Help. Mixing desk outputs to numerous stage monitors

dilithium85

For the simpleton in me. For a live band, Can someone explain how 2 xlr outputs on a mixing desk can send audio to 3 different stage monitors that aren't connected? Should I be using a different audio out on the mixer, or will I need a multi in/out box on stage as well?
Thanks

telehack

Does your mixer have "group outputs"? Those could be used for monitoring. What model mixer is it? Someone on here might be able to give you some advice based on that.

dilithium85

I should say I have purchased a mixer yet so I'm looking for the cheapest which can handle what I need 3 vocals 1 kick drum mics. (recommendations welcome) 
Could I use the thru outputs on each monitor to daisy chain them is possible? 

Snags

For monitoring you probably want to be using the aux sends, rather than the mains, if you have any. Then you can have a different mix in each monitor (or at least, on each aux channel).

dilithium85

Snags said:

For monitoring you probably want to be using the aux sends, rather than the mains, if you have any. Then you can have a different mix in each monitor (or at least, on each aux channel).

So each channel needs its own aux sends/outputs? 

robinbowes

dilithium85 said:

For the simpleton in me. For a live band, Can someone explain how 2 xlr outputs on a mixing desk can send audio to 3 different stage monitors that aren't connected? Should I be using a different audio out on the mixer, or will I need a multi in/out box on stage as well?
Thanks

It sounds to me like the "two outputs on a mixing desk" you're talking about are the main stereo outputs. These are typically connected to the main front-of-house (FoH) speaker system and receive the main mix, controlled by the faders on the desk.

Stage monitors typically receive a different mix to FoH, which can be done in various different ways, but for small-scale systems it's often done with Aux sends, Aux 1 => monitor mix one, Aux 2 => mix two, etc.

What's the desk?

PC_Dave

I use a Behringer XR18 - that has 18 inputs, so plenty spare, but most importantly it has 6 Aux sends for individual monitor mixes for the entire band. There is an app you can download so each person can alter their own mix themselves without pestering me for it

What's your budget?

dilithium85

I have messed up I meant aux out rather than xlr/mains. I can go to £150 but obviously the smaller the better

robinbowes

dilithium85 said:

I have messed up I meant aux out rather than xlr/mains. I can go to £150 but obviously the smaller the better

Do you mean you have a mixer with two aux outs and you want to send audio to three monitors?

dilithium85

Yes, If I had a mixer with two aux outputs then how would I send the sound to 3 monitors? 

robinbowes

dilithium85 said:

Yes, If I had a mixer with two aux outputs then how would I send the sound to 3 monitors? 

You could drive two monitors from the same aux output. How you do that depends on your setup. If your amplifiers or active monitors have "thru" outputs, you can just link chain two monitors off the same aux send. If not, you need a balanced line-level splitter - this is a good price: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265084570997 (they're £270 new!)

HTH,

R.

guitarmangler

Some monitors have a slave type output so you can daisy chain them up. My behringer monitors have this option. 

dilithium85

Think I may go for a signal splitter option as its cheap and manageable
Or buy a headphone amp with multiple outs

Danny1969

Small mixers only tend to have 1 aux or 2 at the most. 

If you can run to £219 though then the ui12 from Soundcraft will give you 3 aux sends ... although it looks like there's only 2 you can use the headphone socket as a proper aux send if you route it in the software. You also get wireless control, USB record and decent quality effects. This things are crazy cheap. I use the big brother ui24 version. 

mike257

Most powered stage monitors, and some amplifiers used with unpowered speakers, will have an XLR link output. You can chain these together almost indefinitely. 

If your speakers don't have a link output, you can use a simple XLR y-split cable. When splitting outputs like that, you don't need any fancy electronics in between. There's a small loss in signal level but it'll be barely enough for you to notice.  Example here: https://www.gear4music.com/G4M/Dual-XLR-M-XLR-F-Splitter-Cable/2M1I?origin=product-ads&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqvaNBhDLARIsAH1Pq51IX0vTUiB-rXw7tFKjfFPcfANmaSv63OmxuDynbK0FUczBRbxaWs0aAgzHEALw_wcB