Ultralite Hybrid MK 3 as a FOH mixer?

[joden]

Hi all,

New owner of the Ultra Lite Hybrid MK 3 here...I play a one man show (keys and vocals) and I wanted to ask if anyone can advise if the mk 3 has a "hot" enough main out send to drive powered F.O.H. speakers?

I am trying to avoid having to also take a mixer to gigs as well as the laptop and keyboard and the mark 3. I use software instruments, which is why I need the laptop.

Thanks

[joden]

Anyone?

[joden]

*bump again*

I really need an answer here so if anyone can help please do. I have sent emails to MOTU tech support with no response at all....

[zaboomafoo]

According to the manual:

"All ten analog outputs and six quarter-inch analog
inputs are on balanced TRS +4dB quarter-inch
jacks."

+4dB is the standard output level on the pro sound level, so there is no problem in connecting it to any mixer. Since output jacks are balanced, it would be better if you use balanced TRS cables, although for the short distance regular unbalanced cable would also work.

zbf

[joden]

Thanks ZBF, but that is not what I was asking...please read the OP again, I am asking if the outputs are "hot" enough to drive a powered speaker, with NO mixer in between!!

Now the MOTUs can run powered studio monitors with no mixer, so I am sorta kinda assuming it would also be okay for powered PA speakers, but the MOTU specs are soooooo vague!!!

Most mixer outputs are rated at +24db max, which of course has NOTHING to do with the db level of line audio, which is +4db or -10db which is fixed.

MOTU still have not responded (6 days now), but I was warned, rather strongly, before purchase, that their tech support was among the worst in the industry, even though their gear is pretty good...

[kgdrum]

MOTUs tech support is actually very good via phone.
If you're in the USA maybe a call to MOTU will answer the question.

[joden]

In Australia

[zaboomafoo]

Mixer or powered speaker, it is very much the same. You need to check what is the expected input level for the powered speakers you want to use. They are probably +4dB. In any way you should be OK. Most of them have some kind of level control so you can set your gain structure. I don't think your concern is if outputs are hot enough, they are probably too hot since CueMixFX as most digital mixers uses dbFS scale, so 0dB on CueMixFX is about +20dB on your analog mixer or powered speaker.

I am using 828mk3 as FOH mixer for the whole band and connecting it directly to the power amplifiers (FOH and monitor mixes), which is very much what you are trying to do.

Just connect everything together, play something through CueMix (keyboard is good), set levels to 0dB in cuemix and watch the clip lights on the powered speakers. Turn up or down the levels on the powered speaker as needed so that clip light is not on, and that is your max level before clipping the speaker's amp. Then back out faders in CueMix as needed.

You can treat CueMix as any other digital mixer.

zbf

[joden]

Cool, ZBF - great info and exactly what I was looking for.

Yes I am planning to use it exactly as you are

Cheers
Dennis

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Continue to take the mixer with you to gigs until such time as you have convinced yourself you don't need it.

[dewdman42]

you don't need a mixer. The Ultralite *IS* a mixer.

[joden]

you don't need a mixer. The Ultralite *IS* a mixer.

LOL, yep that's the idea

I want to ditch the hardware mixer as a bit of superfluous kit...I was only concerned that the main outs would nto generate a "hot" enough line signal to properly drive the F.O.H. powered speakers.

But this has been answered above, so it is all looking good! As for taking the mixer just in case?? Well the whole gig is based around using the lappy, and VST instruments, so really a hardware mixer is a bit moot if the laptop decides to crash!!

Thanks for your input though, it is appreciated - sincerely

D

[dewdman42]

regardless, the ultralite will function as a standalone mixer without any computer attached at all. You can operate it completely from the front panel if you have to. Cuemix software is obviously easier to use when you have a computer there anyway.

[joden]

Thanks

[zaboomafoo]

Well the whole gig is based around using the lappy, and VST instruments, so really a hardware mixer is a bit moot if the laptop decides to crash!!
D

Basically you have two points of failure - computer and motu. In your case both are showstoppers. For me computer is just a "remote surface" for cuemix (ok and for recording just because I can do it). However if the computer crashes the show still goes on. If MOTU crashes (or dies like one I had before, during the rehearsal) then the show is stopped. That is why i agree with dewdman42 - i got a small yamaha mg166cx mixer as a spare. I will still carry it as a backup until I am confident in MOTU. There seems to be an issue with 828mk3 with overheating in the rack which makes me nervous .

zbf