Newbie with Q on how to connect to my new DBX 223xl.

eggbert

I've been reading lots of posts and couldn't find an answer on how to connect my specific set up to the crossover. [DBX 223xl] Anyways I have a soundcraft gigrac 1000st mixer with the internal 2x 500watt amps powering two Peavey 115s, and a crown powerbase 2 pushing a single Tapco 6918s subwoofer. I'm a drummer/lead vocalist in a three piece rock band and we just bought the sub and x over to hopefully run all instruments through our PA for better sound. Also this subwoofer has a lowpass filter built in will this interfere with the x over. Any help would be greatly appreciated. If you need any more info in order to help let me know. Also any suggestions on settings would be helpfull. :oops: :?

Gadget

Sorry... but that's a tall task with that mixer...The problem is Soundcraft in their infinite wisdom didn't include a per amp out... power amp in port...This would be required so we could take the output from the mixer... process it with the driverack, and send the hi out back into the power amp section of the mixer, and the low out to the PowerBase 2 and the subs. I just don't see any way of interrupting that signal to process it...

Perhaps you could contact Soundcraft and see if there's a location to interrupt the signal path to the power amp section...

Gadget

eggbert

Thanks for the speedy response Gadget. This is probably wishfull thinking but I do have another mixer, its an old Yamaha M805. Would it be possible to use this as a main mixer and run this into the 223xl and run the high out to the gigracs submix in or something along those lines or would the same problem remain.

eggbert

I' sorry the yamaha mixer is a M-508.

Gadget

Yes.. that would work..Thats a pretty old piece.. is it still in good working condition? You would be stacking preamp stages ... but I don't see any thing we cannot work around. You will need to make or buy XLR 'F' to 1/4\"
cables from mixer to 223 and you could use 1/4 \" cables from the 223 to the gigrack. Balanced (TRS) would be best but unbalanced would probably work.

If you look at the back of the 223 you will see on the to line back of the unit channel one has an input and a High and lo out... on channel two you have the same.. this is for a two way system in stereo.. or mono if you SUM the lows.. this is what you will be doing...

The bottom line is for a MONO three way system...Input signal on channel one...Lows come out of channel one (the high outs are not used).. mid and highs come out of channel 2 (the ch 2 input is not used) just like it says there...

So you would come out of the Yamaha mixer into the channel 1 & 2 inputs of the 223. the high outs would then go out of the 223 to the Gig rack. Pick 2 channels and zero the EQ and set the input gain at unity.

Not sure what input the powerbase has but I think they had 1/4 \" ins and no XLR's? but you want to sum the outputs from the 223 and use the channel 1 output to the BRIDGED mono Crown amp.. the two RED posts will feed the sub.. pay attention to which RED post has the + sign and make that the subs +.

Set the Xover @ about 100 hz (tough to tell with that thing... and then use the channel 1 volume control on the Crown (turn the Channel 2 control OFF) to ballance the sound from the tops to the bottoms...

You'll have to play with the levels to get a proper setup, but start with a proper gain structure on the Yamaha, and than do the same for the ggirack.. you'll take the speaker outs of the gigrack to the yamaha's and have the GEQ's for use in the system, but no EQ for the subs...
Luck..
Gadget

eggbert

Thanks a million Gadget, would have been lost without your expertise. I'm gonna have to run out and buy a couple cables before I try it, and yes that old yamaha still works except for the #5 input and some dirty pentiometers which I just cleaned. And you're right no xlr on the powerbase. I let you know how everything works out.

Gadget

Ya going up to the studio to do some rockin of my own...
Good luck..
G

eggbert

Well I set it up and it's working great, still trying to dial everything in to improve the sound when playing a cd through system but when I had band rehersal we couldn't believe what a difference it made. Just having my bass drum miced up helped me and the bass guitar lock up. Me and my bandmate are thinking about buying a Behringer Eurodesk MX3282A off of craiglst for 275 dollars. Obviously not the greatest mixer but for the price and some of the reviews I read seems to be worth it. Any expierence with this product or opinions on brand?

Gadget

I have two now I had one more and I got rid of it...kind of a throwaway board if you have any problems.. which I can't say I've had a lot of.. I use one for monitors and one for FOH, and while they don't have a great deal of headroom on the preamps they are usable, and the board has a bang for the buck like no other mixer ever made...I mean I paid $500 US dollars for a brand new 32 channel 8 buss mixer..kinda hard to beat... make sure it all works before you buy...not really worth fixing...is if not...For bar giging it's great.. I think it smokes the Mackie 32X 8 in sound and usability..and far smaller footprint..

G

eggbert

Hey if its good enuff 4 u it will definetly be good enuff for me. Aparently some club owners had a Mackie SR32.4VL2 Pro Audio Mixer that they sent out to get cleaned befor the warrenty ran out and they bought the eurodesk to fill in. They said they never put the makie back in service after getting it back. Smoking has been banned in clubs in NY so hopefully thats a non issue. Can't wait to check this thing out thanks for the input.

Gadget

I can't believe Uli discontinued that mixer..If he'd have put 100 mm faders on that, made it a true 8 AUX mixer and added direct outs.. Added a variable hipass to each channel...it would have sold like hotcakes...he is aiming at the home recordist/DJ guys.. sad...

Dude, you REALLY want to take your sound to the next level.. get a DRIVERACK!.. this is esentially a Driverack forum, I'm just an OLD SOUND MAN.. that's older than dirt and seen it all, and who keeps up on the latest gear and I know how to implement most of it because ... here it comes.. \"I OWN it!\"


Any way... try a Driverack some time you won't believe the difference!

G man