Audio Solution for old auditorium

[snesbittnp]

Hello all!

 

I've got a problem to solve that's proving tricky. It's actually a rather simple issue, but I think I'm coming at it from the wrong direction, and another point of view may help.

 

So, we've got a medium sized room that used to be the main performance hall for the school. There's a pair of Eclers at FOH, a generic brand power amp, and a A&H GL2400 currently in there for sound duties.

 

Now, so far, for playback from laptops, we've been using a pair of small multimedia speakers, but they're just not cutting it all of them time, as teachers are turning up with YouTube videos, with the levels all over the place. I want to put something in place that will enable laptops at the stage to be connected in to the FOH for playback, but not routed through the mixer - i.e. they can do it themselves with no assistance (in theory, at least!), but, I still want to be able to use the mixer when required. We'll also have external parties come in to use the kit sometimes, and the switch needs to be doable without repatching, and without the mixer needing to be on for the laptop playback scenario.

 

Any suggestions?

[Sibrows]

I hope you don't mind me asking but why are you looking to avoid running it through the mixer?

 

From what you've suggested you allow users to adjust the levels on the other channels so why not the laptop input?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Why not use the tape in on the mixer and fix the volume? Leave a generic mini jack cable available for the staff to plug the laptops in, make sure the RCA connections are already plugged into the mixer.

 

For volume level worries, perhaps run the cable through a preset compressor first?

[howartp]

Hello all!

 

I've got a problem to solve that's proving tricky. It's actually a rather simple issue, but I think I'm coming at it from the wrong direction, and another point of view may help.

 

Any suggestions?

We had this in our new hall a couple of years ago.

 

You have I think three options:

 

1) If the amp has two or more inputs, wire a 3.5mm input for the laptop into the amp - possibly via a DI box to bring it up to mic level - or buy a different amp with more inputs, and do the same. Optionally get a volume control something like BT936 - B-TECH - LOUDSPEAKER VOLUME CONTROL - IN-WALL | CPC UK between the two. [ETA: This is probably a bad example of a model as it's designed for speaker level, but there must be line-level ones somewhere]

2) (Expensive option) Buy a DSP (https://www.futureelectronics.com/en/Microprocessors/digital-signal-processors.aspx) - route the main mixer through one input, and the laptop through a second. This is what we did, but we've 8 inputs and 8 outputs going through it from the get-go, not retro-fitted.

3) Buy a small mixer and put it where nobody can get at it, with the original mixer going through one (pair of) channel(s) and the laptop (possibly with volume control as above) going through another input(s).

 

Peter

Edited May 11, 2015 by howartp

[snesbittnp]

Sibrows: I want this to be done with minimal interaction from myself, as I'm not always around, especially for private hire events when the client doesn't have the budget for a technician. For this reason, I'd have to leave the mixer on 24/7 (it's in a locked mix position room), which I don't want to do. I'd unfortunately not be able to trust that someone wouldn't fiddle with something else on the mixer, and it then wouldn't work.

 

ICTDirect_Dave: Same thing regarding the tape input, I'd need to leave it on all the time, or be required every time it was used.

 

Howartp: I think a DSP type solution is the answer. I'm an A&H man, so I'll probably go for something like an iDR-8, as then it can be left alone, and turned on when needed. It'll also have all the dynamics tools onboard I think I'd need, and, I can hook it up to a wireless router, and control it using an iPad or the Windows software.

[snesbittnp]

I hope you don't mind me asking but why are you looking to avoid running it through the mixer?

 

From what you've suggested you allow users to adjust the levels on the other channels so why not the laptop input?

 

Sorry, I wasn't totally clear in my answer below. We give external hires the option to have access to the sound and lighting booth, but not the teachers who use the hall during the day. Unfortunately, I've seen the mess they can cause of the mixer, and something will get damaged.

[Chris_]

I was going to suggest looking at the IDR route along with something like a PL3/4 remote panel at the front of the hall programmed to allow users to adjust the volume of the laptop input, or lectern mic etc.

[snesbittnp]

I was going to suggest looking at the IDR route along with something like a PL3/4 remote panel at the front of the hall programmed to allow users to adjust the volume of the laptop input, or lectern mic etc.

 

I think I'll be looking at an iDR-4 or 8, although they seem higher priced than an iDR-16, I'd guess due to the additional room control integration options. An iDR-16 would do the job I think, along with one of the PL control devices.

[antlear]

Hi

i have had a look at what you want to achieve and as great as an IDR is it sounds very over the top. I would instead look at VS-4X - Single Output - Kramer Electronics. This gives you 4 selectable inputs. Alongside this I would add a small rackmount mixer at the stage end. This would allow you to have level control on the laptop and also allows you to add a microphone.

 

Anthony

[mikkydoos]

A DI box doesn't bring a level up. It balances the input and cancels ground hum.

 

 

That AH is a nice board m8..

 

You have to run through an amp no matter what, mixer or not. Have you got another pair of inputs on the back of the amp you can cable up to a wall plate / socketed lead ?

To auto level audio you need a limiter/compressor you could run in line. Could even be a pedal hidden somewhere.

 

I know what you're getting at. I wouldn't have outsiders (let alone staff) loose on that board.

 

I had a 4K PA blown to bits by a guy who brought his own amp and to get to the speakers, ran it through the mixers mic channels with the channels and gain all the way up, then it went through my (clients) amp. It must have been about 20,000 watts by the time it got to the poor cabs. The speaker fuses didn't help lol.

 

What I'd do would be to put a table/lectern wherever with a NUC PC on the back of a monitor and a USB hub in view. Fix it to the table. (Going out to a projector too?) Let people use that instead of having to rock up with a laptop.

 

Powered speakers on the floor FOH, or run a small second amp back to the Eclers from a DJ mixer, add a mic. Install software to auto normalise the audio if its really that important.

 

Portable too. No way I'd let 'those who don't know' near that kit.

Edited May 15, 2015 by mikkydoos

[mikkydoos]

Hi

i have had a look at what you want to achieve and as great as an IDR is it sounds very over the top. I would instead look at VS-4X - Single Output - Kramer Electronics. This gives you 4 selectable inputs. Alongside this I would add a small rackmount mixer at the stage end. This would allow you to have level control on the laptop and also allows you to add a microphone.

 

Anthony

 

Well over the top for £1200 !

[snesbittnp]

A DI box doesn't bring a level up. It balances the input and cancels ground hum.

 

The amount of times I've had to explain that to people!

 

I think I'm going to opt for something like the Kramer device antlear mentioned above, quite possibly that device, as I know Kramer stuff tends to be reliable. I did think about having a PC there that people can use, but we've done that in our main hall, and teachers still insist they use their own laptop. Oh well!