DBX 231 EQ

[Count Dissident]

Is the DBX 231 Dual 31-Band Graphic EQ a good choice for FOH/mains? I have never used this EQ,but I have read some reviews that say it adds hiss to the system. Also,is the best way to hook it up by going XLR from my mains to the EQ,then XLR from EQ to the powered speakers?

Thanks!

[Axisplayer]

That method works, but would not be my first choice. My first choice would be to insert it into the LR main channels of the board. Thats a personal choice you have to make. and there are arguments as to either way.

[Count Dissident]

 

That method works, but would not be my first choice. My first choice would be to insert it into the LR main channels of the board. Thats a personal choice you have to make. and there are arguments as to either way.

 

 

Thanks Axisplayer! Just to be sure I understand you correctly...I should use a TRS Dual 1/4"" Insert Cable to the mixers main insert for each side?

[agedhorse]

I find that XLR out to the eq and then to the (powered speaker) works just as well. I also have not found noise (hiss) to be a problem on the last couple dozen I have installed. Perhaps in hinky systems where people are just slapping gear together in hopes it works ok, but not is any real application.

[Majoria]

Hiss probably comes from going TS from the mixer to the 231 and then going TRS or XLR to the speakers.

[twostone]

 

Is the DBX 231 Dual 31-Band Graphic EQ a good choice for FOH/mains? I have never used this EQ,but I have read some reviews that say it adds hiss to the system. Also,is the best way to hook it up by going XLR from my mains to the EQ,then XLR from EQ to the powered speakers? Thanks!

 

 

I use 231 on my active (powered) speakers and yes that's the proper cables and method of hooking it up.

 

Sounds like the reviews was written by folks that had to much gain which cause the all the hissing.

 

Just keep the eq at unity and make sure all your gain setting on the mixer at it's proper setting and your good to go.

[agedhorse]

 

Hiss probably comes from going TS from the mixer to the 231 and then going TRS or XLR to the speakers.

 

 

No. Unlikely to impossible.

[1tribe]

Ive used the 231 for mains and monitors and have not heard any "hiss". Just watch your gain structure.

[monkeyland]

my 231 does add a little hiss if you boost frequencies. But thats really not the way you should be using it anyway. They will generally be used to cut only and in that case it's totally silent. Even when i do need to boost just a little bit every now and then it's not enough to worry about at all.

 

I connect straight out of my Mixwiz into the EQ and then on to the amp rack

[fireax]

I also use the DBX 231 for my mains.

I run an XLR from my mixer to the EQ,

Then XLR to powered Speakers.

There is no hiss at all in mine.

[boomerweps]

I own 3 dbx 231EQs, all bought used. ONE of them has a noticable hiss/noise to it, I put it in my DJ rack, less quiet time for the hiss to be heard ;>)

 

Boomerweps

[agedhorse]

 

my 231 does add a little hiss if you boost frequencies. But thats really not the way you should be using it anyway. They will generally be used to cut only and in that case it's totally silent. Even when i do need to boost just a little bit every now and then it's not enough to worry about at all. I connect straight out of my Mixwiz into the EQ and then on to the amp rack

 

 

Whenever you boost anything, residual noise in the signal will be boosted along with it. This is normal and occurs regardless of make or model of eq.

[Unalaska]

I've got a bunch of 231's, all are dead quite. A couple have the LED meters lite up full until signal goes thru them but on the audio side they are fine.

[Count Dissident]

Thanks for the responses!! Great info...I am going to go ahead and pick one up. BTW, I see that most people are running it between the mixer and amp/speakers...is running the EQ through the main inserts a bad idea?

[agedhorse]

 

is running the EQ through the main inserts a bad idea?

 

 

no, both methods can work well.

[Coaster]

i use the main inserts on my rig, buddy of mine does it the other way. when i run his rig i'm never quite sure how the mixer output meters relate to the amp rack with the eq inline.

[agedhorse]

Unless you do drastic eq, the differences are minor.

[Unalaska]

Either way is fine. Generally for more complicated dedicated monitor console apps you'll want to insert the EQs. For everything else in-line is just fine. I prefer in-line since it requires no special cables at all and the ouput of the EQ can drive a snake or whatever. The meters really don't mean anything on an EQ to me anyway, as long as it's not clipping I don't care. Console and amps I care about.

[agedhorse]

For monitor console applications, I prefer inserts because I want to listen in to exactly what the mix is (on the same wedge model) at monitor world. Listen is generally post insert for this purpose.

[ibanez_dude]

Inserts can be smarter, in case of equipment failure, but your method works fine. I've used a lot of these particular DBX EQ's, they've always worked fine for me, no hiss, no problems...