A Snake for Powered Speakers

b to g is yummy · #1 12-16-2007, 01:16 PM

Sry for the simple question..rather ask it than make a dumb purchase tho

We're upgrading our kiddie sound system. We will be running all self-powered speakers. We need a snake. We will not have any power amps.

Ideally, I'm thinking we should have 1/4 plugs on the mixer end (returns) and xlr female returns on the stage end for our speakers. Is this possible? I'm yet to find a snake that has different plug types (1 end 1/4 other end xlr) Will we need adaptors?

HomeBrewTJ · #2 12-16-2007, 01:17 PM

We use adapters on our snake on the board end.

Munjibunga · #3 12-16-2007, 01:25 PM

I'd only get 1/4" returns if your mixer outs are 1/4". If you have XLR outs, get a snake with all XLRs on the box end (female sends and male returns) and all XLRs on the fan.

b to g is yummy · #4 12-16-2007, 01:49 PM

We haven't bought a new mixer yet but we'll prolly get a allen&heath mixwizard. I believe the aux sends are all 1/4 inch. The speakers will need xlr plugs

Diggler · #5 12-18-2007, 06:54 AM

I'd go all XLR and get adapters or make conversion cables for the channels that need 1/4.

XLR > 1/4.

theshadow2001 · #6 12-18-2007, 08:24 AM

Not really sure why you need 1/4" are they for monitor mixes? Does the desk not have XLR left and right main outputs?

In the case of the one I used with a band had 16 inputs and 4 outputs at the stage box. So we would plug everything in at the stage box. We just ran two long XLR's from the desk to the speakers(which were active) without going through the snake because we were running sound from stage. The snake was used for ease of connection to the desk on stage and to avoid using up two cables for longer runs where one cable wasn't long enough (plug one xlr cable into the other to extend the length)

b to g is yummy · #7 12-18-2007, 08:31 AM

Main outs may be xlr..but i doubt with 6 aux sends as well they'd have 1/4 inch AND xlr for those..thats a lot of space

Passinwind · #8 12-18-2007, 09:58 AM

How many monitor mixes do you need? How many mike channels? Stereo or mono mains?

If you have spare mike channels you could change a couple of the female XLRs at the box to male if needed, and whatever you want at the fan-out end. Most "budget" 16 channel snakes I've used are actually 16 XLR plus 4 X 1/4" TRS. That worked fine with my Mix Wiz for stereo mains and two monitor mixes. Don't forget that at least two of the auxes will usually be dedicated to effects, so those sends don't go through the snake.

Adapters are just part of the landscape with a real world sound system. Don't sweat it too much, but consider getting good at soldering.

b to g is yummy · #9 12-20-2007, 01:15 PM

It'd be nice to have 3 monitor mixes and run the house speakers on mono. We would probably often have open channels on a 16 channel snake, although i shall stay away from soldering i think!

This raises another question (rookie, i kno) Is it comman to run the pa in stereo?? Do soundguys actually pan things live?? If so, i may have to rethink some things.

**Pacman** · #10 12-20-2007, 01:44 PM

Yes, it's common to run in stereo live. Panning can really clean up a mix in a room.

theshadow2001 · #11 12-20-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Yes, it's common to run in stereo live. Panning can really clean up a mix in a room.

Really? I thought that everything was mono live pretty much. Since only a few people standing at the sweet spot between the speakers will get the stereo effect. Most other people spread around will just hear some things louder and something quiter.

Mr-Wunderful · #12 12-20-2007, 03:17 PM

I've got a 16 channel Whirlwind snake with xlr on the board in and both xlr and 1/4 inch on the stage end. You can custom order a snake to fit your needs.

**Pacman** · #13 12-20-2007, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

Really? I thought that everything was mono live pretty much. Since only a few people standing at the sweet spot between the speakers will get the stereo effect. Most other people spread around will just hear some things louder and something quiter.

You don't have to be in the 'sweet spot' to appreciate a good stereo mix. Do you like stereo in your car? You're most of the way to one side, and yet you hear everything, right? Care has to be taken to make sure everything is heard, but it's been my experience (20+ years of performing, and several years of pro audio), that it's common to mix in stereo.

b to g is yummy · #14 12-20-2007, 04:25 PM

cool...i didnt know that...but u'd think they'd make mixers with left and rights for a reason i suppose

theshadow2001 · #15 12-20-2007, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Do you like stereo in your car? You're most of the way to one side, and yet you hear everything, right?

I've noticed that most of the sound seems as though its coming from the passenger side even though the balanace is set evenly.

**Pacman** · #16 12-20-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshadow2001

I've noticed that most of the sound seems as though its coming from the passenger side even though the balanace is set evenly.

Your driver's side speaker is probably pointed at your knee....

theshadow2001 · #17 12-20-2007, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Your driver's side speaker is probably pointed at your knee....

indeed my head isn't in that sweet spot...

Passinwind · #18 12-21-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b to g is yummy

This raises another question (rookie, i kno) Is it common to run the pa in stereo?? Do soundguys actually pan things live?? If so, i may have to rethink some things.

Many technical riders I get from touring bands spec a stereo system. Personally, I rarely pan much, but there are times when it's handy. Effects often sound much nicer returned in stereo, and the big thing is that you can EQ each side differently to account for speaker placement, room "features" like alcoves and overhangs, and so on. I also prefer to run keys in stereo in many cases, especially samplers where the samples were done in stereo to begin with.

A mono mix with speakers on each side has phase cancellations going on too...there's really no free lunch. There are many instances where economy or just plain common sense dictates using a mono mix. Nothing wrong with that at all.