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MC208 14 January 2022

Hi, I have an Alesis MultiMix 4 mixer and a single QSC CP8 speaker. The manual for the mixer says to use 1/4 TRS for the main outs. And the speaker has a female XLR input. So my question is, if I only have one speaker, should I get a dual 1/4" TRS cable that terminates at the other end as a male XLR? Is that the proper connection when I only have one speaker? If not, how should I connect the main outs to the speaker? Thanks!

Neutrik TRS to XLR

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kmetal Fri, 01/14/2022 - 17:48

I'd just get standard trs to xlr cable, connect only L output and make sure everything was panned 100% to the left. (Dead center might work just as well too)

This way if you add another speaker or need to feed something else you have the extra output available. I'm also not sure if sending two outs to one input via a cable would upset the gain staging/level the speaker needs.

Boswell Fri, 01/14/2022 - 23:53

You must avoid combining the L and R mixer outputs using a cable. Unless done with a proper balanced combining network, it will cause distortion and maybe damage.

Since that mixer does not appear to have a Mono button, you can can do a mono mix of up to 3 mono channels (two mic inputs and one half of the stereo line input). Output that via a standard TRS - XLR(M) cable from either the L or R main outputs to the single speaker. Use the line input that corresponds to the output that you choose. For an extra 4dB of level, turn the 3 pan controls fully round to the chosen output side. Your USB feed will be lopsided, but it's about the best you can do without additional hardware.

audiokid Sat, 01/15/2022 - 00:16

You must avoid combining the L and R mixer outputs using a cable. Unless done with a proper balanced combining network, it will cause distortion and maybe damage.

That's good to know!

Bos, what would a proper balanced combining network be/include "for this situation"?

Boswell Sat, 01/15/2022 - 12:56

On a conventional mixer, when you pan a mono channel, the overall signal level at when the control is in the centre is not the simple sum of the L and R channels. The signal level has to be reduced at the centre compared with the two ends in order for it to appear not to be louder in the middle.

The amount of reduction is a manufacturer's choice, but is has to be somewhere between 3dB and 6dB for it to work. The conventional figure is 4dB at the centre, but you will many pro mixing desks that use other values. The way the signal attenuates as you move the pan control is called the "pan law"

kmetal Sat, 01/15/2022 - 19:29

That radial box looks perfect for the application. I've had good luck with my radial stuff.

That mixer doesn't appear to have aux outs, so I wonder if it makes sense to make one of the main outputs for monitors. There wouldn't be a ton of control, but it could work if it was needed.

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