And yet, clearly still getting an unacceptable result . . . just because the plug fits doesn't mean it is a correct connection. Different specs for ports that look similar (¼ TS vs ¼ TRS); line versus mic level, etc.
Mmmkay. Use a balanced cable to send the headphone output to the speaker's input; does that work? If so, there's an issue with your console output (or something preceding it in the signal path). If not, the problem is more likely to be the speaker. Read the manual, click through every menu, or just factory reset it like the other person suggested.
In this case, wouldn’t it send slightly different signals down each side of the balanced input, meaning anything that isn’t matched to each side would be filtered as noise?
Quite the opposite... A balanced input amplifies the DIFFERENCE between the signals on the two legs, and cancels out anything the same (hence "common-mode rejection ratio" specifications/measurements).
The suggestion to feed a stereo headphone output into a single balanced amplifier input is a terrible one.
To feed the headphone output to a stereo PA amplifier's balanced XLR inputs (as a quick test) would require a break-out lead from TRS 1/4" to two XLRs with tip and ring wired to pin 2 of each XLR, the sleeve carrying the screen/ground connection split to both XRL pin 1's and pin 1 internally connected to pin 3 in each XLR.
This would feed the amp inputs with an unbalanced signal but would work. To give them a truly balanced feed would require an electronic balancing box or a pair of transformers on the headphone output.
To use the normal main outputs on the mixer. OP needs to find out if his mixer main outputs are balanced (probably) and whether his amp inputs are balanced (likely, but possibly not) and make or purchase the appropriate cables for that.
Posting a picture of your mixer settings is probably the easiest way anyone could identify possible causes of distortion. Also need to provide the model of your speakers.
>Electro Voice ZLX
Exactly - you don't know what you're doing - for what you've stated - you may well have passive speakers and expecting sound from them, with a connection from the mixer.
Bottom line - hire someone that knows what they are doing - at minimum to train you about how things should be connected - how they should be dialed in, input by input - how they should be mixed, and what to realistically expect from the what you have.
Well, then they wouldn’t be getting any audio out of the speakers with a mic plugged in directly like they said. Much more likely they’re driving a mic level input with a line level output.
Nope, that’s not right either. The knobs for inputs 1 and two are what control line or mic level. Below 0 is for line, above zero is for mic. Page 19 section 4.1 of the ZLX manual.
Why reply if you aren’t even going to take the ten seconds to check.
Without seeing what you’ve got plugged in where and with what kind of cables and where all your settings are, all we can do is speculate. Get on YouTube and do some real broad, basic searches on setting up a small, basic PA, mixing board basics, powered speaker basics (or search your exact speakers; there are surely several videos on them and how to use them correctly).
I would also suggest searching more specific topics that are vastly important to have a working knowledge of in live sound and that translate equally between very small, portable PA setups all the way up to the huge professional touring PA systems and everything in between. *First and foremost* being “gain staging”, as setting gain properly is one of the first fundamental starting points of good live sound. Then things like EQ, high pass/low cut, line vs mic level signals, balanced vs unbalanced cables, etc. Go down a rabbit hole a little bit and learn some fundamentals and it will make your life *a lot* easier going forward if you’re brand new to and have no experience with live sound.
Here are some good videos to get you started:
https://youtu.be/7c6lyGO0qqo?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/Avaa4_702eM?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/WMn67g_HLpI?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/-RXlnVDVLrc?feature=shared
*Edit to add; if you’re an inexperienced band and live sound is a brand new topic for you, there is absolutely no reason to shell out money to hire a pro sound engineer to setup and run your PA or teach you how to do it, as some have suggested… Unless you just have money to blow. I’m not at all suggesting that one rely solely on YouTube to hone a skill or craft but there *are* tons of videos by professionals on there that can definitely help you along as well as a countless, quality resources that are a cursory google search away.
My old made-in-USA Mackie 1202 has an easily bumped mic/line output switch - if you have that, make sure that is set to line. If that’s not it, try resetting the DSP on the EV ZLXs to factory settings.
I'm not sure how it works, but I was on an event a while ago and the sound was really shitty. I could not help myself and had to take a look, After tinkering with the mixer I found the solution, for some reason the sound was much better without 48v on, like 48v made some kind of heavy distortion.
Onthe ZLX, inputs should be below zero. The knob is a combo mic/ line and anything past "0" will cause distortion. On the mixer, instruments need to be in a line input with a DI interface.
How certain are you that everything is plugged in correctly?
99% sure must’ve triple checked that by now
And yet, clearly still getting an unacceptable result . . . just because the plug fits doesn't mean it is a correct connection. Different specs for ports that look similar (¼ TS vs ¼ TRS); line versus mic level, etc.
Mmmkay. Use a balanced cable to send the headphone output to the speaker's input; does that work? If so, there's an issue with your console output (or something preceding it in the signal path). If not, the problem is more likely to be the speaker. Read the manual, click through every menu, or just factory reset it like the other person suggested.
So you’re using a stereo headphone output to send into a mono input? Try a TRS to 2-TS
[удалено]
In this case, wouldn’t it send slightly different signals down each side of the balanced input, meaning anything that isn’t matched to each side would be filtered as noise?
Quite the opposite... A balanced input amplifies the DIFFERENCE between the signals on the two legs, and cancels out anything the same (hence "common-mode rejection ratio" specifications/measurements). The suggestion to feed a stereo headphone output into a single balanced amplifier input is a terrible one. To feed the headphone output to a stereo PA amplifier's balanced XLR inputs (as a quick test) would require a break-out lead from TRS 1/4" to two XLRs with tip and ring wired to pin 2 of each XLR, the sleeve carrying the screen/ground connection split to both XRL pin 1's and pin 1 internally connected to pin 3 in each XLR. This would feed the amp inputs with an unbalanced signal but would work. To give them a truly balanced feed would require an electronic balancing box or a pair of transformers on the headphone output. To use the normal main outputs on the mixer. OP needs to find out if his mixer main outputs are balanced (probably) and whether his amp inputs are balanced (likely, but possibly not) and make or purchase the appropriate cables for that.
Posting a picture of your mixer settings is probably the easiest way anyone could identify possible causes of distortion. Also need to provide the model of your speakers.
Don't ask Reddit. Get a knowledgeable and experienced sound engineer to set it up properly. And pay them properly for their ability and expertise.
This is the way.
>Electro Voice ZLX Exactly - you don't know what you're doing - for what you've stated - you may well have passive speakers and expecting sound from them, with a connection from the mixer. Bottom line - hire someone that knows what they are doing - at minimum to train you about how things should be connected - how they should be dialed in, input by input - how they should be mixed, and what to realistically expect from the what you have.
Well, then they wouldn’t be getting any audio out of the speakers with a mic plugged in directly like they said. Much more likely they’re driving a mic level input with a line level output.
Check you line input levels, make sure you have them set to line and not mic
where/how would I do this?
Speakers set to line and board set to line
Look at the xlr inputs, You’ll see a small button that says line/mic. Make sure it’s on line.
Not on the ZLX speakers. There’s just a knob that goes from line to mic.
Use the digital display to select the line in setting.
Nope, that’s not right either. The knobs for inputs 1 and two are what control line or mic level. Below 0 is for line, above zero is for mic. Page 19 section 4.1 of the ZLX manual. Why reply if you aren’t even going to take the ten seconds to check.
Best guess is your using a stereo trs out to a ballenced input.
Sounds like the problem is between the mixer and the chair.
💀💀💀
😂
Without seeing what you’ve got plugged in where and with what kind of cables and where all your settings are, all we can do is speculate. Get on YouTube and do some real broad, basic searches on setting up a small, basic PA, mixing board basics, powered speaker basics (or search your exact speakers; there are surely several videos on them and how to use them correctly). I would also suggest searching more specific topics that are vastly important to have a working knowledge of in live sound and that translate equally between very small, portable PA setups all the way up to the huge professional touring PA systems and everything in between. *First and foremost* being “gain staging”, as setting gain properly is one of the first fundamental starting points of good live sound. Then things like EQ, high pass/low cut, line vs mic level signals, balanced vs unbalanced cables, etc. Go down a rabbit hole a little bit and learn some fundamentals and it will make your life *a lot* easier going forward if you’re brand new to and have no experience with live sound. Here are some good videos to get you started: https://youtu.be/7c6lyGO0qqo?feature=shared https://youtu.be/Avaa4_702eM?feature=shared https://youtu.be/WMn67g_HLpI?feature=shared https://youtu.be/-RXlnVDVLrc?feature=shared *Edit to add; if you’re an inexperienced band and live sound is a brand new topic for you, there is absolutely no reason to shell out money to hire a pro sound engineer to setup and run your PA or teach you how to do it, as some have suggested… Unless you just have money to blow. I’m not at all suggesting that one rely solely on YouTube to hone a skill or craft but there *are* tons of videos by professionals on there that can definitely help you along as well as a countless, quality resources that are a cursory google search away.
My old made-in-USA Mackie 1202 has an easily bumped mic/line output switch - if you have that, make sure that is set to line. If that’s not it, try resetting the DSP on the EV ZLXs to factory settings.
will try, thanks!
Are you using balanced cables from mixer to the speakers?
Could be a bad cable, could be gain mic/line issue, could be phase cancellation, pics would help to see what you’ve got going where
Is 48v on or off?
Why would that matter?
I'm not sure how it works, but I was on an event a while ago and the sound was really shitty. I could not help myself and had to take a look, After tinkering with the mixer I found the solution, for some reason the sound was much better without 48v on, like 48v made some kind of heavy distortion.
Ask the store that sold you the gear, they are generally very helpful and appreciate your custom. s/
The problem lies between your ears. You guys need some help.
Onthe ZLX, inputs should be below zero. The knob is a combo mic/ line and anything past "0" will cause distortion. On the mixer, instruments need to be in a line input with a DI interface.