the background music from the laptop and the output level on the desk was really low. Checked all the channels on the desk and it was the same for all, we were using the right side out of the stereo output on the desk to the speakers, I switched it to the left output and also to the mono output it was still the same. Also tried a Microphone in all inputs with the same results, really low output.
If you increased the gain on the channel to compensate for the volume drop the volume would increase slightly but it was distorting quite badly.
The lead guitarist in the band was also having problems with his amp (Marshall JVM), the distortion channel was very weak and fuzzy.
My question is could this be down to a dodgy mains power source or do you think our desk has developed a fault?. We ended up having to use the singers little 4 channel Yamaha analogue desk which worked fine and got us through the gig.
Would a dodgy mains power source effect a digital desk more so than an analogue desk? It's the first time something like this has ever happened so I'm just after some possible causes.
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Mmm that's what I feared, I think there may be a problem with the desk :-(
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I think we may pickup another desk as backup though, possibly the smaller presonus board.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
@ICBM
The extension reel in the marquee was provided for us, the bass player in the band just reminded me also that they ended up plugging that extension reel into the pub on the other side of the marquee, just to rule out the village hall power being the problem. (I'd forgot all about this as it was a bit manic at the time) The problem was still there with the power coming from the pub.
So I would guess it could be down to their extension reel.
We have another gig this Saturday in a similar kind of scenario, however by the sounds of it the Marquee is in a remote location so I guess the power will be running of a generator.
Is there anything we could buy which would regulate the power to avoid this happening again. Would a Power conditioner do the job?
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I've suggested to the guys in the band it might be a good idea to buy an analogue backup desk. Only problem is we would need at least 4 aux sends, we play with a click track so the drummer needs his own mix, plus 3 of us use in ear monitors. Any suggestions @ICBM
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
That's exactly what we had to do at the last gig (simplify), as we only had the singers little Yamaha 4 channel analogue desk, we ditched the click track and played as a straight up 5 piece band, backline amps providing the sound, only the kick drum mic'd up on the kit. The singer went in a bit of a sulk as he is very pro click track, but my attitude was just make sure the show goes on however that may be.
So the backup desk would have to have at least 12 XLR inputs and 4 aux sends to accommodate the click and the individual monitor mixes, the only thing I can see that would fit the bill would be an Allen & Heath Mix Wizard.