Setting Up Our Sound System

[EMS4HIM]

Well I think this thread shouldn't be in the "high end" forum but here ya go:

Basic configuration. Main mixer output > EQ > Crossover > Amps > Speakers.

I would use your setup in a 2-way crossover configuration since your JBL tops are not bi-amped. Basically...the low output from the crossover would go to one of your amps, then amp wired to the subs. The high/mid outputs go to another amp then to your JBL tops.

Now you have a decision, do you make your amps in mono mode so that it uses the power of both channels for one channel (bridged) or do you use each amp as 2 individual amps. For subs, I would take one of your amps and put it in bridge mode (which would disable side B of that amp, but will give side A the full power of the amp) this is necessary because subs require and need a lot more power to drive them.

For your tops, I would use another amp and have lets say the left side of the room use side A of an amp, and the right side use side B. If you don't have the cabling to do this, or your crossover only has one output, then you can run that amp in bridge mode as well, and then just daisy chain your jbl speakers together.

Once that's done now you have one amp left. Which gives you two channels remaining. This means you can only have 2 monitor mixes. Since you have 3 monitors, you'll have to daisy chain two of those together. (Ie the drummer and bass player have the same mix). You would do Aux 1 & Aux 2 output from the board to inputs A & B of your remaining power amp...then the output of those to the two monitors, then they would oviously be controllable via the Aux 1 and Aux 2 sends from the board.

I would recommend getting an inexpensive eq for your monitors so that not only can you make them sound clearer for the musicians on stage, but you can shelve or cut the low low end signals from them. Many times if the kick mic is hot or the bass is hot in the monitors you can blow cheaper wedges on stage. If you had that you would put that in the signal chain: Mixer > EQ > Amps > speakers. This is also great because most people that "run sound" for youth groups - don't have a clue what they're doing.

Hope that helps a little...