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Mono/stereo question on the PX

premier1premier1 Posts: 119
edited September 2011 in PA General Discussion
when you use the two inputs on the DRPX and configure a setup of MONO are you really getting mono? or do you have to use only the one input marked L-MONO and one output and go out to one speaker and then daisy chain that to the second speaker? anotherwords when using both ins and both outs and then setting up a mono config, are you acually getting mono to both and how would it work if you only used the one in and one out and daisy chained? Just curious is all, THX

Comments

  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    premier1 wrote:
    when you use the two inputs on the DRPX and configure a setup of MONO are you really getting mono? or do you have to use only the one input marked L-MONO and one output and go out to one speaker and then daisy chain that to the second speaker? anotherwords when using both ins and both outs and then setting up a mono config, are you acually getting mono to both and how would it work if you only used the one in and one out and daisy chained? Just curious is all, THX

    Probably. The stereo image comes with panning as long as there is two of something ie. guitar OR say for a vocal -- some type of time offset in the delay to create the image

    Seems like you have a dual mono thing going on. As far as Daisy chaining goes -- you can do it completely on the mono as long as you don't add to many speakers and drop the ohm load too much. 4 ohm is pretty standard.

    So if you have four -- 8 ohm speakers -- put two daisy chained on one input and two daisy chained on the other input. Basically Dual MONO

    This works great as long as all of the speakers are the same model so the PEQ's AND Graphic EQ's settings will work well with all four.

    Don't know if this answers your question or not. I run a mono setup for front of house. I only use ONE INPUT. The way I described above is the way I run my monitors.
  • premier1premier1 Posts: 119
    Yes well I have powered mains so I wouldent have to worry about the ohms, I may give it a try just using the one output and then daisy that speaker to the other. The way it is now is duel mono I guess. Why is it bad or not an accepted pratice to run two mains in stereo? I only have vocals going thru the mains, wouldent stereo enhance that? Just trying some new stuff out, thx
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    premier1 wrote:
    Yes well I have powered mains so I wouldent have to worry about the ohms, I may give it a try just using the one output and then daisy that speaker to the other. The way it is now is duel mono I guess. Why is it bad or not an accepted pratice to run two mains in stereo? I only have vocals going thru the mains, wouldent stereo enhance that? Just trying some new stuff out, thx

    If the DR is in Dual Mono mode -- then YES you are in Dual MONO. STEREO in the DR LINKS them together BUT if both sides are mono but Identical -- I am assuming they are since you can't really EQ one without the other -- then it is basically like Stereo. Panning at the console will demonstrate this with instruments that can be panned. Otherwise for vocals -- you won't even know it is stereo UNLESS you have an effects unit that offsets the delay to create the stereo image.

    If you go MONO OUT and daisy chain -- that is fine as well BUT you won't be able to pan or use the delay to spread out the stereo image.

    It isn't bad or not accepted to run the mains in stereo. Who said that? I have done both and I have concluded it doesn't matter a whole bunch unless you actually have material that is in stereo. Keyboards for example have nice stereo effects.

    The debate on Stereo versus Mono is a long boring one that really relies on you to be centered at the acoustic crossover point of the two speaker stacks. Unfortunately, the majority of people are not going to be able to stand in the center at that position without overcrowding the area and again it depends on if the material being played by the musicians is even in stereo and requires panning...etc.

    To me -- it is a debate that I am not emotionally attached too. At least for now... :D

    If I were you -- I would just keep it in stereo -- change the DR to LINK the dual mono back together so it will be in stereo and you are done.

    If you can't figure out how to do that -- I have a spare PX in my shop and I can fire it up and give you a step by step. You should be able to change it by going to the WIZARD and changing that specific part and then hit NEXT to get thru the rest of it BUT I don't remember for sure. I have accidentally erased some things before. Maybe you should copy the preset over to a new one first so you can always go back to the original IF your move to change the configuration backfires and erases your EQ settings.

    What powered speakers do you have?
  • DraDra Posts: 3,777
    Assuming that you send a stereo signal (left and right) into the DRPX (left and right), whether the DRPX is set to stereo or dual mono does not sffect the signal separation or do any combining. The difference is simply whether you want individual EQ capability for each channel (in 95% of all applications why would you, and I can't think of any) or to make adjustments far easier by choosing stereo (one EQ adjustment affects both channels). If you have tonal issues in one speaker, it will be a problem in the other.
    Use stereo. Make life simple.

    DRA (Disclaimer: I don't own a PX, but I have been to a pharmacy.)
  • premier1premier1 Posts: 119
    Thanks guys, I was just curious as to these things, I agree however that life is easier in stereo and if it aint broke dont fix it ! As for speakers, Im using Peavey Impulse 12 inch mains and I use passive subwoofers x2 aux fed via a crown XTI..We all use in ears now and have gotton very used to them, took awhile but now I would never go back!
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    premier -- If you already haven't looked -- check in your DR to see if the factory tunings are available for those Peavey's. I don't recall ever seeing a preset for them but I scroll thru them very quickly on my way to "Custom". If they are in there and you haven't already done this -- it could be an improvement for you.

    Subs too but if your are using the Aux -- you probably don't have a DR on them BUT instead on the tops.
  • premier1premier1 Posts: 119
    No, there is no preset for the Peavey's so I just used custom, I use the processing in the XTI for the subs so the DR is only used on the mains. After trying it many many times, the aux fed subs just work much better for me than going via the DR, The processing in the XTI is really good in my opinion and saved me from another crossover, eq etc, the only other thing I do is on the insert of the kick drum and bass guitar chanel is plug in a comp/gate Im using the 166 and very happy with the overall sound. As we all know however it could always be better ! But feeding the subs aux has really cleaned up alot of problems and cleared up our mix alot, im getting much better results with vocals cutting thru now and stage bleed and hum problems are a thing of the past, many of the stages we play are small and it was always an issue with bleed.
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    Awesome! I forgot the XTi's have Band Manager. Sounds like you are on the right track.
  • premier1premier1 Posts: 119
    Yes and it saves alot of rack space! And now they came out with the new version XTI's after I baught mine....I can never keep up lol. Anyway its a great setup so far, These amps with the DSP in them are really the bomb, a couple of those and a presonus studiolive is really all you need, But I cant quite afford the studio live yet, one day soon I hope!
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    I have the Presonus SL 16.2.4. Would love to have the 24 though. Gadget has a SL as well. Really nice mixer.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Yup find cool new things about it... even today.. did you know Doc, that we can use the effects in Studio one and artist live in real time? Thanks in no small part to the bi-directional firewire... we can use the efx in the Studio program... haven't tried it yet.. but I'm gonna this week.
    G
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    Gadget wrote:
    Yup find cool new things about it... even today.. did you know Doc, that we can use the effects in Studio one and artist live in real time? Thanks in no small part to the bi-directional firewire... we can use the efx in the Studio program... haven't tried it yet.. but I'm gonna this week.
    G


    Yeah -- there is a bunch of things you can do via the firewire returns and with Studio One. It is weird because you would think after all this time -- I would have tried it by now. Just busy with other stuff.

    Hey G -- did an outdoor gig last night and the system was friggin amazing. Did you ever get my email on some DIY Coaxial monitors? Been seriously thinking about building some. The micro wedges got me thinking.
  • GadgetGadget Posts: 4,915
    Nope... sorry.. and I have a couple Co-axials myself and they are great! They are based on a driver that is no longer available.. but hey.. there is a P audio speaker driver combo that I would LOVE to make a monitor out of... it's called the BM12CX38...4" VC woofer and 2" exit driver...supposed to be a KILLER speaker.. with a properly designed cab.. they supposedly rival HI FI speakers costing $50,000 or more!

    Ya.. summer is such a bitch for me to get ANYTHING done as I'm SO darn busy...

    On an interesting side note.. the company I freelance for is doing ZZtop @ the Surf Ballroom in Iowa in October... I have all access ...should be interesting...

    G
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    G -- Those P-Audio's are exactly what I was looking at. I have nothing but good things to say about the P-Audios I have. Two years of being hammered and they still are going strong.

    What got me going on the coaxial stuff is Dave Gunness at Fulcrum-Acoustics. There are coaxials in the Microwedge and I really dig the size. I am NOT diggin the $2,000 price tag though. I bet the P-Audio's in a DIY box -- Tuned up of course -would kick.

    Have fun in Iowa -- sounds like a good time.
  • DennisDennis Posts: 801
    Dr. J wrote:
    G -- Those P-Audio's are exactly what I was looking at. I have nothing but good things to say about the P-Audios I have. Two years of being hammered and they still are going strong.

    What got me going on the coaxial stuff is Dave Gunness at Fulcrum-Acoustics. There are coaxials in the Microwedge and I really dig the size. I am NOT diggin the $2,000 price tag though. I bet the P-Audio's in a DIY box -- Tuned up of course -would kick.

    Have fun in Iowa -- sounds like a good time.

    Check out Radian 5312 or 5312 NEO.....I believe the 5312 was the original coaxial in the Radian MicroWedge (before EAW)
  • Dr. JDr. J Posts: 209
    Dennis wrote:
    Dr. J wrote:
    G -- Those P-Audio's are exactly what I was looking at. I have nothing but good things to say about the P-Audios I have. Two years of being hammered and they still are going strong.

    What got me going on the coaxial stuff is Dave Gunness at Fulcrum-Acoustics. There are coaxials in the Microwedge and I really dig the size. I am NOT diggin the $2,000 price tag though. I bet the P-Audio's in a DIY box -- Tuned up of course -would kick.

    Have fun in Iowa -- sounds like a good time.

    Check out Radian 5312 or 5312 NEO.....I believe the 5312 was the original coaxial in the Radian MicroWedge (before EAW)

    Thanks Dennis! I sure will.
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