Well, I'm confused. Are you possibly mixing up mono/stereo with unbalanced/balanced cable needs?

Maybe list the models of the Numark and Peavey, so we can see what options are available.

I'd guess since you have the crossover, and low-freq AND mid-hi PA speakers, you could run the x-over two-way stereo if you wish. My guess would be RCA mixer out to 1/4" EQ in (unless the EQ has RCA). Depending on the EQ and x-over models, it may be possible to run "balanced" cables between them, and balanced to the amps, though it would likely work fine running all unbalanced, if all cables were kept short.

Anyway, list the models, and if you intend to actually run stereo.

Kapt.Krunch

The models are:

Numark Mixer
Peavey QF215 EQ :Peavey :: QF 215™
Rane AC22 Xover: rane.com/pdf/old/ac22man.pdf
Crown Microtech 1200 and 600: crownaudio.com/pdf/legacy/102990.pdf

I am hooking this system 2 way stereo but for future knowledge, I would like to know if or when it's ok to use both stereo and mono connectors when interconnecting equipment?

There's nothing wrong with using a pair of mono cables to connect a stereo signal. "Stereo" cables are just pairs of mono cables stuck together. I'm assuming you're not talking about cables with two conductors inside one shield.

To be more precise, the Mixer has Master RCA OUTS, to go from the L and R OUT of the mixer to the IN on the EQ, I will be using a cable with regular RCA connectors on one end but 1/4" mono connectors on the other end which will go into the EQ's L and R INPUTs but from there I will be using all cables which have STEREO 1/4" connectors on each end, I will be using these cables for interconnecting the rest of the equipment so this is what I wish to know if it's ok to mix the entire system with both mono and stereo connectors?

The cables you are talking about have 1/4" TRS plugs at both ends. That connector can be used in at least four different ways: unbalanced stereo, balanced mono, unbalanced insert and 2-channel control (like a guitar foot switch). TRS plugs don't automatically mean stereo. Your application for TRS cables is balanced mono.

The answers you're looking for are:

It should be okay to mix balanced and unbalanced, but go with balanced whenever possible, especially over long distances.

The cables from the mixer to eq are probably fine.

For connecting the eq to the crossover, yes, the output and input are both balanced TRS so use balanced cables with TRS connectors.

For connecting the crossover to the amp, it depends. If the crossover has the balanced output option then you will need XLRF-TRS cables or standard XLR mic cables. If it doesn't have the balanced option then use unbalanced 1/4" TS cables, though balanced 1/4" TRS cables may work just fine. Unbalanced connection generally works well for distances up to 10' and it's assumed that the crossover will be close to the amps.

Note that there are several ways to interface unbalanced gear with balanced gear (like the mixer with the eq or the crossover with the amp). There's a handy reference written by the people who made your crossover: [="http://www.rane.com/note110.html"]Rane Note 110[/]="http://www.rane.com…"]Rane Note 110[/]. [[url=http://="http://www.rane.com…"]Rane Note 151[/]="http://www.rane.com…"]Rane Note 151[/] is an in-depth paper in balanced/unbalanced signals and connections.

mikehende

As you can see, confusion can arise from simple terminology about the uses of certain cables.

It's good to know the applications that are intended for those cables to minimize confusion when discussing interconnect issues.

At issue is 1/4" "mono" and "unbalanced" which will be TS (Tip/Sleeve) cables; and "stereo" and "balanced", which will be TRS (Tip/Ring/Sleeve) cables.

If you say "1/4" unbalanced", everyone will know you mean the 1/4" TS cable. If you say "1/4" balanced", everyone will know you mean the 1/4" TRS cable.

The confusion for some folks lies in the resemblence to a stereo headphone plug, with the balanced TRS cable. The cable CAN carry a stereo signal, but it depends on its application. Normally, when connecting two pieces of gear, if it's used as a TRS 'balanced' mono cable. It's carrying two signals, but it's the same signal from one output to one input. The two signals in the two hot conductors are out-of-phase, and they recombine at the input of the destination device. The out-of-phase signals help reject external noise.

An unbalanced cable, TS, carries a + and a - signal. Since it is not carrying the out-of-phase signal that a TRS balanced cable does, it is more susceptible to external interference, especially as the distance is increased.

So, instead of using "mono" and "stereo" terms for your interconnect questions, you should more properly use "balanced 1/4"" and "unbalanced 1/4"". It will be more obvious what you are asking.

It's good to know the differences and remember them for discussions.

Kapt.Krunch

ok, noted, thanks.