Jumping from amp to straight to board

[twystedriffs]

So I have been using my helix going into stereo power blocks, but I recently set up my recording gear and I'm finally enjoying the amp cabinets and interested in some IRs. My question is basically this, I am just using Studio reference monitors so how different should I sound when I go to a full PA? It would be nice not to have to Lug the whole rig on occasion! or even get to the point where I am using an FRFR rig full-time. I imagine I would get a wedge or something for stage reference, and then just run straight to the board? Just looking for some advice, mainly just how a good sound on 8 inch studio monitors should Translate out front on a full PA

[MonkeyXT]

Depending on how transparent the PA system is and should be, you should be in good shape in general - probably within range of where the Global EQ would 'fix' whatever you need to neutralize from the PA differences. Then the EQ would becoming your PA and Room adjustment factor. Your channel(s) of the PA would have some simple EQ that could also be utilized - it shouldn't take much, from my experience anyway.

 

I go straight into my computer for practice and such, and can record as desired.

It's also where I do my patch tweaking.

At times when at small-stage volume I've had to trim the highs just a bit within the preset, and then a tiny tick off of the treble on the PA channel strip, and my direct sounds into the performance PA are quite consistent with that I derive from my computer speaker system - which is quite broad range.

 

In short, it all should translate well for you.

[DunedinDragon]

It all comes down to the frequency response profile of the system you're going into whether it be reference monitors or a PA.  When we use a term like FRFR it really refers to having a relatively flat response across a broad frequency range.  That's precisely what studio reference monitors and modern PA's are supposed to have to some degree or another.  So you shouldn't be surprised by a big difference if you've built your patches using studio reference monitors.

 

What will be different between your studio monitors and a PA or powered speaker monitors is they will seem a bit harsher, but that's mainly because they're built for longer projection of the sound unlike studio monitors with are more for close listening.  Typically if you stand back from them a ways the harshness goes away.

 

I think most of us that are doing this sort of thing have our own powered speakers we use as a stage monitor and feed one line to the PA and the other to the stage monitor.  Some folks choose to only send one line to the PA board and use either the PA's stage monitors or in ear monitors.  I personally have two Yamaha DXR12's.  One I leave at our rehearsal space and is used for performances, and the other I keep at home for dialing in presets and practicing.  I also have two Yamaha HS7 studio monitors on my recording system, but it's just easier to bring my Helix home and plug it directly into the monitor rather than hooking it up to the computer all the time.  This also ensures that I'll get exactly the same sound on stage as I get at home.  This also gives me the flexibility of taking my home DXR12 when I gig occasionally with other bands.  This is important because when I do that it's often in venues in which I don't go through the PA and just depend on my stage monitor.  That means the audience will always hear the same sound whether it's with my normal band through a PA, or some other band in a smaller venue.

 

As far as adjustments, I haven't really run into much that requires any adjustment as far as global EQ as long as I get my tone dialed in at home and get the volume on my patches consistent.  I sometimes may need to make some minor volume adjustments in my patches at rehearsal, but that's about it.

[twystedriffs]

Thanks guys..kinda of what i expected, and was hoping to hear!