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Topic: How to connect my laptop to a preamp to a large speaker?

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Is it just laptop USB > preamp/power amp > line out RCA > 1/4 inch jack speaker
Or is it laptop USB > preamp/power amp > digital out (which seems to have the same sized hole as an RCA) > 1/4 inch jack

However, I don't understand what digital out is?
Also is it common to have a splitter from the RCAs on the preamp to a 1/4 inch jack?
And how do you connect to more than one speaker, do you have RCA to 2 1/4 inch jack converters?

Or is there an alternative to 1/4 inch jacks on speakers?


Also whilst I'm here I might as well ask if youd plug a computer mic into a laptop or a legit mic straight into the preamp?
 
Posted Thu 03 May 12 @ 1:01 pm
Hmmmm, it's pretty hard to understand what you're asking (or trying to do).

1) you can't plug a USB connection into a "preamp" or a power amp.

2) the output of a power amp won't be line level or RCA.

3) you connect to more than one speaker by using stereo. Most equipment these days is stereo.

4) 1/4" jack inputs tend to only be found on cheap /basic speakers. Professional PA speakers have Speakon connectors.

It would help if you told us what "preamp" and power amp you have.

Oh, and digital is the opposite of analogue (normal audio signals). You can't connect it to non-digital kit.
 
Okay well I only have a Tascam MkII at the moment, It has a USB type B input to type A on the laptop.

I thought you had to use a power amp because a laptop doesnt have the wattage to power decent speakers.

Also wouldn't you want it mono? otherwise one side of a venue would get all the bass and it would sound weird if you weren't in the middle of both of them?
 
Hom Tardy wrote :
Okay well I only have a Tascam MkII at the moment, It has a USB type B input to type A on the laptop.


Ah.....that's a USB sound card. With a mic input though, I guess it falls under the "preamp" category, so I'll let you off!

Hom Tardy wrote :

I thought you had to use a power amp because a laptop doesnt have the wattage to power decent speakers.

Correct. You can also use powered speakers, which have built in amps. You can connect straight from the sound card to those.

Hom Tardy wrote :

Also wouldn't you want it mono?


There are some situations when mono would be preferable, but no - DJs usually play in stereo.
 
So if I can't connect from the line out or the RCAs, what can I connect from, the Phones socket?

And when you say straight from the soundcard (to the powered speakers) do you mean the "preamp" or the laptop itself, cos the laptop has a soundcard too.
 
AARRGGHH!

Laptop -> Tascam -> amplifier -> speakers

Or, laptop -> Tascam -> powered speakers
 
haha, okay thanks man, sorry im such a pain!
 


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