iPod into PA?

[Bloodsoaked]

Anyone know if I need a Speaker cable or Instument cable going from my iPod to the PA?

I have pre-recorded drum tracks on my iPod that I play back over my PA in my practice room while I play guitar and sing. Just trying to figure out the cable going from the iPod to the PA, shold it be a Speaker or Instument cable?



Peter

[Richard Monroe]

Generally, speaker cables are not shielded, and a PA is not a speaker, so a shielded cable is required, which could be an instrument cable or a patch cable. The question is what kind of input you have to plug into on the PA. Many PA's have a -10dBV input, which is what the iPOD is looking for, in a perfect world. This may also be called "tape in". If it's all you have, you can use an instrument input, which may also be called "high-z", but that is not ideal.-Richie

[Bloodsoaked]

Originally Posted by Richard Monroe

Generally, speaker cables are not shielded, and a PA is not a speaker, so a shielded cable is required, which could be an instrument cable or a patch cable. The question is what kind of input you have to plug into on the PA. Many PA's have a -10dBV input, which is what the iPOD is looking for, in a perfect world. This may also be called "tape in". If it's all you have, you can use an instrument input, which may also be called "high-z", but that is not ideal.-Richie

The PA I have has 1/4 jack inputs and XLR inputs, I am not sure if it is a -10dBV input. Right now I just plug it into the 1/4 jack on the PA.

My main reason for asking is that I want to use the pre-recorded drum tracks from my iPod for a live (club) show and want to make sure I have to correct and proper cable to hook my iPod to the PA at the club.


Anyone have sugestions?

[RickW]

Firstly, the iPod's output is stereo (for headphones) so you'll need a 1/8" stereo jack on one end. The other end should have two 1/4" jacks to go into two channels OR two rca jacks and go into tape in L/R (your tape in jacks may also be 1/4" - if you have them at all). Either of those types of cables are readily available...even if you have to go to Radio Shack.

[guttapercha]

A lot of semi-pro PAs have -10db RCA plug inputs for CD/Tape/what-have-you.
Use those if you have them. If you wind up going into a +4db input, you're going to have to crank it.