Hi, I run a presentation evening in a local village hall every year, we always use the village hall system, output out of my PC to a mixer, then amplifier and then speakers, but the system is cheap and it sounds awful.
So I've picked up two active speakers, they have unbalanced RCA inputs and a separate mic input, the plan was to split the output from the PC to have red RCA going to one side and white / black RCA to the other, thus to get proper stereo. Snag comes when I plug the microphone into either of the speakers, to get the microphone output out of both speakers I'll have to connect the two speakers together using the line output and line input, will this not then also carry the audio signal and thus not be stereo anymore ??
So I've picked up two active speakers, they have unbalanced RCA inputs and a separate mic input, the plan was to split the output from the PC to have red RCA going to one side and white / black RCA to the other, thus to get proper stereo. Snag comes when I plug the microphone into either of the speakers, to get the microphone output out of both speakers I'll have to connect the two speakers together using the line output and line input, will this not then also carry the audio signal and thus not be stereo anymore ??
Hi. No, split the microphone cable with a Y connector and plug into both mic inputs on the speakers
Yes, a Y cable could do the trick. You'd be better off with a small mixing console, tho.
(I do this for a living). Would that be in the budget or can you borrow one?
(I do this for a living). Would that be in the budget or can you borrow one?
Yes you need a mixer, you will need level and some basic EQ control just to make a microphone useful.
Agree^^^ you already use a mixer, just substitute the powered speakers for the original amp and speakers.
Ask yourself this: is it really necessary to make the sound stereo? Someone sitting off to the right won;t hear the left speaker and vice versa. Unless you are presenting racing locomotives running across the sound stage, the average audience member won't care about stereo unless there is some obvious effect. Of course that is just my opinion, but I always mix PA in mono. Likewise if I do like restaurant installations (a bunch of ceiling speakers), I do it in mono. Just a thought. And depending on the gig, you can add or subtract speakers as you need without worrying about balance.
Ask yourself this: is it really necessary to make the sound stereo? Someone sitting off to the right won;t hear the left speaker and vice versa. Unless you are presenting racing locomotives running across the sound stage, the average audience member won't care about stereo unless there is some obvious effect. Of course that is just my opinion, but I always mix PA in mono. Likewise if I do like restaurant installations (a bunch of ceiling speakers), I do it in mono. Just a thought. And depending on the gig, you can add or subtract speakers as you need without worrying about balance.
A 'Y' connector is a good solution for the microphone.
Be careful using long leads from your computer into the speakers as the unbalanced inputs are subject to noise and hum under certain circumstances (especially when running the leads close to power cables).
Running a system in mono is common practice in lots of situations.
A mixing desk is a better option as you can balance levels of the music and microphone and adjust the tone controls to improve the sound. A graphic equaliser can be added if feedback due to loud microphone volumes causes feedback (squealing sound).
What brand and model speakers did you buy? Balanced inputs on your speakers solves the noise and hum problems typically for longer cable runs, but the mixing desk also requires balanced outputs (3 pin XLR or, tip/ring/sleeve on 1/4" (6.5mm) jack plugs).
Be careful using long leads from your computer into the speakers as the unbalanced inputs are subject to noise and hum under certain circumstances (especially when running the leads close to power cables).
Running a system in mono is common practice in lots of situations.
A mixing desk is a better option as you can balance levels of the music and microphone and adjust the tone controls to improve the sound. A graphic equaliser can be added if feedback due to loud microphone volumes causes feedback (squealing sound).
What brand and model speakers did you buy? Balanced inputs on your speakers solves the noise and hum problems typically for longer cable runs, but the mixing desk also requires balanced outputs (3 pin XLR or, tip/ring/sleeve on 1/4" (6.5mm) jack plugs).
Hi, thanks for the replies, yes thinking about it there's no real need for stereo, the speakers are Wharfedale EVP-X12P they have separate volume controls for the line and the mic inputs and have tone controls as well, bass and treble, was hoping this might negate the need for a mixer, will have to try I guess, plan now is to run a direct line from my headphone socket on the computer into the unbalanced inputs on one speaker, plug the mic into the same speaker and run a cable from the line output across to the other speaker. If there's noise and hum will use a DI box to convert to balanced into the first speaker
That will work in a pinch but it's not ideal. I find that you always need to cut the bass on a microphone to prevent feedback and increase clarity, it also reduces "plosives" and mic handling noise from inexperienced talkers. Problem is if you do that on the speaker it cuts all bass output so your music will sound thin as well.
If the cable runs are any distance.. 20-30ft you will need a DI, and if that is the case just go by a cheap PA mixer with XLR outputs.
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