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[Mike Karseboom]

This somewhat nebulous question probably bespeaks a lack of depth on my part.  I have been using the X32 gear for a while now and just bought a DL16 with the "Midas"  pre-amps.  The idea is to see if I can more easily get better live mixes with this supposedly superior tool.


For the typical rock band type acts I will have up to 10 drum channels and will likely need more than 16 total channels.  I will have the DL16 input box along with the x32 rack with it's 16 native pre-amps.


Besides using the "better" pre-amps for vocals,  what other instruments would you direct to the DL16 as a priority and why?  Are channels with big transients and strong dynamics like drums going to benefit more or is something with nuanced tone like a saxophone going to be more detailed?  Will something like a synth do just as well using the X32 pre-amps?

[Russell Ault]

{...}
Besides using the "better" pre-amps for vocals,  what other instruments would you direct to the DL16 as a priority and why?  Are channels with big transients and strong dynamics like drums going to benefit more or is something with nuanced tone like a saxophone going to be more detailed?  Will something like a synth do just as well using the X32 pre-amps?

I'm going to give the safe answer and suggest that you audition your sources on both preamps and see which sound you like better. (This helpful individual did a split-source comparison of the two and posted the recordings online, which might give you a bit of an overview of the differences.)

Ultimately what you're contemplating is an artistic decision, though, for which there almost certainly isn't a "right" answer.

-Russ

[Chris Hindle]

In my experience, Mic choice and placement, bleed, and stage wash make far more difference than an "upgrade" in pre-amaps (perceived or factual)
Chris.

[John Roberts {JR}]

Buy better mics...

JR

[Tim Weaver]

Best preamps go on the following:

Kick In
Kick Out
Kick Shell
Kick just inside the hole
Kick Far
Kick Beater
Kick Pedal (use a condensor to capture the squeak)
Kick Spur Left
Kick Spur Right
Kick Overhead Left
Kick Overhead Right
Kick Ribbon room mic
 
And the lead vocal. If you have a channel left over.



There you go. All the important channels of modern music.

[Mike Karseboom]

Best preamps go on the following:

Kick In
Kick Out
Kick Shell
Kick just inside the hole
Kick Far
Kick Beater
Kick Pedal (use a condensor to capture the squeak)
Kick Spur Left
Kick Spur Right
Kick Overhead Left
Kick Overhead Right
Kick Ribbon room mic
 
And the lead vocal. If you have a channel left over.



There you go. All the important channels of modern music.

How did you know those were the 10 drum channels?


OK, I thought it was a dumb question and now I know it was.

[Chris Hindle]

How did you know those were the 10 drum channels?


OK, I thought it was a dumb question and now I know it was.

No question is "dumb".
You just have to put in perspective what is actually hitting the mic's in live rock'n roll, and where your best investment will be.
Microphones 1st, and speakers 2nd will always make more of a difference than the mic pre's or console.
Chris.

[Tim Weaver]

There are no dumb questions. Only dumb answers, which I happily provided.


As you get more shows under your belt you'll find out that a live music event is such a poor environment for the making and listening of music that as long as the musicians can be more or less heard and understood, then mostly the crowd will love it.

Nobody there knows or cares what preamps you use. This is coming from a guy who toured for 3+ years with an X32rack and an iPad setup. I would happily park myself on the doghouse of some 100k dollar console from a Nashville bigwig and mix my little band. Then load out consisted of throwing my laptop and iPad in my backpack and walking away. There was never a complaint about me using a cheap desk. Plenty of teasing, but that'll happen no matter what!

Live mixing is making the best out of what you've got. Speakers and Mics make about 85% of the audio you hear. That last 15% is everything in between the speakers and the mic.

[Jeff Bankston]

Aye , Eee , Eye , Oh ,You , and sometimes Why ?

I can make drums sound good with Tapco preamps and SM57 mics. Its how you use it that matters.

[Jeff Bankston]

Best preamps go on the following:

Kick In
Kick Out
Kick Shell
Kick just inside the hole
Kick Far
Kick Beater
Kick Pedal (use a condensor to capture the squeak)
Kick Spur Left
Kick Spur Right
Kick Overhead Left
Kick Overhead Right
Kick Ribbon room mic
 
And the lead vocal. If you have a channel left over.



There you go. All the important channels of modern music.

Kick it out !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY5ge99dmvg

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