A little help please

[dj_badger]

Morning, I am new to the forum, just need some advice really, just bought some powered subs and i know that they need xlr to jack from the sub to go into the back of my berhinger mixer, now the question i wanted to ask was this-i know i need to put female xlr to xlr cables from the sub to the speaker but would microphone cables do or do they have to be XLR? Also is it necessary to do this or could i just put the xlr to the jack into the mixer and would it work?

Sorry for being a dummy, just wanted to ask the question

Thank you

[Excalibur]

Hello Ben. First of all, I'm a little confused by your question. To help us give better advice, could you give us make and model of mixer, subs and tops please. I'm sure we will be able to sort it then.

Secondly, could you please opo across to the Newbies section and introduce yourself. It's quite painless, and helps us get to know who we're talking to. There are quite a few members in the Hull area, and I'm not a million miles away. Thanks.

[dj_badger]

Apologies for the confusion-

Tops are mackie 15 inch thumps

subs areQTX sound QT18SA Active Powered Subwoofer Subs

mixer is Behringer Xenyx X1832USB Mixer

[ppentertainments]

Your mixer has xlr outputs.

I would use xlr leads only and go mixer - sub - top speaker, then repeat for the other side.

Reason for saying use xlr only is that you are only using one type of lead so makes taking spares that little bit easier :)

[dj_badger]

Your mixer has xlr outputs.

I would use xlr leads only and go mixer - sub - top speaker, then repeat for the other side.

Reason for saying use xlr only is that you are only using one type of lead so makes taking spares that little bit easier :)

Thank you for the quick response, as you can probably tell I have never had subs before, so I connect the sub to the mixer and then the speaker to the sub?

[Nakatomi]

Yes go from the mixer to sub then from sub to the tops.

Always use the best connections available. If anything has xlr outs, use them. Xlr 'microphone' cable is absolutely ideal for this job.

[Benny Smyth]

I would use xlr leads only and go mixer - sub - top speaker, then repeat for the other side.


Yes go from the mixer to sub then from sub to the tops.

What these guys say. :approve:

[ukpartydj]

I know this doesn't answer your question but it might be a good idea to learn about the connectors and cables.

If you ever find yourself in a pickle because you've broken, misplaced a cable or need a different connection for any reason it's very good to know what the alternatives there are and can prove very helpful if you are to allow a singer / band plug into your mixer.

[dj_badger]

I am learning at a rate of knots, like i said, never used subs before.

A friend of mine is saying that because its a powered sub, then theres no need to connect the sub to the speaker? im sure thats incorrect!

[Benny Smyth]

A friend of mine is saying that because its a powered sub, then theres no need to connect the sub to the speaker? im sure thats incorrect!

Depends how much you enjoy your mid and high frequencies.

The idea is that the mixer sends everything to your subs. Your subs will then keep the low frequencies and send the mids and highs to your tops.

The two alternatives are that you have more cables being sent from your mixer than you need to so you can connect to your tops and subs separately, or you just play the bass and leave your audience's imagination to guess what the song is. :lol:

[Excalibur]

The idea is that the mixer sends everything to your subs. Your subs will then keep the low frequencies and send the mids and highs to your tops.



That is indeed the cunning plan, Baldrick.

Sadly, I think the QTX subs don't have a filtered output, it says " Thru " indicating the same signal as the one going in. That's how I read it. Thus, the tops will still be running full range. I think.

Still best to link both cabs together, sub first. With some newer cabs, that may not be the case. More later, perhaps.

[Nakatomi]

Some combinations of kit need the sub to filter out the signal to the tops, others may not. If you have the choice of either (that is if your sub(s) have builtin crossovers) try both ways & see which works best for you. In my case with 12" or 15" actives & just one 15" bin I send audio from the sub out as full range & just turn the sub down a little bit.

[ukpartydj]

That is indeed the cunning plan, Baldrick.

Sadly, I think the QTX subs don't have a filtered output, it says " Thru " indicating the same signal as the one going in. That's how I read it. Thus, the tops will still be running full range. I think.

Still best to link both cabs together, sub first. With some newer cabs, that may not be the case. More later, perhaps.

You are correct, and whilst my QTX subs will work fine and dandy with some 10" RCF speakers no real issue with removing the bass as not much comes out of a 10" woofer anyway.
When using a 15" speaker up top the benifit of subs will not be as great as it might be with a sub which does have a crossover.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Blimey guys, don't confuse him!

Good luck with the set up. You'll find yourself using the subs a lot more because of the clarity of sound. I notice big time when I don't use mine but saying that, I've had to make do with just the tops of late because they are plenty for some of the sized rooms I have been.

[dj_badger]

thanks for all the replies, I think i have got it figured out, i got the subs as if im being honest the bass on the mackies is terrible, im now trying to figure out if i should use both or just one...

[Nakatomi]

The rule I use, if you can call it that, is use whatever you think is appropriate & safe. I like nice bass, but if access is bad or there isn't enough room, or too few people I make do without the bin.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Loads of DJ's use just the one sub and a lot of them try to hide it under the stand.
I personally like symmetry so if I use them I always use two, that's just my personal preference.

[CRAZY K]

thanks for all the replies, I think i have got it figured out, i got the subs as if im being honest the bass on the mackies is terrible, im now trying to figure out if i should use both or just one...

I have never used Mackies but heard a few and thought they were quite reasonable as all round speakers-- I wonder if your mixer and playout is doing them justice?

Also you said a friend said you dont have to plug a powered sub through another speaker--thats actually true--I am slightly different here as I dont use powered speakers--I use a Yamaha Box amp and just take a lead from the Monitor Output straight into the powered sub--BAM!!! loads of gain and bass.

Anyway stick with what the guys are telling you.

[CRAZY K]

The rule I use, if you can call it that, is use whatever you think is appropriate & safe. I like nice bass, but if access is bad or there isn't enough room, or too few people I make do without the bin.

I had to do that Saturday because of access--you certainly notice the difference in a Marquee :daft::daft::daft:

Not that the punters seem to :rolleyes:

[Shaun]

thanks for all the replies, I think i have got it figured out, i got the subs as if im being honest the bass on the mackies is terrible, im now trying to figure out if i should use both or just one...

For me, I like to use both bass bins every time - even at low volumes! I just prefer the sound. So I tend to use 2 tops and 2 subs, whether it's for 30 or 300 people.

[ukpartydj]

Normally I carry 2 small qtx subs and a backbreaking rcf sub. Rarely use 2 subs as I'd just use the rcf if needed... No idea why I haven't gotten rid of the other one yet!

[Imagine]

Two 12" bins and two 8" tops for me for most gigs unless access is a problem.....then it's the mighty DXR15's which really don't need bins on them.

Until recently I had an 18" sub which I used to hide under the booth. The problem was, I could barely move the :Censored: thing (how's the back Ian?) and didn't like the feeling of stinging shins from the thump that used to come of of the back of it :daft:

[Benny Smyth]

Who knew the weight of an 18 incher would cause back pain?

#Giggity