I am trying to connect a Pioneer XDJ RX2 mixer to my L1 Compact and Sub 1 system, I have two alternatives:
1. Connect the two XLR outputs of the mixer (stereo) to the two XLR inputs (line 1 and line 2) of Sub 1 and one of the XLR outputs (line 1 or line 2) to the 1/4 "TRS input on the channel 2 of the L1 Compact.
2. Connect the RCA outputs of the mixer to the RCA inputs of channel 2 of the L1 Compact and connect the SUB 1 to the 1/4 "TRS output to any of the SUB 1 XLR or 1/4" inputs.
Regarding point 1, I understand that it is the best way to do it but I am not sure if using the stereo XLR outputs of the mixer to Sub 1 and only using one Sub 1 output for the L1 Compact will lose quality.
Hello JorgeCR,
Configuring this combination can be a challenge, as you have discovered. You have accurately assessed the limitations of each connection.
"1. Connect the two XLR outputs of the mixer (stereo) to the two XLR inputs (line 1 and line 2) of Sub 1 and one of the XLR outputs (line 1 or line 2) to the 1/4 "TRS input on the channel 2 of the L1 Compact." In this scenario, only one of the Left or Right channel of your mixer will pass to the Compact, so one side of your signal will seem non-existent.
"2. Connect the RCA outputs of the mixer to the RCA inputs of channel 2 of the L1 Compact and connect the SUB 1 to the 1/4 "TRS output to any of the SUB 1 XLR or 1/4" inputs." This configuration will work just fine, as the Compact combines the Left and Right signals, and passes a mono signal to your Sub1. However, your Compact will be processing bass frequencies along with the Sub1. Depending on the volume and tone you're trying to get, this may be perfectly acceptable.
If you want to go to the Sub1 first and engage the HPF, you should combine your stereo outputs to mono, and feed the mono signal to one channel on the Sub1. You can accomplish this a couple of ways:
- Purchase a small, two (or more) channel stereo mixer and run the inputs of your DJ mixer to it. Pan both of this mixer's inputs right, and connect just the right output to the Sub1 (as in your option 1.) The downside is that you'll have another device (with lots of knobs) in the chain; the upside is that small-format mixers are relatively inexpensive.
- Purchase a stereo-to-mono line-level combiner, such as the Whirlwind IMCOML (available on Amazon and many pro audio websites.) They are designed for this purpose, but only function for that one purpose for a higher price. I also came across a Wordpress site called "Late Reflections" where the author posted an article about his search for a "Balanced Line-Level Stereo to Mono Summing Box". He has links to his website where you can purchase his summing cables, and other articles about the problems with stereo-to-mono combining.
Whatever you do, don't use a simple Y-cable to combine the left and right signals from your mixer. Y-cables are designed to split signals; using them to combine signals may work, but may also sound funny and can possibly damage the output stage of your mixer. (I've known this for a while, but thanks to "Late Reflections" for more technical information.)
You could always purchase another Compact and run full stereo! 😁
Does that help?
Hi Fish-54
Thanks for all your options. I just ordered a Dual XLR Female Stereo to XLR Male Mono Summing Y-Cable from the page you recomend. I definitely want to go to the Sub1 first to engage HPF and take care of L1. I Hope db and quality remain.