Input levels into the mixer

[BigJD]

Kinda wondering if there is a pad on the mixer channel that you are feeding?
Usually you wouldn't have that kind of problem.
Do you know what the mixer is?
Most common levels to the board are -4db or +10db.
If your gain stucture on the board is correct on the channel strip your feeding you should be able to get a good clean signal and let the PA work at putting out you carefully sculptured tone.
Like I said before most mixers should be able to handle whatever signal is given to them. The channel strip is all the preamp you should need after a DI.
Make sure your DI doesn't have a switch on it too.Some do for level matching.

[Eric***]

Kinda wondering if there is a pad on the mixer channel that you are feeding?
Usually you wouldn't have that kind of problem.
Do you know what the mixer is?
Most common levels to the board are -4db or +10db.
If your gain stucture on the board is correct on the channel strip your feeding you should be able to get a good clean signal and let the PA work at putting out you carefully sculptured tone.
Like I said before most mixers should be able to handle whatever signal is given to them. The channel strip is all the preamp you should need after a DI.
Make sure your DI doesn't have a switch on it too.Some do for level matching.

I think it's a Mackie SR32-4 mixer.

It's an ART DI with some attenuation pads on it when I use the pedal -> DI box -> mixer, but I don't use a DI box when I use the amp. I just do XLR out on amp -> digital snake, which goes right to the mixer.

[BigJD]

I think it's a Mackie SR32-4 mixer.

It's an ART DI with some attenuation pads on it when I use the pedal -> DI box -> mixer, but I don't use a DI box when I use the amp. I just do XLR out on amp -> digital snake, which goes right to the mixer.

I would tell you not to use the XLR's on the amp,put a SM57 in front of it.
I like miked amps.
As far as the DI is concerned,you should be able to match it to what the mixer wants to see pretty easily.
Like I said before it sounds more to me like a problem the your channel strip on the board.Theres a pad or something engaged that is cutting your signal off.
Whats the model on that ART DI? I'll google it and your board and get a quick education on them.

[Eric***]

Whats the model on that ART DI? I'll google it and your board and get a quick education on them.

I think it's this one:

ART ARTcessories Zdirect Professional Passive Direct Box

[BigJD]

I think it's this one:

ART ARTcessories Zdirect Professional Passive Direct Box

Geez they sure don't give up much info on that unit.
But if I was to believe anything about it it seems that it is very much an entry level unit.
If it were me I would probably see if there was anybody about that had a better quality unit to try.
As talked about before I believe its a problem on the mixer end.

[Eric***]

As talked about before I believe its a problem on the mixer end.

Well that does help me a good bit as far as troubleshooting is concerned, so I appreciate the input. If I manage to make any headway, I'll update with the results.

Thanks everyone for the help!

[markb]

I would tell you not to use the XLR's on the amp,put a SM57 in front of it.
I like miked amps.
...

I like miked amps too but I suspect you've never used the DI on a Tech21 amp. You can put a '57 in front of the speaker if you like but it'll sound about the same and it's just one more thing to trip over on a crowded stage. The internal DI box is speaker and mic emulated. The only problem I've ever had is that the connector isn't exactly top notch and some XLRs are a bad fit.

A pad somewhere is a very sensible suggestion.

[BigJD]

I like miked amps too but I suspect you've never used the DI on a Tech21 amp. You can put a '57 in front of the speaker if you like but it'll sound about the same and it's just one more thing to trip over on a crowded stage. The internal DI box is speaker and mic emulated. The only problem I've ever had is that the connector isn't exactly top notch and some XLRs are a bad fit.

A pad somewhere is a very sensible suggestion.

You are completely correct.I have not used a tech21 amp or DI.
My bass player uses one of their floor units and it seems pretty well made.