LiveTrak L-20 to monitor wedges: how?

[preese206]

Greetings all, new member here!

I'm preparing to run my band's live sound using my L-20, and could use some help sussing out the proper cabling for the powered monitor wedges.

Per the attached screenshots from the manual, for each monitor output I will want to select Speaker output, which should send a "mono balanced signal". But the example illustration for live mixing shows the physical connector for a speaker as a 1/4" TS -- so UNbalanced. Hmm.

On the (powered) speaker end, my available connections are XLR, or 1/4" TRS.

My goal is sending the cleanest possible signal over 10-25 feet (max) (even though these are 'just' monitors).

So what do I do here? Add a 1/4" mono to XLR adapter for each monitor output? Add a DI box for each monitor output? Or can I just run 1/4" TRS cables directly (despite the diagram showing a 1/4" TS connector at the mixer)?

TIA for and insights/ideas!

 

[preese206]

OR: Can I select headphone output, and run TRS cables directly to the speakers (gasp)?

 

[Papanate]

OR: Can I select headphone output, and run TRS cables directly to the speakers (gasp)?

The Monitor Outputs are Balanced - TRS to XLR Cable - 25’ or 50’ for each one you want to run.
The Mains are XLR Balanced - so 25’ or 50’ XLR cables - one to each side.

I wouldn’t run stereo - but I don’t think you have a choice - so just don’t pan anything.

 

[preese206]

The Monitor Outputs are Balanced - TRS to XLR Cable - 25’ or 50’ for each one you want to run.
The Mains are XLR Balanced - so 25’ or 50’ XLR cables - one to each side.

I wouldn’t run stereo - but I don’t think you have a choice - so just don’t pan anything.

OK great, thank you! So the diagram showing a TS output to a monitor speaker was just wrong (or at least misleading), I guess. Unless one can always use TS or TRS cables interchangeably when there's a balanced 1/4" output?

 

[bouldersoundguy]

You can often use TS cables on TRS connectors, but sometimes it causes, or just allows, noise to happen. Balanced is especially beneficial for long runs and low level (mic) signals. Basically, if using unbalanced doesn't cause noise, it's fine.

Technically, you could use TRS-TRS cables. The advantage to going TRS-XLR is that you can have a short TRS-XLR adapter and add whatever length mic cable you need. The disadvantage is if the XLR input is intended for mic level signal rather than line level. Most likely the speaker's input can handle line level.

 

[Papanate]

OK great, thank you! So the diagram showing a TS output to a monitor speaker was just wrong (or at least misleading), I guess. Unless one can always use TS or TRS cables interchangeably when there's a balanced 1/4" output?

If you running longer than 5 feet a balanced connection is best. From the Zoom page:
Create Six Custom Monitor Mixes ….to a balanced line output for stage monitors

 

[preese206]

Thank you both for your helpful thoughts! Seems like a couple of good options are (1) short TRS-to-XLR adapters for each output, or (2) short TRS-TRS cables to something like a Behringer Ultra DI rack unit.