Y-Splitters instead of a mixer

[Keryn O'Shea]

Good morning legends,
I'm aiming to simplify a FOH plus DJ monitor setup. Originally l was going to use a 4 channel mixer (Xenyx802) for signals to the DSPs. However l'm now entertaining using Y-splitters from the DJ decks to the DSP & amps, and using input gain controls in the DCX2496 and FBQ3102HD for setting the monitor levels, which will be in reach of the DJ to set their volume level (on the EQ input gain, it's +/- 15db).
This event is running for 2.5 days straight, so there's times when l'm not there as I'll be sleeping, etc. Not having the mixer present in the booth will be one less thing for anyone to fiddle with, and l don't need to make TRS cables (lazy.. yes).
There's no noticeable drop in signal strength as far as l can test using the Y-splitters..
Am l asking for trouble doing things this way?

[Bruce Weldy]

Good morning legends,
I'm aiming to simplify a FOH plus DJ monitor setup. Originally l was going to use a 4 channel mixer (Xenyx802) for signals to the DSPs. However l'm now entertaining using Y-splitters from the DJ decks to the DSP & amps, and using input gain controls in the DCX2496 and FBQ3102HD for setting the monitor levels, which will be in reach of the DJ to set their volume level (on the EQ input gain, it's +/- 15db).
This event is running for 2.5 days straight, so there's times when l'm not there as I'll be sleeping, etc. Not having the mixer present in the booth will be one less thing for anyone to fiddle with, and l don't need to make TRS cables (lazy.. yes).
There's no noticeable drop in signal strength as far as l can test using the Y-splitters..
Am l asking for trouble doing things this way?

Explain exactly what you are using the Y splitters for? Do you mean running two decks to the same input on the DSP? Are they balanced XLR or TRS? Or, are they RCA? XLR or TRS running balanced at +4db is certainly better than unbalanced at -10db.

Controlling volume via the DSP sounds like an absolute nightmare to me. Take the mixer. At least everyone knows how to use one and there will be less chance of a major screwup with someone touching the controls on the DSP.

[Keryn O'Shea]

Explain exactly what you are using the Y splitters for?

Originally the splitters would connect directly into the XLR Master Out of the Pioneer XDJ-XZ, XDJ-RX2 or DDJ1000, one XLR lead to the monitor system input (DCX2496/FBQ3102HD/600wx2 Amp), and the second XLR lead to the FOH system (PA2/CVR-D2004). However,
in searching images of the outputs, all 3 mixers have booth outputs and volume control.

Using the mixer booth connection would surely be a better way? Nobody needs to go near any of the SP.
And set maximum volume via the input gain on the PA2? (limiters set correctly of course!)
I'm not sure if you've worked with DJs before Bruce, sometimes they can challenging, and there's 38+ performing on these decks over the event! I'm aiming to make the setup as simple as it can be.

[Bruce Weldy]

I know that most of 'em love the color red and try their best to get every light in the signal chain to be that color.

You really don't want to split the L and R to go to different places.....your source material is stereo, so you'll only get half in the monitors and half in the FOH....so, difinitely use the extra outputs for the monitors. While I'm typing this, I think I figured out that you were talking about 2 splitters...one L, one R. So, disregard the LR stuff.....unless that's what you were considering.

I'd definitely hard limit the FOH and the monitors. And make it clear that anyone who pushes their mixer into the red will be shut down - right then. No reason to let someone hijack your system and blow up drivers. Not to mention, it sounds like crap when driven to distortion.

If you really want to make the rig simple, leave all the monitoring at home and give 'em a pair of headphones....

[Keryn O'Shea]

I know that most of 'em love the color red and try their best to get every light in the signal chain to be that color.

You got it, yep!

I'd definitely hard limit the FOH and the monitors. And make it clear that anyone who pushes their mixer into the red will be shut down - right then. No reason to let someone hijack your system and blow up drivers. Not to mention, it sounds like crap when driven to distortion.

Absolutely.

..l think I figured out that you were talking about 2 splitters...one L, one R..

Yes

If you really want to make the rig simple, leave all the monitoring at home and give 'em a pair of headphones....

Agreed, we don't want red crayon spat on the gear though
Monitors are the SLAP, surely someone will ask why there's no subs in the booth.

[Seth]

So... it seems you've made a little headway in creating opportunities to use your system publicly. Paid gig?

[Keryn O'Shea]

Yes mate! My next door neighbours son has a friend who is organising events on a family farm, this is her first one. It's essentially what we call a "Bush Doof", audience is capped at 200. Taking the DR280s & 4xT48s plus the SLAPs. It's paid, we agreed on $1000, which is quite cheap, I'll chalk this one up as experience, though there will be suggestions to the crowd to help promote the system on social media.
A few weeks ago l did a demo of the system at the farm for the ladie and her friends, there was around 15 people who came through that night, they were all impressed by the sound quality and also the appearance of this system.
I'm hoping this first event goes well, taking backups for everything except subs as l don't have the room.
If only l had a clone to oversee things when l'm sleeping!

[Seth]

Yes mate! My next door neighbours son has a friend who is organising events on a family farm, this is her first one. It's essentially what we call a "Bush Doof", audience is capped at 200. Taking the DR280s & 4xT48s plus the SLAPs. It's paid, we agreed on $1000, which is quite cheap, I'll chalk this one up as experience, though there will be suggestions to the crowd to help promote the system on social media.
A few weeks ago l did a demo of the system at the farm for the ladie and her friends, there was around 15 people who came through that night, they were all impressed by the sound quality and also the appearance of this system.
I'm hoping this first event goes well, taking backups for everything except subs as l don't have the room.
If only l had a clone to oversee things when l'm sleeping!

That's great to hear!

$1000 for your first paid gig sounds more than reasonable. Especially since even $100 would be worth the effort to get the system in front of an audience to start building a reputation. I look forward to hearing how it goes!

[Keryn O'Shea]

That's great to hear!

Yes, l'm looking forward to it, slightly nervous at the same time!

..even $100 would be worth the effort to get the system in front of an audience to start building a reputation.

Absolutely, l'm grateful to have this opportunity, a fair amount of exposure is possible. The 2.5 days straight will test me & the gear for sure.
I'm using a generator also, which adds another element of fun. I'm trying to find one the CVR-D likes atm, looking like digital inverter/pure sine wave is what it wants to be happy. There is another generator on-site for lighting and everything else.

[Seth]

The most reliable and also most quite solution would be to rent a commercial grade diesel genny on a trailer... especially if it's non-stop for that length of time. Prices obviously vary by region, but they can be pretty affordable, especially given the reliability and low noise impact.

[Keryn O'Shea]

The most reliable and also most quite solution would be to rent a commercial grade diesel genny on a trailer...

Originally there was a trailered 20kva diesel genset hired for the event, which sounded great, however..
When setting for the demo, l took my 5kva generator which the MX3000A amps have worked well on along with the DSP & all other equipment. The CVR-D started up in protection mode (signal, power & clip lights solid on), after trying a few things l plugged the amp in at the mains power & it was fine. I didn't bring the MX3000As, so it was an anxious moment because it would have been a six hour round trip to get them. The host happened to have a Gentrax 3500 digital inverter generator, which the CVR-D was happy with, and ran the system with no problems.
Since then l've tried 3 other generators of different styles & the only type the CVR-D likes is digital inverter/pure sine wave, which the hired 20kva generator is not. In researching also it was recommended to have the audio on it's own circuit, separate to everything else.
I bought a 4.5kva digital inverter generator yesterday, it's quiet at 62dB, the CVR-D is happy with it, so it's one less thing to worry about. Around 9hrs for refuelling, so I'll time it for between a set.

[Seth]

Hmm. Very interesting. Makes me wonder what the cause is. My guess, something to do with the ground wire configuration. Typically, traditional (non inverter) style generators run everything pretty well, provided there's enough current headroom to cover power factor variations. But, yours started up in fault. Curious. I've run modern class D amps and all related electronics on a modified sine wave inverter (off battery power) and had no issues. Some of the classic tube amps wont work on modified sine wave though.

It's always great to have an actual excuse to buy new tools (cough cough, toys). Hope the new genny serves you well!