Hsu Vtf2-mk2 and PA Mackie system

[tafguy]

If you ever need to use HSU sub with a Mackie mixer, here is how set it up! ;)

Lack of a matched Mackie sub and tight budget, I managed to use the still running rock solid Vtf2-Mk2 I've owned for many years to handle the low bass.

System configuration:

Mackie Mixer mackie 1402 vlz3, note that mackie mixer sports also alt3-4, which can send audio to a sound card for recording and redirect back to the mixer.
I thought I could used alt3-4 to send to the sub but it turns out that main need to be used instead.

http://www.mackie.com/products/1402vlz3/

A pair of Mackie srm350 V2

http://www.mackie.com/products/srm350v2/
HSU Vtf2-mk2

While the pair of Mackies srm v2 sounds already so good with adequate bass but lacks the punch that only subwoofer can do, so the mighty HSU Vtf2-mk2 came into picture. Not ideal yet, since hsu vtf-2 mk2 does not handle the high pass filter back to the mackies as what how the matched sub will do by redirecting the highs to the mackies.

To get the bass sent to the hsu sub, I had to run an addionnnal cable from main-out of the mixer to the sub in and activated the sub crossover which I don't need to do in movie due to receiver capable to send from its dedicated sub channel.

OMG, its sounds so great as it compliments the missing bass immersion I was looking for.

From karaoke, music playback to live sound, everything sounds big. I guess I use HSU sub for now til I can afford a Mackie sub.

I've haven't been back to the forum for a while, so hello to everyone. Also, I can see there is so many new good products and a new version of the Vtf-2 which probably will give you more chest thumping bass.

Shots of current setup:


Tg

[bevo2000]

Hi tafguy,

I want to set up my system similar to yours and need your help.

I have the following components:
1) http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3-mk3.html
2) Marantz SR6003 receiver
3) Mackie dfx-6 mixer
4) Vandersteen speakers

Currently I have everything goes through the receiver so I don't have to switch speaker wires (even the L/R main out from dfx-6). I use the subwoofer preout of the receiver to connect to the vtf-3. What I have found is that, everything else being equal, listening to the mixer->receiver->vtf-3/Vandersteen is not as powerful as cd player -> receiver->vtf-3/Vandersteen. Should I send another signal directly from the mixer to the vtf-3? If so, could you give me instructions?

Thanks

[tafguy]

The closest setup to mine with your mixer will be from the link
http://www.mackie.com/pdf/dfxseries_hu.pdf
using one of the aux sends, probably 1Mon to the HSU sub while the "main outs" still go to the receiver which has amplifier for your Vandersteen speakers.

Make sure to set HSU sub crossover on.

Your current setup with the mixer output route back to the receiver may not give the expected power as one which sends full range signal directly to the sub.

If you don't use mixer, just unplug the cable from mixer and plug the one from your Marantz SR6003 receiver LFE output.

Ideally, will be to route mixer first to the sub and then the sub to the speakers but it's only possible if the sub can handle both low bass and high pass channels!

Hope it helps!

Tg

[bevo2000]

Tg,

Thank you for the helpful response. I will give it a try later this evening. I will turn off the speakers from the receiver and just hear how the sub does by itself.