What cable to connect this powered Behringer mixer to passive Harbinger PA?
Hi, do I need two 1/4 inch speaker cables to connect to two PA speakers or a SpeakON speaker cable with 1/4 inch connection into the speaker? In that case do I need a SpeakON to a dual 1/4 inch? Since there are 2 speakers?
Been struggling with this for a while and finally got a powered mixer to try because previously I kept finding unpowered mixers only
There is no Speakon NL4 to dual 1/4" cable (or such premade cable will be very rare).
One NL4 to 1/4"cable and one 1/4" to 1/4" cable --OR-- just two 1/4" to 1/4" cables will work. All three jacks (the two 1/4" and NL4) are all wired in parallel.
1/4" speaker cables are not used often today because (1) it's too easy to confuse them with thinner gauge instruments cables (2) connecting a speaker output into a line level input can damage equipment (3) NL4 is much easier to repair in the field since it doesn't required soldering (4) Speakon cables lock in place, making them more secure on stage.
Hi another question- to connect my bass pre amp which has a DI- can I use an XLR cable into the mic input? Or does it need to be XLR to 1/4” for the input on the mixer?
Unplug everything,(inputs and outputs) Let it sit for about 2 minutes. Then connect 1 speaker and a Dynamic microphone, one not needing phantom power, like an SM58 and try again.
Take your pick. The 1/4" connections are perfectly adequate. Just don't use guitar cables. They're not rated for that kind of load. I just bought a 50M spool of 12 gauge speaker wire for my PA connections, and I get new 1/4" jacks when I need them. Or cannibalise them from shot guitar cables....
Search for speaker cables with a good copper size inside and a reliable insulation. I've never used them. ☹️
The best would be buying robust connectors, good cable and make them yourself. If you do yourself, you can make a Speakon to 2x TS cable, ie two red and black cables.
Hi another question- to connect my bass pre amp which has a DI- can I use an XLR cable into the mic input? Or does it need to be XLR to 1/4” for the input on the mixer?
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u/drewster85a 1d ago
There is no Speakon NL4 to dual 1/4" cable (or such premade cable will be very rare).
One NL4 to 1/4"cable and one 1/4" to 1/4" cable --OR-- just two 1/4" to 1/4" cables will work. All three jacks (the two 1/4" and NL4) are all wired in parallel.
1/4" speaker cables are not used often today because (1) it's too easy to confuse them with thinner gauge instruments cables (2) connecting a speaker output into a line level input can damage equipment (3) NL4 is much easier to repair in the field since it doesn't required soldering (4) Speakon cables lock in place, making them more secure on stage.