Microphone Sound Problem

My position on no-name no-budget speakers and amps is well known as is my opinion on most things Behringer, so we won’t go into that. Let’s say that even working flawlessly, chances are you will get semi-decent sound out of this setup at best.

Had you come to us BEFORE buying gear, we would have gladly explained why it would have been way better to get some active speakers (even used single 10″ active PA speakers from a serious brand would have given you better features and way better sound). But alas we have to work with what you have now.

On to the more pressing problems of wiring.

I assume that when you hot-wired your speakers because the connectors broke (no comment! – although the fact that these speakers come with only a simple home stereo speaker connector tells all) you did NOT bypass the (passive) crossover?

If you did, that could explain the odd sound coming out of the speakers. Although on speakers of this level it is very well possible that the high frequency speakers are connected in a rather rudimentary way and they don’t have an actual proper crossover.

Then you say you go from 2x RCA (controller master output?) to 1x 3.5mm and then with a 3.5 to 6mm jack adapter into the amp? Effectively summing a stereo input to a mono speaker input. Are you getting sound out of both speakers that way? Are you using the bridged mode of the amp in that case?

The way to connect this up properly is with a cable like this:
http://www.bax-shop.nl/jack-rca/procab-cab631-2x-jack-male-2x-rca-1.50-meter/product-details.html#productinformatie

One RCA per channel, one Jack per channel.

This should work, although there will be a signal level mismatch between the RCA and the balanced inputs on the amp. You might have to turn the gain on the amps up higher than you would if you were running balanced (Jack or XLR) from the controller. This controller unfortunately has no balanced outputs, like the iDJ Pro did.

Then for gain staging.
First you want to set your channel gain (while playing a louder part of a track) to 0dB, then you want to set your master gain to 0dB as well. Next turn up up your amps to a 0dB setting/marking or as high as you like them.
The mic input on the front of the MTP3 has it’s own gain button. If you did the previous things right, turning up the mic gain should now allow you to get a mic level that is as high or higher as that of the playing track.

Hope that helps.

Right, when you upgrade to active speakers, you do need balanced outputs to go the distance.

I would be looking into the new 2.1 setups. Although it looks like a subwoofer with two satellites, effectively they are a woofer (regular low end speaker – not as low as sub) and two satellites.

The satellites would be 4″- 8″ or even bigger, but in the newer versions they are being replaced by small array speakers. The latter being technically more difficult to build and a more recent development, so more expensive.

You could look at stuff like LD Systems Dave, HK Audio Nano, LD Systems MAUI (array) for example.

Several brands now sell them. And they sound bigger than they look. Also they are highly portable and take little floor room when playing house parties and such.

Alternatively or if your budget doesn’t allow for those, a set of (used) brand 10″ active PA speakers will do. Brands like QSC, Mackie, TurboSound, Yamaha, Electrovoice (EV) and I am sure others will add to the list.

If possible find a place that has more than one system on display and listen to them. Trust your ears!

Yeah … or stuff like L’Acoustics or Fohnn. 21″ subs at 20k a piece LOL.

LD Systems Dave 8 XS are 419 Euro. I think that is about as low as you’ll be able to find anything.
The 10″ version is about 529 Euro. Personally I’d pick the 10 over the 8s for 100 euro more, but that is personal.

Bob seems to know a lot about the Alto’s. Not sure how the TX compare to the TS.