Problems with PA system and power

[griff]

right now my PA system is not as loud as my default computer speakers which are like $20. now im sure im doing something wrong, or i will be extremely dissapointed. right now my setup is

2x Peavey PR 12
1x Crown XLS2000
1x Numark M6 USB Four-Channel USB DJ Mixer
2x speaker cables
2x XLR cables
(then the usb connector for mixer to computer)

they way i have it setup (i have such little knowledge that it might be setup wrong) is; the two speakers, speaker cables to the back of the amp. using 2 channels. then 2 xlr cables from the amp to mixer. then the mixer to computer. that is all the cables im using, maybe im doing it wrong. no speakon cables im using XLR and just speaker cables from speaker to amp. maybe i should be doing something with RCA cables? now i have 2 xlr cables going into my mixer but its under one channel, is this right? any contribution would be awesome =] really want to get this worked out

 

[Bryceo]

Mixer volume? And amplifire volume are separate make sure there both turnd up!

 

[griff]

my mixer volume is all the way up, and when i turn the gain up it starts to go in the red and still only be at about half the volume of my computer speakers. as for the amp, there are only 2 knobs, a gain for each channel. and turning them up or down doesnt seem to do anything at all.

-and some more information, the speakers are 8 ohms

 

[slipperybidness]

I would probably try turning the gain on the amp to max and at the same time turn the volume down completely on the mixer. Then, creep up volume on mixer and see if you can get to reasonable levels.

On the mixer, I would expect 2 channels (L and R).

 

[griff]

like i said i cant tell any difference when i mess with the gain on the amp. i did what you just said and it is still very quite at max, and if i try and turn the gain up, it gets in the red and is still just about as loud as half my cheap computer speakers.

As for the 2 channels on the mixer it is on CH3 and only works when the switch is flipped to USB not Line. i was thinking it should be under 2 channel too, any advice on how i could get it into 2 channels? i was also wondering why it was under USB and not phono/line. the way the back of it is there are RCA hookups for each channel and then the XLR hookups off to the side, which is what im using to connect the amp to the mixer

 

[slipperybidness]

like i said i cant tell any difference when i mess with the gain on the amp. i did what you just said and it is still very quite at max, and if i try and turn the gain up, it gets in the red and is still just about as loud as half my cheap computer speakers.

As for the 2 channels on the mixer it is on CH3 and only works when the switch is flipped to USB not Line. i was thinking it should be under 2 channel too, any advice on how i could get it into 2 channels? i was also wondering why it was under USB and not phono/line. the way the back of it is there are RCA hookups for each channel and then the XLR hookups off to the side, which is what im using to connect the amp to the mixer

Something aint right, that's about the best I could say right now. Those amps should be able to operate with the gain at max.

 

[markw]

Time to start narrowing the problem down, one step at a time, kid.

Step 1. Start with the amp and speakers.

Power everything down

Disconnect everything from the amp, leaving just the speakers connected to the amp.

Now, plug an analog source directly into the RCA inputs on the amp. Use a plain CD player, walkman, whatever you have lying around.

Now, turn the gain all the way down.

Turn the amp and source on.

Play someting on the source.

Turn the gain up (as needed) on both the amp and source. Does it work?

Get back to us with the results. Once that's working, we can move on.

 

[griff]

ill have to go get RCA cables i think then get back with you

 

[Bryceo]

Perhaps posting some pictures of your set up will help us help you, as I'm a dj at a night club on week ends and I play with pa gear

 

[griff]

Perhaps posting some pictures of your set up will help us help you, as I'm a dj at a night club on week ends and I play with pa gear

yah for sure ill post some pictures tonight when i get home from work

 

[markw]

Just a thought...

Have you taken the time to familiarize yourself with this document, particularly pages 3 to 6?

Sometimes, taking the time to understand what you've got can answer a lot of questions. It also explains what all those knobs, sliders, switches, and buttons do. Somehow, I think that's where your problem lies.

Once we ascertain your amp and speakers are working, all I intend to do is make you reconnect everything according to those pages.

 

[griff]

-waiting on my photos to upload so i can link them to you all

and yah, i know what all the knobs,sliders,switches, and buttons do. i have a controller and know what everything does. maybe i just have something hooked up wrong. havent yet been out to get RCA cables, i am going to do that when i get home.

 

[griff]

ok pictures

 

[Grador]

If I'm looking at this right you have the speakers plugged into the line in on your amp

 

[slipperybidness]

If I'm looking at this right you have the speakers plugged into the line in on your amp

I concur. I'm not familiar with the Crowns, but someone on here will help you out. That may actually be a line out? When I see the back pic on the web, it seems to say "link/out" where he has the speakers connected to the amp. I think that might be a line out to daisy chain more amps?

I think you need to move the speaker connections on the Crown over to the left in the box outlined as "Outputs". Looks to me like the outs from the Crown are either Speakon or Bare wire connections.

I'm not familiar with the Peavy PR connections at all, somebody else will have to guide you on how those need to be connected.

 

[markw]

Yep, i think you guys nailed it.

Looking at the manual here on page 7 sort of confirms your hunch.

Griff, I had assumed you connected the speakers to the amp correctly. It really doesn't get much simpler than reading the back panel. I hope you've got a better idea on what all those knobs and thingies on the mixer do than you did with the stuff on that simple power amp.

We never would have figured out your problem without the pictures.

...reading those manuals can save you a lot of aggravation.

 

[griff]

yep your right they are line outs. so should they go into the amp via the speakon connectors or output jacks?
sadly i know nothing about amps or the backs of them, but i know a bit about the mixer because it is very similar to my controller

 

[Bryceo]

How is the volume now my friend?

 

[markw]

It says it takes banana plugs. That would be your best bet over bare wires. Since you only need four, I'd see your local Radio Shack.

 

[griff]

well i havent switched it up yet because i dont have speakon cables or the ones for the jacks, which should i do?
but a big relief knowing what i was doing wrong