CharlieLosGatos Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 HI All, I am trying to run the XLR outputs from my Motion Sound 408s to a Behringer mixer. The only remaining channels on this mixer are the line level input channels with 1/4" jacks but I though this should be fine for a keyboard. I used an adapter to convert XLR to 1/4" balanced adapter. The problem I am experiencing is that the levels are very low and to hear much of anything I had to max out volume on the amp and Nord Piano. Any suggestions on how to improve this setup? Would a DI box help? Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamPro Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Does the Behringer mixer channels receiving the output from your MS have input trim controls? At what level are the input trim controls set? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassdad Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Well, just a suggestion…. but in order to try to isolate the problem…. could you try just using XLR cables (both male and female ends), and try it on XLR inputs in your mixer (just to see if the level is then correct). If the XLR all the way works, then you know the problem is the conversion from XLR to 1/4 inch (or those 1/4 inch inputs). Just a suggestion. Quote Ludwig van Beethoven: “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.” My Rig: Yamaha MOXF8 (used mostly for acoustic piano voices); Motion Sound KP-612SX & SL-512; Apple iPad Pro (5th Gen, M1 chip); Apple MacBook Pro 2021 (M1 Max chip). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 Is the line channel on the behringer padded? Almost sounds like the Behringer channel you are using is padded down to -10 or -20 db's. Our soundman screws this up all the time depending on where he plugs me in, sometimes he says I'm too hot and the signal is distorted. I'll check the board and he puts my XLR into an XLR channel unpadded, when I then ask him to pad that channels all is well. In other cases he asks for a 1/4" because that is the only available channel left so I use a 1/4" output to him. then he'll tell me he cant get a loud enough signal from me. I'll check the mixing board and that channel is padded -10 or -20 db's. When I unpad the channel the signal then is normalized. So I've had it go both ways, too loud or too soft and the problem has always been on the mixer side with how the 'pad' is set for that particular channel being used. If you own a mixer try it at home, take your 1/4" output into a mixer and evaluate the signal you're receiving to the mixer. If it is not normalized play with the pad or the channel gain and see if it normalizes, it should, then you know for sure the issue is with how the channel is setup on the behringer. Quote 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksoper Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 On the KBR-3D the output gain from the XLR connectors is determined by the main volume of the amp. In order to record the KBR from the XLRs straight into the mixer I had to throw a blanket over the amp because to get any kind of signal it was screaming loud. You can experiment with channel gain, but this was my experience with this particular amp. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbran Posted January 18 Share Posted January 18 I also had a KBR-3D for many years, and never had a good experience with those XLR outputs. They were too hot for mic levels, so you couldn't run them into the mic preamps at a board, but they were very low for "line level" signals. To the OP: I don't think a standard DI box will help you because the step-down transformers will give you a weak mic signal as the output, derived from the weak line-level signal that you have now. If you had a couple of mic preamp inputs to spare on your board, you could go into those after attenuating the signal somewhat, to get it down to normal mic levels, with something like the Radial Trim Two. I think you would want something with variable attenuation. However, with only line-level inputs to work with, I guess you would need some kind of a preamp instead, to boost the signal to a healthy line level. Unfortunately, this complicates the setup. I wish you luck! Quote MODX7, Alesis QS8, Hammond XK-2, DSI Tetra QSC K8.2 x2, CPS Spacestation v.3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieLosGatos Posted January 19 Author Share Posted January 19 Thanks for the advice. I did try the XLRs directly to other inputs on the mixer with better success so it is either something with these mixer channels that are specifically for line input or my XLR to 1/4 adapters. Had a "low tech" idea. Could I just use the headphone output from my Nord to the mixer? I would just need something to split the stereo signal into separate 1/4" L and R channels. Charlie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cphollis Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 1 hour ago, CharlieLosGatos said: Thanks for the advice. I did try the XLRs directly to other inputs on the mixer with better success so it is either something with these mixer channels that are specifically for line input or my XLR to 1/4 adapters. Had a "low tech" idea. Could I just use the headphone output from my Nord to the mixer? I would just need something to split the stereo signal into separate 1/4" L and R channels. Charlie Sure, why not? It'll be plenty hot. Just remember the headphone out usually doesn't have a separate volume control. Quote Want to make your band better? Check out "A Guide To Starting (Or Improving!) Your Own Local Band" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 14 hours ago, CharlieLosGatos said: I would just need something to split the stereo signal into separate 1/4" L and R channels. Charlie this cable would do the split: https://www.sweetwater.com/c780--Insert_Y_Cables?highlight=YPP117&mrkgadid=&mrkgcl=28&mrkgen=&mrkgbflag=&mrkgcat=&acctid=21700000001645388&dskeywordid=&lid=58700008506025409&dsproductgroupid=&product_id=YPP117&prodctry=US&prodlang=en&channel=online&storeid=&device=m&network=x&matchtype=&adpos=largenumber&locationid=1014896&creative=&targetid=&campaignid=20442635221&awsearchcpc=&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2KitBhCIARIsAPPMEhLcu9loJUym11dUUYEEm8eqmE4nQH0r5q9ixt2170kS75Q9u30QYCwaApfaEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds Quote 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoken6 Posted January 19 Share Posted January 19 20 hours ago, CharlieLosGatos said: Had a "low tech" idea. Could I just use the headphone output from my Nord to the mixer? I would just need something to split the stereo signal into separate 1/4" L and R channels. I do this. Headphones into my local personal mixer/headphone amp, line outs to FoH. Cheers, Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoJoB3 Posted January 21 Share Posted January 21 Adapters, repeat soon later, etc. But really it's time for a more capable mixer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieLosGatos Posted January 23 Author Share Posted January 23 On the new mixer I totally agree and hopefully that won't be too far in the future. I have learned through this that it is better to have everyone use normal XLR inputs and DI boxes for simpler results. These mixers advertise a lot of channels but the number of XLR mic level inputs is what really matters. Anyway I am going to try the headphone output next rehearsal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delaware Dave Posted January 23 Share Posted January 23 i use this mixer, it has worked out great for me. https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.soundonsound.com/reviews/alto-professional-live-802%3famp Quote 57 Hammond B3; 69 Hammond L100P; 68 Leslie 122; Kurzweil Forte7 & PC3; M-Audio Code 61; Voce V5+; Neo Vent; EV ELX112P; GSI Gemini & Burn Delaware Dave Exit93band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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