Inputs into a few channels (say 1, 2, and a stereo cable going into 3/4)
Control Room Out to Kp3 Input
KP3 Output to CD/Tape in
Depress Cd/Tape In to Main Mix
Would this work? (X-Trade, if yr out there, I could use your expertise! )
My guess is it would, or else why would Behringer have 2 different buttons there, one for the cd/tape to control and the other to main mix.
Why not use the FX button on the mixer to route the audio signal to the "FX Send" output, connect that output to the KP3 input, and then connect the KP3 output back into mixer line 9/10?
The FX bus on that mixer is mono, not stereo. The KP3 is a stereo effector. That mixer doesn't really support a stereo FX loop for the kind of effects that the KP3 does, such as Filter sweeps. There are two basic kinds of effects, additive effects like reverb and delay that can be mixed with the main signal, or subtractive effects that cannot be mixed with the main signal because they depend on having the signal routed through the device for the effect to work, like a LowPass filter with LFO.
The only way to use the KP3 with that mixer properly is to hook the main L+R outputs of the mixer into the KP3 inputs, then send the KP3 outputs to where the mixer used to send its output. But whoever is running the mixer will need to know exactly how the KP3 works, because hitting the buttons or pressing the pad can kill the output 100%, which is good to hear the full KP3 effect - but not so good if that's not what you intended to do and you're looking very stupid trying to figure out why there's no music playing when there should be.
guys, thanks for the advice, but I cannot do the FX Route because its a mono send, as xmlguy pointed out. I was already aware of this when I posted.
So, can anyone tell me if what I originally suggested would work?
Inputs into a few channels (say 1, 2, and a stereo cable going into 3/4)
Control Room Out to Kp3 Input
KP3 Output to CD/Tape in
Depress Cd/Tape In to Main Mix
If not, I suppose I'm either screwed, or else I could try what xmlguy suggested (main outs to kp3). I will most likely be manning the mixer, or at least setting it up. Its a very small venue.
(I have a Xenyx1204 but really dont want to bring it out with me. Its bad enough that I will have to come up with some clever solution to transport the KP3 and my other equipment safely. I dont want to deal with a mixer, too!)
The problem is that CTRL out contains the main mix plus solo'd channels. You can't send the return from the KP3 to CD input because you will get instant feedback - the CD input sends to main or CTRL, both of which get sent to CTRL, there's your feedback loop. You can't connect the KP3 input to its own output signal. These cheap minimixers are just not designed with enough capability to handle complex routing. You would need pre-fader stereo aux sends or a real stereo FX return that can be put into a chain configuration instead of an additive mix. By the way, I've owned the KP3 for more than 3 years now. I've also done pro audio for decades.
Xmlguy, thanks for the helpful replies. I had a question about something you said:
The only way to use the KP3 with that mixer properly is to hook the main L+R outputs of the mixer into the KP3 inputs, then send the KP3 outputs to where the mixer used to send its output. But whoever is running the mixer will need to know exactly how the KP3 works, because hitting the buttons or pressing the pad can kill the output 100%, which is good to hear the full KP3 effect
What exactly would kill the output? The kp3 acts as a thruway for audio if not being played. But even when you're sampling/effecting, the signal is still passing thru. Are you referring to a specific function of it? I've never tried this setup (I'm at work now but intend to try it out on my mixer when I get home to test), as I usually route the kp3 back into my mixer.
All in all, I think I'm starting to convince myself to just bring my own damn mixer and use my existing setup so that I'm clear and confident.
The best solution would be simply put the KP3 on the Main outs.
You can't do anything interesting with this mixer because it doesn't have a real alternate bus or anything like that. I believe the 1204 does though (the 04 refers to having four outputs. The 'Alternate' out on these small format mixers is usually doubled up as the mute button).
If you're only using reverb, delay, flanger, etc then you can use the FX sends but it will only be in mono and the KP3 is probably overkill, but any 100% wet effects like distortion, looping, crushing, etc will be virtually useless in a send/return configuration.
I wouldn't really use the Control Room outs as an alternate output as when nothing is soloed, everything will go through it (unless you keep an unused channel soloed permenantly?)
Current Gear: Kronos 61, RADIAS-R, Volca Bass, ESX-1, microKorg, MS2000B, R3, Kaossilator Pro +, MiniKP, AX3000B, nanoKontrol, nanoPad MK II,
Other Mfgrs: Moog Sub37, Roland Boutique JX03, Novation MiniNova, Akai APC40, MOTU MIDI TimePiece 2, ART Pro VLA, Focusrite Saffire Pro 40.
Past Gear: Korg Karma, TR61, Poly800, EA-1, ER-1, ES-1, Kawai K1, Novation ReMote37SL, Boss GT-6B
Software: NI Komplete 10 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, Ableton Live 9. Apple OSX El Capitan on 15" MacBook Pro
roblabs wrote:Xmlguy, thanks for the helpful replies. I had a question about something you said:
The only way to use the KP3 with that mixer properly is to hook the main L+R outputs of the mixer into the KP3 inputs, then send the KP3 outputs to where the mixer used to send its output. But whoever is running the mixer will need to know exactly how the KP3 works, because hitting the buttons or pressing the pad can kill the output 100%, which is good to hear the full KP3 effect
What exactly would kill the output? The kp3 acts as a thruway for audio if not being played. But even when you're sampling/effecting, the signal is still passing thru. Are you referring to a specific function of it? I've never tried this setup (I'm at work now but intend to try it out on my mixer when I get home to test), as I usually route the kp3 back into my mixer.
All in all, I think I'm starting to convince myself to just bring my own damn mixer and use my existing setup so that I'm clear and confident.
A filter can filter out everything, not just what you want to filter. Just go to any LowPass Filter program and touch the pad in the bottom left corner. You've just set the centerpoint of the filter so low that no music gets through. Therefore, you've got to be very aware of how each program works, because if you just flip through programs, many of them will completely kill the output until you touch the pad in the right place and hit the hold button. The ability to completely cut the output with the pad is what makes the KP3 so powerful for effects - it can completely mangle the music in a good way, if you know what you're doing.
If you watch Beardyman, it all looks easy, but you might not realize that he knows what he's doing well enough to keep the groove going at all times. That skill is learned with experience. Any yes, having your own mixer with much more powerful routing is much better for the KP3 than depending on some crappy minimixer. Imagine how complex the routing may be if you have 4 KP3s, a KaossPro, and a couple of keyboards.
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