Hey forum!
I just got a new mixer: DOD 820 RM Mixer. When I say new, I mean "new"...I bought it used. It DOES work. I know this because the light is on, and the phantom power light and everything is on, but I can't seem to figure out how to work it...when I plugin a mic, no lights go on, even when I move the corresponding knobs.
I have it connected to my computer, but it won't record in Audacity. Any help?
Thanks alot!
Comments
You have to ask yourself the searching question of whether it's
You have to ask yourself the searching question of whether it's worth the 99 cents to get a 1/4" adaptor like [[url=http://[/URL]="http://cgi.ebay.com…"]this one[/]="http://cgi.ebay.com…"]this one[/] for your phones.
First off, like Bos said, forget the computer for the moment...
First off, like Bos said, forget the computer for the moment...
Take that 1/4" adapter from the PC and use it to monitor the mixer with your headphones!!!!! See if you can get a clear signal to hear from the mic before you proceed any further. I know a local sound hack that still uses one of those "mixers"...don't expect "low noise" to be one of it's qualities LOL!
Once you can determine that the mixer is properly processing the incoming mic signal, you can take one of the line outs from the mixer to your sound card. Remember that the sound card is designed to accept a much weaker signal than the mixer puts out and it will be very easy to overdrive the card...this will make the sound fuzzy and noisey....SO keep that master volume on the mixer LOW!!!!!!
Good luck to you!!!!
Okay so right now I'm using and SM57, and an Apex 430. I have a
Okay so right now I'm using and SM57, and an Apex 430. I have a speaker that takes 1/4", and I plugged that into the headphone jack. Both mics work fine in it (although channel 1 and 3 don't work....)
It all seems to be working fine. I just now have a few questions....
How can I record each mic on a separate track? Right now it's all recording on one track, so I can edit anything separately.
Also, any ideas on how to get the other tracks to work? The mic just isn't sending a signal....
Are you saying there is no longer an issue with getting the soun
Are you saying there is no longer an issue with getting the sounds into the computer? What do you mean by "...how to get the other tracks to work? The mic just isn't sending a signal...."? Are you talking about the two non-functional channels in the mixer?
It sounds as though you have the basics working, but to go to the next step, you have to be clear about the route you are using to record. You have an 8-channel mixer that takes 8 mono signals and places them into a stereo field in amplitude and position. The stereo output (L and R) of your mixer is what is being recorded by your computer.
If you want independent tracks recorded, this is possible up to a total of two with your current setup. To get those 2 tracks recorded independently, you would use the mixer pan controls to pan the first channel hard left and the second channel hard right. It doesn't matter which 2 of the 8 mixer input channels you use for this, but it's better to use ones that work reliably. Keep the faders of the other 6 tracks at minumum.
This mixer was designed to be rackmounted vertically, so using i
This mixer was designed to be rackmounted vertically, so using it in a desktop situation is going to be difficult with the connectors on the back.
Since you're still trying to evaluate what works and what doesn't, there are a few things you can do with what you have. (But by all means get yourself a proper STEREO 1/8" - 1/4" headphone adaptor and the correct cables.) You need to be sure you understand not all 1/4" diameter connectors are the same. The same is true of 1/8" connectors. Have you thought through whether you need balanced, unbalanced, or stereo connectors and cables?
Not knowing exactly what kind of "speaker that takes 1/4"" speaker you have, it could be contributing to your confusion. If it's an active (or self-powered) speaker plugging it into a headphone can cause a problem with the balanced 1/4" input. If it's a normal passive speaker and you're using the wrong kind of 1/4" cable it can cause a different set of issues.
So can you tell us whether the speaker has an amp in it, or is it just a regular speaker? Are you using a guitar cable in the headphone jack? - or is it a balanced 3-conductor TRS 1/4" cable?
All of these things can be a factor.
First do a visual test:
With the SM57 plugged into channel 1 (without anything else connected), speak into the mic and turn up the Trim to make the Overload light come on then back it off just a little?
With the Trim set just below Overloading, and the Channel 1 slider and Master sliders set at that 0dB line, do the output meters show signal?
Test each channel in the same way.
If it's a self-powered speaker, or guitar amp type thing try testing with the speaker plugged into the left (or right) output on the back of the mixer rather than the headphone output - then plug the SM57 into each channel in succession and use the pan controls and corresponding Main Output sliders to see if the output behaves as it should - then test the right. If it's an ordinary unpowered speaker it may not be audible with just a few milliwatts output from the Mains.
You should be able to test the monitor send and effects send this way too.
At least you can start determining whether the ins/outs work. Then you can take the next step and worry about Audacity. With this set-up you should be able to record two tracks at a time - this will be an Audacity configuration issue someone else will be much better qualified to answer.
First rule in Troubleshooting 101 is "Reduce the options to the
First rule in Troubleshooting 101 is "Reduce the options to the simplest configuration, and isolate the components to test each component, and each cable/connection."
First rule in asking questions in forums is "List all equipment brands and models (and software) currently connected as problem exists."
microphonen00b, post: 372845 wrote: My speaker uses a 1/4" cable, rather than an 1/8".
And I'm recording drums, so if I pan hard left and right, wouldn't that mess up the recording?
First thing I see is the statement "My speaker"...as in..one speaker? Also, from earlier: "I have a speaker that takes 1/4", and I plugged that into the headphone jack. Both mics work fine in it (although channel 1 and 3 don't work....)"
A headphone jack is stereo. The 1/4" jack on "one speaker" is likely mono. You're probably shorting one channel of the headphone output to ground if you use a TS cable.
Also, if the speaker isn't self-powered, the headphone jack doesn't have enough power to drive it sufficiently.
Next, "And I'm recording drums, so if I pan hard left and right, wouldn't that mess up the recording?" Based on the suspicion that you seem to say you are only using one speaker, stereo is not relevant, anyway. You can't get stereo from one speaker. So, either everything has to be recorded to a mono track, or played back with everything panned to one side if it's a "stereo" track...in which case you'll lose anything panned the opposite side no matter what.
Get some cheap adapters and a few cables. Test the mixer frst. Plug in headphones, plug a CD/MP player into two channels panned hard left and right, set levels, and see if you get proper signal. Reverse pans to see if they work. Do this 3 more times (for channels 3/4, 5/6, 7/8).
If all that works, you need to test the outputs of that mixer. I assume it's got a left and right output?
On to software. Most software allows you configure a track to be recorded as mono or stereo. If you're only going to record a mono signal in, may as well choose mono. The software has a pan position of it's own you can use after the track is recorded and to be played back.
What speaker(s) are you referring to? Powered? Non-powered? Is it (they) a home stereo speaker(s), PA speaker(s)...what?
Too many holes to guess. Please provide more info?
Kapt.Krunch
I am only familiar with it because an aquaintance of mine used o
I am only familiar with it because an aquaintance of mine used one on small live gigs.
You might search for one on e-Bay.
Frankly, I did not care for that line of mixers when they came out. They did not compare well to the Mackie line-up back then, probably why DOD dropped them and Digitech never picked that up.
Why would it be that internet searches for "DOD 820RM mixer manu
Why would it be that internet searches for "DOD 820RM mixer manual" only bring up kitchen equipment sites?
I would not worry about Audacity and your computer for the moment.
Is that a headphone jack and phone volume knob on the right of the mixer front panel? Do you get any output on phones plugged into there when the mic channel gain trim is about 3/4 up, the channel fader fully up?