seeking advice from experienced mobile DJs and sound engineers

[Synaptic Flow]

Hey guys, I just wanted to ask a couple of questions. When I set about building my first "beginner's P.A." I didn't really do much talking to anyone. I just started reading about products and forum posts to find out what things I would need. When I say "beginner" I of course mean entry level, but despite that, I found my research leading may to pay much more on certain things that I was expecting.

Question 1: I read that all this powered equipment needs these super large gauge extension cords to handle the wattage or voltage. Whatever. So the first thing I order is a bunch of these expensive, heavy as heck extension cords and then I get my powered subs and speakers, only to find that they all have little pencil thin power cords.
So what gives? Did I just make a fool out of myself and my wallet, buying these for no reason. Or are there some
large gauge power cords I don't know about and I need to be getting those to? (this only matters now because I still need more cords)

Question 2: I had an 18" powered subwoofer, rated at about 800 watts I think. I used it in a small wedding and the bass was great, with the volume barely even turned up. Then I get a deal to get a second matching sub and when I run two of them, there's way less bass than one. So again I'm like "what the heck?"

I know I have them wired right and I basically put one next to the left speaker and one next to the right speaker and it seems like I have to turn them way up, just to even tell they are on. Yet when I use just one, it doesn't have to be turned up much. This is crazy.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Please don't bash me on product selection or anything like that. Again I did say "beginner" I'm poor. I know that's a crime. lol

Thanks in advance for the help guys.

[Patch]

Do you know the difference between wiring in series and parallel???

I've got a VERY basic grasp of it, but I think it's a good place for you to start searching.

Someone'll be along soon that can advise the hell out of you on this issue!

[Synaptic Flow]

I tried a couple of different wiring methods but I will look into what you said.
Since all of my speakers are powered and I have a very small setup, I wasn't
sure that would apply to me.

[keithace]

out of phase...

[Patch]

Elaborate...
...Elaborate...

[ragverp]

my first thought was the phase, maybe 1 sub is out of phase towards the other one so it cancels itself

[Synaptic Flow]

Ok, so like I said, it's a simple set up.

I have my Denon Controller using 1/4" line outs into the L/R inputs of one powered sub. I output from the sub's L/R with XLR cables into the second sub. The second sub L XLR out goes into my left powered speaker and the second sub R XLR out goes into my right powered speakers. That's it.

Then I do all the gain staging procedures.

I have always spread the two subs out, next to the two speakers. When I only had one sub, I put it in the middle and my bass has never been better than that time using one.

These subs don't have any kind of phase inverting switch or anything like that. (cheapness) All that have is the volume level and some sort of crossover or filter, that says, 40hz to 120hz.

Maybe that information will help.

Also, nobody has commented yet if I am wasting money on heavy gauge extension cords.

[soundinmotiondj]

Question 1: I read that all this powered equipment needs these super large gauge extension cords to handle the wattage or voltage.

The power leads (the short cord from the equipment to the wall) are sized based on the current draw that the cord will be supporting. These cords tend to be short (3-10ft). Because the cable is short, the total resistance of that cable will be (relatively) low. The issue limiting power cords tends to be the heating load that the cable can safely carry.

Keep in mind that an extension cord has a "to" and a "from" path for the current - so the length of the conductors is twice the length of the cable.

I use 40ft 12ga extension cords with SOOW rubber jackets. They are heavy, expensive, and will last a lifetime - unless someone steals them.

Question 2: I had an 18" powered subwoofer, rated at about 800 watts I think. I used it in a small wedding and the bass was great, with the volume barely even turned up. Then I get a deal to get a second matching sub and when I run two of them, there's way less bass than one. So again I'm like "what the heck?"

This is a classic phase issue. If possible, reverse the conductors going to one of the subwoofers and retest.

[Synaptic Flow]

The power leads (the short cord from the equipment to the wall) are sized based on the current draw that the cord will be supporting. These cords tend to be short (3-10ft). Because the cable is short, the total resistance of that cable will be (relatively) low. The issue limiting power cords tends to be the heating load that the cable can safely carry.

Keep in mind that an extension cord has a "to" and a "from" path for the current - so the length of the conductors is twice the length of the cable.

I use 40ft 12ga extension cords with SOOW rubber jackets. They are heavy, expensive, and will last a lifetime - unless someone steals them.



This is a classic phase issue. If possible, reverse the conductors going to one of the subwoofers and retest.

Thank you about the extension cords. 12ga is what I am using, so I will continue to do so.

Now could you explain what you mean by "reverse the conductors?"

Thank you.

[SirReal]

I would try sending the left channel to one sub and it's monitor and the right channel to the other sub and it's monitor.