Running an Unpowered Mixer into a Powered Mixer??

jerryfan6 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:22 am **Posts:** 37

We use a powered mixer with passive speakers for practice. The problem is, our powered mixer only allows for 2 speakers attached to it...and that isn't enough for all members of the band to hear the vocal mix. We also have a powered speaker that we are currently not using. One thing I was thinking was buying a small unpowered mixer (like a Mackie VLZ 1202). Could I run the unpowered mixer with the powered speaker as a monitor and then send the signal out to the powered mixer w/active speakers as well??

brotherdave · **Posted:** Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:47 pm

It is really easy to overload powered speakers when you drive them with a powered mixer and can actually cause all kinds of problems. Let's try to get away from that.

I probably would set it up this way. Plug all the mic's into to the mixer without the built in power amp. Use the outputs from this unpowered mixer (including the LINE/MAIN and AUX or TAPE outs or EFFECTS SEND) to patch directly into the powered speakers. Usually you can daisy chain powered speakers.

If you have any unpowered speakers, to use them I'd patch from the unpowered mixer to an AUX input on the powered mixer and connect the powered mixer to the unpowered speakers.

That should work no problem.

EgFryer · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:26 am **Posts:** 253

The more elegant solution would be to use an Aux Send from your powered mixer into the powered cab as a monitor. This would even allow you to create a submix just for the monitor, with emphasis on different channels than the mains. Aux Send will be a line level output, ahead of the power amp in the mixer.

adey · **Posted:** Mon Aug 22, 2011 4:46 am

EgFryer wrote:

The more elegant solution would be to use an Aux Send from your powered mixer into the powered cab as a monitor. This would even allow you to create a submix just for the monitor, with emphasis on different channels than the mains. Aux Send will be a line level output, ahead of the power amp in the mixer.

Thats what I'd do in your circumstance. Best use of the various gain structures you would be working with.

EgFryer · **Joined:** Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:26 am **Posts:** 253

+1 adey. Not to mention that the second mixer will be a noise generator... Another set of wires to pick up RF, etc.

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Running an Unpowered Mixer into a Powered Mixer??

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