Questions on adding monitoring system to my PA

[Manimal]

I made the mistake 2 years ago of getting a cheap packaged PA setup because it did the job at the time. Now we have expanded with more members and want to start doing a few gigs and we are very limited on inputs and features. The 230 watts RMS its power section puts out seems to be fine for right now as our drummer is pretty dynamic and we seem to have enough headroom so I'm not too concerned about that right now.

What I want to do however is add monitoring to the PA. I have an AUX send and a main line out to work with. I'm assuming the line out would be better. What I want to do is get a power amp and run a 4 ohm loud out of each channel to get a total of 4 monitors which will be ok right now. I'm 90 percent sure the line out is before the preamp on the powered mixer.

My question deals with a preamp before the poweramp. Do I need a dedicated preamp or will I be able to get away with going line out strait to power amp and using its main levels to adjust the volume of the monitors? Either way I'll get a preamp anyways. I'd just liketo hold of a little if I can due to cash.

Also what type of preamp would you use for this and can you give me reccomendations. Thanks

[z-sprout]

if you are running the line-out from the mixer you wont need a pre-amp, the preamp is just for mics/line ins etc.

[diesel]

The aux send on your mixer likely designed for monitoing applications. If it is a pre-fader send, it is most certainly designed for it. Just run the aux send's output to your monitor amp (you may need to run the amp in parallel mode).

A pre-amp is designed to bring weak signals up to line-level. If your signal is already at line level, the only thing you would want to do with it would be process it for sound. Outboard gear like equalizers, dynamics control (compressors, limiters, expanders), and sometimes other special effects are used in this pursuit. These effects are rarely applied to the mix as a whole, but more often to enhance one part of it.

My personal monitor rig consists of a 31-band EQ and a limiter for each monitor mix. The EQ let's me cut down on the feedback, and the limiter keeps my stage volume down.

You can, however, start with just a direct line from mixer to amp if you are strapped for cash.

[Manimal]

Honestly, no offense, but I don't need an audio lesson, I know what everything does and what a preamp is. Basicly what I want to know is can I adjust the input level with just the power amp or will I need a preamp to control the signal.

[isojoe420]

The best thing to ask here to help you would be, "what mixer are you using?(specific model number)".

[Manimal]

LOL, jesus. My question is....

My line out on my powered mixer is pre gain stage...meaning there no way to change the line out level. Would I be able to change this level with just the knobs on the power amp or will I need a preamp to adjust the level?

[isojoe420]

LOL, jesus. My question is....

My line out on my powered mixer is pre gain stage...meaning there no way to change the line out level. Would I be able to change this level with just the knobs on the power amp or will I need a preamp to adjust the level?
I repeat, what mixer are you using! Would be easier to help you.

If its just a line out with no control to it at all, then yes, you could just control its volume with the gain knob on the amp. But if thats all it is and if its not your typical aux send from what is seen on many mixers, then you have no control of what you want in your monitor mix. It's just the full mix of everything, which could be what you want. But if its all vocals, then I suppose its all good.

[Manimal]

Thanks, that answers my question. Sorry If I sounded like a jerk before. Yesterday was a rough day :-/

[isojoe420]

Thanks, that answers my question. Sorry If I sounded like a jerk before. Yesterday was a rough day :-/
Have a beer then. :chug:

If you are interested, I have some powered monitors for sale that work well for vocals. Let me know in this thread.
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=435050

[isojoe420]

Bump