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07-01-2010, 08:54 PM
|  | Everything is everything | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Frederick, MD | | | Confused: XLR to power amp?
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I'm working on assembling a component amp system, and recently acquired a QSC PLX1602 power amp and rack. Until I decide on, and buy, a preamp, I was planning to use my Hartke 3500 head as the preamp.
I bought a XLR cable to run from the Hartke direct out to the QSC input, but the level is extremely low, barely audible with all knobs at 11. However, if I run a 1/4" patch cable from the Hartke effects send jack to the 1/4" input on the QSC, I get the expected performance. I would be fine with this, except that the effects send is before the EQ, which I'd like to be able to tweak if possible.
The Hartke user manual says the direct out is suitable for connecting a power amp, but it's not working for me. Would one of you smart people be willing to decipher the specs and tell me if I need a special cable, or if the Hartke's direct out doesn't have the right specs to match up with my QSC?
Hartke 3500 user manual: http://s3.amazonaws.com/samsontech/r...cs/ACF18FA.pdf
QSC user manual: http://media.qscaudio.com/pdfs/plxuser.pdf
Thank you. |
07-01-2010, 09:00 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Westfield, MA, USA | | | The manual you linked to says the effects send is post EQ/post compression/low impedance and has a level of 0 to +4dBu.
Other than being unbalanced that sounds about perfect to me.
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07-01-2010, 09:02 PM
| | | Quote: |
The signal output from this jack is low impedance (600 ohm) with an output level of approximately -30 to -20 dB. You can also use the Direct Out jack to route signal to an external amplifier with a -10 dB input sensitivity.
| Im guessing that its giving you more like -30 or -20 db. what if you put a di box at the end of your effects chain? that may defeat the purpose of the hartke though, good luck 
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07-01-2010, 09:08 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada | | | DI outs are for connecting your amp to a PA mixer not for driving a power amp. If you are not using the loop then just use the send to drive your power amp.
Paul |
07-01-2010, 09:17 PM
| | Everything is everything | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Frederick, MD | | | Hrm, the EQ settings seem to have no effect on the signal from the effects send jack. *shrug*
Hopefully I'll find an appropriate preamp soon and until then, I'll just use the effects send. Thanks guys. Cheers. |
07-01-2010, 09:18 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sioux Falls, SD | | | The QSC needs 1.1V of drive signal or +3.2dBu when at 4Ohms. The Hartke doesn't generate enough smoke out of the balanced out.
Just like PM noted the manual for the Hartke states effect send is POST EQ and compressor but that the master volume has no effect. This should be working for you.
Mess with the post and pre buttons just incase; I didn't go anyfurther, make sure you don't have the EQ turned off with a front panel switch.
BOB
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07-01-2010, 10:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Oregon | | | A decent mixer can be had for less than the cost of a night out. |
07-02-2010, 06:11 AM
| | Registered User
Owner, Bill Fitzmaurice Loudspeaker Design | | Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Hampshire | | Quote:
Originally Posted by mulchor  A decent mixer can be had for less than the cost of a night out. | I'd be looking at a rack mount pre-amp. 90% of the weight of the 3500 is its power amp section, that's a lot of weight to schlep for no reason. |
07-02-2010, 07:47 AM
| | Everything is everything | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Frederick, MD | | Quote:
Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice I'd be looking at a rack mount pre-amp. 90% of the weight of the 3500 is its power amp section, that's a lot of weight to schlep for no reason. | Indeed. Its heavier than it looks. A 1U pre is going in the rack for certain. Just need to go try some out. |
07-02-2010, 03:54 PM
| | Everything is everything | | Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Frederick, MD | | Quote:
Originally Posted by rbonner Just like PM noted the manual for the Hartke states effect send is POST EQ and compressor but that the master volume has no effect. This should be working for you.
Mess with the post and pre buttons just incase; I didn't go anyfurther, make sure you don't have the EQ turned off with a front panel switch.
BOB | I must have an older revision or something, but I was just playing with it and there is definitely no EQ on the effects send. If I run the speaker out direct to my cabinet, I can hear a major difference when I turn on/off the EQ. Oh well, guess I'll have to just buy more gear sooner than later.  | | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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