GK 1001rb-II to GK Neo 212 Bi-Amp.. 4-Conductor Speakon Necessary?

mthnascar · #1 11-30-2010, 10:10 PM

I just bought a used GK Neo 212 Cab to go with my GK 1001rb-II head. The cabinet came with no cables. My understanding is that 4-conductor speakon cable is necessary for bi-amp operation. I went to Guitar Center, and all they had were 2 conductor.. when I asked for a 4-conductor, I got deer in headlights look from the salesperson. Can any GK players confirm that a 4-conductor cable is necessary?

Thanks.

FretlessMainly · #2 11-30-2010, 10:50 PM

I suspect that buying used gear involving speakon cables typically runs this risk. While I can't speak definitively as to whether you can make it work with a two conductor (I suspect it won't), you can use an ordinary speaker cable to connect the 2x12. You just need to flick the slider switch on the back of the cab to full range mode to make this work. Then you use the large dial to attenuate the horn from the back of the 212.

I'm running a Neo 212 from a 700RB-II with the speakon cable. The cable only comes from GK with the cabinet, not the amp. I asked GK about this about 2-3 years ago, and they indicated that they are concerned about people using the wrong type of speakon cable with a two-connector cabinet that is not compatible with the GK set-up. Whether this is simply a monetary issue or a real amp/speaker problem, I'm not sure.

Sorry, man. I just checked the manuals I have, and here's the final scoop:

To operate in GK in bi-amp mode, you need the 4-conductor speakon cable. You can use a 2-conductor speakon cable to run full range, or you can use a standard speaker cable. In these scenarios, your horn is not being driven by the separate on-board 50W horn amp (i.e., the bi-amp mode), so if you drive the woofers, you will be driving the horn just as much. Bi-amp makes the horn nice (up to 50W) and clean even when the woofer is being driven up to the max of the head.

So, maybe you could just keep the horn at 10-20%, and even when driving the woofers hard, your horn will be fine. I don't use my horn more than 30-40% even in bi-amp mode. If you aren't maxing your woofer output, you could boost your horn more than 20%.

This is how I understand things (as of right now; I made a post earlier today that didn't convey all of this in another thread).

mthnascar · #3 12-01-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

So, maybe you could just keep the horn at 10-20%, and even when driving the woofers hard, your horn will be fine. I don't use my horn more than 30-40% even in bi-amp mode. If you aren't maxing your woofer output, you could boost your horn more than 20%.

This is how I understand things (as of right now; I made a post earlier today that didn't convey all of this in another thread).

Thanks.. (I noticed I posted this in the wrong forum)

I found a 4-conductor cable on-line, and will get it in a couple of days. I'm assuming it doesn't have to be GK-supplied, and any 4-conductor will do.

When you refer to keeping the horn at 10-20% in full range mode, I assume that is done via the attenuation dial on the back of the cab (as the Bi-amp Output tweeter control on the front is not used in full range mode). Having not fired this thing up yet.. I'm not sure I know what each specific setting (-2, +2, normal, high) will do to dial-in the horn (Does High Range = max horn, Normal = 50%, etc..?).

FretlessMainly · #4 12-01-2010, 10:03 AM

I believe you are correct. Since I have the speakon cable I haven't done much with the full range option. I would think that keeping the dial to the left side of it's full range of motion would be where you'd want to set it.

What I'm not sure of is whether you risk damaging the horn if you are really driving the main amp, or whether it's simply a matter or the horn sounding distorted (generally not a good thing). Try it with the horn on low and add more until you hear what you don't like and back it off. Of course, in full range mode the location of that threshold will depend on how much you are driving the woofers.

Hopefully the non-GK four-conductor cable will work and you won't have to deal with full range mode.

phillm47 · #5 12-01-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

...To operate in GK in bi-amp mode, you need the 4-conductor speakon cable. You can use a 2-conductor speakon cable to run full range, or you can use a standard speaker cable. In these scenarios, your horn is not being driven by the separate on-board 50W horn amp (i.e., the bi-amp mode), so if you drive the woofers, you will be driving the horn just as much. Bi-amp makes the horn nice (up to 50W) and clean even when the woofer is being driven up to the max of the head...

This is correct, although if you are running full range you can back off the tweeter with the L pad on the back of the cab...the bi-amp feature is much nicer.

You may find THIS helpful.

You may find THIS helpful as well.

This is the same amp rig setup I play most of time - I love it

mthnascar · #6 12-02-2010, 10:16 AM

Thanks for the feedback... I have had a chance to play it full range and the attenuation control works as I thought. Right now I have it at about 10 o'clock and it sounds awesome. Best rig I've ever had. Can't wait to try it out at practice tonight... and I'm also looking forward to not having to drag my Peavey 1820 around as well...