Advice on set up

[esub9493]

Here's my set up:

Guitar: Martin DC-16RGTE -> GrooveTubes Direct Box -> Boss DD-3 Delay -> Line6 DL4 -> amp (mixer?)

Vocals: Shure SM57 -> Maudio AudioBuddy Preamp -> Boss DD-6 Delay -> Line6 DL4 -> amp (mixer?)

Sounds fine through the amp. Now my problem: I have 2 small kids and wifey doesn't like all my 'noise' late at night. I was thinking I could just replace the amp with a mixer and use headphones (as loud as I want). My amp has no headphones out.

I bought a yamaha MG10 mixer, but the vocals sound distorted no matter how I set the gain/levels. Am I right in thinking this will work? If so, does anyone have recommendations on the order of the components, or other things that might make the vocals sound better? Thanks,

 

[kragbax]

Just a first thought, and probably already checked I'm sure, but be sure your signal arriving at the mixer isn't too hot/muddy to begin with. The AudioBuddy has a gain control I believe, not to mention phantom power (you don't want that on of course with the 57), then according to your chain you are running to your DD, etc. you might want to run the Mic into the audio buddy then directly to the mixer to check the signal. If it's still muddy at least you can rule out the other components. If it sounds OK then introduce the other components one at a time, adjusting your output from one item going to the input on the next. Each link in the chain has an ideal input level, and if it's getting a too hot signal from a previous link, all the adjustments at the mixer in the world won't help... muddy in - muddy out.

 

[Outlaws]

I would go one step further and suggest plugging the mic right into the mixer and using its preamp to see if mybe it just the mic or mixer. Then start adding the outboard pre, etc.