Hey Guys... I had a HUGE Problem last night I and am looking for your advice...

Well we basically had 2 setups running... my mixer MASTER connected into the other mixers INPUT. This is how we connected the two setups together.

Now every time I would play, the speakers would go off..... however every time they used the other setup, the speakers would play.

Is it because my master output was too much for the mixer's input... what advice do you guys have for connecting two setups together?

 

Yeah it would have worked if you connected your RECORD or at least AUXILIARY output to the other mixer's LINE input.

Also, the MASTER OUT is balanced, the input is not. The speakers could have died for two reasons, either because of the balanced-unbalanced connection not actually making a connection, meaning you could have connected the "cold" output to the RCA input, or simply you completely overloaded the other mixer's input with your master to the point where it actually cut out.

 

Hmmm.... but is there a legitimate reason why this has happened in the first place? I'm very inexperienced since I'm young and I just want to make sure this doesn't happen again.

 

Yeah, check my post again, I was editing it when you posted again. Those are my guestimates.

 

Thats good reasons, however I used the RCA outputs to the RCA inputs which is a unbalanced-unbalanced connection... which eliminates reason 1.

I think it was the fact that I overloaded the mixers input. I have a Numark M6, and I didn't think it was possible for the inputs of a Pioneer DJM-3000 to be overloaded by my mixer. I guess I was wrong.

The last option was to turn my master down, and let the DJM-3000 control the loudness... it helped a lot and eliminated the 'cut-offs.' So basically I should use the RECORD OUT right? Have you ever gotten in a situation where you needed to hook up 2 setups together?

Thanks!

 

You also need to make sure you had your M6 connected to line inputs on the DJM. If you had it connected to PHONO inputs that could also account for your problem.

 

True, but trust me, that WAS NOT the case by any means... If that was the case, I would be too embarrassed to call myself a DJ... Thanks for your input though.

 

But you can call yourself lucky, because if the 3000 didn't have input overload protection you might have paid a fee, instead of receiving one.

 

Your right Pakman ... haha . I'm just looking for a safe way to connect two setups to one amp.... I guess simply putting my Master down will help.

Thanks guys

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk here BUT I would be embarrassed to call myself a DJ if I didn't understand gain staging and signal flow well enough to be able to hook 2 mixers together without an issue. I'm not singling you out here, actually I've seen a TON of posts lately by people who can't hook up their gear or understand audio signal levels and routing. I guess I'm just amazed at all the "DJ's" who want to walk before they can crawl. One thing to consider is ANY TIME you're connecting gear together that you've never hooked up before, a sound check is essential.

 

On your mixer the best thing to do would probably be to use Record Out, that way you won't have to worry about setting any levels, except perhaps the Line In on the DJM for fine tuning. If you wanna record your set you can then always use the DJM Record Out.

 

Oh, I let my assistants take care of those things. I am a pro driver, not a bloody mechanic.

 

HA, so you have a lackey "selector" and then another one set the levels and cue up the next track. Is there a third you just give the "nod" to for the crossfade or EQ? I only have my Journeyman Union DJ Card, I guess.

 

Can you describe your setup in more detail. are you using an Audio 8, How many channels are you using and what was the reason to not hook your setup directly into the main mixer?

 

Always Check your wires. Bad wires can do that to you too. As pakman and others said use the record out.

But some of those Midi controllers only have main outs (1/4 & rca).

I had that issue with a guest DJ couple weeks ago. Every time I would try to switch it to him one set of speakers would fail. His line coming from his main out Unbalanced(Midi controller) to one of my line in was bad. As soon as I gave him a spare cable everything went fine.

 

Okay thanks for all your advices.

@SirReal - Like I said, I am a young DJ.. this was the first time I was playing at a big event like that. I knew that a loud signal could potentially cut off the sound, but it slipped my mind.

@DJ MAD NL - I was using an Audio 8 DJ with 4 decks. Like I said I had a Numark M6, and was connecting my MASTER out into the LINE in on the DJM-3000.

@Pakman - I think the record out is the best way to go. However, wouldn't that output still be relatively loud, in comparison to the master out? I don't really use the RECORD OUT and I don't have a good idea on how its different from the other OUTS.

 

No Record Out is at nominal gain and gets its feed from before the master output stage of the mixer. In other words, no matter how much you crank your master, record out will stay at a constant nominal level. It is the one output that would not be too high/loud, hence the current flowing from the record out is also much lower than master out, and it is this that overloaded the DJM inputs; too much current.

If it does turn out to be slightly too high, like when you turn up the bass on your eq, you can always turn down the DJM Input Gain. If you get that balance right you're safe for the night.

 

1) Did you see input signal LED's on your mixer?

2) Did you see input signal LED's on the other mixer's channel that you plugged into?

3) Were you able to cue your channel on the other mixer?

4) Was the crossfader enabled? If so, did you try moving it towards your channel's side?