Fishman Loudbox expansion?

flagstaffcharli · #1 05-02-2010, 12:00 PM

I've got a Fishman Loudbox 100 I've been gigging with for a couple years. Love it.

Have any of you expanded this by attaching a powered speaker or additional Loudbox? Is that possible? Any suggestions?

I figure if there's a way to attach another quality powered speaker - or even a second Loudbox, I'd be able to use this for solo gigs either outdoors or in larger venues. But I'm not clear about how all the inputs/outputs on the back function.

Thanks in advance. You guys are always a ton of help!

SpruceTop · #2 05-02-2010, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagstaffcharli

I've got a Fishman Loudbox 100 I've been gigging with for a couple years. Love it.

Have any of you expanded this by attaching a powered speaker or additional Loudbox? Is that possible? Any suggestions?

I figure if there's a way to attach another quality powered speaker - or even a second Loudbox, I'd be able to use this for solo gigs either outdoors or in larger venues. But I'm not clear about how all the inputs/outputs on the back function.

Thanks in advance. You guys are always a ton of help!

The Fishman Loudbox 100 is a fine little acoustic amp that I've owned. What you can do is take your mix that you've dialed-in to your satisfaction, and, via the rear-panel Mix D.I. (Post) jack, send this already-mixed signal to the line input of a powered speaker or send it one of two ways to a second Loudbox 100:

1) Send to the secondary (Slave) Loudbox 100's Channel 1, via the 1/4" jack of Channel 1, which may give you a hot enough signal to work with, but if it doesn't, go into Channel 2, via the 1/4" jack or XLR input--depending on your primary (Master) Loudbox 100 D.I. output. On the second (Slave) Loudbox 100, be sure to set all EQ controls Flat and make sure the Digital FX Levels are set fully counter-clockwise. Set your second Loudbox 100's Input Gain so it flashes only on high peaks and adjust your Master gain to balance the output of both your primary (Master) and secondary (Slave) Loudbox 100 amps.

OR

2) You can also try using the Aux Input on the second Loudbox 100's rear panel and set its overall volume to balance with your first Loudbox 100's volume by adjusting the front panel Aux Level and Master knobs.

Regards,

SpruceTop

sdelsolray · #3 05-02-2010, 12:41 PM

The MIX DI output (post) has a 18 dB pad. That signal will usually be closer to mic level than line level. It is also a balanced signal. It would seem more appropriate to connect it to the balanced XLR input on Channel 2 of the 2nd (slave) Loudbox 100.

SpruceTop · #4 05-02-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdelsolray

The MIX DI output (post) has a 18 dB pad. That signal will usually be closer to mic level than line level. It is also a balanced signal. It would seem more appropriate to connect it to the balanced XLR input on Channel 2 of the 2nd (slave) Loudbox 100.

You're probably right! I never tried expanding my Loudbox 100 when I had it. Nice catch!

Regards,

SpruceTop

flagstaffcharli · #5 05-02-2010, 01:55 PM

Thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for & I think a secong Loudbox might be on my "buy" list.

Best!

flagstaffcharli · #6 05-02-2010, 11:46 PM

I'm only bringing this back-up because I wanted some input as to whether a powered speaker - like a single QSC K8 might be a better option that a second Loudbox. Looking through a number of threads here I see a lot of folks have a preference for powered speakers. The second Loudbox would be sort of redundant, though I could see having it as a back-up.

A powered speaker - if I understand correctly - would also be useful for expanding the power/volume of my Yamaha PA. Yes, no?

Thanks again.