Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Sound Board Advice

    Posted 01-27-2023 09:52
    I'm looking for a little sound advice (literally and figuratively). My school recently purchased 16 Shure SLXD wireless microphones racked and ready to go from BodyMics (kudos to Rod Reilly for great service and generosity of knowledge). With this purchase we have outgrown our 10 channel sound board and I'm trying to decide what's the most sensible and cost effective way to upgrade so we have 18 channels. Get a new board? Does it work OK to patch in extra channels from something like a Rolls RM82 8 Channel Mic/Line Mixer or am I misunderstanding how that device works?

    I appreciate any advice/suggestions! Thank you!

    ------------------------------
    Julie Wharton
    High School Theatre Teacher
    Franklin School of Innovation
    NC
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 01-27-2023 09:58
    Most consoles have preamps in them, so in many cases you are padding an already padded signal.  Did you blow your budget on the body mic rigs?  If not, Sweetwater has a simple Mackie 24 channel console for 950.





  • 3.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 01-30-2023 09:31
    Thanks, Robert. Budget is somewhat elastic. The Mackie console looks good. The supplier I used for the mics strongly recommended a digital board, which look to be more expensive. I don't have any experience with the difference between analog and digital and suspect for our purposes, the analog would be fine. Do you have any thoughts about that? I appreciate your info!

    ------------------------------
    Julie Wharton
    High School Theatre Teacher
    Franklin School of Innovation
    NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 02-03-2023 12:19
    A digital console is less linear.  The Mackie has a channel strip dedicated to each input and is laid out in a very logical pattern.  A digital console will save all of your settings for you, but has a higher learning curve.  If the only people using it are school staff and student crew for assemblies, plays, musicals and concerts, you could get by with the Mackie.  Just keep it clean and dust free and it should work out fine for you.  Just make sure that all of the outputs for your body mics are xlr cables.




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 01-27-2023 18:38
    Hey Julie,

    Are you looking for a digital or analog board? That is where you want to first decide.

    ------------------------------
    Crit Fisher
    Lighting/Sound Designer
    New Albany High School
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 01-30-2023 09:34
    Thanks, Crit. I have zilcho knowledge about digital vs analog boards except that the digital ones look more expensive. Do you have wisdom about pros and cons of one vs the other? 

    Gratefully - Julie

    ------------------------------
    Julie Wharton
    High School Theatre Teacher
    Franklin School of Innovation
    NC
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 02-01-2023 05:54
    Julie, 

    I'm a strong proponent of the Behringer X32, it gives you plenty of room for growth, its not bad price wise, its used by many places of worship and community theatres, so you may have some local expertise, there are dozens of YouTube videos out the to learn from AND is the primary platform for TheatreMix. which is the best way to run the board for any show.

    ------------------------------
    Patrick Cassidy
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Sound Board Advice

    Posted 02-05-2023 07:48
    We have had a Yamaha digital board for years. We have invested in a A&H SQ-7. It is pricy but we love it. I am a fan of the Behringer X32. It could also meet your needs and not break the back.

    ------------------------------
    Crit Fisher
    Lighting/Sound Designer
    New Albany High School
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content