[Elecraft] Audio Mixer in the Ham Shack

[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 <joel.b.black at gmail.com> 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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