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Post by solo086 on Sept 19, 2008 14:04:47 GMT
hi all, this is my first post, nice to be here :) hope ye can help,
i,m using a Dynacord 600 powered desk, giving 2x300W @ 4ohms / 2x150W@ 8ohms
all along i've been using 250W Studiomaster speakers which are 8ohms so i'm not getting full power from my amp and lately it's, (the amp) has been clipping. any ideas what the best speakers i should be using are? if i get 2x300W 4ohm speakers will this solve my problem? is it possible to set up a bass bin? i'm not too up on this ohms lark so i'd be gratefull for any suggeations, :-/
Sorry for the long question...
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Post by JohnG on Sept 20, 2008 11:24:39 GMT
Sorry no-one's got back to you yet on this one and welcome aboard solo,
Fist I'm no PA expert here.
You need to look at why your amps are clipping. It may be you're trying to push just too much bass through the speakers and you should be using a "high pass filter" i.e. cutting out the really low rumble that is not music. Always use this for microphones and if you're pushing drums through the PA they may be overloading the system.
But first let me re-assure you, just 'cos you're running into 8 ohm speakers doesn't mean you aren't getting the best out of the amp. What you may need is just more power to fill the venues you're playing. 250 watts at 4 ohms (or 125 at 8) isn't going to give you a lot of volume in larger venues. Take a look at the power figures for the speakers. If they are capable of taking more power then maybe a more powerful amp is called for. The key specification with a speaker is the volume output, so something like 120db at 300 watts say. It's the deciBels you need. That's the measure of acoustic loudness.
You should be able to add a sub (but take care) there have been many posts on using subs here so I suggest you look through old posts. So that you don't take extra power from your amp, an "active" sub is probably the best bet. But again make sure that what you're sending to it is music not noise.
But there are others I hope who will jump in and give you the benefit of their practical gigging experience.
JohnG.
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levi2
Full Member
Posts: 667
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Post by levi2 on Sept 20, 2008 14:36:24 GMT
i dont think clipping has anything to do with your speakers its how loud your output is not just main output but each inst mic blah blah my powered desk mixer has a red clip dial on top of each chan with a small light next to it and what you do is say plug your mic in and start singing and turn the dial up till the light starts to flash (clip) and set jst b4 it clips do that on all your chans where you got summit plugged in, Then take each volume slider up till you have your levels mine are more or less in set on zero which is about 2/3rds up then you set overall volume i have 2 one for each chan as its stereo these are sliders then a roatary dial for overall volume i have even done this without speakers plugged in just headphones in headphone socket all this was explained to me from tech engineer from makers of my powered mixer hope this helps using a sub we use one powered sub only for backing not vocals this basically is a lead from aux out of amp to input of powered sub and select your volume. the mixer i have has 2 switches on each chan for aux one puts fx on other is to use aux out like i explained hope this helps
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Post by thingyy on Sept 21, 2008 0:46:01 GMT
A few years ago I had a major problem with clipping using one midi file.It was due to note velocities on the max with volume and expression to high. I think it was All Shook Up tune 1000.
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Post by moonie on Sept 21, 2008 14:54:30 GMT
When you say the amp is clipping are you saying that the limit LED on the desk is lighting up? or that the protect LED on the desk is lighting up? or are you just hearing audible clipping from the speakers?
Can I ask what you use the PA for and what you run through the desk ie: 2 vocals, backing track, acoustic guitar etc. What size audience are you trying to accomadate?
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Post by solo086 on Sept 21, 2008 16:25:25 GMT
tanx for all your replies guys, great to know there's people out there that care.
hi moonie, the protect light flashes, i'm putting an electro/accoustic guitar, one mic and backing trax through amp, playing in places bout 60-100 people, so, not exactly wembly, lol
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Post by solo086 on Sept 22, 2008 15:09:01 GMT
just saying tanx again for all your imput concerning pa set-up  i've decided to change for more power and get a bigger (1400W) desk.... many, many thanks......  |
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Post by moonie on Sept 24, 2008 13:24:09 GMT
good decision!
If the protect light flashes it is not the same as clipping it is usually an electrical fault. I had a powered sub woofer that had protect faults and a simple resoldering of dodgy looking solders, tightening some pwer connectors and renewing speaker wire connections fixed it totaly, basically it was unuasable now it's sweet.
If you're upgrading look for at least some of these features...
PFL (pre fader listen) buttons on each chanel - invaluable for mixing from the stage as they show you on the LED meter how much signal is coming in to the chanel (as opposed to your old desk that has a light saying you have some signal or too much.
Mid Sweep control - instead of bass, middle and treble look for BASS, MID FREQ, MID CUT/BOOST, TREBLE controls. As you improve with the desk you will find this very helpful indeed. High end desks will have HI MID and LOW MID sweep controls.
Power Amp Assign Buttons - Some yamaha gear that I know of let you assign the on board power amps to the stereo outs or the aux outs. This is usefull when you want to play a larger venue you can use the on board amp for fold back and either hire powered FOH speakers or add an external amp that is more powerful.
SUB OUT - Would look like your mono out fader but with a crossover function allowing you to connect a powered sub later without an external crossover.
Read up a bit at any sound forums and read reviews on the net on any gear you are considering and shop around! Have fun and good luck!
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