How to connect a Behringer EQ to mixer and speakers.

[TM68]

Hello everyone,

I am setting up a basic system for my band's rehearsal/performance space aka the basement!

We have a Mackie profx16v3 mixer and a Behringer FBQ3102 2 channel 31 band EQ. The signal from these units would go to a couple of Carvin powered speakers for mains and a powered monitor.

I am trying to figure out the best way to integrate The EQ in. I'm wondering if I could use one channel of the EQ for the mains and the other for the monitor and how to wire them. Feedback is a major concern and it would be nice to use the feedback detection in the Behringer to help control the trouble frequencies in both the mains and and the monitor.

One wiring set up I was thinking of would be one TRS cable from an aux out on the mixer going to an input on the EQ and then out from EQ to monitor. But I'm not sure how to connect the mains. The left and right outputs on the mixer have both TRS and XLR. If I keep my channel pans all at 12 o clock and connect a TRS or XLR cable to one main output of the mixer then onto the second input of the EQ would that work as a balanced mono connection?

But what if I wanted keep a stereo mix for the mains in the above scenario. Could I use y cables from the mixer outputs to the EQ and then a y cable out of the EQ to the L and R main speakers?

Any input or insight to my set up would be greatly appreciated!

[resistorman]

One wiring set up I was thinking of would be one TRS cable from an aux out on the mixer going to an input on the EQ and then out from EQ to monitor. But I'm not sure how to connect the mains. The left and right outputs on the mixer have both TRS and XLR. If I keep my channel pans all at 12 o clock and connect a TRS or XLR cable to one main output of the mixer then onto the second input of the EQ would that work as a balanced mono connection?

This will work

But what if I wanted keep a stereo mix for the mains in the above scenario. Could I use y cables from the mixer outputs to the EQ and then a y cable out of the EQ to the L and R main speakers?

This will not work

[TM68]

Thanks for the reply resistorman,

Do you know if there is any way to get a stereo mix for the mains using just the one Behringer EQ while still EQing the monitors?

[Funkyflash5]

You need 3 channels of eq to do that, and you have only 2. For the situation you are talking about, I would just do mono mains anyways!

[TM68]

Thanks for the reply Funkyflash5,

I was just trying to think of a way to keep it stereo for possible stereo sources input to the mixer. I'll probably just run it mono.

[Murray B]

If you aren't using all the channels on the mixer you could assign all your instrument tracks to a sub mix and then send that sub mix to the one side of the eq eq and return it in to mixer on a free channel. This channel is then routed to the main L-R out.

This means you eq for the instruments on the mains and you can still run a stereo track that is routed straight to the L-R outs that bypasses the trip through the eq.

Leave yourself plenty of headroom as getting the gains in the right places is important as you could easily end up distorting the signal if you aren't careful.

[Arpangel]

Thanks for the reply Funkyflash5,

I was just trying to think of a way to keep it stereo for possible stereo sources input to the mixer. I'll probably just run it mono.

Mono all the way, live, stereo is wasted, in my experience, I’ve never used a stereo rig at any gig.

[Murray B]

Thanks for the reply Funkyflash5,

I was just trying to think of a way to keep it stereo for possible stereo sources input to the mixer. I'll probably just run it mono.

Mono all the way, live, stereo is wasted, in my experience, I’ve never used a stereo rig at any gig.

Agreed - in my head was the potential advantage of running in between set tunes and a post performance disco without having to sum the tracks to mono or losing a channel.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I am trying to figure out the best way to integrate The EQ in. I'm wondering if I could use one channel of the EQ for the mains and the other for the monitor and how to wire them.

The two channel of the EQ can be used independently, so you could use one channel to control a single monitor speaker, and the other channel to control a mono mix from the console to feed both FOH speakers.

One wiring set up I was thinking of would be one TRS cable from an aux out on the mixer going to an input on the EQ and then out from EQ to monitor.

Yes... but see below.

But I'm not sure how to connect the mains. The left and right outputs on the mixer have both TRS and XLR. If I keep my channel pans all at 12 o clock and connect a TRS or XLR cable to one main output of the mixer then onto the second input of the EQ would that work as a balanced mono connection?

Yes.

But what if I wanted keep a stereo mix for the mains in the above scenario.

Then you'd need to use both EQ channels for the FOH speakers, one for the left channel between mixer and left FOH, and the other for the right channel. If you still need EQ on the monitors you'll need additional equaliser units.

Could I use y cables from the mixer outputs to the EQ and then a y cable out of the EQ to the L and R main speakers?

No.

If the main purpose is controlling feedback it is better to have one EQ channel per speaker (each Foh and monitor speaker) since their different physical locations typically cause different feedback frequencies.

[Music Wolf]

Thanks for the reply Funkyflash5,

I was just trying to think of a way to keep it stereo for possible stereo sources input to the mixer. I'll probably just run it mono.

Mono all the way, live, stereo is wasted, in my experience, I’ve never used a stereo rig at any gig.

I used to be 'mono all the way' but I'm now more of a 'narrow stereo' sort of guy (pans set 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock type range) to seperate things a little, but only if the venue allows. I've played plenty of pubs where you're in the corner of an 'L' shaped room with a speaker firing down each leg and not a single person able to hear in stereo.

For the most part having two PA cabs is more about coverage than stereo. Stereo in-ears though are another matter all together.

[Arpangel]

Thanks for the reply Funkyflash5,

I was just trying to think of a way to keep it stereo for possible stereo sources input to the mixer. I'll probably just run it mono.

Mono all the way, live, stereo is wasted, in my experience, I’ve never used a stereo rig at any gig.

I used to be 'mono all the way' but I'm now more of a 'narrow stereo' sort of guy (pans set 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock type range) to seperate things a little, but only if the venue allows. I've played plenty of pubs where you're in the corner of an 'L' shaped room with a speaker firing down each leg and not a single person able to hear in stereo.

For the most part having two PA cabs is more about coverage than stereo. Stereo in-ears though are another matter all together.

I always give a mono feed, I’m scared of stereo sounds suddenly disappearing to another side of the room, and the audience becoming very confused, but that’s just normal anyway, at one of my gigs.

[The Elf]

I always send stereo to FOH, and then it's up to them. When I have asked them most seem to run stereo, which is what I would prefer.

[shufflebeat]

Swishy chorus on acoustic guitar and short, slappy delays on vocals work well in stereo without the potential mono pitfalls.

If you have 1u rack space spare there are many useable 2ch EQ units available for pennies these days, you'll always find a use your new spare channel.

[resistorman]

With proper mic placement and sane levels you may not need eq on the mains. Plus there are EQs on each channel. TBH, those anti feedback EQs are not all that great in my experience, you’re better off setting up and using the PA properly.

[Mike Stranks]

With proper mic placement and sane levels you may not need eq on the mains...

Possible but unlikely.

Granted that this is for a static set-up, but in my years trotting around providing live-sound for the same guy in multiple venues I don't think I ever experienced a venue where I didn't have to tune the system to the room.

And while I'm here... my rig had six channels of graphic EQ. Two for mains; four for 4 separate mono monitor mixes.

... and the aforementioned 'guy' always wanted stereo FoH because of the effects he used. Most places could easily reconfigure to stereo if requested (although they were usually mono). The exception was a large town-hall venue in one of Britain's largest cities that said they were only wired for mono; stereo was simply not possible.

[TM68]

Thanks for all the assistance guys,

I appreciate everyone's input!