Hi Dave,

Thanks for using The Sketcher! Here is your Sketch.


-- click image to make changes to the live version --


Quoting dberch from The Sketcher

quote:

Acoustic Groove Duo (David Berchtold and Brian Stear)

David (on left of sketch):
Guitar(s) into Pure XLR Preamp -> Tu-2 tuner -> channel 1
Vocal SM58 to channel 2
Behringer UB802 to Channel 3 (duo only)
iPod to UB802 mixer (if duo, or Channel 3 if solo)

Brian (on right):
Beta 58 mic (harmonica, mando, vocals) to UB802 mixer
Acoustic guitar -> UB802 mixer
Fender Tele to guitar amp
Harmonica -> Green Bullet -> old tweed amp mixer
Acoustic guitar to UB802 mixer

quote:

Originally posted by JohnNell:
David -
Thanks for the update and report!

I'm curious if you used the new power supply with your K&K preamp for this gig. Also, would you say you were able to get as much sound/volume out of your L1™ Model I system as your AER Compact 60, a Roland AC-100, a Yamaha EMX640 and two 12" mains this time? Being only 3 or so feet from the L1™ Model I system and having the Master between 3/4, I bet you felt some air moving!

Hi John, I did not use the new K&K Power Supply. I put it in a Safe Place, and now can't locate it!

The Bose is easily as loud as the AER or the Roland. Not sure if it's any more loud that the Yamaha PA, but sure is easier to set up and use, and much better for hearing on stage.

quote:

So, tell us, what did you do with your other 30 minutes???

Relaxed, had a beer, and tweaked our set list

David

quote:

Relaxed, had a beer, and tweaked our set list

Hey, that's the ticket! Glad it went so well and hope you many more successful gigs with your L1™ Model I system.
John

I played at www.destihl.com in Normal, IL last night with my Acoustic Groove Duo. I've been using the set up shown above in my Sketcher picture. Last night I forgot to bring the UB802 mixer. Doh! So I ran Brian's and my mics to channel 1 and 2, and put my guitar into channel 3 (from the Pure preamp). It worked quite well. We hand plenty of volume and the master was only at 11 o'clock. The wives said the sound was much more clear than last time we were there using old PA last.

The only problem was some bad feedback from one of our mics. Could not tell which, we both think it was the other I'm using a SM58 and Brian is using a Beta 58.

One change I made was to get the B1 sub off the stage. I got a 15 foot cable (thanks or the link, ST!) and tucked it under the front edge of the stage, which was just the right height. No problem at all with bass feedback on the guitar.

I recorded the 2nd set with a Zoom H2. If I can get some time tonight, I'll post a song.

My concerns about distortion are fading. I think I'm using the 1st and 2nd stage gain/trim to better effect and we are getting plenty of volume.

My duo partner loves the L1, as do I. We did some of our best playing last night. Fun!

David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dberch,

Hi David!

quote:

My concerns about distortion are fading.

Glad to hear this is the situation. Gain staging can make or break things sometimes.

quote:

The only problem was some bad feedback from one of our mics

Don't forget your microphone presets which are available. Sometimes, they can really help with a feedback issue. Here's some more info on presets.

quote:

My duo partner loves the L1, as do I. We did some of our best playing last night. Fun!

Sounds like you guys are on the way to "Funsville!" Just wait until you get to the point of not even worrying about how you sound through the system (because you know its good) and you forget about all those "little tweaks" you had to do with the old PA system during your gig, and you find yourself just playing, singing, entertaining and you're enjoying it! That's when you know you've arrived at Funsville! Enjoy...thanks for the update!

John

Yep, we used the proper presets for both mics.

Hi David,

Thanks for using The Sketcher! Here is your latest Sketch. I swapped in the numbers to match our usual legend.


-- click image to make changes to the live version --

Legend:

Blue ringed numbers are Channel connections to/from the Classic and Model I Systems.


Quoting dberch from The Sketcher

quote:

Guitars (all with K&K Pure Westerm Mini pickups) to K&K Pure XLR Preamp to Boss TU-2 tuner to Channel (Pre-set 81)
SM58 vocal to Channel 2 (Pre-set 14)
+ iPod to Channel 3 and 4 for background music during breaks

Thanks, ST.

Here is an update on my tone quest.

ALL IS GOOD!

In the past week or two, I've done about 6 shows, two with my duo, and had no problems at all. (Well, no problems except for the time I dumped a glass of beer on my Pure XLR Preamp Luckily I have a backup preamp).

Plenty of volume, even at a noisy bar, and plenty of great guitar tone from my K&K pickups. No distortion at all that I can tell, and lots of positive comments from venue owners.

I am happy camper.

Cheers!
David

Hey David,

Thank you for the update!

quote:

Originally posted by dberch:


I am happy camper.

Cheers!
David

Music to my ears.

David,

Can you summarize the critical changes made and learning's from all of this? And the K&K pre???

Sure, Mike.

Summary:

• iPod (solo shows only): works best going into channel 3 and 4 both set at 50% gain. I can run full volume on the iPod with no distortion.
• Guitar: Gain in my K&K Preamp can be set at 50-75% without distortion and sends much stronger signal to channel 1. Using preset 81 to kill bass thud, and use green lights to set L1 base trim and R1 Channel trim.
• Vocal with SM58: To L1 channel 2 using preset 14, and setting L1 base trim at 10 or 75%. R1 at approx 1:00 or to full green light.
• Brian's Beta58 is going to a Behringer UB802 with mic gain at 0 (12:00), into L1 channel 3 at 50% on L1 base (or to full green light).

Only unresolved problem is occasional feedback from Brian's Beta 58, but that's not the fault of the L1/B1. He plays harmonica off (away from) the mic and moves in to get dynamics. If he bends over or gets up it'll ring off if we push it too hard. So far, it's not been much of a problem. The limit we can get has been loud enough.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dberch,

quote:

Originally posted by mike o:
And the K&K pre???

Not sure what you you're looking for here, Mike. The K&K preamp is fantastic. It takes a great sounding pickup (K&K Pure Western Mini) and makes it sound even better. Given a choice I will always use it.

Thanks David. I wanted to see if the K&K pre was working out for ya. I might get another one now that you can plug them in.

Hey David. You guys might want to try some different vocal mic's. We're use a Sennhiser E845s, one of the many recomended mic's here on the forum (THANKS) w/o any feedback problems. I don't know anything about harmonica mic's though. Glad things are working well for you. I hope we get the opportunity to hang out sometime soon.

Mike & Kayte

quote:

Originally posted by mike o:
Thanks David. I wanted to see if the K&K pre was working out for ya. I might get another one now that you can plug them in.

It is a great preamp. Have you had trouble NOT plugging it in?

No trouble not using a K&K pre with the mini's. I'm using a small Yamaha mixing board for pre and independant channel control for both my giging guitars. The Mustapick w/K&K mini's and a BreedLove Atlas series 12 string w/ pre-installed Fishman UST and Classic 4 pre. The Yamaha mixer goes to channel 3 on the L-1. The Mustapick did sound better with the K&K PURE pre but I always forgot to pull the plugs out and killed the battery. It was also a juggling act to switching guitars and cables with only the K&K Pre. I'd like to one day get a better 12 with K&K mini's in it. Then I would switch back to K&K pre for sure.

quote:

It was also a juggling act to switching guitars and cables with only the K&K Pre.

Yeah, that's why I use the Boss TU-2 tuner. It has a mute for switching guitars. Keep in mind the K&K pre will not hurt the sound of any other guitar and may help it. You could runthem both through it...

Take care,
David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dberch,

quote:

quote:
It was also a juggling act to switching guitars and cables with only the K&K Pre.

Yeah, that's why I use the Boss TU-2 tuner. It has a mute for switching guitars. Keep in mind the K&K pre will not hurt the sound of any other guitar and may help it. You could runthem both through it...

I did try that and got distortion with the 12. That's what caused all the juggling!

This will probably be my last post in this thread. I'm considering all problems SOLVED.

I did 4 more shows last week including an outdoor show for the downtown Bloomington, IL Farmers Market. It is one of the biggest in the state, and I filled the two sides of the Courthouse Square with lush, full acoustic guitar and vocals. For this show, I used the Bose on the north side of the squuare (an entire city block) where I set up, and ran line out to my old PA and used that on the east side of the square. I am the only person all summer long that fills the enire market with music. They love it! I sold a bunch of CDs and booked a Christmas show at a local private airline.

Thanks to all who offered advice and assistance. You guys are great, as is my L1M1/B1!

Cheers,
David

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dberch,