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adding subs, help with crossover

M

Mr Grady

Feb 26, 2006
103
2
#1
#2
Mr Grady said:
guys, we have a set of 12" mackie active thumps which put vocals and guitar through.

just bought a pair of peavey pro-sub active subs.

do i need a pair of crossovers, or just one...

for exampe:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400304396727?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

and what is the best way to connect them all up?
so far (without crossover) its been mixing desk to sub then up to mackie..

cheers for any advice.
Click to expand...

Need a link to your subs. Can't find them on the Peavey website.
 
#4
Don't those subs have a built-in crossover? You run the amplified full-range signal to it and take the signal for your mains off the output from the sub.

From the manual:
Operation
The full range signal from the power amplifier is connected to the input of the Messenger Pro™ Sub. A dedicated lead with a 1/4” Jack
plug or Neutrik™ Speakon at each end is required to connect the hi output from the Messenger Pro™ Sub to the input of the satellite. The
satellite must be configured in full range mode. The full range signal from the power amplifier is filtered by the Messenger Pro™ Sub onboard
crossover into a high and a low signal. The low pass signal is supplied to the woofer in the Messenger Pro™ Sub, high pass
signals are supplied to the satellite and filtered again by the satellite’s own passive crossover.
Click to expand...
 
#6
OK, I was looking at the manual for the passive subs. Life gets a lot easier with active subs and active mains. Just run your full-range signal from the board to the subs (daisy-chained). Then run a cable from each sub to its respective main. The built-in crossover will split the signal for you. You can also run a stereo mix to the subs and out to the mains.

I strongly recommend against putting your subs on either side of the stage with the mains on poles. The subs should be clustered in the center with the mains at either side on their own sticks. I went to a concert in the park yesterday and, where I was sitting, there was no bass. When I walked over to the board location, there was plenty of bass. They had horrible comb filtering from the subs, which were at either side of the stage. Setting the subs less than a quarter wavelength (a couple feet) apart remedies this problem.

Invalid Link Removed
 
#7
With the crossover you linked you would only need one. I'm nort sure how much it would help. I can't find an owners manual online for your subs. Have you tried adjusting the low pass filter? Maybe start around 100hz.
 
#9
I know clustering subs helps, but what if you have a phase shift button on your crossover? Does this correct the phase shift cancellation caused by having them on each side of the stage?

Reason I ask is sometimes we only have a drum riser or stage is only a foot or so high, so subs in the middle or both to the side look very stupid.
 
#11
jonas_24112 said:
subs in the middle or both to the side look very stupid.
Click to expand...

What is more important: aesthetics, or sound quality?
If the former, place the subs however you want, and deal with the sound consequences.
If the latter, do as recommended and place them both on one side.
 
#12
jonas_24112 said:
I know clustering subs helps, but what if you have a phase shift button on your crossover? Does this correct the phase shift cancellation caused by having them on each side of the stage?

Reason I ask is sometimes we only have a drum riser or stage is only a foot or so high, so subs in the middle or both to the side look very stupid.
Click to expand...

No. I've used the phase shift button to get better alignment between the sub (single) and mains when the sub is way behind the mains. It works sometimes. But putting two subs out of phase with each other would probably make the situation worse. Shifting the phase on both subs would result in the same comb filtering as not shifting them.

You'll see the subs under the mains in a lot of situations where it's logistically infeasible to cluster them, as you described. You just live with it in that case. We've clustered the subs on low stages and the singers use them as a coffee table. Just try to avoid spilling stuff into the electronics. On indoor gigs, I'd be inclined to cluster them on one side, doofus-looking or not.
 

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