Stereo or mono direct box?

1 Jun 2010, 08:55

I need to purchase a new direct box for my Fantom X7 for playing live in a rock band. The PA system and my stage amp are always run in mono. Does it matter if I run both the L and R stereo outputs from the Fantom into a direct box and try to get a single mono out of the direct box, or should I run only the L mono output from the Fantom into a mono direct box with a single mono outpu? Is there a difference in sound quality?

Re: Stereo or mono direct box?

1 Jun 2010, 09:37

The X7 has balanced outs so in principle all you need is a TRS->XLR cable straight into the board. It will still be line level but any decent board should have a PAD option.

I do it like that all the time. I go stereo if possible but otherwise I would just take the Left/Mono out from the Fantom. Same if you were using a separate DI. It shouldn't matter where the summing takes place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXz0UkVBZPQ
TOYZ in 60 seconds (short live video of my progrock band on YouTube)

Re: Stereo or mono direct box?

2 Jun 2010, 03:42

when running mono live I tweak the patches to sound better in mono. Most patches are made for stereo and lose a bit of their edge in mono so with a little tweaking you can come up with a decent sound in mono.

Re: Stereo or mono direct box?

2 Jun 2010, 06:09

I guess a lot of this depends on what level you are performing your shows ......
Since you said you have both a stage amplifier and PA I have to guess that you are supplying all this equipment yourself ( I hope you are charging the venue for use of your PA....if not you should) . I personally make the sound company doing the backline handle the DI box issue. I always carry mine with me just in case... If I have to use it I charge extra. You should create a tech rider which details what you need on the stage to get you connected like this ... (guess the board dont like my list format!)

Input List

CH INSTRUMENT MICROPHONES STANDS STAGE INSERTS
preferences
1 Bass Drum L Beta 52 short boom CSL Gate
2 Bass Drum R Beta 52 short boom CSR Gate
3 Snare top SM 57 Gate
4 Snare bottom Beta SM 57 short boom Gate
5 Hi-Hat 1 SM 81 straight
6 Hi-Hat 2 remote SM 81 straight
7 Rack Tom 1 E 604/504 Gate
8 Rack Tom 2 E 604/504 Gate
9 Rack Tom 3 E 604/504 Gate
10 Floor Tom 1 E 604/504 Gate
11 Floor Tom 2 E 604/504 Gate
12 Ride SM 81/ SM 57 short boom CSL
13 Overhead L AKG 340/SM 81 tall boom CSL
14 Overhead R AKG 340/SM 81 tall boom CSR
15 Bass DI Active DI Comp
16 Bass Mic D 112/42 short boom SL Comp
17 Guitar DI Active DI Comp
18 Guitar SM 57 short boom SR Comp
19 Keyboard (L) Active DI SL Comp
20 Keyboard (R) Active DI SL Comp
21 Lead Vox Beta 58 / SM 58 straight CS Comp
22 Vox 2 Beta 58 / SM 57 tall boom SR Comp
23 Vox 3 Beta 58 / SM 57 tall boom SL Comp
24 Vox 4 Beta 58 / SM 57 tall boom SL Comp
25 Vox 5 Beta 58 / SM 57 tall boom CS bk Comp
26 Spare Mic Beta 58 / SM 57 Comp

This list is just a guide for the stage crew so they know what kind of setup to expect.
More to the point the DI box I use is a Radial JDI MK3 .
This is a stereo unit that has a merge function that can allow you to combine the left and right signal into a single mono channel. This helps you avoid reprogramming and still get a good sound from your setup. Another note this is not a cheap DI box, it's built like a tank and has really good specs for delivering a very clean sound. They generally run about $160-200 usd.