How do I get vocal reverb through my monitor?

[wildhorse3143]

I have a behringer xenyx 1204fx mixer and I plug my monitor into the channel one, jack plug socket I get my backing track on turning up the aux control knob (the monitor volume) and can get vocals on turning up that channels aux knob (the monitor volume) but I cannot get any reverb on vocals to my monitor, and the sound without reverb is flat,channel 2 is labeled fx but I cannot get any sound from my backing tracks or mic channel on channel 2.

 

I used to use a yamaha poewred mixer and it was a lot easier to use and gave me what I wanted but I cannot seem to get this behringer to do it, Am I being thick or is the Behringer just simply not able to do this??

 

Any help would be appreciated,,, I know this is a difficult one to sort out and if someone can help, and it would be easier to talk on fone, email me your number and I will gladly ring you back. I have a big gig Fri 12th and woudl liek to try and have it sorted,,,,,

Thanks

A rather desperate Singer in SW Scotland ** laughs out loud **

www.johngrahamvocalist.co.uk

email info@johngrahamvocalist.co.uk

[Shez]

Hi John,

 

I can see why you're confused - the manual is far from clear. It suggests that there's a "FX to mon" control that would let you feed the effects to your monitor but going by the picture of the mixer, there isn't such a button. That being the case, there isn't any way of getting effects in to your monitor.

 

A quick note on terminology - channels are the strips that run from top to bottom on the mixer - they handle the input signals. Auxes run across the mixer and create mixes made up of bits of each channel. Aux 1 makes your monitor mix; aux 2 should determine what goes to the effects processor.

 

To get effects on your mic in the main mix for the audience, turn up the aux 2 control (labelled FX) on whichever channel your mic is plugged in to. Also check that Aux send 2 (under the effects level meter) is turned up to 0 and stereo aux return 2 (under the effects program number display) is turned up to 0.

 

Hope that's of some help.

[Pete Alcock]

Hi John,

 

I feel your frustration - what an irritating manual! If only Behringer provided a block diagram you could at least figure out a workaround.

 

The way I think the 1204 is configured is that Aux 2 send from each channel feeds the master Aux 2 send knob, which goes to both the Aux 2 output jack and the input to the internal FX device.

 

The Aux 2 (FX Return) controls the level of the internal fx device unless there is an external FX device connected to the Aux 2 return jacks.

 

Now, the "FX to Mon" control, only functions for Aux return 1 (stupidly not for the internal FX device which comes in on Aux return 2!).

 

Here's a suggestion (I obviously can't try it, but it may work). Route the FX return to Alt3-4 by pressing the button next to the Aux 2 (FX) return knob. Then, take a pair of mono or stereo jack leads and connect the Alt3-4 outputs on the back to the Aux return 1 inputs on the top.

 

This will mean that the output of the internal FX device will be routed to the Alt3-4 output, then back in to Aux return 1, and the FX to Mon should then work OK. You won't be able to use the channel routing buttons as mutes then though. You'll need to turn up both the Aux return 1&2 knobs.

 

Try it and see if it works. If it does, cool, if not, sorry!

 

Pete.

[johndenim]

Manual here.

 

I have a similar mixer ( TBH I don't use much) and will have a play when I get the chance.

It's much easier having the kit in front of you!

[TimmyP1955]

Reverb in the monitors is usually considered to be a bad idea.

 

1) It promotes feedback. EQ it out, and you have degraded the performance of the monitors.

 

2) It hides pitch problems from the vocalists. They can't sing it rightly if they can't hear that they are singing it wrongly.

[wildhorse3143]

well, I have did everything everybody suggested but no matter what it seems if you want reverb on main speakers you cannot get it on monitor and vice versa,,,,

 

So have decided on a different approach!!

 

I hate the behringer and am so used to my Yamaha emx512sc which is a powered mixer so my question now is

 

CAN I USE MY YAMAHA EMX 512SC POWERED MIXER AS A MIXER ONLY AND CONNECT MY CROWN XTI 2000 TO IT TO USE AS THE CROWN AMP TO POWER EVERYTHING OR WILL THIS DAMAGE THE YAMAHA?????

[Shez]

CAN I USE MY YAMAHA EMX 512SC POWERED MIXER AS A MIXER ONLY

You can. Connect the "main out" L and R jack sockets on the front of the Yamaha to the inputs of the crown amp. Don't ever connect the speaker outputs on the back of the Yamaha to anything other than speakers.

[Sound Man]

Reverb in the monitors is usually considered to be a bad idea.

 

2) It hides pitch problems from the vocalists. They can't sing it rightly if they can't hear that they are singing it wrongly.

That's interesting.

 

A while ago I was doing the sound for a vocalist who was singing to a backing track and she asked for some reverb in her monitors as she said it sounded like she was singing into nothing.

 

David

[johndenim]

Reverb in the monitors is usually considered to be a bad idea.

 

2) It hides pitch problems from the vocalists. They can't sing it rightly if they can't hear that they are singing it wrongly.

That's interesting.

 

A while ago I was doing the sound for a vocalist who was singing to a backing track and she asked for some reverb in her monitors as she said it sounded like she was singing into nothing.

 

David

 

Slightly OT, but I'd say it depends on the act.

When I perform I have two wedges facing me, the Mrs prefers IEM's.

 

We both like a little reverb in the mike mix, 1: we prefer to sing with it, for me it adds warmth and feeling.

2: As I do my own mixing from the stage, I like to know what's coming out FOH!

 

John, regarding your powered mixer, as Shez has stated this will be fine, not sure if you could do this with your desk, but I use my Dynacord for tops only, and use a separate amp for subs. The other amp has a crossover so I just 'power amp in' on the desk mid/hi's only.

[Bobbsy]

I'm going to throw in with those who discourage the use of reverb in monitors.

 

Use of the reverb "sounds nice" but it also covers up problems in the vocal performance. It makes it more difficult to hear problems with pitch. It's a bit like hifi speakers which are designed to make your CDs sound good while studio monitors are to give an accurate rendition of the mix, warts and all.

 

It comes down to what you want out of your monitors--a warm fuzzy feeling that all is great, or the best opportunity to get your performance right. FYI, this doesn't just apply to live work--it's exactly the same with headphone mixes when I'm recording in my home studio. As a sound guy, obviously I give the performers what they ask for--but, when asked my opinion I suggest no (or, at worst, very light) reverb in the vocal monitoring. I've actually demonstrated several times to singers that their recording is noticeably better when their headphone mix is dry--even though, to them as they're doing it, it sounds wrong without the reverb.

 

Bob

[wildhorse3143]

Hi all,

Many Thanks for all the replies and advice.

 

I decided that I do not like my new Behringer (only had it a month) so it is going on ebay ** laughs out loud **.

 

I connected my power amp to my old power amp and the sound is a lot lot better and I can get a little bit of reverb into my monitor with my yamaha mixer.

 

I found the Behringer Not very user friendly to say the least.

 

Will look out for a seperate Mixer only to replace the Yamaha as I am carrying weight around that I do not need at the moment, but it is giving me the sound I like.

 

Cheers

John

www.johngrahamvocalist.co.uk