Using a mixer

[John Haldane]

HI
I have a second hand Behringer mixer, no manual, could someone please tell me the best way to set it up.
My equipment is Vox amp, Zoom g2, with recording software on Pc.

Take care
John H

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John,
First, you really only need a mixer basically for mixing two or more sounds and/or for adding EQ and/or effects, and perhaps more importantly, to provide a suitable input for a microphone if you do not have a separate mic preamp. Assuming that is what you want, I will try to cover the basics of setting up most mixers.
There are usually 2 inputs per channel, one mic and one line input. Usually you would use one or the other rather than both at once.
The mic input has much more gain which is suitable for microphones and usually the impedance match is close enough for most mics, although there can be a few exceptions such as some specialist ribbon mics that require a somewhat higher input impedance than the standard 600 ohms. Sometimes there is a pad that can attenuate larger signals that are fed to a mic input.
The line input will handle larger signals and is usually 10K input impedance. This makes it suitable for connection from most other devices (which usually have a low impedance output), but not for standard passive guitars which require a high impedance input.
There is a gain control for each channel which has to be set according to the input level so that clipping does not occur but at the same time having enough signal. Be aware that the EQ settings below can also affect the final decided gain level.
Then comes the EQ section. Usually there is a control for highs, setting this to the centre flat position will give no cut or boost to those frequencies. The mid section will often have a cut and boost control and a frequency control. If the cut and boost control is set flat the frequency control has no effect, otherwise the frequency to be cut or boosted can be set as required. Then there is a control for bass, again the centre position is flat, with cut or boost either way from there. If you don't want the EQ to affect the tone of the signal you set everything flat.
There may be up to 3 aux send controls per channel. These are used to send monitor mix signals and/or effects send signals. Some are pre fade and some are post fade, and sometimes one aux send (usually aux 2) can be switched for pre or post fade. All this means is that for pre fade, the main channel fader will not affect the level of signal being sent while for post fade the channel fader will change the level being sent.
Effects returns can be sent to one or two other channels depending on whether effects are to be in stereo or mono, or may be returned to dedicated effects return inputs if provided.
The pan control sets whether you want to send the signal from that channel to the left or right main outputs or in equal amounts to both (centre position).
The main channel fader controls the amount of signal from that channel going to the main outputs.
There is more, depending on what facilities your mixer has, but that should get you started.
You might be able to download a manual for your mixer from the Behringer site.
Regards,
Charlie

[John Haldane]

Hi Charlie

Thanks for the information, I have been watching some Videos on You tube that have helped, along with your info.

Take care
John h

[Deleted]

HI JOHN H ,, just a query ,,,, what model no is the behringer-mixer???as I have a little 1202-fx..
You could d/load a manual from the behringer-site...the manual gives the routing of the function's..If the same as mine I could copy for you!!.
IF it has fx inbuilt john the patch 29 is the best reverb that I have heard!!!! it does not mask the echo at all..& is just a tweak in the knob's to add as much OR little as needed,the bt is not included a seperate channel..

Charlies explanation was very good for me as well , I have printed that advice thank's],I use the headphone out facility, when it is late & noise is a worry.. ,it's good to be able to play the bt& listen to the outcome ,I do not record as yet but it would be a good tool for that!!!

CHEERS..................barry..

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John and Barry,
I forgot to include info about the main pair of faders!
They will control the overall level being fed to the main outputs.
All the faders should have markings in dBs. It is not normal practice to set any of these above the 0dB setting.
Regards,
Charlie

[John Haldane]

Hi Barry & Charlie

The mixer is a Eurorack UB802, I took it to my local Music shop, They are really good they gave me a quick run through of what things do, its just down to me now to see if I can remember what they said.
Take care
John H

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John,
I managed to find the manual and have emailed it to you.
Regards,
Charlie

[John Haldane]

Hi Charlie
Thank you very much for that.
Will read it all before going to sleep as they say you remember things better if you read about it before sleeping and at my age my brain needs all the help it can get

Take care
John H

[Deleted]

JOHN I know where you are coming from with the memory bit ha.haa at 70 mines very much lacking!!!!

CHEERS& good luck with the mixer-mate.....................barry..

[Deleted]

Hi John,
Reading your first thread you don't actually say what you want to do with your mixer, I am presuming record to your computer?
Regards Tony

[John Haldane]

Hi Tony
I hope to use it for recording, not sure If the best way is to use a mic into mixer then pc , or use headphone output from back of my Vox amp into mixer then pc or Zoom G2 into mixer then pc, hope this all makes sense.
take care
John H

[Charlie Hall]

Hi John,
I would have thought a suitable mic would give the closest sound to what comes out of the amp's speaker, but a lot of the sound of some amps is got from working it hard at higher volume levels, so maybe direct could be as good, even if not the same. You'll have to try both to see which you like best.
Regards,
Charlie

[John Haldane]

Hi Charlie,
I have the house all to my self to-day so I will give both methods a go and let you know how it goes.
Take care
John H