Just to clarify for myself,
FX aside
I’m thinking this is a directional thing
Basically: Channels 
DCA Group Main mix
If I mute or move the fader on DCA, it WILL affect the GROUP assigned to the same source.
For example, drum channels assigned to a DCA and a drum GROUP.
However, whatever I do to the GROUP won’t affect the DCA of the same group.
Nevertheless, both will have an impact on the house.
(In other words, moving faders or muting the GROUP or the DCA can ultimately result in nothing in the house.)
I’m asking because I’m trying to set up my desk as much as possible before using it. Unfortunately, I don’t have multitracks to practice nor a sacrificial band.
thanks in advance for clarity provided
There is a free resource for multitracks to practice mixing.
https://cambridge-mt.com/ms3/mtk/
A DCA is a combined level control, not more. It preserves relative levels of different signals. It doesn’t carry any signals.
A group carries signals, and you can add processing for all signals contributing to the group.
Summing to the group happens after the channel fader. So, yes, what you do to the group doesn’t affect the DCA or the channels before.
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Thank you for that,
so at a gig, which faders is the sound person riding, DCA or GROUPS
assuming levels were set correctly at sound check…(with the understanding performers play differently during sound check and performance 8D )
I always use all faders if necessary.
Levels set at sound check will mostly change during the show.
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Do you need the DCA’s at all? Just asking… It may add a layer of complexity that (a) is confusing you and (b) that you don’t need.
You can start off simple and expand.
I would strongly suggest downloading some of the free multitrack resources and setting that up as a ‘virtual play studio’. I did this for cross-training our sound mixing volunteers when we changed our mixing desk from a Yamaha LS9-32 to an A&H SQ-7. I did a bit of training, and then let them play with the multitrack playback. A bit more training and a bit more playing. This was a great training resource!
Forget a practice being the same as a real event. It never happens! It is a good starting point though…
I group my faders into vocalists, instruments, drums (separate from instruments), speech (service leader, preacher, pulpit microphone) etc.
I have a separate AUX for the subs (fed from bass guitar, kick drum etc.) but let’s ignore that complexity!
Which fader I adjust depends upon the effect I want to achieve. If I want to highlight the flute, I will raise her individual fader. If I want to emphasise the drums, I will raise the drum group. If I just want to emphasise the kick drum, I will raise that fader alone in the drum group.
I am using this to emphasise particular vocalists or instruments at key stages during worship songs - so it is used sparingly and in keeping with the specific song.
So there is no hard-and-fast rule here I am afraid.
Dave
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Yeah, I agree.
I like the multitrack idea and have used them in the studio. I’m not sure why that didn’t occur to me for live sound practice. I can almost see Homer here.
Anyway, I’m aware of what DCA and GROUP do and why. What was throwing me off was if people were using both for some reason I wasn’t aware of.
Since I’m routing the separate channels with Gate, EQ, and Compression, my only real use for GROUP was to apply buss compression.
In that case, I’ll set the groups to unity and leave them alone, using the DCA to live mix.
If I’m aware of any special mix needs, I’ll reach for the individual faders to highlight the moment.
Thanks so much for all the help!
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Hello,
Following up on the suggestion to obtain tracks for practice mixing, I wanted to know if you’ve successfully loaded externally created multitracks onto an SD card and played them back through the New QU desk.
I attempted this on a working SD card, but it caused several issues on the desk.
However, after
removing the files I loaded onto the card,
the desk performed as expected, including recording and playing back files created on the desk.
Interestingly, I followed the naming convention of files created on QU desk and applied them to individual tracks created externally (from my DAW and the website you suggested) to ensure that the external track naming convention aligns with files created on desk. I also ensured the sample rate is set to 48/24.
Comparing the files created on the desk and those created externally.
Files created on the desk have a “name” field, while files created externally (from my DAW or from the website) do not show the “name” field, even though the externally created files have track names.
The “name” field was the only difference I could see, which if absent, makes the QU desk have issues.
I’m curious to know your thoughts on this.
If you have had success, what are the steps you followed.
Thank you