Hi i’m having problems need help with my Allen Heath zed 1000 . So i got two powered speakers QSC 12.2 and i run from the main out xlr to the speakers and i hear cracks distortion. Is this the correct way to hook up to this particular model mixer? please need help
You are running the XLR out, you are good on the mixer end, but you also need to set the K12.2’s to receive LINE LEVEL signals rather than MIC LEVEL.
Its set to line level of course but is still doing like that and some people said that dont run from a powered mixer to a powered speaker so the conection im using the main mix out xlr i dont know
If that is good or bad for the powered speakers if its maybe sends high signal into the speakers make them blow the amps out
the powered outputs are the SpeakOn outs
i think you’re wrong SteffenR the speakon outs are for the passive speaker. That’s why i used the main out xlr for active speaker
@andrewallen90
the manual shows where to connect your main speakers
https://www.allen-heath.com/media/AP9323_1-ZED_Power_UG_A5.pdf
and it looks like it should be from the two back connectors on p31 32
but later the manual says powered speaker outs are from speakon NL4 connectors which look like the ones on the back
in any case it does seem to be the two xlrs you noted in your diagram for self powered or external amped speakers
I read this as being bad writing and powered outs means the amp in the z1000 outs for passive speakers not a line level to go to powered speakers
sounds like a defect in the unit unless you are running the signal too hot for them to handle
Just to confirm that in the set up menu on the QSC speakers you set it to line level, using input #1 set to 0db.
The XLR outs on the mixer are the correct outs to use, I assume one XLR out is going to one speaker and the other to the second speaker. If that’s the case do not jumper
the speakers together.
If you plug headphones into the mixer headphone jack what does that sound like using the same source material that you hear distorting in the speakers?
Are you using balanced wired XLR cables with XLR connectors on each end directly connected to the mixer and the speaker with nothing else in between the mixer and speakers?
I use the mogami Gold studio xlr but also when i connect to the Right mainout from the mixer to the right speaker its very low volume so i have no idea if in the mixer mainout conector went bad is like playing with my mind now.
To make it fully clear Mike C i come from the main mix out of the mixer left goes to left speaker and right goes to right speaker . Xlr cable mogami brand new ones and very costly
@andrewallen90
so which is it
the OP said it was << … cracks distortion >> indicating too much signal or else hardware glitch
now you are saying the signal is << very low volume >>
HOW DID YOU SET THE SPEAKER OPTIONS? EG like the control screen shows:
1- Displays menus and settings
3- Rotate to select a sub-menu or to adjust a value - WHAT VALUES
4- Push to load a value for adjustment or to confirm - DID YOU?
6- Indicates that A IN is set to microphone level sensitivity - SHOULD NOT USE
7- Indicates that B IN is set to high impedance (Hi-Z or LINE) sensitivity - SHOULD BE LINE
8- Adjusts the GAIN (sensitivity) of the associated input - DID YOU SET THE GAIN CORRECTLY?
10- For connection of line or microphone level sources - DID YOU USE THE RIGHT INPUT ?
13- Parallel (Thru) Connection for B IN
14- Line Level, Mixed Output including blend of all three inputs
15- Power Switch
16- AC Power Inlet (locking)
17- 2000 Watt Class D Amplifier Module
- Do you hear the cracking in both speakers?
- You said the right speaker was low in volume, is the left speaker
working OK? - Do the L & R meters on the mixer show the same levels?
- What do headphones plugged into the mixer sound like.
- If the right is low and the left speaker is OK at the mixer swap
the cables plugged into the mixer, plug left into right, right into left. - Now after doing that if the right speaker is still low the problem is with in
the speaker, most likely in the setup. - If after doing the cable swap the left speaker is now low in volume that points
to the mixer having an issue. - Just for the sake of it swap the cables one with the other just to rule out any issues with those, yes I know they are expensive, but trying to check everything here.
i think you’re wrong SteffenR the speakon outs are for the passive speaker. That’s why i used the main out xlr for active speaker
He is correct, passive speakers (no built in amps) require the power amp (powered)outputs on the speakon jacks.
Your speakers connect to the XLR line level outputs as you are doing.
@SteffenR was right with his factoid, but wrong wrt the question in the OP.
@andrewallen90 has self amplified speakers and needs the output he showed.
The problem looks like a defective z1000 or else his QSC settings are wrong.
Not clear what his real problem is as his two messages contradict each other wrt what he observes.
think you’re wrong SteffenR the speakon outs are for the passive speaker. That’s why i used the main out xlr for active speaker
sorry… one question… are you the native english speaking person?
the outputs are powered… the device is a powered mixer… the sockets labelled SpeakOn are still powered outputs
and these are the outputs to connect to passive speakers
that was all what I was pointing out
To make it fully clear Mike C i come from the main mix out of the mixer left goes to left speaker and right goes to right speaker . Xlr cable mogami brand new ones and very costly
we understood this from the beginning
maybe you need some local help
@SteffenR
Not only native English speaker (USA version but some GB and Standard not so much Aussie) but a professional writer for some years too.
Don’t know if this is just AH or if all of audio has a problem but I also read what AH calls sends are actually receives at the point I was looking at.
They are sends from the other endS but that is not the issue. How does one find the inputs being received?
Look at every single send point and make a list yourself?
I’ve never had the pleasure to work on one of those ZED mixers but in this situation here’s what I would do:
- find some passive speakers and their appropriate cables and see how it sounds when you use the powered outputs
- “if” this console has send/returns on the main outputs be sure to clean them and/or jumper them with a known good cable
- “de-oxit” the XLR sockets on the console that you are currently using
- make sure you’re not using sub-groups or if you must make damn sure the subgroups are routed correctly to the main out
Good luck !
Giga
Have you tried running the K12.2’s on an aux out? I know that you don’t want to run them this way normally, but I was curious as to whether or not they sounded any different being driven from an auxiliary output instead.
* “if” this console has send/returns on the main outputs be sure to clean them and/or jumper them with a known good cable
Good point, the ZED mixers do have L R insert jacks on the mains and I have seen insert jacks that go unused become intermittent.
Cleaning them or jumping them would be on the trouble shooting list.
To jumper them instead of a cable you would need a 1/4 inch TRS plug with the tip
and ring linked together.
The ZED series are good analog boards, I have a couple of the smaller ZED10’s, handy for small events and they make a nice USB IO interface to a computer.
i just wanna say for the last time i tried everything and when i hook up my keyboard with trs cables nothing. When i hook up to the mixer it’s like war war III . I will return the speakers back and i will send my mixer for allen Heath to check the problem i just got tired guys.