Different Mixing Desk Output Levels ??

[Witterings]

Not sure if anyone can help but do different makes of mixing desk have different output levels ???
I tried a Behringer one with my PA this morning and had to have the gain, volume for the channel and overall volume really high and it still wasn't that loud. I then plugged the same mic into a Carlsbro mixer, the gain and volume of the channel seemed to be set about the same / possibly less on the gain and the master send was at half rather than virtually full and the volume coming out of the pa was double.
Hope I've posted this in the right place, any help would be much appreciated.

 

[miroslav]

Just placing the knobs/faders so they "look the same" is not going to be an accurate way of estimating output betwen two devices. You have to do some measuring and calibrating to know what each device is doing.
Plus...they may be using two different standards to begin with...so even if you place both master faders on "0"...you would different output levels.

 

[Farview]

IF one mixer is working at +4 line level and the other is working at -10 line level, that would be about an 11db difference. That's pretty big.

What did the meters on the board say you were outputing?

 

[Witterings]

IF one mixer is working at +4 line level and the other is working at -10 line level, that would be about an 11db difference. That's pretty big.

What did the meters on the board say you were outputing?

I'll have to have a look at that and see when I'm using it, I'm just a little concerned about what's being put out as the amp is 600 watt (which I believe is continuous) and the speakers are 400w Con't and 800w Prog so don't want to overdo it and pop them but for the same token need enough volume to be able to use them for the purpose.

 

[Farview]

Bring the volume on the amps down to 3/4 and run the mixer so the meters are hovering around 0dbVU. You will be fine.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

I'll have to have a look at that and see when I'm using it, I'm just a little concerned about what's being put out as the amp is 600 watt (which I believe is continuous) and the speakers are 400w Con't and 800w Prog so don't want to overdo it and pop them but for the same token need enough volume to be able to use them for the purpose.

Most amps are rated for peak output. A speaker with power handling of 800w program can probably handle 1600w peak. Unless you run highly compressed material at ridiculously high volume you'll probably be okay. If you tell us the actual make/model of the amp and speakers we could be more specific with the advice.

Mixer output levels vary between two main standards. They are +4dBu (1.23V, pro line level) and -10dBV (0.3V, consumer line level). Pretty much any mixer intended for live sound will have +4dBu output, and 0dBVU on the meter will correspond to that level. If the meter goes to +18dBVU the max output is around +22dBu at the jack. Also note that if the output is balanced there may be a loss of 6dB if you don't maintain a balanced signal. Mackies are different in that 0dBVU on the meter is 0dBu at the output. Many mixers built for home recording use the -10dBV signal level.

 

[Witterings]

Most amps are rated for peak output. A speaker with power handling of 800w program can probably handle 1600w peak. Unless you run highly compressed material at ridiculously high volume you'll probably be okay. If you tell us the actual make/model of the amp and speakers we could be more specific with the advice.

Mixer output levels vary between two main standards. They are +4dBu (1.23V, pro line level) and -10dBV (0.3V, consumer line level). Pretty much any mixer intended for live sound will have +4dBu output, and 0dBVU on the meter will correspond to that level. If the meter goes to +18dBVU the max output is around +22dBu at the jack. Also note that if the output is balanced there may be a loss of 6dB if you don't maintain a balanced signal. Mackies are different in that 0dBVU on the meter is 0dBu at the output. Many mixers built for home recording use the -10dBV signal level.

Thanks for all the comments / input everyone, much appreciated !!!!!!

bouldersounguy,
The amp is the Carlsbro Proline 2000
http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/carlsbro-powerline-pro-2000-power-amplifier--30496

The speakers are the Carlsbro Delta 15/400's
http://www.carlsbro.com/pro-audio/delta-series.php


The mixer with what appears to be the higher outputs is the Carlsbro Megamix 12
http://www.carlsbro.com/pro-audio/megamix-12dsp.php

The other mixer with the lower output a Behringer 1222fx
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/1222FX.aspx

If you need any more info please just ask !!

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Thanks for all the comments / input everyone, much appreciated !!!!!!

bouldersounguy,
The amp is the Carlsbro Proline 2000
http://www.dv247.com/pa-systems-and-live-sound/carlsbro-powerline-pro-2000-power-amplifier--30496

The speakers are the Carlsbro Delta 15/400's
http://www.carlsbro.com/pro-audio/delta-series.php


The mixer with what appears to be the higher outputs is the Carlsbro Megamix 12
http://www.carlsbro.com/pro-audio/megamix-12dsp.php

The other mixer with the lower output a Behringer 1222fx
http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/1222FX.aspx

If you need any more info please just ask !!

I don't think that amp will drive the speakers to their max SPL, but if it gets loud enough it's good enough.

Both of those mixers have the same max output. Maybe there's something about the metering or the way you're connecting them that's causing the difference.

 

[Witterings]

I don't think that amp will drive the speakers to their max SPL, but if it gets loud enough it's good enough.

Both of those mixers have the same max output. Maybe there's something about the metering or the way you're connecting them that's causing the difference.

Thanks for looking into it for me I'm not exactly clued up in this area at all, I'm wondering if maybe it's just the calibration on the sliders and nothing else, much appreciated !!!!

 

[Farview]

Thanks for looking into it for me I'm not exactly clued up in this area at all, I'm wondering if maybe it's just the calibration on the sliders and nothing else, much appreciated !!!!

There are also gain controls on each channel. You have to set the gain controls correctly in order for the faders to see the same level.

1. press the solo/pfl button for the channel and play the signal into it.
2. set the gain control at the top of the channel strip so the met reads about 0db
3. do the same for the other channels

Now all the channels are calibrated. The channel faders feed the master output fader. So, with the master fader at 0db and one channel fader at 0db, the output meters should be hitting around 0db and therefore sending a line level signal to the amp.