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| Thread ID: 95953 | 2008-12-22 23:52:00 | Connecting a Laptop to a PA system. | cradams (14438) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 731865 | 2008-12-22 23:52:00 | I need to know how to connect a laptop to a PA system. I have no other things and have no idea what I need to do so. All I have is the laptop and the PA system to connect to. What wires or any other things do I need to do this? And is there any precautions I need to know and also do so that like say my sound card doesn't blow up or anything like that. If anyone can give me an answer before christmas it would be great :) |
cradams (14438) | ||
| 731866 | 2008-12-22 23:54:00 | It'd probably blow the soundcard, if it got too high | Speedy Gonzales (78) | ||
| 731867 | 2008-12-22 23:55:00 | Its very easy, hardly any pitfalls. Can't damage the laptop at all. What we need to know is what inputs the PA system has. The normal cable to use would be a 3.5mm stereo to 2x RCA. However the PA may not have RCA inputs. In this case youd need to track down a different cable or some adaptors. Find out what inputs the PA system has. Welcome to PressF1 by the way. :) |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 731868 | 2008-12-22 23:59:00 | well Im not sure too be honest. It will be used for band practises and live gigs so Im sure the volume will be pretty loud. so maybe that gives you an idea about size? thanks :) |
cradams (14438) | ||
| 731869 | 2008-12-23 00:01:00 | Volume isnt an issue at all, its just the type of input on the PA that matters. PA systems primarliy use XLR plugs, but also have 6.5mm mono plugs and sometimes RCA plugs too. You can get adaptors that convert a RCA plug to a 6.5mm mono plug, that may be the best bet, and is normally what I use. Nearly all sound desks will have a channel or several that has 2x 6.5mm inputs (a stereo channel). Thats the one you'd use. Dick Smith can cover your bases there. If you could provide a few pics of the sound desk we could tell you for sure. :) |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 731870 | 2008-12-23 00:04:00 | Okay thanks :) so all I need is the 3.5mm stereo to 2x RCA? I searched it up and found this.. www.amazon.co.uk which I dont think is what I need.. ah maybe just me? |
cradams (14438) | ||
| 731871 | 2008-12-23 00:07:00 | Nope you don't need one of those - they are clunky and annoying. You'll want one of these (www.cablesdirect.com) with possibly two of these (www.kvconnection.com), depending on the inputs on the desk. You don't know what brand/model it is do you? Edit - is this it? Good little mixer, used one before. cachepe.samedaymusic.com If it is then you'll need the cable I posted, it should go into the tape inputs just fine. If it doensn't then youll need to get 2 of those adaptors too, and plug them into one of the stereo channels (5 or 6). Dick Smith should have the adaptors. |
wratterus (105) | ||
| 731872 | 2008-12-23 00:10:00 | well I cant get a picture for I think its something like a peavy xr600. but it will vary from time to time as it will be used for gigs in different places. | cradams (14438) | ||
| 731873 | 2008-12-23 00:18:00 | I dont think so. erm but as I said it will definately vary. can you tell me the exact names of them things? and could you reccomend me where to buy them? UK region? |
cradams (14438) | ||
| 731874 | 2008-12-23 00:23:00 | Aha, you're in the UK. Didn't know, lol recommending Dick Smith won't be much good to you. youll be better off getting those adaptors too, that way you can plug into pretty much anything, youll have all the common PA input types covered. Any decent electronics/audio store should have them. The cable would be called a 3.5mm stereo to 2x RCA plugs. (tell them its for connecting a laptop to something with RCA inputs, theyll know what you want). The adaptors - probably called RCA female to 6.5mm mono plug. Print out that pic in my link would be the easiest way, and show them what you want. |
wratterus (105) | ||
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