Learn To DJ With Digital DJ Tips Forums Digital DJ Gear The maximum length of audio cable

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  • #2244561
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Hi Abdul.

    This question is not so easy to answer because you have not given us all the information needed.

    1) Are you using one or more amplifiers and passive speakers or are you using active speakers (with the amp built-in)?
    2) What kind of cabling/connectors are you currently using (XLR speaker, XLR signal, Jack-Jack, SpeakOn, Bananaplugs, heavy duty speaker cable, signal cable)?
    3) What is the reason you need such long cable runs? This would indicate a very large area and a lot of people in which case renting a PA would make more sense and having the PA people set it up, including the right cabling.
    Or do you need to make announcements heard along a race track or soccer field or something. In which case choosing for a different kind of speakers (100Volt) will give you more flexibility in length.

    In general terms I can say this:
    A) Amp with passive speakers. Depending (a lot!) on the cable thickness, if it’s a one-piece cable (connectors make you lose signal strength) and the speaker/amp impedance load, you can run very long cables. But you have to count on pretty strong losses. If you have a 4 Ohm system and use 2.5mm2 cable (AWG10), you lose about 20% at a distance of 70 meters and 50% at a distance of 250 meters.
    B) Active speakers. Assuming both your speakers and the amp support balanced (either TRS Jack or XLR) connections and you use a good quality signal cable, there is no real official maximum length. I have tried often with 100m cable and have seen 200m runs. Of course this is with a good source signal (Master out from mixer or controller at the right levels). The only problem here CAN be a ground hum or other noise picked up along the way.

    Hope that helps some.

    #2244671
    Abdul Nasser
    Participant

    Thanks a lot for ur reply but i realy dont know the real name of the connector or cable if its possible i can send you some
    picture so you can see my stuff by the way why i want use long cable runs bcoz i play dj onlu in wedding ceremony so in dubai lets say 95 percent of the wedding the dj not allowed to be inside the hall you will be hiden somewhere to the back stage or sometimes its too far from the hall thats why i need long cable to rich to the speaker,and the speaker which am using its amp already,my other question right now am using NUMARK MIXTRACK PRO i just want to know that is that a good controlla or there is better one for beginer like me!plz let me know how can i send you some picture so that you can an i dea of my items.
    thanks with regards
    abdul aka Dj aby

    #2244701
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    The controller is fine for a beginner. Once you feel you start to really miss certain features, it’s time to start looking for new.

    If your speakers have amplifier in them (active speakers), you can use balanced XLR cable best. These come in all kinds of lengths and you can easily connect two together for bigger distances. 100+ meter should not be a problem.

    You have one challenge though, the Mixtrack Pro has no balanced output, so you need a little box to plug your controller into with the white/red connector cable and then XLR to the speaker.

    This is such a box for example: http://artproaudio.com/artcessories/audio_solutions/product/cleanbox_pro/

    This is the kind cable I mean from this box to your speaker (in the length you want, for 50m or longer cable I prefer a cable reel): http://www.bax-shop.nl/microfoon/signaal-kabels/procab-cla901-xlr-male-xlr-female-kabel-25m/product-details.html

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