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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: Connect guitar to dj mixer

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I want to do guitar - pedal - denon x1600. The pedal has a 1/4 output.

I tried running a 1/4 inch from the pedal to a mic input, but no luck. I also tried running a 1/4 inch from the pedal to the EFX input and output, but no luck. Do I need a "DI" box, or something similar. I dont know anything about guitars, as I am inquiring about this for a friend.

Thank you!
 
Posted Tue 25 Feb 14 @ 3:47 pm
Have you put a battery into the pedal? I've seen simpler mistakes made.
 
Not applicable. This pedal is powered through an outlet . It works if I plug it directly into my powered speaker. But I need to get it through the mixer
 
can you connect to a usb amp then mapping it on vdj
 
Usb amp? The mixer is what should act as a pre amp...its just connecting them is the issue
 
You should use a DI box, they are low cost.
Puttin a different impedance on the mic pre amp has the possibility of damaging it.
You could also go into your guitar amp and out its line out if that is available.
 
Im not familiar with a Di box. So the guitar plugs into the pedal, the pedal plugs into the input of the di box via a 1/4 inch cable, then I use a 1/4 inch from the di box to where in my mixer? Where would I plug the di box into my mixer via a 1/4 cable?
 
A direct injection box will have a 1/4 in, a 1/4 out and an XLR out.
I have two of these:
http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/black-boxes-effects-and-dis/direct-boxes/connect-series-edb1

They allow me to plug my setup into a live sound board at a venue. The sound board there has an XLR snake at the stage. This allows me to go directly into the mic in's instead of going up and moving the connection to a line in with adapters.

Some mixers, like my Mackie are set up to take mic, instrument, and line ins. Some cannot.
 
Awesome info, thanks! Now to find out if the denon x1600 is a mixer that allows instruments.
 
What pedal do you have?
 
I think it's a boss product, I can't say for sure. I know it's just a small common pedal with line-in from guitar and line-out to speakers etc. It has a few effects on it as well.
 
I ask because it may have a level switch on it.
Per your mixers data sheet, both mic inputs go from -60db to -20db with an input impedance of 5k
Instrument impedance inputs are usually look for 5M, with a db range of -17 to +7

You need something between them to bring the level down for mic or up for line. Here is an article similar to what you want to do.
http://www.crownaudio.com/kb/entry/304/
 
That makes total sense. I know the electric guitar has a volume knob on it, although I don't know if that can constitute for the pedal volume. I will find out tomorrow what type of pedal it is and go from there!
 
IDK... i was just suggesting
 
If you are going to connect Instruments on a regular basis then why not get hold of a compact mixer board and hook its outputs into a line in on the Denon.

This would avoid tying up your Mic Channel. You can then EQ and set the Guitar up properly. You can also hook in extra mics for vocals and so on if needed.

I am not saying a DI Box with an Attenuator wont work. Not the most refined of solutions tho.

Just my thoughts on this

Daz
 
This is more for fun, no regular basis. I was looking to be able to add mixer effects to the guitar and be able to record the guitar.
 
DJ mixers are not designed for use with guitars.

Instruments such as synths have line level outputs, so can be plugged in just like a CD player, but guitars have a lower output level and prefer a "Hi Z" input (high impedance).

At a push, you should be able to use the mic input on a DJ mixer - but beware of overloading it.

 
That's a bummer considering the price of most dj mixers, you think they'd be able to do the same as a tiny behringer mixer & more.
 
Well like I said, you could use the mic input - which is (in theory) not that much different to the mic input on a PA/studio style mixing desk. Compared to a PA/studio mixer though, the internal electronics may not be quite so suited.

It may have less of a gain range, the impedance may not suit a guitar, it may have less overhead (causing distortion).


Even my Yamaha n12 "digital mixing studio" only has one Hi Z input!
 
Groovin makes a very good point if you want to plug the Guitar directly into the Mic input. The impedance match will be so wrong that even if it works it will almost certainly mess the sound up. Most Balanced mic inputs are designed to work with a 250 Ohm to 1k Ohm source. Guitar amp inputs are in the 100K Ohm range. The wrong (Low Z) loading on the Guitar Pickup or pedal can give you a distorted dull sound with little presence or life to it :-(

Even using a pedal between the guitar and the mixer may not help (Unless the pedal has a propper Line Out or DI out) as the pedals output will be designed to hook up to the Hi z, 100k ohm or so input on a guitar amp.

If you are going to go for using the Mic in on the Denon then you really do need a minimum of a Direct Inject box with an attenuator to give you a chance of level and impedance matching.

Daz
 


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