• From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Topic: Plugging In To The PA

OK so I've played one gig. The PA used XLR inputs for microphones and took a DI off the back of my bass rig (hence keeping the vol down so I didn't howl and boom).

For the next one we'd like to give the drummer a break. I reckon Squeeze's 'Goodbye Girl' would work well with a metronome or cheap drum machine as the original used a cheesy 'casio' type sound. But how would one of these connect to the PA?

I didn't want to get into expensive preamps and DI boxes. How do keyboards connect into a PA usually, can't be MIDI can it?

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Plugging In To The PA

Just discovered the ART Phantom I box, looks like it could be the cheap answer I'm after. Now all I need is to find a device with the right cheesy beat I think?

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 2,662

Re: Plugging In To The PA

cytania wrote:

For the next one we'd like to give the drummer a break. I reckon Squeeze's 'Goodbye Girl' would work well with a metronome or cheap drum machine as the original used a cheesy 'casio' type sound. But how would one of these connect to the PA?

If you're gonna give the drummer a break, give the drums a break. Drum machines suck! They're the cheesiest tool in modern music. This universe would be a much better place if all musicians could somehow organize a 'smash-a-drum-machine' day. Look instead at looping. Looping allows the sounds coming out of the P.A. to be manufactured by human hands..............

Give everything but up.
  • wlbaye
  • Honoured Member
  • Offline
  • From: Black Hills So Dak
  • Registered: 2006-03-04
  • Posts: 1,284

Re: Plugging In To The PA

I have to agree,I have spent a lot of money on music accessories and the drum machines are complicated and sound cheesey.There may be some good ones if they are in the right hands but I haven't heard one.

Wayne P

Later, Wayne P

wlbaye's Website

5 Reply by cytania (edited by cytania 2008-05-18 21:50:36)

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Plugging In To The PA

Looping... neat idea, loopers scare me almost as much as drum machines but I had thought of getting some actual percussion. Maybe create a loop with that...

Sound opinions though, even though it would be fun to play to a retro 80s beat it could break the whole mood.

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'

6 Reply by cytania (edited by cytania 2008-05-19 14:22:22)

  • From: Nottingham, UK
  • Registered: 2006-08-08
  • Posts: 690

Re: Plugging In To The PA

Just found Tech 21's Para Driver DI box, does almost everything; acoustic, bass, would even do the cheesey devices. Maybe I'll see a casiotone VL1 at a boot sale... da da da ;-)

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'