Hi Everyone,
I hope I got the correct thread to post this. I wanted to build a powered speaker that can drive my Line 6 POD HD500 modeler louder (I have searched in the web and they said that it sounds better through PA). The thing is, the Powered speaker cabinet design does not appeal to me and I wanted to have some sort of a 2x12 cabinet style speaker so that it’ll look like a normal guitar amp. And I wanted to use it on a gig (I’m in a band with 2 guitars and a very loud drummer).
I have little idea on electronics so I would appreciate it if you guys can bear with me on the questions below:
1. -Will it work if I use two Celestion V30’s speakers?
2. - Do I still need to have a tweeter since it’s only used for guitar?
3. -Do I need two amplifiers since I am using two speakers or will one do?
4. -Do I need to use a specific amp for this?
5. -Do I also need to use 2 active crossovers?
6. -Can I use wood as my cabinet like this one: MESA Engineering 2 x 12 Rectifier Guitar Cabinet, Horizontal
The idea here is to make a Powered Speaker into a 2x12 cabinet enclosure.
I hope I got the correct thread to post this. I wanted to build a powered speaker that can drive my Line 6 POD HD500 modeler louder (I have searched in the web and they said that it sounds better through PA). The thing is, the Powered speaker cabinet design does not appeal to me and I wanted to have some sort of a 2x12 cabinet style speaker so that it’ll look like a normal guitar amp. And I wanted to use it on a gig (I’m in a band with 2 guitars and a very loud drummer).
I have little idea on electronics so I would appreciate it if you guys can bear with me on the questions below:
1. -Will it work if I use two Celestion V30’s speakers?
2. - Do I still need to have a tweeter since it’s only used for guitar?
3. -Do I need two amplifiers since I am using two speakers or will one do?
4. -Do I need to use a specific amp for this?
5. -Do I also need to use 2 active crossovers?
6. -Can I use wood as my cabinet like this one: MESA Engineering 2 x 12 Rectifier Guitar Cabinet, Horizontal
The idea here is to make a Powered Speaker into a 2x12 cabinet enclosure.
First this: the speakers have no idea where the amplifier is. If the amplifier is separate and setting off to the side with a speaker cord running to the cabinet, or if the amplifier is sitting inside the cabinet, the speakers do no know the difference. The difference is in how you hook it all up.
Your POD is just a preamp - it does a lot of stuff, but ultimately it puts out a line level signal, which can be fed to any power amp.
Now this: Most modern 2x12 amps have a power amp input jack, or an effects loop return jack. If you want your setup to LOOK like a real guitar amp, why not just get a real guitar amp, and plug your POD into the power amp in jack or the FX return jack. By doing that you are bypassing the preamp in the amplifier, and just using its speakers and power amp. And that is what you are trying to make. And a very sturdy amp like a Peavey Renown or something similar should not be expensive to find in the used market.
Next: You are making a speaker cabinet for guitar, so certainly two guitar speakers like the V30s could be used. No, you don't need a tweeter. The only reason you would need two amplifiers would be if you intended the two speakers to play different sounds from each other. I assume you just want the same thing coming out both, so wire the two together and feed them from one power amp. Use any power amp you like, just don't overpower the speakers, and make sure the combined impedance of your two speakers is within the specifications of the amp. (Probably is OK)
You don't need any crossovers, crossovers are used to split the woofer and tweeter sounds. You will be running the speakers "full range."
Can you make a wood cabinet? Of course. Most guitar speaker cabs are made of wood. That Mesa cab is a closed back type, others are open back. Up to you.
You could buy a commercial 2x12 speaker like the Mesa, and mount a commercial power amp right in it, or build your own.
But please consider the idea of using an existing guitar amp as a powered speaker. Here is the owner manual for a Peavey Renown, 160 watts. There is also a slightly newer renown 400 with 210 watts. They are indeed loud. And of course various newer models. This is only one possibility among many.
http://www.peavey.com/assets/literature/manuals/80361043.pdf
Your POD is just a preamp - it does a lot of stuff, but ultimately it puts out a line level signal, which can be fed to any power amp.
Now this: Most modern 2x12 amps have a power amp input jack, or an effects loop return jack. If you want your setup to LOOK like a real guitar amp, why not just get a real guitar amp, and plug your POD into the power amp in jack or the FX return jack. By doing that you are bypassing the preamp in the amplifier, and just using its speakers and power amp. And that is what you are trying to make. And a very sturdy amp like a Peavey Renown or something similar should not be expensive to find in the used market.
Next: You are making a speaker cabinet for guitar, so certainly two guitar speakers like the V30s could be used. No, you don't need a tweeter. The only reason you would need two amplifiers would be if you intended the two speakers to play different sounds from each other. I assume you just want the same thing coming out both, so wire the two together and feed them from one power amp. Use any power amp you like, just don't overpower the speakers, and make sure the combined impedance of your two speakers is within the specifications of the amp. (Probably is OK)
You don't need any crossovers, crossovers are used to split the woofer and tweeter sounds. You will be running the speakers "full range."
Can you make a wood cabinet? Of course. Most guitar speaker cabs are made of wood. That Mesa cab is a closed back type, others are open back. Up to you.
You could buy a commercial 2x12 speaker like the Mesa, and mount a commercial power amp right in it, or build your own.
But please consider the idea of using an existing guitar amp as a powered speaker. Here is the owner manual for a Peavey Renown, 160 watts. There is also a slightly newer renown 400 with 210 watts. They are indeed loud. And of course various newer models. This is only one possibility among many.
http://www.peavey.com/assets/literature/manuals/80361043.pdf
Thanks man! That was really informational. Indeed it is best to just use a typical amp and hook it up to the return jack of the effects loop. But there are two things that hinders me from getting one. First, the power amp section of the amp (as per forums/research) colors the output of the sound that the pod may not sound the way it supposed to, and second it is quiet heavy for a 2x12 size. The concept that I would want to make is like that of a powered speaker where it has a built in amp in a guitar cabinet style enclosure. I don't really like the design of powered speakers.. 🙂
And with your suggestions, I'm now thinking of getting a cheap 2x12 amp and just change the speakers with V30's. Maybe it can help give me that tone I'm looking for.
Again, thanks for the help.
And with your suggestions, I'm now thinking of getting a cheap 2x12 amp and just change the speakers with V30's. Maybe it can help give me that tone I'm looking for.
Again, thanks for the help.
I am also thinking of getting those rack mount power amps and hook it up on a separate cabinet. Will the QSC GX3 power amp do?
Link:
QSC - GX Series Amplifiers
Link:
QSC - GX Series Amplifiers
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