First time testing

Nah, the basic premise in any sound setup is follow the signal, really.

You can work front (speakers) to back (sound source) or the other way around. When hooking up XLR cabling, remember that “pin points the way”, i.e. if you are looking at the male XLR connector end of a cable that is where the signal is coming OUT of.

Personally I usually set up my speakers first (the heavy lifting) and then work backwards towards my controller.

Once everything is connected (and only then!) make sure ALL faders are at 0 (zero) and then you can start turning on gear. Here you always start at the back end to prevent unwanted (and potentially harmful) noises.

In your case it would something like:
* laptop
* controller
* DJ software (because it needs to recognize the controller when you fire it up)
* Yamaha mixer
* Sub
* Tops

Next comes the level setting bit:
* Load an average track into your DJ software
* Hit play on the controller and skip to a piece in the music with average loudness
* Make sure your EQ, Filter and other level affecting settings are at 0dB or “12 o’clock”
* (if available) trim the input signal to be at 0dB steady with peaks in the 2-4dB region (all green leds solid, and the first one to two amber leds only blinking at the peak of the signal. If your controller has no trim option, use the software option
* This is a good moment to also test your headphone. Hit the cue button, listen to the track and adjust the headphone level to the desired setting
* Now open the channel fader to max
* Next turn up the master til the master level meter shows the same levels as the channel meter. At this point you have a 0dB average signal level leaving the master output.
* Next is the mixer. Set all EQs to 0dB (your controller input has no EQ, so no worries there)
* On the controller input channel, open the level to reflect an average input signal of 0dB (little triangular marking near the channel 3/4 and 5/6 knobs)
* Now open the master level knob until the meters show an average signal of 0dB (first orange LED solid, +3dB flashing at peaks). I usually mark this spot with a mark on a piece of white gaffa-tape next to the knob. You now have a 0dB average signal leaving your mixer going to your speakers
* Turn down the channel fader of the playing track
* Go to your speakers. Set the speaker EQs to 0dB and the volume level at 12 o’clock (usually 0dB as well, or where marked)
* Switch on the speakers.
* Go to your controller and slowly turn up the channel fader. You should now have sound from the speakers. Try pushing the channel fader to the max. If the sound becomes too loud (as it most likely will), start turning down the controller master volume until you have the desired volume with the channel fader open.

You have succeeded in creating a 0dB average signal all through your signal chain, leaving you with plenty of headroom and far away from distortion. Also you can now ride your channels faders to max without a problem. Finally the master volume on the controller is used to determine the sound level coming out of your speakers. This will most likely slowly go up as the night progresses.

Finally you want to soundcheck the mics. Hit the HPF buttons, set the EQs to 0dB and just turn up the gains til the peak led comes on, then dial back just a tad. Now you can open the channel volume til you have a level you are comfortable with. Change EQ as needed (remember lowering is better than boosting!) and keep an eye on the peak level. Adding EQ can push it into peak and you want to stay just out of that. Pads should be off (they are only used when you put line level signals on channels 1 and 2).

All set for the night.

Hope that answers your questions.