A normal small/medium gig would usually be set up like this:
Kick : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 1
Snare : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 2
HiHats : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 3
Tom 1 : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 4
Tom 2 : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 5
Tom 3 : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 6
Overhead Left : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 7
Overhead Right : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 8
Bass gtr : DI Box -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 9
(DI 1/4" parallel out to bassamp)
Guitar amp : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 10
Guitar amp : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 11
Acoustic gtr : DI (or mic) -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 12
Keyboards : DI Box -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 13
(DI 1/4" parallel out to Keyboard amp)
Keyboards : DI Box -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 14
(DI 1/4" parallel out to Keyboard amp)
Percussion : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 15
Vocal : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 16
Vocal : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 17
Vocal : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 18
Vocal : Mic -> cable -> snake -> mixer ch 19
*Note: Drum machines, electronic percussion, sequencers,
cd players and all other line level 'instruments' are usually
connected the same way as keyboards.
If there are no keyboard or acoustic gtr amps on stage
then those instruments will need to be monitored
through the stage monitors.
Ok, so now you have all your inputs into the board, obviously your input list will vary but I just listed the common ones.
Next we need to connect the outputs and Auxillary sends.
There are 2 basic types of auxillary sends pre fader and post fader (before and after channel output fader)
Pre fader takes it's signal before the output fader so that whaterver you do with the fader has no effect on the aux send, in other words you can turn the fader all the way down and not cut the signal to the auxillary, for this reason monitor sends are usually pre fader.
Post fader takes it's signal after the channel output fader so pulling down the fader will also reduce the level going to the aux
outs, this is normally used for things like reverb and delay etc.
because you want them to fade to silence too if you pull the channel fader all the way down.
Main outs connect like this:
Mixing board main outs -> 31 band graphic eq -> snake
-> crossover -> power amps -> main speakers.
Monitors connect like this:
Stage Mix 1, stage front wedge monitors.
Mixing board auxillary 1 output (at least aux 1 and 2 are usually
pre fader, it shoud be labelled somewhere) -> 31 band
graphic eq -> snake -> monitor amps -> front
monitors.
Stage Mix 2, Drummer's monitor.
Mixer Aux 2 out (or any other pre fader aux) -> 31 band graphic
eq -> monitor amps -> Drummer's monitor.
Other stage mixes : repeat to taste, or until you run out of pre fader auxes or amps.
Effects connect like this:
(Every mixer has a different number of auxes and pre/post assignment so these aux numbers are arbitrary, pre fader auxes are USUALLY but not always the first 2 or 4, and post fader auxes are usually the last 2 or 4.)
Mixer aux 4 output (post fader aux) -> nice really expensive vocal reverb unit -> channel 22 line input.
Mixer aux 5 output (post fader aux) -> nice really expensive vocal delay unit (or chorus or whatever) -> channel 23 line input.
Mixer aux 6 output (post fader aux) -> slightly less nice and maybe not as expensive drum reverb unit. -> channel 24 line
input.
Even though most boards have aux returns designed for the effects I prefer to return them to channels since I can then use the channel eq to fine tune them, muting them is quicker and the
controls are closer at hand.
Compressors and gates:
Compressors and gates connect to individual channels using the channels 'Insert' connections and a special cable called a, yup you guessed it, insert cable.
My order of preference for prioritizing compressor assignment is:
Lead vocal
other vocals
bass gtr
kick drum
acoustic gtr
they dont always need it and it's really a judgement call based on the players ability to control their own dynamics. I always use a comp on lead vocal though.
Good starting point for vocals:
Threshold 0db
Ratio 4:1
attack and release medium or auto
Output +5 db