Audio Mixer in the Ham Shack

[Joel Black-2]

Yep, I’ve looked and there is a *lot* of information on this reflector about the subject.

I have worked with David Anderson, GM4JJJ, on setting up my KX3 trying to minimize the connecting and disconnecting of cables to my Focusrite 2i2 sound card. The more I thought about the advice he gave me, the more curious I became. I got to the point of could I connect my K3 too? Problem is that I know very little about audio mixers so please go easy on me. I have been reading and looking online for several days now.

I have read through Jim Brown’s, K9YC, documentation on his page and I can handle what needs to be done there.

Here’s the potential scenario:

I have a K3 and a KX3. I have one sound card to share between the two of them. Yes, I do realize that just adding another sound card may be the simplest thing to do at this point. I have thought of that and that solution is not off the table. I have the Focusrite 2i2 sound card. This is a fairly new purchase and so far I am pleased with its performance. I have a mic for each radio - the MH2 for the K3 and the MH3 for the KX3. I could see where going to just one studio-type mic would be beneficial. With the TX and RX EQs in both radios, I really do not need the parametric EQ of a mixer.

I also use an FM-only VHF radio for local repeater contacts but consider it out of scope.

What I have been looking at is an 8-channel audio mixer (either the Mackie ProFX8v2 or the Alesis Multimix 8 USB). My thoughts are:

Install a single mic into mic input one on the mixer. This mic would serve both the K3 and the KX3.
Have the LINE OUT from the K3 into Inputs 3 and 4
Have the SPKR OUT from the K3 into Inputs 5 and 6
Have the SPKR OUT from the KX3 into Inputs 7 and 8
Have the Focusrite 2i2 LINE IN L and R to Main Out L and R on the mixer
Have the Focusrite LINE OUT L to Input 2 on the mixer.

Now I run into trouble. The Mackie has ST (studio?) return. I could run the L to LINE IN on the K3 and R to MIC IN on the K3 but I cannot figure out how to get MIC IN wired to the KX3. The Alesis adds an AUX SEND. Could I use that to feed the MIC IN of the KX3?

I realize this borders on off-topic for this group so if you’d rather respond directly, I understand and I apologize for using the bandwidth for what may seem like an off-topic subject to some.

73,
Joel - W4JBB
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[ktalbott]

I hate swapping cables!  To avoid it, I use a Shure Model SCM800 8/9 input mixer ($50 to $150 on that auction site) and a Dave Clark headset.  I have audio on demand from 4 hf rigs, a vhf/uhf rig, and XM radio. Not a word of complaint from the XYL when I listen to 2 or more sources at once!  Antennas managed by two MFJ 6-in/6-out switches.  Now I just need to do something about the key!  I am considering using an old RS-232 mechanical switch to solve that problem.  I don't do microphones.  BTW, everything is mounted in standard 6 foot relay rack, on wheels for easy access to rear.
Ken - ke4rg

-----Original Message-----
From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Joel Black
Sent: Wednesday, February 17, 2016 6:28 PM
To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] Audio Mixer in the Ham Shack

Yep, I ve looked and there is a *lot* of information on this reflector about the subject.

I have worked with David Anderson, GM4JJJ, on setting up my KX3 trying to minimize the connecting and disconnecting of cables to my Focusrite 2i2 sound card. The more I thought about the advice he gave me, the more curious I became. I got to the point of could I connect my K3 too? Problem is that I know very little about audio mixers so please go easy on me. I have been reading and looking online for several days now.

I have read through Jim Brown s, K9YC, documentation on his page and I can handle what needs to be done there.

Here s the potential scenario:

I have a K3 and a KX3. I have one sound card to share between the two of them. Yes, I do realize that just adding another sound card may be the simplest thing to do at this point. I have thought of that and that solution is not off the table. I have the Focusrite 2i2 sound card. This is a fairly new purchase and so far I am pleased with its performance. I have a mic for each radio - the MH2 for the K3 and the MH3 for the KX3. I could see where going to just one studio-type mic would be beneficial. With the TX and RX EQs in both radios, I really do not need the parametric EQ of a mixer.

I also use an FM-only VHF radio for local repeater contacts but consider it out of scope.

What I have been looking at is an 8-channel audio mixer (either the Mackie ProFX8v2 or the Alesis Multimix 8 USB). My thoughts are:

Install a single mic into mic input one on the mixer. This mic would serve both the K3 and the KX3.
Have the LINE OUT from the K3 into Inputs 3 and 4 Have the SPKR OUT from the K3 into Inputs 5 and 6 Have the SPKR OUT from the KX3 into Inputs 7 and 8 Have the Focusrite 2i2 LINE IN L and R to Main Out L and R on the mixer Have the Focusrite LINE OUT L to Input 2 on the mixer.

Now I run into trouble. The Mackie has ST (studio?) return. I could run the L to LINE IN on the K3 and R to MIC IN on the K3 but I cannot figure out how to get MIC IN wired to the KX3. The Alesis adds an AUX SEND. Could I use that to feed the MIC IN of the KX3?

I realize this borders on off-topic for this group so if you d rather respond directly, I understand and I apologize for using the bandwidth for what may seem like an off-topic subject to some.

73,
Joel - W4JBB
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[Clay Autery]

Here's an idea for the shared key...

Assuming a key with 2 leads and 4 rigs...

Build a switch box around something like an NKK MRX204 rotary switch
(This one switches 2 common leads simultaneously to 4 pairs of 2
switched leads)  Add a perf board or custom PCB with appropriate chassis
and 3.5mm TS sockets... add a Key IN 2-conductor cable, and an 8
conductor to 4 x 2 conductor breakout cable on the other side to connect
to the 4 rigs, and you have a neat, easily sharable key.  Here's the
data sheet...  http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/295/MRpowerLevel-22799.pdf

A million different switch types you could use...  Maybe even one with
spade connectors as switch terminals, where ALL the box internals would
be hookup wires from the switch to the TS sockets.  The breakout cable
could be locally made bu you with some 2 conductor cable and the right
heat shrink.

You could reduce the number of OUT sockets to 1 each, if you used
something like a MIL Type 8-conductor bulkhead shell and matching plug
on one end, and then broke out to 4 each Tip/Sleeve plugs or whatever
you need to plug into the 4 rigs on the other end....


Clean, clean, clean...

______________________
Clay Autery, KG5LKV
[phone]

On 2/17/2016 5:43 PM, Ken Talbott wrote:
> I hate swapping cables!  To avoid it, I use a Shure Model SCM800 8/9 input mixer ($50 to $150 on that auction site) and a Dave Clark headset.  I have audio on demand from 4 hf rigs, a vhf/uhf rig, and XM radio. Not a word of complaint from the XYL when I listen to 2 or more sources at once!  Antennas managed by two MFJ 6-in/6-out switches.  Now I just need to do something about the key!  I am considering using an old RS-232 mechanical switch to solve that problem.  I don't do microphones.  BTW, everything is mounted in standard 6 foot relay rack, on wheels for easy access to rear.
> Ken - ke4rg
>
>

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[Joe DeVincentis]

I’m using a mixing board for my setup as well.  I used a SoundCraft EPM-8 (EPM-6) will also work.  The 8 says 8 channels, but it’s really 12.  8 mono and 2 stereo.  Right now I only have  KX3, a nice used K3 is in the very near future and is why I set this up.

Channel 1: Microphone
Channel 2: Output from USB sound card
Channel 7: Receive main from KX3
Channel 8: Receive sub from KX3

Aux 1:  Mic input to KX3
Monitor Left: Left speaker
Monitor Right: Right speaker
Master Mix Left: RX Main for USB sound card
Master Mix Right: RX Sub for USB sound card

The K3s will plug in as follows:

Channel 5: Receive main from K3s
Channel 6: Receive sub from K3s
Aux2: Mic input to KX3.

I can mute individual channels, adjust volume and EQ for each.

I can dial down the monitors so I’m not hearing the speakers if I want to be silent during digital modes.  Also using the faders on channel 1 and 2, I can mix it into the monitors during transmit so I can hear myself.

I will have make a box to switch the PTT, keyer to the proper radio.  Not a big deal.

The other cool thing is I can adjust what I hear in each ear of the headphones when running Dual watch on the KX3.  Plus I can swap the ears with a turn of the knob so the watch matches what I see on the PX3 (e.g. which ever frequency is lower goes to the left ear, the higher frequency goes to the right).  That way ears match the visual.

Most of this setup came from W3YY (http://w3yy.com/audio_control_system.htm).  He has it setup with isolators and level shifters since pro equipment runs at higher levels than consumer.  I also used the isolators and line level shifters.  Works well.

I’m planing on setting the headphone output of the computer into one of the stereo channels.  That way I can use the same speakers for music when I’m not on the radio.  

73,
Joe - KO8V

> On Feb 17, 2016, at 5:28 PM, Joel Black <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Yep, I’ve looked and there is a *lot* of information on this reflector about the subject.
>
> I have worked with David Anderson, GM4JJJ, on setting up my KX3 trying to minimize the connecting and disconnecting of cables to my Focusrite 2i2 sound card. The more I thought about the advice he gave me, the more curious I became. I got to the point of could I connect my K3 too? Problem is that I know very little about audio mixers so please go easy on me. I have been reading and looking online for several days now.
>
> I have read through Jim Brown’s, K9YC, documentation on his page and I can handle what needs to be done there.
>
> Here’s the potential scenario:
>
> I have a K3 and a KX3. I have one sound card to share between the two of them. Yes, I do realize that just adding another sound card may be the simplest thing to do at this point. I have thought of that and that solution is not off the table. I have the Focusrite 2i2 sound card. This is a fairly new purchase and so far I am pleased with its performance. I have a mic for each radio - the MH2 for the K3 and the MH3 for the KX3. I could see where going to just one studio-type mic would be beneficial. With the TX and RX EQs in both radios, I really do not need the parametric EQ of a mixer.
>
> I also use an FM-only VHF radio for local repeater contacts but consider it out of scope.
>
> What I have been looking at is an 8-channel audio mixer (either the Mackie ProFX8v2 or the Alesis Multimix 8 USB). My thoughts are:
>
> Install a single mic into mic input one on the mixer. This mic would serve both the K3 and the KX3.
> Have the LINE OUT from the K3 into Inputs 3 and 4
> Have the SPKR OUT from the K3 into Inputs 5 and 6
> Have the SPKR OUT from the KX3 into Inputs 7 and 8
> Have the Focusrite 2i2 LINE IN L and R to Main Out L and R on the mixer
> Have the Focusrite LINE OUT L to Input 2 on the mixer.
>
> Now I run into trouble. The Mackie has ST (studio?) return. I could run the L to LINE IN on the K3 and R to MIC IN on the K3 but I cannot figure out how to get MIC IN wired to the KX3. The Alesis adds an AUX SEND. Could I use that to feed the MIC IN of the KX3?
>
> I realize this borders on off-topic for this group so if you’d rather respond directly, I understand and I apologize for using the bandwidth for what may seem like an off-topic subject to some.
>
> 73,
> Joel - W4JBB
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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[Mark Goldberg]

I also use a mixer and I use a bigger one, a Behringer 1622FX. It has
two stereo mixing busses, Main and Sub, so really four channels. You
can route any input to either or both and fade from left to right as
you wish. I have all the sources from rigs and the PC sound card and
mics going to inputs.

I route anything I want to transmit with to the Main mix and take
those outputs, through attenuators to the inputs to the rigs, in my
case, left to one rig and right to the other.

I route anything I want to hear to the Sub mix and have the headphones
and external speakers connected to that. This is very flexible, I
guess I could even set up a crossband repeater where it was legal to
do so! The sub mix also goes to a tape out to the pc sound card input,
so I can record off the air and play back what was recorded.

There are many mixers with this type of setup. I bought this one used
on Craigslist. It does not have a USB interface, which is desirable,
so it was not too expensive.

I also use the usb audio interface to the rig, in my case another
manufacture's but the K3s has usb also. You wind up with many sound
cards in the PC, and most programs allow you to choose the input and
output sound card.

If you screw up with the selections you can get awful feedback!

73,

Mark
W7MLG

On Thu, Feb 18, 2016 at 9:12 AM, Joe DeVincentis <[hidden email]> wrote:
> I’m using a mixing board for my setup as well.  I used a SoundCraft EPM-8 (EPM-6) will also work.  The 8 says 8 channels, but it’s really 12.  8 mono and 2 stereo.  Right now I only have  KX3, a nice used K3 is in the very near future and is why I set this up.
>
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[Joel Black-2]

In my continued looking and reading, I have been coming across rack-mount line mixers. Since all I’m really trying to do is interconnect my equipment (the TX and RX EQs in the K3 and KX3 seem to work fine for me) and since someone mentioned the Shure SCM800, would there be any “gotchas” going that route? I’d have to build a new cabinet with rack rails, but I have been considering building a new set of shelves for my amateur equipment anyway. Any other gotchas I need to consider?

Thanks,
Joel - W4JBB


> On Feb 17, 2016, at 5:28 PM, Joel Black <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Here’s the potential scenario:
>
> I have a K3 and a KX3. I have one sound card to share between the two of them. Yes, I do realize that just adding another sound card may be the simplest thing to do at this point. I have thought of that and that solution is not off the table. I have the Focusrite 2i2 sound card. This is a fairly new purchase and so far I am pleased with its performance. I have a mic for each radio - the MH2 for the K3 and the MH3 for the KX3. I could see where going to just one studio-type mic would be beneficial. With the TX and RX EQs in both radios, I really do not need the parametric EQ of a mixer.
>

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[Bill-3]

Behringer makes lots of audio toys - and they are affordable.

Note: I no longer use them - sold/gave away all of them. With the K3
Equlizers I no longer needed them. Not only works better/easier - makes
the station far less cluttered. Thank you Elecraft!

Bill W2BLC K-Line


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[Jim Brown-10]

On Fri,2/19/2016 5:14 AM, Bill wrote:
> Behringer makes lots of audio toys - and they are affordable.

Yes, but they're NOT a good company, and should be avoided. Lousy
quality, lousy support, and well known to steal designs from REAL audio
companies.

The REAL companies are Shure, Rane, Mackie, Soundcraft, Radio Design
Lab, Crest, Tascam, Yamaha.

73, Jim K9YC
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