Pedalboard gain staging with HX effects

[peteyprs]

Hi guys, 

 

After a bit of friendly advice...

 

I have just purchased the DSM Humboldt Pre-amp to allow my HX effects to run straight into the PA as we do a lot of quick setup gigs on house systems

 

Q - I have plenty of options in my chain to adjust output but I am wondering if there is a "best" place to do the majority of the heavy lifting

 

I am very familiar with all my gear but don't know the technical side for getting the best signal to noise ratio/ tone etc. 

 

Here's the chain, all of which have outputs that can be boosted or trimmed

 

1) Shure GLXD16 (Wireless Pedal) 

2) HX Effects 

3) DSM Humboldt Preamp/ Amp sim (New Pedal)

4) Straight into PA (Stereo XLR)

 

Even wondering about my guitar wireless - should I make the output lower and then boost it later with the preamp...or is it better to start with a strong signal in the first place? 

Or leave all the outputs on the reserved side and let the PA do the work at the end?

 

I never planned it out in the past...I just started turning dials so any technical advice would really be appreciated! 

 

Are there any tips to help me get the best from the setup?

[ian_90]

It sounds like your aim is to maximise intentional signal and minimise unintentional signal (noise), i.e. achieve a good signal-to-noise ratio.

 

I would recommend having a strong signal to start with and I wouldn't intentionally lower the signal on your wireless system. Your Shure can output -20 dB to +40 dB. I would have it on unity gain (0 dB) and aim to manage instrument level through the signal chain since the HX Effects and DSM Preamp are designed for that kind of level. Let the PA do what its designed to do and do the power amplification.

 

You might be interested in my post on how I integrated my HX Effects with my Preamp. I go straight to PA too.