How do I get more volume from my mixer?

I'm using a Behringer 1222FX mixer and I don't think I'm using it correctly.

See: http://www.behringer.com/1222FX/?lang=ENG

I'm coming out of my Laptop with RCA going into the mixer.

I'm not getting enough volume.

Can someone explain how I can get the "max" out of this mixer.

I know I'm doing something wrong.

Where should I be plugging into and what are the best settings?

If you've got the sliders maxed out on the mixer both on the channel slider and the main out slider and your volume is still very low... make sure you have your volume in both the music playback software and your sound card are turned up but not necessarily all the way up as that can actually overdrive the channel ....

Here is how I gain stage first I turn my amp down.... then if the mixer has an input VU meter on the channel inputs then I turn the software and computer output up until the meter just barely peaks.... it's ok for it to occasionally peak as long as it isn't constantly peaked... if you don't have a meter on the input side but have one on the output which is normally the case on most mixers.... watch that meter as you push the channel slider to Unity gain or "0" what you want to see as you push the Main Mix output slider towards Unity gain is the same as the previous it is ok for it to hit peak occationally but not constantly in other words you want it to poke into the red but not remain there constantly....

Once you achieve this you will have maxed out what the mixer should be able to output without being overdriven...

Next, while the mixer is maxed out... start pushing your amps gain up until it starts to clip then back it off so that it does not go into clipping and the sound being produced does not sound overdriven....

With that done you will have successfully gain staged from your laptop to your amp... and should run no risk of overdriving your system while getting max performance.... the only worry is can your speakers handle this....

Do you have the master volume on the lappy cranked?

If using the built in sound card, they are notoriously low on output levels (not to mention quality).

Do you have the master volume on the lappy cranked?

If using the built in sound card, they are notoriously low on output levels (not to mention quality).

Ricks got a point here.... two things can be affecting your overall output potential from the PC alone...

1. The volume settings from the playback software
2. The volume settings from your sound card

Depending on the sound card and software you may or maynot want to max them out.... that's why seeing how hard your PC is hitting your mixer is just as important as how high the volume is coming out of the PC....

That's why I was saying to check and see how hard you are or not hitting the mixer once you've set the gain (volume coming from the pc to the mixer) you would then need to gain stage between the mixer and your amp...

I don't know about that kind of mixer on a DJ mixer you should set you faders at 8 then your master at 8 then you use your channel to gain control to regulate your levls...and voila perfect. Is thier a gain control on a mixer like that?

Computer software is max.
Computer output is max.
Main output on mixer is max.
Silder on channels are used to control volume per song.
Amp is usually 3/4 of max.

Question: Looking at the mixer, should I run the two RCA input lines into the same channel or use separate channels for each RCA input lines to gain more volume. Is stereo or mono settings better? I usually plug both RCA lines into channel "9" and control volume with one slider. (Main volume is always set to max and left alone.)

Please, have a look at the mixer and tell me what channels I should be plugging into. This could be my volume problem.

Computer software is max.
Computer output is max.
Main output on mixer is max.
Silder on channels are used to control volume per song.
Amp is usually 3/4 of max.

Question: Looking at the mixer, should I run the two RCA input lines into the same channel or use separate channels for each RCA input lines to gain more volume. Is stereo or mono settings better? I usually plug both RCA lines into channel "9" and control volume with one slider. (Main volume is always set to max and left alone.)

Please, have a look at the mixer and tell me what channels I should be plugging into. This could be my volume problem.

You would use a 1/8" to dual 1/4" Male connector to go from your PC to mixer channel 9/10 and you would utilize both 1/4" Line-Ins. If you have any other sources like say a CD player then you'd use channel 11/12 much the same way.

Mono v. Stereo is a loaded question and there are many schools of thought... so I will differ that to those that feel more confident to guide you... suffice it to say... I run in stereo mode with my speakers (when not using my Bose) at a 45 degree out angle.... pointing them away from the center of the dance floor....

As long as your not sending your amp into clipping then 3/4 the way up, or basically 3 o'clock is fine.

It may help to know what you are using as a Sound Card (ie brand and driver type), Amp and Speakers... it's possible that your amp is underpowered for your speakers or vice versa...

Computer software is max.
Computer output is max.
Main output on mixer is max.
Silder on channels are used to control volume per song.
Amp is usually 3/4 of max.

Question: Looking at the mixer, should I run the two RCA input lines into the same channel or use separate channels for each RCA input lines to gain more volume. Is stereo or mono settings better? I usually plug both RCA lines into channel "9" and control volume with one slider. (Main volume is always set to max and left alone.)

Please, have a look at the mixer and tell me what channels I should be plugging into. This could be my volume problem.

I have xenyx 802 for my backup.

I'm using RCA to 1/4" male mono plug adapters. I have 2 laptops with the first one connected to line 3/4 and the second one to 5/6. Again my plug adapters are mono. Try to use them first. They are like 1.00 each. If this will solve your problem than you can buy a better quality.
If the sound problem is still there (my guess it will be) then the troublemaker is your onboard sound chip. Chip means CHEAP. It's design to run a sound for your laptop speakers. Buy a good, professional sound card and thank me later:sqbiggrin:.
I'm using INDIGO DJ and is rock solid. Hope this will help.

Howdy,

You may need to invest in an outboard sound card...usb type. Turtle Beach is a good one, along with the one I use, the name escapes me at this moment......dumb brain. It's well known....clear plastic...GIGAPORT.....yeah that's it.

Dave

Make sure the mixer can take a -10dbv signal. Some mixers only like +4dbv.

Just to verify... your low level is only on your laptop? All your other inputs sound fine?

If so, yes, invest in an external sound card. A Griffin imic can be had for under $40. It's single channel USB, sounds great, and involves zero setup or installation, on either PC or Mac. I love my Echo Indigo D.J. card, but I don't get the impression Abbey is looking for more than one channel.

Amp, Mixer & Speakers are all Behringer. The Pro Shop I bought them from made sure they were all compatible

I'm using the Behringer "U-Control" going from my Laptop to my mixer.

As shown at:
http://www.behringer.com/01_news/onlypicfile.cfm?file=../XENYX-SERIES/UCA200_big.jpg&w=1000&h=545&title=UCA200

Taken from the bottom of page http://www.behringer.com/1222FX/?lang=ENG

I'm about to add a second set of speakers to gain more volume for a teen dance.

Does anyone see any problems for gaining more volume this way?

Any suggestions?

The Behringer U-Controls (I use 2 of the 202 version), have a lower output than my built in sound cards (although they have much better sound quality).

I have to turn up the master volume in Windows to about half to 3/4 of the way up with them, and gain up the channels on my mixer, to get the same output level. There are two output levels in Window's mixer that control it -- the master and wave. Make sure they are both at a good enough level.

They sound sweet though :)

Check what Doug mentioned about the input levels on your mixer -- some mixers have a switch to change the input level requirements...