PA System + Additional info

[MatXel]

I'm thinking about buying some PA system for venues (small bands, DJ, ...) and for my home synths.

Actually I'm running on 1 Behringer Ultratone K3000FX, so upgrading is needed. I got few questions

for you guys, that I'd like to get answers for:

 

PA:

 

- What's better, active speakers, or passive with amplifier, why?

- If passive, what amplifier do you recommend?

 

Other:

 

If I plug the output of the mixer (XLR) to the MIC in (K3000FX), it's getting distorted, is it because it's not supposed to handle this type of signal, but only microphone?

 

The professional mixers often have only XLR inputs, is there some way to get this from TS/TRS, without DI Box?

 

Boosting signal from my looper (connected to mixer (Yamaha MG166C)) too much results in popping sounds, any ideas how to fix this? (mono)

 

 

 

Thanks for responding, I know it's not much about PA, but this came to my mind while writing the things about PA.

 

MatXel

[Sound In Gloucestershire]

in regards to active/passive debate, do a search, this debate has been done to death

[MarkPAman]

Active/passive or powered/unpowered? - Anyway it's an old question and there's no one answer.

 

If I plug the output of the mixer (XLR) to the MIC in (K3000FX), it's getting distorted, is it because it's not supposed to handle this type of signal, but only microphone?

Yes.

 

The professional mixers often have only XLR inputs, is there some way to get this from TS/TRS, without DI Box?

If your statement were true, then no, you need a DI box. However (unless you're getting into digital or very expensive stuff) you'll find that almost all mixers have a line in TS/TRS on every channel,as well as an XLR for a mic.

 

Boosting signal from my looper (connected to mixer (Yamaha MG166C)) too much results in popping sounds, any ideas how to fix this? (mono)

Well the flippant answer is don't boost it too much!

[MatXel]

Well the flippant answer is don't boost it too much!

 

Now it's right, yes, I don't need to boost it anymore, but if I get somewhere bigger I'l boost the whole mix (synths, guitars, ...) and then it'll start making problems, I'd like to avoid that.

 

 

...However (unless you're getting into digital or very expensive stuff) you'll find that almost all mixers have a line in TS/TRS on every channel,as well as an XLR for a mic.

 

Just take a look at the DigiRack, NO T( R )S inputs (I know they sell I/O cards with this, but I never saw on any concert that they had those).

[MarkPAman]

Your clicks & pops are probably a result of one part of the signal path being too loud. Keep that bit within it's limits, and do the boosting at a later stage. Of course, if where it's too loud is at the speakers, then you'll need to get different ones.

 

I did say "unless you're getting into digital or very expensive stuff" :huh:

 

I figure if you can afford to run a DigiRack you can afford a DI box or ten or get the card you need for the equipment you want to run!