Using a basic crossover as a high-pass filter. Setting up the crossover

Video showing how to use a crossover as a high-pass filter for full range speakers.
The "trick" to good sound... always set a high-pass (or sometimes called a low-cut) filter. This will protect the speakers from potential damage.

[@ananias8382]

hello, thanks for the videos very helpful. question? I have a dbx 234 x over and a dbx 231 eq. coming from my mixer what unit should I go to first. After watching your videos I like the idea of the eq not being in line like you suggested. Also I have a multicom pro xl dynamics processor at what point would you use this unit? is it only for vocal? . thx much

[@stageleftaudio]

If your board has inserts for FOH, the EQ should be placed there. If the board doesn't have inserts, then it will need to be placed after the console (before the xover). The outputs of the xover will then connect to the xover inputs. Make sure the EQ gain is set to -0- db; any louder than this, it could introduce noise into the system. The multicom unit is designed to be used with insert points on consoles (channel, or subgroup). For example, to use the multicom unit as a compressor for drums, you could use one channel of the unit for all the drum channels. This is done by attaching one of the channels of the multicom unit to a subgroup insert point; then, assign all the console channels for the drums, to the subgroup that has the multicom connected to it. The mulitcom unit can be used for anything that requires compression (vocals, drums, instruments, etc...). If your board doesn't have insert points for the subgroups (or if your board doesn't have subgroups), you can attach the unit to individual channels using the channel's insert points. The unit works best when it is used as insert. Try not to use the unit inline (similar to what I mentioned above) with other equipment. What model of board are you using?

[@ananias8382]

Hey partner first let me thank you for your reply you have no idea how thankful I am for you help!. I am new to this youtube posting! is their a way I could send you a couple of photos?. I am a guitar player and this is my first pa. I am 48 so I am a little familiar but the pa was obviously was not hooked up when I got it and I'm not a 100% what the heck I'm doing and don't want to blow it up. The board is the newer Xair18 Digital by behringer. the subs are berhinger 1800s 400 watt cont-1600watt max. the foh speakers are behringer 1520 250 watt 1000peak. one power amp behringer europower epx3000 at 8 ohms 2x550 watt. I do understand what you said about running the eq at insert at foh. any way to send photo?

[@stageleftaudio]

You are welcome. There's a lot to know in running sound. For sending a photo, look at the "About" tab on this channel (on the main page). Look for: "For business inquiries:" Click on it to get my email address. Try to keep the photos about 1M in size. For your PA, the Xair 18 is a digital board; it contains all the EQ, compression, gates that you will need. Your analog EQ and multi-com will probably not work with the Xair 18 (and probably should not be used with the Xair). Though, this is ok, because all the processing you need is in the Xair. That board (like all digital boards), have a FOH EQ built in. I assume you have an I-PAD for your Xair? Your speakers look good. Though, do not factor in the "peak" watts of the speakers when looking at how much power they can handle. The "peak" watts is not an accurate representation of what speakers can handle. Your 1800s are 400 watts continuous, which equates to about 800 watts RMS. Same for the 1520 speakers, 250 watts continuous and about 500 watts RMS.

[@krismark5052]

Hi good day.. sir can you explain about the summed/normal. button at the back of the dbx crossover.. which one is usefull for live sound. Any answer is appreciated tnx.

[@stageleftaudio]

The "summed" switch is used with systems that are using a single subwoofer. The "summed" switched combines the low frequencies of both channels into one mono channel (which I think is the "low" of channel 1). If you have one sub, you would connect it to channel 1 "Low" and enable the "summed" switch. Some people will daisy-chain a second sub from the first sub to maintain a mono sub setup (which is the preferred method for large halls).

[@travisgulley2652]

Can turning on the active crossover after turning on the power amplifiers cause a loud popping sound if so is it likely to damage your speakers and tweeters

[@stageleftaudio]

Yes. The tweeters are very susceptible to damage due to electrical poping, which is why amplifiers are always the last to be turned on and the first to be turned off.

[@carlotheatheist]

hey. are you still active today ? i have a question. is it possible to use the gain of low frequency crossover as a low cut gain? which is i set my low crossover to let say 50hz .. then i will crank the low frequency gain going down to left?

[@stageleftaudio]

Yes, you could use it in that manner. The HP filter method may still be the best option. Sounds like you are just needing to lower the low frequency levels... if this is what you are needing to do, it would probably be easier to use an EQ to lower the low frequency levels.

[@diegofernandez1203]

A question: which is better, to connect the mixer-equalizer-crossover-power or mixer-crossover-power? leaving the equalizer to insert on the channels I need?

[@stageleftaudio]

An EQ for FOH is mostly used to apply minor corrections to the overall sound system. Your second option (mixer-crossover-power) would be a better setup.

[@diegofernandez1203]

@@stageleftaudio Excellent. Thanks brother

[@DiTimDieuBong]

Is there any way to light the led light at normal?

[@stageleftaudio]

It doesn't look like it will do that.

[@jayronsacor1227]

How can i seperate the sound of my kick drum with cross over

[@stageleftaudio]

Can you elaborate on what you are trying to do?

[@krismark5052]

Find another output signal from mixer to separate the kick drum.

[@ricardoborbon3474]

Hi sir good day. I want to ask about setting up an active crossover in 2 way sterio. In 2 way the output are low and hi the mids were dis regarded, my question is what is the starting frwquency in high outputs. Coz i know when it is in 3 ways the outputs were started at 2khz or 5kz to 20k hertz. But how about in 2 way?. Can i connect my mid hi speakers(combination of woofer and tweeter) to this hi outputs? And what would be the starting frequency output.?im afraid it might damage my woofer..thank you and godbless to your vlog.

[@stageleftaudio]

The crossover frequency for a 2-way system can vary between the cabinets (low and mid/high) that are used. Many times, a crossover point for a 2-way system (what you described) would be somewhere between 100hz to 120hz. Using a 2-way (passive) speaker (with an internal crossover to the speaker) for the mid/high frequencies is very common. Doing this will not cause an issue with the bass speaker of the mid/high cabinet... however, make sure you do not use an amplifier that is too powerful for the mid/high speaker.

[@ricardoborbon3474]

@@stageleftaudio if my midhigh dont have internal passive crossover sir. And i would connect this to the high output of my active crossover what would happen sir?.does it cover the mid and high frequency?

[@stageleftaudio]

If your mid/high speaker does not have a passive crossover, you will need to use a 3-way crossover. The crossover settings for the speakers will need to come from the speaker manufacturer. There's so many different speakers, and crossover points that can be used, that it is very difficult to determine the best crossover point for a speaker.

[@ricardoborbon3474]

@@stageleftaudio but i will use an active cross over sir. I have 2 amps. 1 amp for low and 1 for midhigh speaker and im planning to hook it up in 2 way stereo.what would be the xover setting sir

[@stageleftaudio]

Each speaker can use a different crossover setting. You may need to check the manufacture's specifications for what they determine as the frequency range of the speakers. Without knowing the manufacture and model of the speaker, there's no way to accurately determine what crossover frequency to use.

[@ricardomiller8631]

hello again. thanks for your last reply. I'm having another issue which no one seems to be able to help with. I trying to setup a 4 way stereo system. The ashly XR-4001 is perfect for this, but I just can't find one anywhere especially as I'm in the UK. Is there another way I can achieve this. someone said to me to get a DBX driverack venue. But that still doesn't give me a stereo 4 way setup. can I use a driverack PA and a separate crossver with the driverack connected to the master output on the mixer and the second crossover connected to either the mixer booth output or one of the mixer subgroups

[@stageleftaudio]

+Ricardo Miller If you're needing a true 4-way stereo xover, you should be looking at units like the XR-4001 or Rane's AC24 xover. Also, what may work would be the use of two identical separate xovers (one for each channel of the main-out) The dbx 234xs units come to mind as an affordable option. You may be able to setup your system using the configuration you mentioned (above), however... setting up a system with multiple crossovers in the same signal chain will introduce other issues (phasing, noise, un-needed complexity), which most always results in a bad sounding sound-system. Try using two separate units (one for each channel). It may be more affordable as well.

[@ricardomiller8631]

+stageleftaudio thanks for another valuable insight. it's refreshing to get an actual answer rather than having someone tell u to get a driverack venue which doesn't do what I want. I have look at both the units you suggested but they are proving rather difficult to get hold of here in the UK. so I have decided to use 2 driverack PA+ unit with xlr y cable feeding both units. thanks again for u reply much appreciated

[@NCULLEXCIEL10]

Ricardo Miller

[@NCULLEXCIEL10]

Ricardo Miller

[@NCULLEXCIEL10]

Ricardo Miller h. buka-bukaan

[@BTS981]

DOD and DBX who the best ?

[@stageleftaudio]

We prefer DBX.