Wiring Help Please!

aaronhutson · #1 06-02-2011, 08:07 PM

Sorry if this is the wrong place but I think it is right. Sorry I post so many questions, but you guys are smarter than me so I'd be dumb not to ask the pros.

Okay Im trying to run my Behringer Ultrabass BX4500H and Crown XLS 602 into 2 4ohm cabs. How?

The Crown only has XLR inputs so the only way that I am aware of is to run an XLR from the D.I. Out on my head to the Crown which is set to bridged since I only have 1 signal running to it.

But when I do that it doesnt feel like im getting NEAR the power of the amp that I should be. Because when I plug in just the head to one cab it is at least 5 times more powerful and full. But shouldnt a 1200w amp put out more than a 450w amp?

On a separate note, all the specs I find on the Crown XLS 602 say its a 1200w amp but on the back underneath the power inout it says 750? Whats up with that?

Im hoping that you guys can give me some insight on how to do this. I have never messed with power amps in a bass rig before and I know im not doing it right, but until I can afford an RBI, the only eq i have is the BX4500H.

Any and all input is welcomed! Thanks!

will33 · #2 06-02-2011, 08:35 PM

DI isn't strong enough to drive a power amp. Buy or make a cable with 1/4" plug on one end and xlr on the other. Run it from a jack labelled "preamp out" or "effects send" on the bass head to the inputs on the crown. My xls402 is the same way, you need 1/4 to xlr cables or an adapter plug to make it work. Someplace like radio shack or fry's electronics may have an adapter plug you get for cheaper than a whole cable.
That's the only thing I don't like about mine....only inputs are xlr...no 1/4". Otherwise it's a good amp.

lbwdog · #3 06-02-2011, 09:15 PM

[quote=aaronhutson;10987869]

Quote:

Okay Im trying to run my Behringer Ultrabass BX4500H and Crown XLS 602 into 2 4ohm cabs. How?

WHY?

Quote:

all the specs I find on the Crown XLS 602 say its a 1200w amp but on the back underneath the power inout it says 750? Whats up with that?

It will only do 1200 w. bridged mono into 8 Ohms!
You can't run it into 2 Ohms.
The Crown is rated (stereo) 380 w. @ 8 Ohms, or 600 w. @ 4 Ohms (per side).
Your Behringer is rated at 450 w. into 4 Ohms, so you're only gaining a couple of db (& 30 lbs.) by introducing the Crown into the chain. Granted, the Crown is probably a higher quality piece of gear, but I sure couldn't justify that particular setup.

Quote:

so the only way that I am aware of is to run an XLR from the D.I. Out on my head to the Crown which is set to bridged since I only have 1 signal running to it.

You would need to run out of the Behringer's effects send to the Crown' input by using a 1/4" to XLR cable.
Then you'll need to run one cab from each channel.
You would have more hookup flexibility with 8 Ohm cabs though.

aaronhutson · #4 06-02-2011, 09:29 PM

It will only do 1200 w. bridged mono into 8 Ohms!
You can't run it into 2 Ohms.
[/quote]

Im running the amp @ 4ohms per side. And the head is just an eq for now till i can afford a real one. But the amp is more stable than the head. So thats my reasoning.

aaronhutson · #5 06-02-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

DI isn't strong enough to drive a power amp. Buy or make a cable with 1/4" plug on one end and xlr on the other. Run it from a jack labelled "preamp out" or "effects send" on the bass head to the inputs on the crown. My xls402 is the same way, you need 1/4 to xlr cables or an adapter plug to make it work. Someplace like radio shack or fry's electronics may have an adapter plug you get for cheaper than a whole cable.
That's the only thing I don't like about mine....only inputs are xlr...no 1/4". Otherwise it's a good amp.

Thats actually what i was thinking. I'll run to GC tomorrow and pick up a cord or adapter and see what i can do from there. Thanks!

lbwdog · #6 06-02-2011, 09:31 PM

You also need to check if the Behringer is stable at 2 Ohms, otherwise you''l be forced to use just one (if using its power amp).

"Four ohm cabs strike again!!"

Bass_Pounder · #7 06-02-2011, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

It will only do 1200 w. bridged mono into 8 Ohms!
You can't run it into 2 Ohms.

Im running the amp @ 4ohms per side. And the head is just an eq for now till i can afford a real one. But the amp is more stable than the head. So thats my reasoning.[/quote]

Then you MUST take the Crown out of bridged mode.

You need to run it in dual mono/stereo, and run 1 cab on each channel.

aaronhutson · #8 06-02-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

Im running the amp @ 4ohms per side. And the head is just an eq for now till i can afford a real one. But the amp is more stable than the head. So thats my reasoning.

Then you MUST take the Crown out of bridged mode.

You need to run it in dual mono/stereo, and run 1 cab on each channel.[/quote]

I thought the bridged mode meant it only needed 1 input? But maybe i said it wrong. Im using 1 input and 2 outputs. im only usingthe behringer for eq and the crown for power.

aaronhutson · #9 06-02-2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

You also need to check if the Behringer is stable at 2 Ohms, otherwise you''l be forced to use just one (if using its power amp).

"Four ohm cabs strike again!!"

No im using the eq from the behringer and the power from the crown. Will that work? Im not running the cabs in series. Im trying to run 4 ohms per side. Will that work?

1n3 · #10 06-03-2011, 12:45 AM

What a confusing thread to read. Here's my take on it -

The OP is running a mono signal from the Behringer into the Crown. He is running the Crown in stereo; one cab per side. He is bridging the INPUTS of the Crown, to send a signal to both sides. The problem is, the signal level from the Behringer DI (-10dBu) is not hot enough to drive the Crown to anything near full power. Correct?

The Behringer has an unbalanced line out that is +4dBu. That's what you need, plus an adapter to go from 1/4" unbalanced to balanced XLR, as will33 said in post #2.

Plstrns · #11 06-03-2011, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1n3

The Behringer has an unbalanced line out that is +4dBu. That's what you need, plus an adapter to go from 1/4" unbalanced to balanced XLR, as will33 said in post #2.

This.

lbwdog · #12 06-03-2011, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1n3

What a confusing thread to read. Here's my take on it -

The OP is running a mono signal from the Behringer into the Crown. He is running the Crown in stereo; one cab per side. He is bridging the INPUTS of the Crown, to send a signal to both sides. The problem is, the signal level from the Behringer DI (-10dBu) is not hot enough to drive the Crown to anything near full power. Correct?

The Behringer has an unbalanced line out that is +4dBu. That's what you need, plus an adapter to go from 1/4" unbalanced to balanced XLR, as will33 said in post #2.

Sounds right to me.....except that i'd recommend a 1/4" to xlr cable rather than an adapter.

aaronhutson · #13 06-03-2011, 02:38 PM

Okay so i got the xlr to 1/4 inch cable. I hooked it up and it sounds alright. But something is still off. Maybe I can mess with the eq. But The only volume control i have is on the amp. Shouldnt the amp be all the way up and volume comes from the head? I dont know. Would it hurt to run out of a 1/4" jack from the head to xlr on the amp? Like will running power into power hurt?

Bass_Pounder · #14 06-03-2011, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

Okay so i got the xlr to 1/4 inch cable. I hooked it up and it sounds alright. But something is still off. Maybe I can mess with the eq. But The only volume control i have is on the amp. Shouldnt the amp be all the way up and volume comes from the head? I dont know. Would it hurt to run out of a 1/4" jack from the head to xlr on the amp? Like will running power into power hurt?

DO NOT EVER use a speaker out for the input of another amp

You WILL fry it

aaronhutson · #15 06-03-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

DO NOT EVER use a speaker out for the input of another amp

You WILL fry it

Thats what i figured. So what can i do to make it sound right? The behringer amp sounds fine, even at 2 ohms. But i dont want to push it too hard and fry it. So shouldnt it sound the same running its eq and more power?

Bass_Pounder · #16 06-03-2011, 03:35 PM

What ouput from the Behringer are you using now ?

Bass_Pounder · #17 06-03-2011, 03:50 PM

A quick look at the manual for the Crown shows that you cannot run into both channels from a single source.

http://crownaudio.com/pdf/amps/139441.pdf

Looks like you need a cable that 1/4 on one end, and has TWO XLR's on the other end (splitter).

It also has to be wired correctly. The manual states that for unbalanced connection, the positive (tip) from the 1/4 end is to be connected to pin #2 of the XLR's. The negative gets connected to BOTH pins #1 & #3

You would run from your line out or your effects send into BOTH channels of the Crown.

Connect a cab to each channel, and use the controls on the Crown to control output to each cab.

aaronhutson · #18 06-03-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

What ouput from the Behringer are you using now ?

Well I tried the "Send/Tuner" and the "Line out" from the front.
They both sound about the same. But still something sounds off..

Bass_Pounder · #19 06-03-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaronhutson

Well I tried the "Send/Tuner" and the "Line out" from the front.
They both sound about the same. But still something sounds off..

Read post #17

aaronhutson · #20 06-03-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass_Pounder

You would run from your line out or your effects send into BOTH channels of the Crown.

Connect a cab to each channel, and use the controls on the Crown to control output to each cab.

Okay that makes more sense to me. So i'll have to run to GC tomorrow and pick up a splitter (will an adapter work?).

Right now though since i dont have another speakon with me, im only running into 1 cab. Just to get things figured out.

And right now, with the amp set at about level 2 its loud, and maybe its just my house or something shaking, but there is something now right, besides just tone.

Im not the smartest in this junk so i appreciate the help!