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Okay on an earlier thread I was convinced to purchase an portable PA system ...I really like it. Question though ( I am totally non techy) I also went out and purchased, believe it or not, my FIRST IPOD to dock into the new PA. I cannot get any real volume out of the PA using the little mini shuffle. works great when I dock my Heavy duty Boom box into the PA, just seems to be weak with the IPOD? I needed this for two upcoming outdoor gigs. One is a Parade and the other is a car show. I was hoping to not have to lug the Box in addition to the PA. ( not to mention batteries for the box) the PA has its own rechargable.
Looking for advice and suggestions.
Looking for advice and suggestions.
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sat, March 14, 2009 - 9:29 AMBefore you do anything, check the volume on your shuffle and turn it up all the way before you dock it...then turn up the volume on your PA system. That might be the problem -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sat, March 14, 2009 - 11:14 AMditto- I keep falling into this trap- te default setting on my shuffle is low (which my ears are thankful for the few times I use the headphones)
this means every time I recharge it, I have to remember to up the volume when i plug it into my speakers
if this doesn't help, you might have a bad connection & need to get a new adapter/cable
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sat, March 14, 2009 - 11:12 AMWhat Marta said, first and foremost.
Beyond that, the Shuffle was really meant as a personal listening device--it was designed and built to be listed to on headphones, not for playing over larger sound systems. I would not be in the least surprised to find that the max volume on a Shuffle is not very loud.
There is a way to limit the max volume on your Shuffle, which may come with lower factory settings? You can find info on it here:
To set the maximum volume limit for your iPod shuffle (from Apple's site):
Step One
Set your iPod shuffle to the desired maximum volume.
Step Two
Connect the iPod shuffle to your computer.
Step Three
Select the iPod in the Source pane.
Step Four
Select the Settings tab in the main window.
Step Five
Under the options section, select "Limit maximum volume." Note: If you don't see this option, your iPod shuffle doesn't have the necessary software. You can download the latest iPod Updater for free at the iPod website.
Step Six
Drag the slider to the desired maximum volume. The initial slider setting corresponds to the volume the iPod shuffle was set to when you selected the "Limit maximum volume" checkbox.
Step Seven
To require a password to change this setting, click the lock and enter a password.
Step Eight
Click Apply to save the changes.
Select the Settings tab. "Limit maximum volume" appears under Options, just above "Enable disk use" -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sat, March 14, 2009 - 11:16 AMI have an inexpensive fender amp that I plug directly into & I get great sound, totally fills the room with the amp volume on about 1.5, so the if there is a problem, I would think it is in the amp or connections rather than the ipod itself. also make sure both the ipod and the pa system are on and on the right settings :) I've gotten that wrong before too... plugged in does not necessarily mean on... -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Mon, March 16, 2009 - 1:48 PMThank you all for the input ( no pun inteneded). The new PA gives fabulous sound from the Boom box. I think I need to do the I POD check. the directions for using the I Pod are very sparse. I will check the volume and try those steps to maximize.
I really like the PA.
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sat, March 28, 2009 - 7:45 PMthere is something called "the sound chain" matching the volumes and output of each piece of gear to get the best sound.
Your sound system will only sound as good as the weakest link in it.
Start with bit rates,,, never, and I mean never should you haave anything less than 128, I would highly suggest 196.
Lower bit rates may not be noticable with your headphones, but I promise you, in a large room, you'll know.
an iPod or any other playback unit will at some point send a distorted signal out when turned up way loud.
I would never turn your iPod or other piece of gear up more than 3/4, more than they you are taking a chance of sending a bad signal.
On the same line, if you send one that is to low, then you have to turn up your amp or boombox to get the volume that you want and that will distort.
In Lara's case, if you are turning your amp up to only 1.5 on a scale of 11 (LOL) you should turn down your iPod and turn up the amp, you will have better sound and still some headroom so you can go to 11.
Keeping your amp or boombox at 1.5 gives you less bass because bass takes power. I am betting at that level that if you have an eq on your amp or boombox, you have the bass turned up.
Again, to get the best signal you should never have anything maxed out.
You can get more volume out by turning your bass eq down, and in return you get more bass if you need that volume.
Remember the settings that you use in your studio may not be the settings you use outside or in a bigger room.
Dancers are only as good as their sound systems.
You can be a great dancer, but if nobody can hear your music or if your music sounds like crap, that is what people will remember.
But then again, I might be a little one sided in my thinking! LOL -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Sun, March 29, 2009 - 8:11 PM"In Lara's case, if you are turning your amp up to only 1.5 on a scale of 11 (LOL) you should turn down your iPod and turn up the amp, you will have better sound and still some headroom so you can go to 11. "
I am using one of the feeds to plug in a cordless mic, so the amp volume is determined by that input & I can adjust the ipod with the ipod volume button, since my headset mic doesn't have as much flexibility in volume control :)
It works for what I need it for. I could probably get a higher quality mic & have more flexibility, but I don't need to for now. -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, April 8, 2009 - 11:09 AMI understand,, if you ever change mics, look for one with a volume control on the receiver.
Also in most "belt packs" there is a small screw that will adjust the sensitivity of the mic itself..
Sometimes if that is set to high, the mic will distort when you get excited and raise your voice. (As I do at my events)
You might be able to turn that down so you can talk louder without distortion....
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Mon, March 16, 2009 - 10:13 PMIs there any way to tell the bit rate on the music files? I don't have an ipod yet, but on my mp3 player, the bit rate makes a big difference in the sound quality. Are all itunes high bit rate, or are there lower bit rate files out there? -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Tue, March 17, 2009 - 8:05 AMteh shuffle is the small one you clip on your clothes right? or is the skinny one? the small one is not meant for anything like this...
the skinny one will work fine just follow the instructions above. at a convention i went to, everyone used their ipod with the pa -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, March 18, 2009 - 10:03 AMthe shuffle is the teeny tiny one- & it works just fine for this, on my equipment. great sound, easy to use.
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, March 18, 2009 - 5:09 PMBit Rate on the music...now there's a thought. I will check into that too. My biggest concern is wide open spaces, such as a Parade, street festival, where there is a need to fill the space with music and be able to battle the street sounds. Indoors, or enclosed spaces, this all works almost too well. I wanted the partable PA so I could stop fussing about power plug in issues...( the assigned vehicles doesn't arrive, the locations can change at whim at a street festival...I am sure you all know the drills and thrills...knowing your sound is "self contained" is one less worry).
Thanks again for all the good feed back. By the way the construction of the unit is sturdy, on wheels and has a telescoping handle. It will get a work out this summer season...I will let youknow how well it holds up to the wear and tear if you like. -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, March 18, 2009 - 8:49 PMWe look forward to your review!!! Let me know what you find out about bit rate as well!
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 9:26 AMOk, let me see if I get this, you can plug an Ipod into an amp rather than into a boombox that is hooked to an amp.
Could you also plug in any other mp3 player?
And what type of amp? I guess I'm looking at watts?
I have a Sony mp3 player I plug into a small boombox and it's pretty pathetic.
Been thinking about purchasing another, larger boombox, but the watts are still limited.
So I would get more sound with an amp?
Thanks! -
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Re: PA system/ IPOD
Wed, March 25, 2009 - 10:42 PMYES. The whole thing is self contained with a rechargable battery good for up to three or four hours at high volume and it wieghs about 20-25 lbs, on wheels with a telescoping handle. Yes, you should be able to plug /jack in an mp3 or an Ipod and the unit powers the IPOD. the beauty of it is you don't have to worry about plugging in or D cell batteries wearing down. I LIKE THAT. My boom box is a X-PLOD (SONY) and pretty powerful for a boom box and it has the abiltity to plug in an IPOD as well.. My Problem with that was even though it was strong for a boom box it still couldn't compete with street festival background noises. the Portable PA/AMP competes nicely and provides good, strong sound.
Its all a bit pricey but for me it is worth spending the extra few to get the sound I desire.
I ve been sort of busy lately so I haven't solved my "shuffle" problem yet but its on my to do soon list.
Just go browsing around for partable PA systems and look for the best price. I suggest you make a phone call to be sure they have them in stock before you order as the first person I ordered from replied they did not have them in stock ( a week later- ARGH!)
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