PA System Help

Can someone please shed some light on this problem we have been having? Currently we are running a Avlex 20-S 20 input mixer, Nady GEQ 231 Graphic Eq and a 2450 QSC Power Amp with (2) S115V Yamaha Cabs 500w. Our configuration is as follows: From the Stereo Outs on the Mixer we have two 1/4" Connectors L/R going to the EQ inputs channel one and two. From the Channel one and two outputs on the EQ we have two more 1/4" connectors going to the QSC 2450 Power amp inputs. Then we have the speaker cables obviously running to each speaker. The problem we are having is that the vocals from the three mics we are using (plugged into the mixer using XLR inputs) are not that loud. Both the main and the channel fader are both maxed out and we are not getting loud enough to rise above the instrument amps. We have the QSC channel knobs maxed out and still nothing. If anyone has some advice on settings on the EQ or power amp or mixer please help. Or if we are doing something totally wrong let me know. Thanks Matt
# 1
Your mics may need phantom power.
Magicninja
Guitar Tricks Moderator
"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
Guitar Tricks Moderator
"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 2

# 3
Is there a gain knob on the mixer? Probably above each channel fader somewhere. Usually it has a low gain setting for line input and a high gain setting for mics.
Magicninja
Guitar Tricks Moderator
"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
Guitar Tricks Moderator
"If it feels right, play it. If it feels wrong, play it faster” - Magicninja
www.GuitarTricks.com - Home of Online Guitar Lessons
# 4
Try removing the EQ from the setup completely, and see if that changes anything. Are you running anything other than vocals through the PA? If you're trying to mic everything, you might as well give up with just those two speakers. Anything else running through them will pretty much drown out the vocals. If all else fails... Simply turn your instrument amps down and make the drummer use lighter sticks and play a tad softer. 15" speakers aren't the best choice for vocals anyway. They tend to make vocals a bit muddy and woofey. 12" speakers do better for vocals, as they keep them tighter and will let them cut through the mix better.
One more thing... Look to see if the mixer has a pad button on your mic channels. It's possible that they are engaged which will attenuate the signal, which in turn will kill the volume level. If this is the case, simpley dissengage the pad switch, and watch out!
One more thing... Look to see if the mixer has a pad button on your mic channels. It's possible that they are engaged which will attenuate the signal, which in turn will kill the volume level. If this is the case, simpley dissengage the pad switch, and watch out!
# 5