Speaker Connection.... please help

[Andre]

I have just purchased the Alesis M1 Active Mk2 monitors and need some help to setup the monitors to my small dj setup.

First let me just clarify my equipment... I have a Hitachi amp with a behringer mixer hooked up to it and my turntables also but after purchasing the monitors I then realised that I cannot connect the speakers in the same ways as the conventional hi-fi speakers I need a XLR (or microphone cable) to connect it to... Does this mean that I have to purchase a nother amp to connect the Alesiss' to or can I still use the same amp I have... if this is the case what sort of amp do I need?

Could someone help or suggest a solution to this problem... I hope that you have understood this post and any assistance would be a great help.

Thankyou

[AlexW]

With active monitors you don't need an amp--each speaker has a builtin amp. Hook them up to the main outputs from your mixer. If the mixer ouputs are 1/4-in rather than XLR, you'll need to 1/4-in to XLR (male) cables. You can either purchase them or make them yourself if you're handy with a soldering iron.

[Andre]

What do you mean by hook them up the main outputs from my mixer... im not so tech savvy as some... do you mean the input that my amp is currently connected to or another input. And for the Jack specs did you mean the RCA plugs or like the same as the phat headphone size jack...

[Andre]

I have neglected to mention that my mixer is just a 4 channel dj mixer so it supports RCA jacks only

[livilaNic]

He ment to say "phat headphone size jack" I don't know what he was thinking? 1/4" blah, probaly TRS (tip,ring,shield).

The monitors would go from an "OUTPUT".

[COOLCAT]

RCA outs to the INput of the speakers.

You may need a cable.

whatever you do don't plug the amplifier OUT into your Activemonitors! o-no.

[Tifstorey]

Originally Posted by livilaNic

He ment to say "phat headphone size jack" I don't know what he was thinking? 1/4" blah, probaly TRS (tip,ring,shield).

Errr...hate to be one of 'those' guys but...TRS is actually Tip Ring Sleeve...not shield.

Regarding the main question, Like CoolCat said, you need to get cables from your mixer (RCA in your case) to either TRS or XLR. Whichever your monitors take/you want to use. If the monitors can accept either one of those, i would personally go for TRS. A TRS > RCA cable would be much easier (And cheaper) to get than a RCA > XLR.

Hope youve sorted it

[newatthis]

How bout simply,,,,,

Turntables (or CD players) into your mixer (1 goes into Ch 1 of mixer and the other into Ch 2 of the mixer,,,obviously the 2 channels that can crossfade on your DJ mixer),,,,then come OUT of your mixer with the RCA Main Outputs and spend a couple dollars and get yourself an EQ that has both RCA and 1/4 inputs and outputs. (if you get one with only 1/4" ins and outs, thats ok too,,,just go to Radio Shack then and get an RCA female to 1/4 male adapter,,,very inexpensive) and go from your RCA out of mixer into the EQ using that adapter at the EQ inputs. Then come out of the EQ with the 1/4" outputs and into your new active speakers (right Ch EQ out to the right speaker and left ch EQ out to the left speaker) As said above they have built in Amplifiers so DONT run a power amp into your active speakers.

Forget about using your old power amp that you keep speaking about, and you can even put it on ebay to pay for the EQ you added improving your lineup and sound. If your going to go out as a DJ, your going to want to have the ability to adjust bass lows (for your dance music) and adjust your highs for other styles music etc etc.

That should do it.

Also keep in mind that IF your old power amp is a good one, and rated heavy enough (wattage) you can keep it and add it to the package later if you buy a pair of non powered Bass Cabinets to pump out the lows onto your dance floor area. Don't put a nickle-dime size power amp on bass bins though. The heavier the better (assuming your speakers you buy at the time are rated to handle it) but thats down the road.

Peace,,,,