Using Audio Interface as FOH mixer during live performance

[blasturd]

Can a firewire audio interface such as the M-audio 1814 be used as a FOH mixer for a live performance. Is there latency, if so, is it going to be a major problem.

If it can be used in this way, can I also add individual effects (vst or otherwise) to each of the input channels?

I play in a band with 2 guitars, one bass, drummer, and singer. Was hoping to apply vocal effects to singer, and individual vst effects for the guitars, and then turn the drums all the way down (hehehe).

Thanks.

Chris

[MrM]

I would say NO.
Because, it's not a mixer but a soundcard.

Or would you like to use it, connected at the main out of the FOH mixer, to be able to use VST FX?

[GZsound]

Your question is confusing. You want to use an audio interface as a FOH mixer and then you are concerned about latency?

Help me understand. You want to run all your microphones into your Firewire interface, then into your computer, then back out of your interface to a power amplifier and to the FOH speakers?

You are going to mix your band using a mouse on the computer screen or are you going to have a "sound guy" doing it?

And you want to add real time effects to individual channels...hmm.

I think it could be done, but I sure don't know why you would want to do it that way. You need at least eight inputs (2 guitars, four drum mics, singer and bass), and zero latency or the sound would be hash out of the FOH speakers.. and what about monitors?

I would think doing it the traditional way, using a mixer, graphic EQ, effects, amplifier and speakers to get the sound, then take channel inserts off the board into your computer to record and add whatever effects you want later in mix down.

You can still turn down the drummer with a mixer...

[blasturd]

Help me understand. You want to run all your microphones into your Firewire interface, then into your computer, then back out of your interface to a power amplifier and to the FOH speakers?

You are going to mix your band using a mouse on the computer screen or are you going to have a "sound guy" doing it?

And you want to add real time effects to individual channels...hmm.


Yeah, probably have two microphones, two guitars direct, a bass direct, and the drums from a drum sound module from a drum set with triggers.

The mix would pretty much be set the same during the whole performance, or just reach over and set it myself if needed.

This would allow me to add effects to the vocals and guitars without any external gear, and also allow me to record at the same time.

I have all the hardware for effects and a mackie mixer, but I'm tired of hauling it around.

If i can use the m-audio 1814 and the effects on the computer, I'd much rather do that. It's just I've never heard anybody do that before.

I've used the same setup with a single guitar and added vst effects to the signal during live performance, and the latency is not an issue. But, what is going to happen when I add more effects on the other channels.

This is not going to be used for paid performances, just for practice sessions at our jamroom. I would definitely use a real mixer if we were at a paid performance.

[MrM]

Should be no problem for use in the jamroom.

I kinda do the same in my homestudio, though I work more with MIDI controllers instead of audio sources (GTR, modules, mics).

[GZsound]

Yeah, it should work fine in your rehearsal space. I was thinking more of a concert type environment when you were talking about FOH speakers..

But it seems you are already familiar with how to do it and the only question is if the computer has the horsepower to allow you to apply as many real time effects that you need.

[blasturd]

They kind of would be hooked up to our FOH speakers, or more like stereo mix monitors. I have a large PA system in the jamroom we usually just use for our vocals.

But, say i take one input channel on the m-audio for guitar, and use something like Guitar Rig2 on that channel, and so on for the rest of guitar and vocals. Perhaps adding reverb to the vocals. Have the guitars output on channels three and four so we can send the signals to our regular amps, and the entire mix would go to outputs one and two, into the PA system.

In effect, having the entire bands effects system taking place in the computer.

I tried guitar rig2 and thought the sound was pretty good. I've been using a Voodoo Effects into a marshall amp effect loop return for guitar sound, and never did like the sound of the Voodo. The guitar rig2 software effect was mutch better sounding.

And, since Guitar Rig2 has 2 guitar capability, it got me thinking about using the same computer for every one elses effects also. Especially since I don't have any effects for the vocals at the jamroom.

The computer I'm using is about as fast as they get, so if it doesn't have enough horsepower, then I guess this won't work no matter what.

If it is possible, I just have to figure out how to get my software to do it.

[itsplayed]

Don't see why not, just route your monitor mix, complete with FX to your PA. However feedback can put a damper on the scene.

[Bops2000]

the problem is, if it quits, or crashes, the audience has to wait for
the band to reboot. I wouldn't use it live, not unless I had a backup machine.

[blasturd]

Well, just tried it at the jamroom.

Used my m-audio 1814. Only tried two channels though right now.

One was the singers mic, and the other was my guitar. I used cubase to set up the effects.

I put some reverb on the vocals, which sounded great, and used Guitar Rig 2 on my guitar. Output the vocals in stereo to the FOH speakers, and the guitar to output 3 into the effects return on my Marshall 900.

It worked flawlessly, and the singer really loved having some effects again. My outboard effects unit died awhile back.

I guess the 4 line level outputs on the 1814 are my limiting factor right now. I only have one output left. I was wondering when the four output limit would come into play. But, if I had more mic preamps for vocals, they would all go to the stereo out into the FOH amps, but I can only add one more guitar.

But, I'm really happy with the results so far. Guitar Rig 2 sounded great on my Marshall amp and 4x12 cab. I was using a Rocktron Voodoo before, and didn't quite like the sound of it. I used to use my Marshall preamp for gain, but my tubes are getting old, and sound pretty bland right now.

[itsplayed]

Just get yourself one of these.....
http://www.behringer.com/ADA8000/index.cfm?lang=ENG
Very cheap and it will give you an Additional 8 Mic/Line Pre's I/O via your ADAT port.