HELP! Newbie here....mixer questions

[puremutt]

This is embarrassing but I have some newbie questions as I haven't been doing this long....I heard this was the place to ask...

I own a Phonic Powerpod 740 Powered Mixer. 7 channels.

Channels 1 -4 each have Lo-Z XLR inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

Channels 1 & 2 have 1/4" Hi-Z inputs. Channels 3 & 4 have 1/4 Super Hi-Z inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

Channels 5, 6, & 7 have Mic XLR inputs and dual 1/4" Line "A B inputs summed" inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

What are the Pad -25dB buttons for?

What is phantom power, and when/why would I use it?

I'm currently using passive speakers and monitors. How would I use active speakers and monitors?

 

[mjbphotos]

This forum is for Home Recording and this section is on mixing when recording.

What you've there is a cheap (but large) PA powered mixer.

Channels 1 -4 Low-Z microphones plugged into the XLR jacks

Channels 1 & 2 instruments (guitars) plugged into the 1/4" jacks
Channels 3 & 4 instruments (guitars) plugged into the 1/4" jacks

Channels 5, 6, & 7 Mics into the XLR connectors or line level signals (keyboard, MP3 player, etc) into the 1/4" jacks. Dual-summed means if you plug a stereo keyboard (for example) into the A & B jacks, they will be summed to mono in that channel.

The only way to use this with active speakers would be to adapt from the 'REC OUT' line outputs which are really designed to go to a recorder of some kind.

Can I ask how you came across this (and have passive speakers and monitors) and don't know how to use it?

 

[puremutt]

Thanks Mike.

I posted the same thing in a Reddit forum and got great replies from three different users who:

A) Didn't have an issue with the specificity of my question in reference to the forum I asked it in.

B) Didn't make a comment about the quality of my equipment. I know how much it costs, Mike.

C) Gave more comprehensive and more articulate answers.

D) Did not call into question my well-admitted ignorance about the equipment.

I've been using it for over a year on small acoustic gigs with no issues, it's pretty simple. I just wasn't sure about all the terms and was inquiring to how much more it COULD do compared to what it IS doing. Last weekend I played a large venue that supplied it's own mixing board and sound, but couldn't power my passive monitors, so we ran all our mics and instruments into the venue's board, and then ran that mix into my PA on the stage and used it just for our monitors.

It peaked my interest into how much more was possible. It's hard to find diagrams about this stuff, and the internet led me here. But don't worry, Mike, I won't be back to this shithole forum and it's condescending, washed-up, bitter, old, self-righteous musicians. You're the reason I hate musicians.

 

[mjbphotos]

Thanks Mike.

I posted the same thing in a Reddit forum and got great replies from three different users who:

A) Didn't have an issue with the specificity of my question in reference to the forum I asked it in.

B) Didn't make a comment about the quality of my equipment. I know how much it costs, Mike.

C) Gave more comprehensive and more articulate answers.

D) Did not call into question my well-admitted ignorance about the equipment.

I've been using it for over a year on small acoustic gigs with no issues, it's pretty simple. I just wasn't sure about all the terms and was inquiring to how much more it COULD do compared to what it IS doing. Last weekend I played a large venue that supplied it's own mixing board and sound, but couldn't power my passive monitors, so we ran all our mics and instruments into the venue's board, and then ran that mix into my PA on the stage and used it just for our monitors.

It peaked my interest into how much more was possible. It's hard to find diagrams about this stuff, and the internet led me here. But don't worry, Mike, I won't be back to this shithole forum and it's condescending, washed-up, bitter, old, self-righteous musicians. You're the reason I hate musicians.

Bye bye. Don't let the door hit you in your self-righteous ass on the way out. You 'hate musicians' - I guess you avoid looking in the mirror in the morning!

 

[Low.J.Samuel]

As for phantom power, it's just needed for certain types of mics. If your mic works without it on, leave it off. It won't be problematic if you have it on when not needed, but if a cord is broken or whatever it could potentially damage your mic so it's good practice to have it on only when needed.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Channels 1 -4 each have Lo-Z XLR inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

Microphones, direct boxes.

Channels 1 & 2 have 1/4" Hi-Z inputs. Channels 3 & 4 have 1/4 Super Hi-Z inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

1 & 2, instruments with active outputs (keyboards, guitars with preamps). 3 & 4, guitars etc. with piezo or magnetic pickups but no preamps.

Channels 5, 6, & 7 have Mic XLR inputs and dual 1/4" Line "A B inputs summed" inputs. What equipment would I use those for?

XLRs, mics and direct boxes. Summed line inputs, stereo line sources.

What are the Pad -25dB buttons for?

If something is so loud you need to turn the channel level knob almost all the way down, try the pad.

What is phantom power, and when/why would I use it?

Use it for condenser microphones, active direct boxes or anything else requiring phantom power to operate. Don't use it for certain ribbon mics and/or if you have a faulty cable.

I'm currently using passive speakers and monitors. How would I use active speakers and monitors?

Use the Main and Mon line outputs on the front.

 

[XploZiveToyz]

I take exception to your statement about hating musicians! I happen to hate assholes! If you found answers to your questions at Reddit, then what are you doing asking mindless questions that can easily be answered by doing a little research, here? I'll tell you why your'e here: You're a lazy jerk. Don't let the door hit you in the ass, asshole!