Small Aplifier For AV Shows

[Guest Yachtsman1]

I have been to a couple of presentations where an amplifier and non powered speakers are being used. I would like to circumvent using my earphone socket to my powered speakers if possble, either from the USB connections on my laptop or one of the other connections to an amplifier. Has anyone any hardware suggestions.

Yachtsman1

[Ken Cox]

ERIC

SEE

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....amp;#entry32120

http://www.digital-av.co.uk/sound-loudspeakers.htm

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....amp;#entry54773

KEN

[Guest Yachtsman1]

ERIC

SEE

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....amp;#entry32120

http://www.digital-av.co.uk/sound-loudspeakers.htm

http://www.picturestoexe.com/forums/index....amp;#entry54773

KEN

Hi Ken

The Aego are mini jack headphone speakers, the logitech are USB, but I just found this http://www.amazon.co.uk/LG-FB-162-DivX-Min...boutThisProduct has anyone used one of these.

Yachtsman1

[Conflow]

Eric,

Desktop PC Loudspeakers are 'Self-Powered' via their own Main supply and use the 'Earphone-MiniJack' on the

rear of the PC - so the signal is there. Why not wire up a 'Stereo 3.5mm Mini-Jack Plug' and bring the signal to

one of your Self-Powered Amps and try it out.

You will have a screened cable with 2 wires. The screen is (ground) common and the 2 screened wires are

Left-Signal and Right-Signal (Stereo)...should work well excepting that some Laptops have a fair amount of

'noise' on that Jack Socket...but its worth a try for the few cents involved. Otherwise its a USB Sound Device.

Brian.Conflow.

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Eric,

Desktop PC Loudspeakers are 'Self-Powered' via their own Main supply and use the 'Earphone-MiniJack' on the

rear of the PC - so the signal is there. Why not wire up a 'Stereo 3.5mm Mini-Jack Plug' and bring the signal to

one of your Self-Powered Amps and try it out.

You will have a screened cable with 2 wires. The screen is (ground) common and the 2 screened wires are

Left-Signal and Right-Signal (Stereo)...should work well excepting that some Laptops have a fair amount of

'noise' on that Jack Socket...but its worth a try for the few cents involved. Otherwise its a USB Sound Device.

Brian.Conflow.

Hi Brian

I have that system now, that's why I thought I would try a USB powered system, It's just finding someone who uses something similar. I don't have a card slot on my main laptop so the plug in sound card is out. The USB speakers suggested by someone have a few bad reviews regarding software. The LG system would maybe double as my home HIFI, but I'm not sure if the USB ability relates to signal in, will investigate further.

Yachtsman1

[davegee]

The EDIROL - Optical to USB Interface that I use is two way i.e. both in and out.

Presumably they make a suitable non-optical interface.

The UA-1EX looks about right: http://www.ediroleurope.com/products.php?subcat=UFA

OR

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productli...px?ParentId=114

Their USB speakers are perhaps worth a look also - depends on the size of your audience.

http://www.ediroleurope.com/product_overvi...&country=GB

DaveG

[Guest Yachtsman1]

The EDIROL - Optical to USB Interface that I use is two way i.e. both in and out.

Presumably they make a suitable non-optical interface.

The UA-1EX looks about right: http://www.ediroleurope.com/products.php?subcat=UFA

OR

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productli...px?ParentId=114

Their USB speakers are perhaps worth a look also - depends on the size of your audience.

http://www.ediroleurope.com/product_overvi...&country=GB

DaveG

Thanks Dave

Just downloaded the manual for the UA-1EX, it's 96 pages so it will take a little time to absorb The LG unit I mentioned earlier is not compatable at first glance.

Yachtsman1

[davegee]

Just look at the spec and the inputs/outputs.

If they are suitable the quality is very good.

It might be just a tad pricey but it will do the job.

DaveG

[stonemason]

After some discussion earlier in the year on this same subject our camera club purchased one of these http://www.jaycarelectronics.co.uk/product...=&SUBCATID= We have used this in a large hall with passive speakers from a hi fi system with excellent results. The only word of caution is that if the speaker cable runs are long use a good quality thin wire.

Regards

Geoff

[Lmoreels]

thake a look at this:

http://www.behringer.com/UCA202/index.cfm?lang=ENG

good quality and not expensief

Luc M

[Guest Yachtsman1]

After some discussion earlier in the year on this same subject our camera club purchased one of these http://www.jaycarelectronics.co.uk/product...=&SUBCATID= We have used this in a large hall with passive speakers from a hi fi system with excellent results. The only word of caution is that if the speaker cable runs are long use a good quality thin wire.

Regards

Geoff

Hi Geoff

Looked at yours and the other suggestions, can I assume the sound from the laptop/pc is via the headphone jack? If it is it's not what I'm looking for, I want to use the USB connection to by-pass my sound card and jack. I've now put a bid on the Behringer UCA-202 on Ebay, will let you all know the results.

Yachtsman1

[stonemason]

Hi Yachtsman1

yes we use the headphone out on laptop and line out on the PC. Out of curiosity why do you want to use the usb port?

Geoff

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi Yachtsman1

yes we use the headphone out on laptop and line out on the PC. Out of curiosity why do you want to use the usb port?

Geoff

It's a long story, but basically you get a cleaner signal via USB socket than the audio / headphone out jack. If the sound card is not so good on your laptop/PC the sound signal will be improved using the USB socket.

Regards

Yachtsman1

[davegee]

The Behringer unit, whilst perhaps not as versatile as the Edirol, should be exactly what you need.

At £19.99 it's a bargain.

http://www.dv247.com/invt/32730/

DaveG

[Guest Yachtsman1]

The Behringer unit, whilst perhaps not as versatile as the Edirol, should be exactly what you need.

At £19.99 it's a bargain.

http://www.dv247.com/invt/32730/

DaveG

Hi Dave

I chose the Behringer over the Edirol as the Edirol frightened me off with its technicallity. I like the KIS principle.

Regards

Eric

PS the one on ebay got snatched, I bid £2 under the asking price but someone payed the asking price. I got one for £25 inc postage from an ebay dealer, which is a £5 less than Amazon.

[susiesdad]

I have been to a couple of presentations where an amplifier and non powered speakers are being used. I would like to circumvent using my earphone socket to my powered speakers if possble, either from the USB connections on my laptop or one of the other connections to an amplifier. Has anyone any hardware suggestions.

Yachtsman1

When I discovered that my laptop only had a mono line input socket I discovered the "Sound Blaster Connect". This USB device allows two way stereo connection between PC's and any amplifying equipment. It even has optical connection capability. I and my music teacher have both used one very successfully connecting to a variety of amplifying equipment, from domestic HiFi to on site amplification systems. We both consider it exceptional. I also use it to record old LP's Cassettes and CD's from my Hi Fi, and from my Yamaha electronic keyboard.

see:-

Creative's site details.

Use of such a device would enable you to use existing HiFi kit, venue amplification equipment or any equipment you choose.

I can thoroughly recommend it.

Alan

[Guest Yachtsman1]

When I discovered that my laptop only had a mono line input socket I discovered the "Sound Blaster Connect". This USB device allows two way stereo connection between PC's and any amplifying equipment. It even has optical connection capability. I and my music teacher have both used one very successfully connecting to a variety of amplifying equipment, from domestic HiFi to on site amplification systems. We both consider it exceptional. I also use it to record old LP's Cassettes and CD's from my Hi Fi, and from my Yamaha electronic keyboard.

see:-

Creative's site details.

Use of such a device would enable you to use existing HiFi kit, venue amplification equipment or any equipment you choose.

I can thoroughly recommend it.

Alan

Hi Alan

Thanks for that, I will report on the Behringer when it arrives.

Yachtsman1

[Conflow]

Eric,

My apology (brain elsewhere) ~ I had forgotten about the "Griffin IMic" ~

It has a Stereo Input-Socket 3.5mm AND a Stereo Output-Socket 3.5mm

and of course it's Microphone Input.

(It might be a 2nd alternative for other purposes).

Brian.Conflow.

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Eric,

My apology (brain elsewhere) ~ I had forgotten about the "Griffin IMic" ~

It has a Stereo Input-Socket 3.5mm AND a Stereo Output-Socket 3.5mm

and of course it's Microphone Input.

(It might be a 2nd alternative for other purposes).

Brian.Conflow.

Hi Brian

I sent my IMIC back to the supplier, appeared faulty, lots of interferance.

Regards Eric

Yachtsman1.

[rmstevens]

Many thanks to you guys of this thread informing me of the existence of a USB/Audio converter – Behringer UCA202.

I am out regularly doing AV shows for various groups using an external amplifier and speakers connected to my Dell laptop via its headphone socket. More recently I have been having problems with poor connections within the socket. On reading your correspondence I decided to order one via the internet.

I was surprised by the price range – up to £29 and similarly the p&p charges of up to £7. Eventually I found a company based in Southampton, UK (www.bluearan.co.uk) – their total cost £22.68 including 1st class postage. Ordered it on Monday evening and received it today (Wednesday) – excellent service including emails to let me know progress.

I found the manufacturer’s instructions useless for my application but, connecting the USB to my pc, the device was quickly installed. I then connected my amp’s phono lead to the unit’s outputs and the result is excellent sound. Do remember to turn the laptop’s volume to maximum (as I did when using the headphone socket) to get the correct sound levels! Hope you have the same results Yachtsman1 and thanks again to everyone.

[Conflow]

RMS and Users,

RMS, you wrote:..."Do remember to turn the laptop’s volume to maximum to get the correct sound levels"..

Woops !! ~ Before serious things happen this is not the correct way to get the proper levels. By turning up Laptop

Volume Controls to MAX and keeping them there can seriously overload the internal Audio-Amplifier and 'blow-it'

now you have a PC.Motherboard problem.

(This is quite a common fault which Laptops develop if unknowingly and accidentally misused)

The proper way to do this is by adjusting the (Software) 'Sound-Mixer' and keeping the Laptops' volume just audible.

The "Attachment" below explains how to do this.

I hope this cautionary note will help to avoid mishaps...

Brian.Conflow.

[rmstevens]

Brian,

Thanks for that. You are absolutely correct. It is something I have been

doing for years without any problems and without thinking. It is far better

to obtain the required gain from the external amp.

Regards,

Roger

[Guest Yachtsman1]

Hi All

As promised, my feedback for the Behringer UCA202. The delay is because I lent it to a friend for a week and only got it back Sunday. I plugged it into my laptops USB connection and connected the active speaker feed to the h/phone socket. It was immediately recognised but the sound wouldn't come from the speakers.

I fiddled around with the sound section in control panel and the speakers burst into life. The quality & tonal range was far superior to that from the laptops sound card, the bass in particular was deep and vibrant. The voice over from my latest show was much clearer, all in all a good £25's worth.

Yachtsman1.