Main Out Cables?

[c94123]

Just got my Eleven Rack today. I'm running the unit direct to a small Mackie Mixer which is then connected to studio monitors and/or small PA speakers. The mixer is only a foot or two away from the 11R. What are the best cables to use to connect to a mixer? I've got them hooked up with instrument cables right now (Female XLR to 1/4 balanced) and there was originally considerable hiss/white noise. I've upped the volume of the 11R and it seems to have solved alot of the problem. Now I'm wondering if maybe I should be using some other type of cable. Also, even with the channel level turned up pretty loud I'm barely getting anything to register on the level meter - maybe the first green light. It's a Mackie 802-VLZ3 in case you're wondering. Everything else I've hooked up seems to work and register fine. Tried other channels for the 11R and get same results. Wondering if it's the cables. Thanks.

[muziqman]

which output on the 11r are you using? XLR Mains? or 1/4" Output to Amp (1or2)?

[zedhed]

Can you be more specific in the type/model of Mackie mixer and where you have plugged the cables into the mixer?

[muziqman]

Originally Posted by c94123

It's a Mackie 802-VLZ3 in case you're wondering.

This one I assume ?

[c94123]

Originally Posted by muziqman

which output on the 11r are you using? XLR Mains? or 1/4" Output to Amp (1or2)?

I'm using the XLR mains into Channel 3/4 of the Mackie 802-VLZ3.

[zedhed]

Sorry, I overlooked that you had indeed named the mixer you're using.

You may need to try other cables or test the ones you have on someone else's system.

I assume you are tweaking the 'Gain' as well as the level on the mixer.

[zedhed]

I just read in the manual that the gain knob only affects channel 3 (Mic input) whereas the Gain knobs for channels 1&2 affect the level for Line & Mic levels.

Have you tried using channels 1&2 (and using gain knob to adjust levels) instead of 3&4?

[c94123]

Thanks for your help. When upping the gain, the hiss is very bad. I think I've got it sorted out and am using a different pair of cables right now and they seem to be performing much better. However, I am still surprised that I really have to crank the channel level and the main mix levels to get it to register more than just a tickle on the level meters. Sounds great though - just thought the signal might be a bit hotter. Thanks again for your help.

[zedhed]

Still might be worth trying channels 1&2 to see if the signal is able to be cleaner.

[59tweed]

Also, when you get to that point, you may find that the 11R's internal "rig" and "amp" volumes are set much lower than they could be. I recommend checking the 11R's meter while playing to verify your signal levels.