I have for my mains 2 peavey sp2's with a peavey 3800 amp and I just purchased two black widow 18's and i would like to hook them up. The amp has a built in crossover so i thought i could just turn the crossovers on and run the cables to respected speakers/subs however i found out that when the crossovers are activated the high output is just a line out to be run to another amp. I really don't have the cash right now to purchase another amp so i am looking for suggestions. Could i just purchase a seperate crossover and run the subs and the sp2's off of the one peavey 3800 amp? thanks!!
Please help me hook up my subs!!
- Thread starter Rusty102487
- Start date
Yes. The tops will need a summed signal (left & right). This will work, but any stereo effects will be lost. That may or may not be a big deal depending on the content that you are playing.
A crossover should include separate level controls for every output. In an ideal case the crooosove should sopport at least a "low" output, a "left mid-high" and "right mid-high" outputs.
I agree with Cam, do it the proper way. For a question like that it shows the poster is not experienced in electronics and can lead to problems by complicating things. Sure you can sum up the channels but what other gear will he use to acheive that result? Will the Loads be equally balanced on the amp? Can the amp tolerate enequal loads?
The only option you have right now is to run both tops and subs on one channel and tops and subs on the other. ( a 2 by 2 configuration) use the speaker out on the SP2 and run it to the sub. This will give you a 4 ohm load and the subs will naturally roll off around 1800Hz or so. This is an old cheater method and the dual amp and electronic crossover IS best, but for the time being....it CAN be done.
This is exactly how I use to run my TourX system..... it works. But, there's no way to direct specific frequencies to the subs and to the tops and you have to rely on the built in passive crossovers in the speakers themselves.....
Best Practice: Would be a two amp configuration with an electronic crossover so that you can send your Mid/Highs to one amp for the tops and the sub frequencies to another amp for your subs creating a much more efficient system and one that can be tuned better.
The two channels of a stereo amp are independent. Provided that the load on each channel is within the capabilities of the amp, there will be no issues.
I guess my direction will be to guide the newbie to do things the proper way. Shortcuts sometimes become permanent ways of operations. Poster may never buy another amp and crossover if he gets this to work as described. Rob had the ambition from the beginning to upgrade and he did. That is good. Hopefully this poster will do the same. Equipment are the tools of the trade for a DJ. If you don't have the necessary tools then you are not ready.
What is next? If the newbie says he wants to be a DJ and does not have music, do we then direct him/her to Limewire for free bootleg downloads?
I can see doing what is suggested in a pinch such as an one of two amps blowing out and in the shop, so one has to temporarily reconfigure to get by.
What is next? If the newbie says he wants to be a DJ and does not have music, do we then direct him/her to Limewire for free bootleg downloads?
I can see doing what is suggested in a pinch such as an one of two amps blowing out and in the shop, so one has to temporarily reconfigure to get by.
Houston,
While running a system set up to perfection is great. Sometime people are in a bind and need to get by with what they have for the time being. So the suggestions have been on the money for someone in the situation that has been mentioned.
I hope the original poster can get by with what has been suggested for the time being and will eventually buy the necessary equipment to make things more reliable.
I also think for the time being he has to watch for clipping as the speakers may need more than what is available. So he has to be careful with the system until it's able to run better with a Crossover/2 Amp system.
While running a system set up to perfection is great. Sometime people are in a bind and need to get by with what they have for the time being. So the suggestions have been on the money for someone in the situation that has been mentioned.
I hope the original poster can get by with what has been suggested for the time being and will eventually buy the necessary equipment to make things more reliable.
I also think for the time being he has to watch for clipping as the speakers may need more than what is available. So he has to be careful with the system until it's able to run better with a Crossover/2 Amp system.
Shortcuts may indeed become SOP. However, the advice given has been reasonable, and provided a clear road map to a proper system.
I would not advise running without a crossover, as the resulting sound will be much less than desired.
Purchasing a crossover, and running with a single amp is a good stepping stone solution.
G
Guest
Guest
My 2 cents.
An inexpensive crossover is your best bet right now. Run your amp like it is 2 ams, a separate channel for subs, and tops. Then daisy chain the alike speakers to each other. I'm pretty sure none of the Peavey subs with Black Widows have a passive crossover built in. In my opinion, any daisy chaining of the speakers should be done with the subs on one channel, and the tops on another. This will let you balance the system. You will probably find out that the subs are not keeping up with the tops if you chain them together on the same channel. Meaning more highs and mids than bass. Normally you need more power to the subs than to the mids/highs.
If you had a 2 channel EQ you could temporarily "cheat" by dropping the highs and mids above 100hz off of the sub channel, and dropping the opposite end of the spectrum out of the top box end, then running those signals to the amp.
Your system will be prone to malfunctions, and failures if not run properly.
Even if you could install a passive crossover in the sub it would be better than running a full range signal to the sub. With no filtering at all you will get muddy sound, and won't get the full potential from the system.
An inexpensive crossover is your best bet right now. Run your amp like it is 2 ams, a separate channel for subs, and tops. Then daisy chain the alike speakers to each other. I'm pretty sure none of the Peavey subs with Black Widows have a passive crossover built in. In my opinion, any daisy chaining of the speakers should be done with the subs on one channel, and the tops on another. This will let you balance the system. You will probably find out that the subs are not keeping up with the tops if you chain them together on the same channel. Meaning more highs and mids than bass. Normally you need more power to the subs than to the mids/highs.
If you had a 2 channel EQ you could temporarily "cheat" by dropping the highs and mids above 100hz off of the sub channel, and dropping the opposite end of the spectrum out of the top box end, then running those signals to the amp.
Your system will be prone to malfunctions, and failures if not run properly.
Even if you could install a passive crossover in the sub it would be better than running a full range signal to the sub. With no filtering at all you will get muddy sound, and won't get the full potential from the system.
Full digital PA managers like the DBX DRPA, or Behringer DCX2496 are available in the <$250 range. I would advise against spending any amount of $$$ on a budget solution. Get a PA manager, and learn how to use it. That will become the core of your PA system for years to come. You can upgrade the source, mixer, amps, and cabinets...all around the core unit of the PA manager.