Are you suggesting a compressor is needed and one cannot come out of a DJ mixer into powered speakers?
EV EKX vs ETX
- Thread starter BlueLineDJ
- Start date
Are you suggesting a compressor is needed and one cannot come out of a DJ mixer into powered speakers?
No gear over 60 lbs. If it weighs over 60lbs. I automatically dismiss it from consideration as gear I will purchase and use. I currently have only 1 thing over 50 lbs, and that is my cables/extension cords duffle bag which comes in at like 55 lbs. I am happy with my 33 lb and under speakers, and my 45 lb Subs.
I may rent heavier 18 inch subs for a larger gig if I decide I truly need 18s, but don't plan on purchasing an 18...not at least until I find one that weighs like 55 lbs, and can output a lot of power lol. Carvin has one that weighs 69 lbs so they are getting close.
I may rent heavier 18 inch subs for a larger gig if I decide I truly need 18s, but don't plan on purchasing an 18...not at least until I find one that weighs like 55 lbs, and can output a lot of power lol. Carvin has one that weighs 69 lbs so they are getting close.
80 pounds seems like the limit in low weight for a "quality" powered 18" sub .. there are a few around there (QSC KW181, RCF 708 ASII, JBL PRX718XLF). For 15" subs, there's a few between 50#-60# that I wouldn't hesitate using. Below those levels .. something gives. Either there isn't enough cabinet or bracing, or the amp is straining or you are paying through the nose for exotic material.
The Carvins tend to have thinner plywood and bracing .. adequate until you push them and they start resonating.
If you aren't pushing the subs, better to get a quality 15" instead IMO.
The Carvins tend to have thinner plywood and bracing .. adequate until you push them and they start resonating.
If you aren't pushing the subs, better to get a quality 15" instead IMO.
I agree. I don't even see the need to own 18s at all with what I do. If I book another big student dance or Prom again with a healthy budget...Rent the 18s and rent a Van to transport them.
No. You can certainly go straight mixer>speaker but adding that compressor in between has really transformed my system. I can hit a lot harder and without any limit lights.
To accurately reproduce current music, having a quality sub is a must. There are songs where I still hear the bass roll off from my KW-181 and it just can't get low enough to where the song was produced.
Flo Rida - Low, Outkast - The Way You Move, V.I.C. - Wobble, BEP - Boom Boom Pow, Usher - Yeah, Lil Jon - Get Low... there's a ton of them. These songs just don't sound the same if you aren't extending into real bass territory at volume.
Flo Rida - Low, Outkast - The Way You Move, V.I.C. - Wobble, BEP - Boom Boom Pow, Usher - Yeah, Lil Jon - Get Low... there's a ton of them. These songs just don't sound the same if you aren't extending into real bass territory at volume.
Tell me more. I brought this idea up one time, and people thought I was crazy as "today's music is already so compressed." I might actually try it. What are your settings?
I essentially use one on my subs via the Aphex which is acting like a compressor, but only for the lows.
First off, use a high-quality compressor. I've tried this with lower grade units, as well as the compressor in my Driverack (multi-effects) and the results weren't anywhere near as good. I'm using a dbx 166sx, which is an excellent, dedicated compressor. As for settings, I have it kick in at -10 and put it in "auto" mode for the attack,release settings. I do not use the "over easy" setting. For a mixer, I'm using a Yamaha MG10XU. I'm taking the XLR outputs down to the compressor, then going to LS801p subs, which then feed my QSC K10 tops.
Without the compressor, I've noticed that both my subs and tops both flicker the limit lights fairly easily. I usually run the tops about 75% open and the subs about 25% up. With the compressor in place, I never see limit lights and it tames the tracks that are way over-done on signal. The end result is a nice, very musical sound and I can push the rig double what I can without the compressor in place. I know some people say to just compress the subs but I prefer strapping that dbx unit across the full range signal that's feeding the top/sub stacks. Incidentally, I've used this same mixer/compressor combination with several other speaker combinations; Bose L1/M2, EV Live-X 12s, EV zx-1, etc. All of the powered speaker combinations seem to benefit from it.
I believe the T1's compressor is intended to be channel compressor, isn't it? My yamaha mixer also has compression on the first 2 mic channels. It's a different beast than strapping across the master bus going to your speakers. As for level, yes, I want the compressor to start looking at anything hotter than -10. It tames the peaks well but doesn't cause the unit to over squash signal or to pump. I usually leave output gain flat at +0.
Resurrecting this because I just priced out to see what I could get a new EV system for...
The system I was considering is a pair of ETX 10p over a pair of 15sps. The weight on the sub isn't that different than what I'm using now (KW 181), so I think I can manage it. For smaller weddings, I'd only bring 1 sub, or if we really wanted to rock, I can drop them both with the tops on M20 poles.
What do you like as an alternative?
In that size, maybe the RCF HD10a over the RCF 705AS-II. The RCF 4Pro 1031-A is even nicer sounding. Another nice sounding 10 is the Yamaha DXR10. I'd like to hear the new QSC K10.2. The ETX are well built speakers that hammer hard .. the tops just don't sound as clean (hifi like if you wish) as others on recorded music (just in my opinion). As I said, I think they are great for live sound that still has the dynamics intact .. and are great outdoor speakers.
The weight attracted me .. the performance kept me ..You really love that 705AS-II.
The EV is slight step up from what you are using, but I think you would benefit from a EVOX12 or a L1MII/F1. Since you and I generally approach weddings similarly, a sleeker, but just as good sounding system is the way to go. There are many benefits.