EDIT: TLDR:I need an audio unit that can do these things:
Stereo inputs with active preamps/gain control
Stereo XLR outputs (basically an active DI box)
Stereo Thru so I can capture my performances on a mobile recorder unit (Zoom H4)
CLEAN audio processing (also like a DI box, I don’t want ground noise, interference, I want top-notch studio-grade audio coming in and out of this unit)
I want to downsize my current end-of-chain system, which goes like this:
Zoom L6 → FMR Compressor (as a clean boost) → Radial JDI stereo DI box (used also as a split to send my signal to a recorder unit) → Output.
I only have limited space available on my current synth rig and I’m looking to make a bit more breathing room…
((back to original post))
I got the Zoom L6 which is a really handy and TINY digital mixer but the output on this thing is so quiet! I’m plugging it into DJ mixers and I’m barely sending proper signals to them, and the sound teams have to CRANK up my gain to get a decent signal…it’s clearly a problem that needed to be solved.
So I decided to purchase a small stereo compressor unit (the FMR RNC) to use solely as a stereo gain boost – I don’t use any of the compression – and it seems to have worked well for me so far.
As I’m thinking about re-wiring my live performance rig, I’ve been dreaming about a smaller unit than the RNC…I know it’s already really small but most of the space is for the compressor…I just need a clean stereo boost of (up to) +15db…and it NEEDS to be proper stereo. I’m not sure how much I trust DIY pedal companies.
I’ve looked into active stereo DI units and those don’t seem to fit the bill…
Any ideas on products that can offer me this clean boost for my quiet Zoom L6 mixer? Thanks
ok now that I made my post 'm realizing I didn’t explain enough…I think I’ll edit it lol
My end-of-chain signal flow goes like this:
Zoom L6 → FMR Compressor (as a clean boost) → Radial JDI stereo DI box (used also as a split to send my signal to a recorder unit)
I’m hoping to find something that can substitute the FMR Compressor and the DI box.
The Heat is awesome, yes, but unfortunately it just won’t fit within the confines of my setup.
I did just find this thing, however, and it seems to fit the bill…but my oh my what an expensive bill!
I’m hoping to start re-shaping my live rig to introduce a mini-500-series mastering rig and downsizing my end-of-chain nonsense seems to be the only option I have besides totally re-vamping my entire rig and breaking it down into something else.
One of the little Rolls boxes might work. They seem cheap and lowend but I’ve used a couple of them on tour in various pedalboard configurations and they’re solid.
so cute!!! this won’t work for what I’m looking for but my oh my this is a handy little product, I can think of a million other uses for it! Thanks for the direction
That plus the DI would still save you some space. I would imagine Radial probably makes something that does what you want and if not it’s likely that nobody does!
woahh whatt…I don’t understand why that would happen…hm, and others seem to agree that the Zoom L6 is pretty quiet, and most of the folks I know using the L6 are sending unbalanced signals into (RCA) DJ mixers.
Sound guys are gonna plug 1/4" outs into a DI box anyways, so I like having one on my rig at all times so I can make life easy for them. I also like the Radial I have because of the stereo thru port that I use to record my live performances.
It’s quite possible I have the best setup with the products available but it doesn’t hurt to ask around after a year of scouring the internet for products.
Yeah balanced output into unbalanced DI gives you 6db signal loss. You could just get 1/4" to XLR cables coming straight out of the RNC. No need for the DI, that’s for converting unbalanced instrument level to a balanced mic level. I don’t know the solution to the aux through to recorder issue though.
don’t have a lot to offer as far as small gain boxes, but an analog heat will cost much less than a small 500 series setup, be more compact, and probably do the job just as well for live as a 500 series mastering rig. ah usually has way too much gain on tap as well, my wet level knob lives around 11 o’clock
Ok I really appreciate this info…but…I usually perform with DJs so I’m plugging into their (unbalanced) RCA mixer…so it seems I’ll still have a problem with sending a balanced signal to an unbalanced input…right?
In which case…I need a signal boost! Lol
Man why did Zoom have to make those balanced outs? No other company seems to do that with their mixers.
Yes RCA is always unbalanced. You could use something like this to convert balanced to unbalanced although you would need 1/4" trs to xlr cables. https://www.radialeng.com/product/pro-iso
Either way you’re at line level which is the same output level. Balanced vs unbalanced isn’t a level issue. The problem is that your DI is making you lose signal. The first thing to do would be to simply try without the DI in the path and see how that works. There’s also a built in compressor on the L6, right? Is that set in such a way that it’s actually reducing your output? I would try bypassing that.
Before you buy something specifically to boost your signal I would try troubleshooting why you’re losing signal in the first place because the line level output of the L6 into the line level input of a DJ mixer should be fine. And if not the DJ mixer should be able to add enough gain to be fine. There’s no way you should be needing to add 15db of boost, that means something has gone seriously wrong.
I’m not an expert with this stuff so maybe someone else can chime in and confirm or deny what I’m saying.
That’s standard for a mixer. Balanced is to reduce noise and to enable longer cable runs and usually the output of a mixer is either going to a recorder with balanced inputs or via a long cable run to power amps with balanced inputs for a PA.
hot diggity damn well I really appreciate your time…you’re totally right. I, uh…I guess I don’t know what I’m doing and have over-complicated everything.
And this whole time I thought I was sooo cool for having the JDI box (sound guys always gave me a little smile when they saw my rig with how simple it is for them) but it looks like I’m the dummy! LOL!
This is great actually, this opens up a lot for what I’m trying to do: send a more professional signal! Thanks
