Sound upgrade.

[rbjames]

Hi,

 

We're looking to replace our failing analogue mixer with a digital one and we need some cabling running. I've been asked to put together a quote - can people recommend installation companies who specialise in this?

 

Thanks,

Richard

[SamanthaD]

Hi,

 

We're looking to replace our failing analogue mixer with a digital one and we need some cabling running. I've been asked to put together a quote - can people recommend installation companies who specialise in this?

 

Thanks,

Richard

 

Hi Richard,

 

From the vagueness of your request I guess you'll need a bit of help with this. We use GVAV and have never had any issues with them, their head office is in Hounslow so quote close to you.

[Chris_Cook]

Do you know what desk you are getting and where the connections need to be?

 

Many digital desks run over cat5e, so you might be able to get a data cabling company to do the run if you know what you need.

 

Otherwise, most AV installers should be able to help.

 

We've worked with STLS before.

[slugshead]

In answer to your question, use your trusted data guys and run Cat6 from the desk to the stage. Also get some data points back to your network cab at the desk location and down on the stage (Future proof!)

 

Little bit extra to do with your project

 

Allen and Heath SQ5 or SQ7 as the desk hands down.

 

you've then got two options for your stage -

1, Direct Cat5e/6 to the stage and connect something like an AR2412 (24 in 12 out). This is wired direct from mixer to stage, job done.

2, DANTE card in the desk, then a DANTE compatible stage box like the DT168 (16 in and 8 out). This offers flexibility, the DANTE connectors are plugged into your network and the audio will go through multiple switches, it offers a lot more flexibility and is a little more expensive.

 

Doing it over DANTE is my recommendation, the networking remains familiar. You can install a DANTE soundcard driver on a PC and suddenly your performance room connects into a DAW like ableton and you can record. There's PC based utilities which you can install to distribute audio and replicate it in different places...

Edited July 26, 2021 by slugshead

[SamanthaD]

In answer to your question, use your trusted data guys and run Cat6 from the desk to the stage. Also get some data points back to your network cab at the desk location and down on the stage (Future proof!)

 

Little bit extra to do with your project

 

Allen and Heath SQ5 or SQ7 as the desk hands down.

 

you've then got two options for your stage -

1, Direct Cat5e/6 to the stage and connect something like an AR2412 (24 in 12 out). This is wired direct from mixer to stage, job done.

2, DANTE card in the desk, then a DANTE compatible stage box like the DT168 (16 in and 8 out). This offers flexibility, the DANTE connectors are plugged into your network and the audio will go through multiple switches, it offers a lot more flexibility and is a little more expensive.

 

Doing it over DANTE is my recommendation, the networking remains familiar. You can install a DANTE soundcard driver on a PC and suddenly your performance room connects into a DAW like ableton and you can record. There's PC based utilities which you can install to distribute audio and replicate it in different places...

First - any Cat run for audio needs to be shielded, unless it's Dante which I would say is overkill if you're not exploiting the muticast abilities. Standard Cat%e will not always work, or be unreliable.

 

Second - the SQ are good desks, but there are better for beginners to digital. We use the Soundcraft Impact / Expression range. Just as solid but easier to use IMO (things like having the EQ spread across multiple knobs rather than 1 set and having to select your EQ bands is a big help).

 

Third, we know nothing about the OP's requirements for an audio system, other than they need one. Hence why I recommended a company that will ask the right questions before recommending products.

[rbjames]

Sorry - everything got amazingly busy and I was distracted. Thank you for your replies.

 

To answer questions, currently we have stage boxes with xlr cables running straight to the sound room. We do also already have a cat5 cable up to the room from the floor which we attempted to use to provide an hdmi feed from the same stage box although we couldn't get a reliable signal so it's currently dormant and could be repurposed for a different stage box if required.

 

I'm not a beginner with mixers - I ran a studiolive series 3 digital mixer at home and played around a lot with multitrack recording my drum kit and other bits and pieces. Overkill but was good experience. I would like a desk that I can use in an after school activity to teach some of our older pupils about the basics of mixing (compression/eq/reverb etc.) and multitrack recording into one of our macs on Logic. There's also a big pressure to future proof.

 

I have experience with the Behringer X32 range but, although still perfectly capable, it is now a little old and so I'm tempted by the Wing which will likely be more relevant in 10 years (which is how long we're looking to allow for). A lot of flexibility and a touch screen to get the students excited.

[SamanthaD]

If you want to teach the basics of mixing, stay analogue. Too many newcomers get all obsessed with multi-band compression, the latest plug-in or the perfect EQ curve that they forget to use the most important tool of all - their ears! Amazed at how many "sound engineers" I've met that know nothing about correct gain structure, or how to insert analogue outboard equipment correctly!

 

Digital wise you could use Dante Virtual Soundcard to ingest multi-track audio to a Mac, or most desks have a multi-track USB connection these days. If you want something relevant then I'd stay away from Behringer. Much more likely to see A&H, Soundcraft or Yamaha on most shows, if not DigiCo or Midas.

[Andrew_C]

Para A - agree in entirity

Para B - Dissent. B desks are cropping up in all sorts of places. Sure, not on major (Midas / DigiCo) touring shows, or big theatres, but in pubs/clubs/small venues. Remember, they bought Midas.

[paulkerton]

Just like anything else, if you're teaching students - remember you're not teaching them one particular tool you're teaching them concepts - so don't get sucked into the idea of "industry standard" which is complete nonsense.

 

Especially in audio and recording, because - in DAWs for example - lots would say Ableton, others would say Pro Tools, certain fruit based advocates will say Logic Pro. 15-20 years ago people would've said Cubase.