Splitting speaker signal
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Posted on Nov 21, 2009 11:55 pm
Doubleshots
Member Since: Nov 21, 2009
I have a QSC RMX 850 power amp. I run one side monitors, one side mains. Friday night with my new band I go to plug into the mains and there's no jumper input on the speakers. Keyboard player had a splitter so we split (Y) the signal at the QSC and ran two speaker cables to the individual speakers.
1) Can I continue to do this? Assuming 8 ohm speakers, is it a 4 ohm load this way? If I can't/shouldn't, what are my options? Keyboard player has another amp we will probably use that for monitors so this question will be moot.
2) Monitor speakers have the input jumper (mono signal from QSC to 8 ohm monitor, jump to second monitor). I always assumed this was 4 ohm. Is it?
Thanks,
Vince
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Nov 22, 2009 12:07 am Hey Vince!
The way your describing your set up, your fine.
But, this is sight unseen. When you say your keyboard player had a splitter, are you reffing to a instrument cable splitter?
My only concern about something that is an instrument cable splitter, is that it will be .22 gauge wire.
You want at least 12, to 10 gauge wire for the power that your amp is delivering.
Other then that, QSC amps are rated for a 4 ohm load. So, no trouble there.
Also, Welcome to the HRC! I hope your time spent here is both pleasant and productive.
Nov 22, 2009 07:40 pm You're right, the splitter is probably way skinny wire and shielded. I just ordered a bunch a 12ga cables. Keys guy has a Nady power amp that we'll use for the monitors so we can get the splitter out of the system.
Thanks for the reply.
Mar 04, 2011 10:47 pm Is this forum still running? If so, I am asking a very similar question. Can you just use a Y cable to split channel sound for two live speakers? What about using a Y cable to split a speaker witha sub? Right now I have 22 awg running from the amp to the speakers. Should I upgrade to min 14awg from am to speakers? with the Y cable too? Thanks
Mar 04, 2011 10:59 pm YES!!!!!! 22 gauge cable can only handle about 10 watts before you over load it. Depending on the wattage of your amp, I would suggest 12, or even 10 gauge wire.
If your only running around 250 - 400 watts. 12 gauge is OK. Anything more then 400 watts, I would recommend 10 gauge.
Mar 04, 2011 11:04 pm Well, I am a beginner to all of this and I guess have alot of questions about all of this. My system is realatively simple. Peavey 20mixer into a 2-ch 15 band eq, ran out through a snake to a peavey 1600 amp and then into peavey 5g's. I was looking at trying to add a sub box, or higher freq speakers to drop the bass bomb on the 5g's. Is this possible?
Eric
Mar 04, 2011 11:15 pm Yeah, sure. You can add a sub under your 5G's. Your going to need a piece called a crossover to control the frequencies that go to each speaker. But, this is very simple to do.
The signal chain, for the most part, stays the same as you have it now. Board to EQ, EQ to crossover, Crossover to snake, Snake channels to amp, amp to speakers.
Just now, you may need a second amp. As channel one of the amp will go to the subs, and channel two will go to the 5G's. And if you want to run stereo, you will need the second amp hooked up in the same fashion for the other side.
Mar 04, 2011 11:18 pm Thanks Rob, can you go to my new thread? Thanks again. Eric
