Adding on a Mackie sub

[MikeW]

Hi guys. I am sure this has been covered before but I just can't seem to find it.

I am hiring a mackie sr1501 to add to my SRM 450s. Can someone remind how the set up runs. Is it out of mixer into sub then into tops. Or from mixer to tops then to sub?

Thanks in advance.

[Mark Wild]

Mixer into sub out of sub into tops :)

[MikeW]

Mixer into sub out of sub into tops :)

Thanks Mark

[Shaun]

I've always went from mixer to tops - tops to subs. Works fine too.

[MikeW]

I've always went from mixer to tops - tops to subs. Works fine too.

Thanks Shaun.

Was on the Mackie website earlier. They suggest going from mixer to sub/s first then to tops.

[Digital Jack]

It depends on if you want to utilise the filter that's built into the sub.
If you don't want any of the lower frequencies reaching your 450's you should go MIXER > SUB > 450's (via the high pass filter).

It doesn't matter what method you use if you're not bothered about the HPF on the sub.

[MikeW]

It depends on if you want to utilise the filter that's built into the sub.
If you don't want any of the lower frequencies reaching your 450's you should go MIXER > SUB > 450's (via the high pass filter).

It doesn't matter what method you use if you're not bothered about the HPF on the sub.

Thanks for that Jack

[Excalibur]

While I think it's generally accepted that sub first is the accepted method, tops first is also viable. ( as long as you can stand the vasrt amounts of cable this would require if your tops were widely spaced ) There is the point, if you were pushing the system hard, that the tops are working hard with a full range signal. My view is that they'd be better having an easy life doing high end only, and let the sub do the hard work.

The only final arbiter is your ears. Whatever sounds best, go for it.

[katman]

Was about to say the same thing as Excalibur. Then thre is the situation where you use an external crossover or separate sub out from the mixer in which case neither is first :)

Sub first means you only have 2 cables to each top rather than 3 so may look neater.

[MikeW]

Thanks for all your comments guys. Just a bit of a follow up. Just set up for tonight using the hired in Mackie sub. The guy who does the hire says he would always go mixer to sub first, which we did.
This is my first time ever using a sub in my system and I have got to say it sounded really really good (although in a marquee, and normally sound is slightly better?).
I won't know fully until tonight when the guests are there (approx 150).

I will report back tomorrow on how it went.:)

[Digital Jack]

How did it go - how did it go ???
I luvasub...

[MikeW]

How did it go - how did it go ???
I luvasub...

Sorry Jack, been a bit busy today:)
It all went very well. They sounded good at the warm up. And very good throughout the night.
I turned the bass down a couple of times, just to see what difference it made, and it was very trebly!!!!
If anything, I was playing a bit loud (which is not like me) I was really enjoying the sound quality.
The guy who hired me the sub said, once I use one it will be difficult to go back to just tops. I think he will be right. I am out this weekend with just tops.

I would look at buying a mackie sub, but in the next to weeks I will be buying a pair of K12s, so will wait and hear how they perform first.

I may just hire in a sub for larger events. The hire worked very well for me.

[Alchemy]

The guy who hired me the sub said, once I use one it will be difficult to go back to just tops. I think he will be right. I am out this weekend with just tops.



I agree, my sub gives me a much more rounded sound even at lower volumes, so I always use it (that's why I incorporated it into my deck stand)

[Excalibur]

I agree, my sub gives me a much more rounded sound even at lower volumes, so I always use it (that's why I incorporated it into my deck stand)

And I love the increase in sound quality I get with my preferred rig. Active crossover, with passive subs and tops, and I can vary the relative levels from the crossover. Taking the low frequencies away from the 12" tops really lets them work to their full capacity.