Channel outputs to XLR for live performance

[AlBob]

Can anyone provide advice on this question regarding live performance? The sound engineer at a live show is usually set up with a bunch of XLR inputs for the microphones over an acoustic kit. Currently, I provide a DI and give them 6 individual channels from my V-Drums (TD20x). The problem with this is sending only one output from, say, ‘Toms’ means that the engineer can’t do individual adjustments in a way they may normally operate. Obviously, we can edit the settings at the kit to a very fine level, but during a live show, the engineer is in charge of getting the sound right for the venue. So – the question is – if I start using my SPD3 for live shows – what hardware will I need to send out individual microphone channels to XLR connections for, shall we say, 10 channels? I have used a Presonus USB 96 audio interface but that’s limited to two output channels.

Superior Drummer 3 version: 3.3.2
Operating system: Windows 11

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[Mark King]

There are a huge amount of options out there. How much do you want to spend would get the first question anyone would ask?
RME are known for low latency drivers which is essential with sd3. A simple setup would be a RME digiface usb and two Behringer ada8200 interfaces which have XLR outputs giving you 16 channels. The RME is £339 and an ada8200 is about £175.

10 channels is an odd number because most interfaces tend to be 2/4 or 8. Older interfaces tended to have more outputs than inputs but it seems the other way round these days and not all 8 channel preamps have outputs as well. As I said lots of options around. This was just one I thought of and would maybe use if I were to do this. I am biased as at home I use a RME Babyface pro fs with the ada8200. That would also give 10 XLR outputs.

one last thought. Does your interface have an adat port? If it does then you only need the ada8200 and you have 10 outputs.

SD3 with older sdx,s plus Rooms of Hansa and Death & Darkness. Cubase and wavelab current versions. Roland TD50x using all trigger inputs for triggering SD3 only. Windows 11 computer. Various keyboards and outboard gear as well as VST instruments. Acoustic drums: Yamaha 9000 natural wood and Pearl masters. Various snare drums. RME BabyFace Pro FS and Adam A7X monitors

[Nils]

A Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen (476€) has 10 balanced outputs. You would need standard adapter cables for XLR.

It has some interesting additional features and add ons. I guess, it should fulfill your requirements.

[AlBob]

Thanks for your detailed reply. There are no ADAT ports available on my interface and I had to research what they actually were. The 10 channels was arrived at by adding two extra channels to what you can get out of the TD20 module, arbitrary really. I’m trying to decide whether to spend money on building up a hybrid kit for live work and leaving the electronic permanently set up at home for practice. Or…spend money on getting SPD3 properly set up for gigging. I’ll look into the equipment you suggested.

[Mark King]

The 18i20 sounds like a decent option. Are all the outs accessible through a DAW? I know some interfaces they are just a mirror of the input.

SD3 with older sdx,s plus Rooms of Hansa and Death & Darkness. Cubase and wavelab current versions. Roland TD50x using all trigger inputs for triggering SD3 only. Windows 11 computer. Various keyboards and outboard gear as well as VST instruments. Acoustic drums: Yamaha 9000 natural wood and Pearl masters. Various snare drums. RME BabyFace Pro FS and Adam A7X monitors

• This post was modified 2 years, 11 months ago by Mark King.

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