SQ800 Series: How To Set Up For A Live Performance

Introduction

The Rockville SQ800 Series snake cables are a versatile solution for live sound setups, especially when connecting a stage box to a mixer, audio interface, or outboard gear. Whether you're mic'ing a drum kit, routing signals to an interface for recording, or integrating compressors and EQs, these cables simplify and streamline your setup.

Connecting a Stage Box to a Mixer

A stage box helps organize multiple microphone and instrument connections on stage, sending signals to a mixer via a snake cable.

Step 1: Connecting Microphones to the Stage Box

1. Mic Up the Drum Kit (or Other Instruments)
   • Plug each microphone into an input on the stage box.
   • Example:
     • Kick drum → Input 1
     • Snare drum → Input 2
     • Tom 1 → Input 3
     • Overheads → Inputs 7 & 8, etc.

Step 2: Connecting the Stage Box to the Mixer

2. Use an SQ800 Snake Cable
   • Take one end of the snake cable and connect it to the outputs of the stage box.
   • Match the outputs from the stage box to the corresponding inputs on the mixer:
     • Output 1 → Mixer Input 1
     • Output 2 → Mixer Input 2
     • Output 3 → Mixer Input 3, and so on.
3. Choosing the Right Cable Length
   • Short Distance (3ft version): Best for setups where the stage box and mixer are close together.
   • Medium Distance (6ft version): Great for mid-sized venues or smaller stages.
   • Long Distance (12ft version): Ideal for large stages or front-of-house (FOH) setups where the mixer is far from the stage box.

Connecting a Mixer to an Audio Interface for Recording

If you want to record live audio, you can route signals from the mixer’s outputs to an audio interface.

Step 1: Connecting the Mixer to the Interface

1. Use an SQ800 Snake Cable
   • Connect the outputs from the mixer to the inputs of the audio interface:
     • Mixer Channel 1 Output → Interface Input 1
     • Mixer Channel 2 Output → Interface Input 2, and so on.
2. Adjust Mixer Levels
   • Set appropriate gain levels on the mixer before sending signals to the interface.
   • Adjust EQ and effects as needed before recording.

Using the SQ800 Series with Outboard Gear

The SQ800 snake cables can also be used to integrate outboard effects like compressors, EQs, and reverb units.

Step 1: Connecting Outboard Gear

1. Use the snake cables to route audio from the mixer’s insert/send outputs to external equipment like a compressor or EQ.
2. Match the channels:
   • Mixer Channel 1 Output → Compressor/EQ Input 1
   • Compressor/EQ Output 1 → Mixer Channel 1 Return
   • Repeat for each additional channel.

Conclusion

The Rockville SQ800 Series snake cables are a must-have for live sound, allowing you to easily connect stage boxes, mixers, audio interfaces, and outboard gear. Whether you’re running a live show, recording a performance, or processing sound, these cables provide a clean and organized setup.