GK 700 RB II straight to KRK

Jayf19 · #1 12-30-2010, 09:26 AM

I just got my GK 700RB II for Christmas an bought a KRK RP8G2.

I tried connecting the GK`s direct out (XLR) straight to the XLR-TRS input on the KRK, keeping in mind that the level on the direct out should be kept at - infinity so I wouldn't create an overload on the speaker.

Ultimately, it worked, but the sound was so low it cant even be played alone in a quiet room.

Would this be due to the low impedance of the direct out on the GK? Would using a mixer as an intermediate between the 2 solve the problem?

Thanks!

jnewmark · #2 12-30-2010, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayf19

I just got my GK 700RB II for Christmas an bought a KRK RP8G2.

I tried connecting the GK`s direct out (XLR) straight to the XLR-TRS input on the KRK, keeping in mind that the level on the direct out should be kept at - infinity so I wouldn't create an overload on the speaker.

Ultimately, it worked, but the sound was so low it cant even be played alone in a quiet room.

Would this be due to the low impedance of the direct out on the GK? Would using a mixer as an intermediate between the 2 solve the problem?

Thanks!

What is a KRK RP8G2 ?

Jayf19 · #3 12-30-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

What is a KRK RP8G2 ?

KRK Rokit 8 Studio Monitor

http://www.krksys.com/product_rokit.php

PSPookie · #4 12-30-2010, 09:57 AM

It sounds like the DI signal just isn't hot enough to drive the power amp in that monitor. Have you tried using the effects send?

Jayf19 · #5 12-30-2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

It sounds like the DI signal just isn't hot enough to drive the power amp in that monitor. Have you tried using the effects send?

How would i do that?

Im a complete newbie with that kind of stuff, and I'm always afraid of blowig things up, lol

PSPookie · #6 12-30-2010, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayf19

How would i do that?

Just run a 1/4" instrument cable from the GK's Effects Send jack to the 1/4" Blanced input on the KRK and see if it works better for you. You shouldn't be blowing anything up this way

Also, have you tried simply turning up the Volume knob in the input section of the GK?

Jayf19 · #7 12-30-2010, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Just run a 1/4" instrument cable from the GK's Effects Send jack to the 1/4" Blanced input on the KRK and see if it works better for you. You shouldn't be blowing anything up this way

Also, have you tried simply turning up the Volume knob in the input section of the GK?

For a brief second, as a friend told me it could overload the speaker (having 2 poweramps pushing the monitor)

jnewmark · #8 12-30-2010, 10:34 AM

You would'nt be using the power amp in the GK if you went out the effects send, AFAIK. You would just be sending the preamp signal.

Jayf19 · #9 12-30-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Just run a 1/4" instrument cable from the GK's Effects Send jack to the 1/4" Blanced input on the KRK and see if it works better for you. You shouldn't be blowing anything up this way

Also, have you tried simply turning up the Volume knob in the input section of the GK?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

You would'nt be using the power amp in the GK if you went out the effects send, AFAIK. You would just be sending the preamp signal.

Effects send did the trick!

Thanks guys

Jayf19 · #10 12-30-2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

You would'nt be using the power amp in the GK if you went out the effects send, AFAIK. You would just be sending the preamp signal.

While we are at it; my father-in-law is getting a Mackie mixer this weekend. If I were to use it as an intermediate with the Direct out on the GK. Would it be possible to use the poweramp on the GK to the mixer and then the power amp on the KRK (GK > Mackie > KRK monitor)

Ultimately, would the sound be better if I were to add the poweramp from the GK?

jnewmark · #11 12-30-2010, 12:31 PM

The speaker is already powered, right? If that is so, then all you need is a preamp signal ( effects send from the GK ), to drive it.

Jwaites105 · #12 12-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Sorry this is a bit off topic, but I have a GK 700RB II, im picking up a cab next month, its a 8 ohm cabinet, How would I run the head at 8 ohms?

Jayf19 · #13 12-30-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jnewmark

The speaker is already powered, right? If that is so, then all you need is a preamp signal ( effects send from the GK ), to drive it.

So the difference between the poweramps won't affect the tone?

Sinclair · #14 12-30-2010, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayf19

I tried connecting the GK`s direct out (XLR) straight to the XLR-TRS input on the KRK, keeping in mind that the level on the direct out should be kept at - infinity so I wouldn't create an overload on the speaker.

That can't work.. set the level to -15dB (12 o'clock) as a starting point -> then bring up the volume with the attenuator of your monitor.

Keep in mind that the pad-switch influences volume. If you run the direct out in post-eq mode, volume and boost will also influence the volume. Try to use the pre-eq mode to get familiar with the controls.

Jayf19 · #15 12-30-2010, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinclair

That can't work.. set the level to -15dB (12 o'clock) as a starting point -> then bring up the volume with the attenuator of your monitor.

Keep in mind that the pad-switch influences volume. If you run the direct out in post-eq mode, volume and boost will also influence the volume. Try to use the pre-eq mode to get familiar with the controls.

I'm probably going to stick with the effects send; but wouldn't using the level from the direct out be risky considering the monitor would receive two sources of power (poweramp from the GK and it's own poweramp) ?

Sinclair · #16 12-30-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jayf19

I'm probably going to stick with the effects send; but wouldn't using the level from the direct out be risky considering the monitor would receive two sources of power (poweramp from the GK and it's own poweramp) ?

How would the monitor receive two sources of power? You should only connect the direct out or effects send to the monitor's input. Don't connect the speaker out to the monitor!
The GK is fine if you leave the speaker out disconnected.
The level only sets the direct out's volume - nothing else.

Jayf19 · #17 12-30-2010, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinclair

How would the monitor receive two sources of power? You should only connect the direct out or effects send to the monitor's input. Don't connect the speaker out to the monitor!
The GK is fine if you leave the speaker out disconnected.
The level only sets the direct out's volume - nothing else.

I thought the direct out controlled both the preamp and the poweramp (hence why I kept saying/asking if I should keep the volume to - infinity (to keep the poweramp out of the equation).

As I said before, I am clueless when it comes to this stuff. I'm used to play on simple 10-20 watt combos, lol

Sinclair · #18 12-30-2010, 01:57 PM

As I said, you can simply leave the speaker out disconnected.
If you want to run the direct out post-eq, you actually have to turn up the level AND volume on the 700. You could turn down the woofer to compensate, if you also have a cab connected.

Check out the manual's last page. It shows a block diagram which makes it easier to understand all that controls and connectors.

Jayf19 · #19 12-30-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinclair

As I said, you can simply leave the speaker out disconnected.
If you want to run the direct out post-eq, you actually have to turn up the level AND volume on the 700. You could turn down the woofer to compensate, if you also have a cab connected.

Check out the manual's last page. It shows a block diagram which makes it easier to understand all that controls and connectors.

Thanks for the input, I shall test some more tonight.

I did check out the block diagram, I somewhat understand how the signal moves through the chain, but I wasn't sure about the possible "dangers" or possibilities without overloading the monitor.

Jayf19 · #20 02-20-2011, 09:17 AM

Just to add, in case my problem might help others:

After playing around with the different controls, I found the best way to drive the amp without creating unwanted fuzz or speaker distortion, I :

A) Used the KRK volume higher (since it's the power amp, obviously)
B) Turned to full the Direct Out Level (hotter signal)
C) And finally use the volume control to adjust to the room's needs

Best way to set it up, IMO.

Turning the KRK down, Direct Out down and Volume up created some fuzz and the clip light jumps in. The way described top completely stopped the clipping, as long as you don't push a Stomp Box Distortion over the edge.