Mixing desk into PA amp

  • Thread starter Thread starter James Blonde
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James Blonde

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Possibly not one for this forum / site, but I don't really want to have to join another forum so I thought I'd ask here first!

I'm completely new to the wonderful world of mixing and outputting to anything. I've ben given a Soundcraft Spirit Folio F1 mixing desk and a Laney Theatre 100T X4 PA system to use with my band. These have been successfully used together by the previous owner, but I don't know what their setup was. For my band, my guess is we'll be using it to drive 2-3 mics and the keyboard (guitars will go through their own amps) and as the PA has 4 inputs, that should be enough. without having to use the mixing desk.

However if I want to use the mixing desk (6 mic / 8 total inputs), then I have a problem. I haven't a clue how to use any of this stuff, and what I'm currently struggling with (and it's basic, so I'll apologise now!) is how to connect the mixing desk to the PA amp! The mixing desk has stereo output (2 XLR outputs - 1L and 1R) however the PA only has 1 input per channel.

Am I supposed to plug each XLR output into a separate input channel on the PA amp? Or should the PA amp have a stereo input on each channel?

Hell, am I even talking the right language?!?!

Any guidance would be appreciated!
 
Try a pair of XLR-RCA adapters from the mixer to the tape input on channel 1.
 
Hmm I'm thinking about this another way as well....

Given that all my inputs are mono (mics and keyboard), would I be right in saying that I don't actually need 2 outputs? Would both outputs of a stereo output not be identical? If I were to pan everything to the left say, and then only use the left output into one of the PA amp inputs, would that not give me as good an output as I'd get were I to do it any other way?
 
I don't, although I am able to up the volume further through the mixing desk / PA combination than through the PA on its own. The main reason I'm trying is because the previous owner used it that way, so I'm assuming there is some advantage to it... I guess I want to find out!

I've also got it, so I want to see how best to use it. Possibly better adjustment control, possibly better amplification, possibly allowing me to add more inputs if / when I need them, etc.

I'd say at the moment I know enough to be dangerous, but that wouldn't be true - I'd just be dangerous!
 
The alternative that has been pointed out to me by a mate was just to plug left mixer output into channel 2 on the amp and right into channel 3... which is what I'd done anyway but didn't seem right.
 
If the pa is not stereo, you don't even need to plug in the left and the right output of the soundcraft. The left will work just as well, just make sure that all the channels of the mixer are panned center or left.

The advantage to using the mixer is when you want more than the four inputs you pa has. you can have the 8 inputs on the mixer feeding one input on the pa and still have another 3 inputs on the pa open. That gets you a total of 11 i outs in the event you need them.
 
The Spirit Folio F1 is a lovely sounding desk. By all means use it over the Laney and just use the Laney as an amp for now.

How many speakers do you have connected to the Laney? Unless you have 4 speakers and do some kind of surround sound (and I don't think--from distant memories--the Laney can even do that) then you gain absolutely nothing by making 4 connections from the Soundcraft to the Laney.

As has been said already, the most you need are the two main L/R outputs to two inputs on the Laney. Since it's line level, the easiest way is probably to use the RCA tape outs on the Soundcraft to the RCA tape ins on the Laney--unbalanced but, barring noise problems, it'll work and be cheap and easy.

I'd probably pan everything centre on the Soundcraft and not try to do stereo unless you have lots of time to play--stereo rarely works in live situations since your audience is spread all over the room rather than all in the "sweet spot".

You'll probably hear the quality difference between the Spirit mic pre amps and the ones on the Laney--and the Soundcraft channel strip EQ is sweet and musical--you should be able to really dial in a good sound (and improve gain before feedback at the same time).

Have fun!
 
Only got 2 speakers connected to the Laney - you're right, it only has 2 speaker outputs.

Thanks for that though - I'll have a play around and its given me a little hope that its worthwhile! We had been warned to avoid the RCA tape inputs - "Be careful using RCA connectors, they often don't have level controls through the tape connections! At least output in to jack inputs, you have control, and can mix in other inputs from the laney."

Was also suggested using 1/4" jack inputs to the Laney from the desk rather than XLR as the amp would be expecting a higher level signal such as from a mixer.
 
The Soundcraft doesn't have 1/4 inch outputs so you'd have to go XLR out to 1/4 inch in. I honestly can't remember if the Laney has line level 1/4 inch inputs on each channel but, if it does, that'd be fine. Just balance the levels between the two mixers.

If not, the Soundcraft Tape Out and Laney Tape In RCAs are both -10dB Line Level and have adjustments (on the Folio they follow the main outs) so it would work okay--I don't normally recommend RCAs either but it would be an easy solution on this one as long as the mixers are close together (which I forgot to check with you).

Given a choice of mixing on the Folio or the Laney, I'd say it's worth the effort!
 
The only problem with all the different ways to hook this up is taking the advice for one method and applying it to another. For example: if you are only using the folio for mixing, the rca inputs will work just fine and there is nothing to worry about. You simply adjust the volume on the folio. However, if you are using the folio and he lane inputs at the same time, it can get hard to mix the two since the rca doesn't have a level control.

You just have to pick a method and go with the advice that pertains to that method. Everything that has been said in this thread has been true, just not necessarily at the same time.
 
All the RCA connectors on the Soundcraft are inputs as far as I can tell from reading the manual. The only options are to use the main XLR outputs or an auxiliary output.
 
If you've checked the manual you're probably right--I was going by 10 year old memories (and have used a lot of different/similar Soundcraft desks in that time). If the RCAs by the main outs are indeed inputs, then XLR to 1/4 inch would be the way to go.
 
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