How to run Helix Floor through PA system

[robertlaurenson]

I have been running my Helix through a powered single speaker, but i have sold it and i have a Behringer EPA 900 (https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EPA900--behringer-europort-epa900), i am actually thinking it may be better through the Behringer system as it will be in stereo but i'm not sure how to best connect the Helix to the EPA 900.

If you look at the EPA900 it has 8 channels, 5/6 and 7/8 can be used as stereo. Now with the inputs on channels 5/6 and 7/8 only being 1/4" or RCA im not sure which connection method best to use.

Do i run dual 1/4" cables from the 1/4" outs on the back of the Helix, or do i use the S/PDIF outs to the RCA inputs on those channels

Or possibly some other method i havent thought of

Any help will be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[rd2rk]

S/PDIF is digital, RCA is analog, two different animals, not compatible.

If you're more than 20' from the mixer, use XLR to minimize noise. Otherwise, normal 1/4" cables will be fine. I would use XLR in either case, leaving the 1/4" available for when you inevitably go back to using a guitar speaker and amp. The XLR cables will also be useful when you connect to an actual FOH system.

Not that the Behringer is guaranteed to sound bad, but having tried a variety of solutions, I can't see that it will be satisfactory in the long run. 

Just my honest opinion, YMMV.

[DunedinDragon]

First, the 5/6 and 7/8 stereo inputs are generally used for audio inputs which likely uses audio line signal levels which are different from the Line or Mic levels offered by the Helix meant for connections to a PA.  You might be able to get it to work but I'm not sure what would happen to the quality of the signal.

This mixer arrangement is no different than any other mixer in that it's really a 4 channel mixer as far as live inputs which are channels 1 - 4.  So to produce a stereo image you would use either your L/R 1/4" ouputs or your L/R XLR outputs from the Helix taking up two of the live input channels on the mixer.

I'm pretty much with rd2rk on Behringer products.  They've made some improvements in some areas of their product line recently, but this particular unit is from the dark days and there's a reason it's been discontinued.  The fact that it's using passive (non-amplified) speakers tells me it's using a centralized amplifier with a built-in crossover from the mixer which almost always means you're going to have a dip in the mid frequencies of the crossover which will likely cause the Helix signal to not having much punch in the mid-range.

Personally you couldn't pay me to run my Helix through this unit.  I'd rather set up a decent powered speaker behind me on a pole in my backline and I'm sure I could cover the room way better than this 360 watt RMS unit.