What's to chat about?

[Seth]

Brought another of the Ashley's home and it seems to be working. Powers up, no protection light other than on initial startup. So, some good news there.

[Grant Bunter]

Hope the same result for the mixer too

[Seth]

Brought the one that tested good back to storage and plugged the first one that went wonky a couple months ago directly into the outlet there at the storage unit... fired right up, normal.

So it looks like the issue is either intermittent in the facilities wiring, or in my rats nest of extension cords and power strips, or caused by something that's plugged into my rats nest... or something different altogether.

Didn't test the mixer again yet.

[Tom Smit]

Seth, are you testing the amps and mixer straight into the wall receptacle, or your power strip? I would try each unit individually, straight into the wall. If okay, then the problem lies in your "rat's nest".

[Bruce Weldy]

or in my rats nest of extension cords and power strips, or caused by something that's plugged into my rats nest...

Clean up that rack! No question that there could be a problem in there.....

download (4).jpg (15.15 KiB) Viewed 734 times

[Seth]

Seth, are you testing the amps and mixer straight into the wall receptacle, or your power strip? I would try each unit individually, straight into the wall. If okay, then the problem lies in your "rat's nest".

I wont be able to get back to it until later next week, but that's a good plan Tom. Hoping the mixer and stage I/O box are okay.

The rat's nest really isn't that bad, but there's a decent 50 foot extension cord (14 gauge I think, maybe 12 gauge), 5 inexpensive power strips, and one of those retracting reel shop lights with an outlet on it in between the wall outlet and the equipment when I was playing around with the feedback destroyer the other day. The amp was pushing just one 2x6 SLA Pro (16 ohm) and wasn't loud at all, just vocals (and feedback)... so I did't give it too much thought. On that same run are six 20 watt 4 foot LED garage lights, four 23 watt CFL's, and a handful of battery chargers (not in use) and other stuff with wall warts (low draw). But, the mixer and amp (EQ & Crossover too) were at the end of that run, plugged into a power strip that also had a box fan (running) plugged into it.

I'll do just what you said and let you guys know what I find. Until then, my ears are open to any other insights some of you guys might have.

Thanks Tom!

[Seth]

Clean up that rack! No question that there could be a problem in there.....

Hahahaha... That's awesome Bruce. Reminds me of a show I did (my biggest/most channels used to date)... 18 channels, 4 aux outs + main out, plus all the power cords, pedals, and amps for a 5 piece band within about a 6 x 10 foot "stage" area. Wasn't as bad as the pic, I organized it the best I could to limit trip hazards and such... but, in my mind, it kinda looked just like that.

I'm sure all you guys have had a similar situation... probably even more so, given my fairly limited experience compared to some of you guys.

Great pic Bruce Thanks for the chuckle.

[Grant Bunter]

or in my rats nest of extension cords and power strips, or caused by something that's plugged into my rats nest...

Clean up that rack! No question that there could be a problem in there.....download (4).jpg

What's wrong with this ^?
Isn't that just normal?
My setup looks like this always!

No, it doesn't really...

[Bruce Weldy]

My rule is that the stage belongs to the performers. If there is a cable in their space - it will be theirs. My cables are always running across the front of the stage or the back....nothing goes through the stage.

If you invest in a couple of small stage snakes, it allows for shorter cable runs and a much better-looking stage......no to mention getting rid of any trip hazards.

[Bryan Cox]

I have a couple small stage snakes. I also made some homemade power strips from 12-2 w/ground SJ cord and 4-outlet steel boxes; I use them for front/back stage power. It's all a very clean set up until I do sound for a festival. In the beginning it's clean and tidy but by the end of the night it can be a jungle. Haha

[Seth]

Alright... so, aside from my little issue with things in my storage unit, I gave my 2 shorty 2x6 SLA Pro's their first outdoor test run with the single 16" wide (3012LF Loaded) T39, powered by an Ashly NE1600PE... essentially a 56 volt per channel amp. One channel highs, one channel lows. Other than being pleased with the overall results, I gotta say I'm surprised. Testing and listening to recorded content in my storage unit is completely different than testing and listening to live music outdoors, even though it is along with recorded backing tracks. In this format, the high pass channel going to the pair of stacked SLA PRO 2x6's was actually peaking and blipping the limit/clip light before the channel that drove the T39.... which I thought was interesting. I thought the lows would still be playing catch up to the SLA Pro's in this configuration. Not the case.

Also, we had (several) neighbors from up to 2 blocks away showing up to the house with lawn chairs to listen and enjoy. I can't say the combination is the loudest thing in town. But apparently, it's loud enough to bring a crowd in from blocks away. I was also pleased that, even while up against clipping on about 56 volts, the SLA Pro's sounded very clean on this occasion. I had them on the limiter once before, with recorded content, and they were screaming a little bit. Not too bad, but not clean. Today, in this configuration with backing tracks, guitar, and vocals... it was very clean... even though it was bumping and peaking the limiter/clipping a little.

I noticed several people had come out on their porch behind where I had set up for the test, the opposite direction of where the other people came from. I swiveled the top 2x6 SLA Pro around to play 180º from the front and it covered both sides pretty darn nicely, giving clean crisp highs and mids in two different directions.

Pretty cool. I look forward to having the 4 x 30" T39's done along with 4 full size 4x6 SLA Pro's for next years events. Just a bunch more of the good stuff.

Great results. Thanks Bill , for doing what you do... and sharing your talent with the world.

[Grey Owl]

Gidday Seth,
2x6 shortys just sound peachy.
Less expensive than OT10's or Jacks.
I need to hear them.
Did u find u were overdriving them because u were out in the clear air?
Cheers G.O.

[Seth]

Gidday Seth,
2x6 shortys just sound peachy.
Less expensive than OT10's or Jacks.
I need to hear them.
Did u find u were overdriving them because u were out in the clear air?
Cheers G.O.

Hey David

While they were bumping the clipping/limiter light, they did not sound over driven at all. Crystal clear IMO.

I have no real answer for why it was the way it was. I figured I'd lose low end volume outdoors and need to turn up the sub channel to maintain a balanced sound. It didn't really pan out that way. I almost wonder if it's the content that made a difference. I did play some recorded music and it sounded really good too. But, I didn't take note of the output indicators on the amp at that time.

[Bryan Cox]

Thought I'd keep the conversation going. Never posted pics or videos of myself before but here we go. This is a band of mine from a few years back doing a cover from a friend of mine, Brian Leneschmidt, called "Lady Love." I'm the young scrawny guy. Haha

https://youtu.be/cBdh7CUKVPc

[Seth]

Bad ass Bryan!