BillFitzmaurice.info

I am not a professional. This is only for fun, but I do tend to take my fun seriously.

I built a pair of Jack 15's last year. They are excellent PA speakers. I powered them with a Crown XLS200. I ran a Numark USB mixer through Netbook and then through an External D/A to RCA cables to the Amp.

I am stepping up the game.

I bought a DRPA+ and I intend to pick up another amp and build (starting with, but not ending at) 2 Tuba 30's.

I also run the amp and PA's off a Vestax 6 Channel mixer from time to time. However the Vestax has 1/4" Outputs, not XLR.

To make use of the DRPA+ and its XLR inputs, is it a bad idea to go with adapter patch cords that go from XLR to RCA or 1/4" or is there an issue with balanced versus unbalanced signal and I really need a new mixer with XLR out?

If I really do need a new Mixer, can anyone recommend a price effective unit, I have spend enough on electronics this season and would prefer not to blow large sum. Looking for more of the 150.00 range if it exists. That money would be better spend on an amp...

Thanks for your time

The only 2 'cheap' mixers with XLR outputs that I'd recommend are the Allen & Heath Xone 22 and the Pioneer DJM250. Not sure what the retail on those is where you are but over here they're a solid £250 each. I ended up going with the Pioneer recently simply because it had more input options for ipods and other stuff.

DJM250


Xone 22

Yeah, I looked at this Vestax VMC-002XLu, It was not crazy expensive, but it only had 2 channels, I would really prefer a switchable 3 or four channel, but that gets into begging/choosing. Can't have it all.

That Pioneer unit is a very nice mixer though as is the A and H.

If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.



***So I have read that a "balanced audio signal, from source to end can yield up to 3 db in signal strength" Should that be true:

1) I'm not sure that makes it worth the expense since I am not running huge cable lengths and this is not a professional application.

2) Since this is a reproduced sound, it is either coming from vinyl or computer recording. Either method starts with a RCA connection to the mixer. Since there can be no chain of balanced signal, the rest doesn't really matter... does it?

Please correct me in my thoughts if I am wrong.

That Pioneer is a very nice mixer though...

Traijin wrote:Yeah, I looked at this Vestax VMC-002XLu, It was not crazy expensive, but it only had 2 channels, I would really prefer a switchable 3 or four channel, but that gets into begging/choosing.

The Vestax 004xl has four channels and the XLR outputs. I have used one, and it was good value for $$. I sold this mixer when moved back to a 19" rack mount.

--Stan Graves

Follow diagram 17

We use that method for going from our club mixer into a driverack260. Works like a charm, if your cable runs are less than 15 feet, balanced cables are not neccesary. You will want to switch the level on the back to -10dbu.

For the record the last time I used a regular RCA output mixer on my setup it was via a 15m RCA-RCA which was then plugged into a short RCA-XLR cable into the rack. I couldn't notice any drop in quality...

I really appreciate all the input, thanks everybody.

Just at thought, Traijin, that Vestax 6 channel mixer you have, you said it has 1/4" main outputs, are you sure they are not TRS (Tip Ring Sleeve), and in fact balanced? It doesnt have to be XLR to be balanced you know, it needs to be 3 pole. I havent used any Vestax mixer, but I know of many DJmixers that has 1/4" TRS balanced outputs. And usually, when they dont have balanced outputs, they usually only have RCA main outs. Like the Pioneer DJM-400.

So check what it says on the back of your mixer, or the manual/specs online. If it says TRS on the outs, its most likely balanced, and then you just need two cables with XLR in one end and 1/4" TRS in the other, or an adapter. But dont go via RCA adapters, then you´ll lose the balanced part.

Its always good to run balanced as much as you can, even if the CDs/Vinyls are unbalanced, the mixer balances the signals.

//Robin

Could also grab a stereo DI and run whatever mixer you want. That is if you 'must' have balanced XLR from a non balance source.

EDIT: http://www.audiopile.net/products/DI_Bo ... oxes.shtml (Thanks, J_Dunavin)

I have a couple of these for when I need to bring non-balanced stereo source into the board.


On that note, if you have 1/4" outputs on a DJ mixer, there's a good chance they are balanced. Just make-up or buy a pair of 1/4" TRS to XLR cables and you're balanced and ready to rock.

bad link...

try this


http://www.audiopile.net/products/DI_Bo ... oxes.shtml

only bad thing about the Djm 250 is lack of a booth

sine143 wrote:only bad thing about the Djm 250 is lack of a booth

Master 2 output... That's what I used the other night straight into an amp and speakers for monitoring purposes.

djtecthreat wrote:Could also grab a stereo DI and run whatever mixer you want. That is if you 'must' have balanced XLR from a non balance source.

EDIT: http://www.audiopile.net/products/DI_Bo ... oxes.shtml (Thanks, J_Dunavin)

I have a couple of these for when I need to bring non-balanced stereo source into the board.


On that note, if you have 1/4" outputs on a DJ mixer, there's a good chance they are balanced. Just make-up or buy a pair of 1/4" TRS to XLR cables and you're balanced and ready to rock.

This DI box is really nice, I like that it is designed to stack multiple boxes together, a great recommendation. First party event will be on July 7th. The electronics are about done now. It's weight is a a sign of reliability...

Traijin wrote:It's weight is a a sign of reliability...

I wish the same could be said about me