Amps, leads, signal chains, where is it wrong

[agedhorse]

For accuracy's sake, there are some conventions with SpeakOn that are being mis-understood:

 

1. NL2 or NL4 plugs will fit NL4 jacks

 

2. Only NL2 plugs will fit NL2 jacks

 

3. Bridge mode wiring for conventional stereo amps are generally wired 1+/1- at the speaker end but 1+/2+ at the amp end. This is specific to bridging where both audio channels are available on the SpeakOn jack (QSC & Crown for example). Other amps with a DEDICATED SpeakOn bridged output jack will typically be wired 1+/1- at both ends.

 

This is why it's important to read and understand how the amp is intended to be connected to, and the mode of operation for those with dual channel power amps.

[BassmanPaul]

Amps using bridge mode need to have the amp end wired +1 and +2 and the cabinet end wired +1 and -1.

 

Dang! Andy beat me to it - AGAIN!!! LOL

Edited September 3, 2021 by BassmanPaul

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Yeah, but how many bass amps have bridge mode? I suppose some do, but still that's very much a PA thing.

[Woodinblack]

Took the amp and pedalboard out today as I had to test an amp I am shipping out tomorrow. Everything works fine.

 

[agedhorse]

2 hours ago, Bill Fitzmaurice said:

Yeah, but how many bass amps have bridge mode? I suppose some do, but still that's very much a PA thing.

When players go out to buy a cable, they are generally buying from the general/pro audio market, and the pro audio cable market is MUCH larger, bridging cables are more common in that market.

 

There were quite a few bridgable bass amps, mostly older lead sled designs by companies like Carvin, Ampeg, Matrix, Eiche, Peavey, etc.

 

I run into this from time to time while helping players troubleshoot their rigs. Almost always the assumption is that the amp or speaker is defective when the real problem is that they mistakenly used a bridging cable wired 1+/2+ at the amp end and 1+/1- at the speaker end.

[BassmanPaul]

All the amplifiers I own are capable of running in Bridge. I have a Carvin BX1500 and a bunch of Class D power amps. That said I have never felt the need to run in bridge, it releases way too much power for my needs.

Edited September 4, 2021 by BassmanPaul