Karaoke Forums

Hi All
Cool site, been getting educated for a bit by just reading.

So thank you for all of your insight.

I have pretty basic system that I use mostly for my own practice

couple parties for friends etc nothing too major.

I have my music loaded on my laptop, ran to a Yamaha EMX 640 powered mixer

Then to some crappy PA speakers via 1/4" ( EMX 640 outputs rear panel) to Speakon connectors on the speakers

I'wanted some better sounding PA's so I purchased some used but in very good condition Tapco Thump 15- A powered speakers. ( being shipped to me at the present time)

And here lies my problem. There are 2 unbalanced line level outs on the front of the EMX 640 a monitor and a main . I believe they are 1/4 stereo out. ( only 1 plug for the main and 1 plug in for the monitors)

The manual ( see attached pdf link ) states that these are unbalanced, the speakers
have balanced XLR input connections.

I am wondering if I am going to need a balancing transformer to make this work?

What would be the best way to get from the single ( either monitor or main ) connector to the 2 speakers?

I'm hoping I explained that clear enough. Would rather not have to buy another mixing board, besides I may run the crap passive speakers eq'd toward high end ( rear panel amped ) and run the Tapco's toward the low end ... ( line out)

Also curious what type XLR cable I am going to need. Like to have them as long as the speakon cable which is 50' , but thats probably gonna end up being pretty $$ expensive. Are these the same as Mic cords?


Here is the pdf manual on my mixer

http://www2.yamaha.co.jp/manual/pdf/pa/ ... MX640E.pdf

If you look at the top of page 7 it says that the external output jacks are line level outs.

At the bottom of page 8 it shows example connections , and on the right it has the external outs running to an auxilary amp and then to either main speakers or monitors. I guess there has to be a splitter somewhere to get right and left channel?

And finally on page 14 under output specifications it says that all output jacks are unbalanced. hence my question about the balancing transformer.

Hope that makes sense, and yeah I'm not a sound engineer just trying to put together a decent comfortable feeling system.

Thanks for any suggestions

Thumps should be fine with unbalanced, but maybe not so great with long runs.
Input/Output
Input Type: Female XLR Balanced/Unbalanced
Input Impedance: 20 kOhms balanced bridging, 10 kOhms unbalanced
Loop-through: Male XLR Balanced/Unbalanced (parallel with input)



I dont know much about balancing transformers, but are they cheaper than a new mixer... new mixer might include effects and maybe USB sound interface and if you still wanted to use your passive speakers you can run them off of one of the outputs

The Thumps take both a balanced or unbalanced connection. Only thing with the unbalanced is you want to keep the run as short as possible. Anything under 50' should be fine for home use without interference, but the shorter the run the better. Balanced connections help reduce interference usually.
The mixer outputs don't actually state anywhere that is unbalanced only, but since it doesn't, you can almost assume they aren't balanced - usually they would state if it was a mixed output.

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Thanks for the replies!

Thats good news. Manobear I am sure you are right on the new mixer.

That will probably be the way it ends up. would make for a really light and easy system too.


So lets say I intend to upgrade to a new mixer in the future.

What would you guys suggest as a way of adapting the single 1/4 TRS type out
to my cables?

Maybe a TRS plug that splits into 2 XLR type so that I do not have to buy new cables when I do get another mixer? Not sure they make it but I'll have a look.

any recomendations on cable, like to save money but not at the risk of adding noise to the system. not sure if 1 mic cord is better than another or if I should be looking for XLR speaker cords?

Thanks again, looking forward to hearing these new speakers , got a great deal on them off CL people bought them for a wedding and used them once.


On Edit: Had a look at the Alesis Multimix mixer. Holy Cow! this thing acts like a auxilary sound card to your laptop? That sounds pretty tempting! The Multi Mix has balanced monitor and main TRS outs, Thing has effects as well, Whats your guys take on this little mixer? $159 is pretty affordable , Here is a link to the mixer :

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Alesis-MultiMix-8USB-Mixer-with-USB-and-DSP-102922762-i1153370.gc

It's not a bad little board. Is nice to be able to connect the computer directly and will most likely will act as a better sound card than what you currently have.
I assume you are talking about wiring with your current board. You wouldn't want to use a splitter of any sort, just run to one speaker via the main output on the front of the mixer, then on the back of that speaker is a 'THRU' jack, connect that output to the input of the 2nd speaker - a standard XLR (M)- XLR (F) mic cable would be fine for that run.
When you get the new board, you'll just want two separate cables one for the left channel to 1 speaker & the right channel to the other-since it's a stereo board. You would want the balanced connectors (TRS 1/4" - XLR (M) ) for this board since it offers them, which will allow for longer runs.
As far as cables go, some people swear they can hear a difference in the more expensive cables, I would just recommend anything that offers a lifetime warranty, that way if it ever goes bad, simply get it replaced. I haven't paid for a replacement mic cable in nearly 10 years.

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Cool,

I'm fairly certain I will be switching to the Alesis very soon.

I already have those cords mentioned so will have a listen and go from there.

Thanks again!

I'd personally go for something with sliders rather than rotary faders - can be a little fiddly, but the Multimix 12 USB (which has sliders) is $100 more. Here's the 8 for $121 plus $18 delivery...

http://www.karaokeequipment.com/alesis- ... h-usb.html

I agree with sliders for the most part, however this is a budget system for a home basement/private use and occasional friends over. Nothing major he stated. Knobs should be just fine.
Your link is showing the 8 at $159? How is it $121?

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Lol. It was $121. I suspect whoever own karaokeequipment.com saw this post and just upped the price. Google shopping still has it as $121 for that vendor.

Edit: Actually, the next cheapest google shopping match at djtoys.com put their price to $159 too. Looks like there is some dropshipping/affiliate shopping jiggery-pokery going on. savinglots.com still has it for $148.45 delivered.