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Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:00 pm
by jimbo7
So I just picked up a Behringer CX2310 and can't figure out how to set it up. My tops will be 2 SLA's and subs 2 T24's. Here's what I got so far:
American DJ Q-2221 (phono out only) -> Alesis M-EQ 230 (1/4"out) -> Carvin DCM1000

Obviuosly the crossover goes after the EQ and before the amp. I'm just not sure how I should connect the crossover to the amp with XLR's while running a top and sub on one channel. I'll use the 1/4" outs on the eq to connect to the cx2310 with balanced TRS/XLR cables. It's where to go from there to the amp that confuses me. Running the crossover in stereo 2-way, how do I use the sub out?

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 7:39 pm
by Grant Bunter
Where's your brick wall limiter in that chain to protect the T24 drivers?
The berry crossover doesn't limit, and the carvin amp has a limiter but in the manual doesn't describe it as brick wall, and it seems, not adjustable frequency wise.

Also, the berry crossover has a HP option button, but it's only at 25Hz.

It's not the right tool for the job sorry...

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:18 pm
by Bruce Weldy
jimbo7 wrote: Obviuosly the crossover goes after the EQ and before the amp. I'm just not sure how I should connect the crossover to the amp with XLR's while running a top and sub on one channel.

You need to clarify this statement. Are you running in mono and using just one side of the crossover? Or, are you trying to power a sub and a top off of one amp channel? The first scenario works....the second doesn't.

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 7:44 pm
by jimbo7
- Currently my "limiter" consists of dime'n the amp and mixer then slowly turning up the channel's volume while watching my multimeter get close to max voltage with a 40hz tone. Then putting duct tape on the fader to prevent it from going higher. Pretty lame, I know. :slap:

- I want to run in stereo with one top and sub per side. Trying to get this to work with one amp, but seems like it wont work.

In the T24 plans it said I could run a sub and top off one channel with it's passive crossover. So I figured "great! all I need a one 2-channel amp". Threw this crossover in the mix and now I can't figure out how my planned setup will work.

When I get home this weekend I can post pics of my gear and planned setup to make my intentions clear. Seems like another amp and a DSP is the best solution.

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:00 pm
by Bruce Weldy
In order to run the subs and tops off one channel, you'd have to build the passive crossover in the plans....not a good idea for PA work.

Tell us again what you are using this rig for? DJ? Live sound?

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 8:11 pm
by Grant Bunter
jimbo7 wrote:- Currently my "limiter" consists of dime'n the amp and mixer then slowly turning up the channel's volume while watching my multimeter get close to max voltage with a 40hz tone. Then putting duct tape on the fader to prevent it from going higher. Pretty lame, I know. :slap:

- I want to run in stereo with one top and sub per side. Trying to get this to work with one amp, but seems like it wont work.

In the T24 plans it said I could run a sub and top off one channel with it's passive crossover. So I figured "great! all I need a one 2-channel amp". Threw this crossover in the mix and now I can't figure out how my planned setup will work.

When I get home this weekend I can post pics of my gear and planned setup to make my intentions clear. Seems like another amp and a DSP is the best solution.
Arrr ok!
If you build the second T24 also with the internal passive crossover, yep, you can run in stereo, with one amp. ie one sub and one top per channel. Left output to one side of the amp, right output to the other.

The Berry crossover you bought isn't useful in that setup at all. And with no limiter (the way you currently "limit" doesn't protect from transient spikes), you'd be better off buying DSP because that's active crossover as well as brick wall limiter, and if you get the DBX driverack, EQ and RTA as well in one rack unit.

You could then sell off your MEQ230 and the berry crossover you just bought.

Add another amp, bypass the internal passive crossovers in the T24(s) and you'd be in the right place then.

I have an MEQ230 and I'm fairly sure it's outputs are not balanced, so, until you get DSP, keep any leads out of it as short as possible to avoid inducing hum...

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:24 pm
by jimbo7
I'm only playing pre-recorded music currently.

My original intention was to build 2 T24's(with passive crossovers) and use my 15" 2-way tops. I sold those to fund my SLA project. The few times I've played music through just the T24 I noticed it still passing higher Hz then I care for. Bill said passive x-overs are like that, so my next purchase was the x-over. Turns out I can't use it now. Since I'm on a tight budget for a little while, I'll probably just use my current setup of mixer>eq>amp and run the 2 SLAs, eventually build a 2nd T24, then get a DCX or DBX when I get some extra cash. Maybe a 2nd amp to use these to their potential.

Re: Confused how to hook-up this gear

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 6:45 pm
by Grant Bunter
jimbo7 wrote:I'm only playing pre-recorded music currently.

My original intention was to build 2 T24's(with passive crossovers) and use my 15" 2-way tops. I sold those to fund my SLA project. The few times I've played music through just the T24 I noticed it still passing higher Hz then I care for. Bill said passive x-overs are like that, so my next purchase was the x-over. Turns out I can't use it now. Since I'm on a tight budget for a little while, I'll probably just use my current setup of mixer>eq>amp and run the 2 SLAs, eventually build a 2nd T24, then get a DCX or DBX when I get some extra cash. Maybe a 2nd amp to use these to their potential.
Well, you could use the crossover you just bought, if you buy another amp!
Since funds are tight at the moment though, that's not likely in the near future right?

Seriously though, that crossover simply doesn't do enough of what you need.

Hopefully your present limiting method will not turn around and bite you either, as that will display itself as a blown driver in the current T24.

If you're ever unsure, ask first and buy second.

Did you build SLA pro's?