How to Connect Your Rockville PLX12 Speakers to a Mixer

Introduction

This guide explains how to connect your Rockville PLX12 speakers to a mixer for live sound, DJ setups, performances, or events. The setup process is simple and beginner-friendly, even if you have no prior audio experience.

This article covers:

• Connecting the PLX12 to a mixer 
• Setting the correct input mode 
• Adjusting speaker settings 
• Expanding your setup with additional speakers or subwoofers 

What You’ll Need

• Rockville PLX12 powered speakers 
• Passive mixer 
• Two XLR cables 
• Additional XLR cables for expansion (optional) 

Before You Begin

Important Note About Mixers

Because the PLX12 is a powered speaker, you should use a passive mixer.

Example:

• Rockville ROK Mix 10FX 

Do not connect the PLX12 to a powered mixer unless the powered outputs are disabled.

Connecting the PLX12 to Your Mixer

Step 1: Connect the XLR Cables to the Mixer

1. Locate the Main Mix Outputs on your mixer. 
2. Take two XLR cables. 
3. Plug the female ends of the XLR cables into the mixer’s main outputs. 

Step 2: Connect the Speakers

1. Take the opposite ends of the XLR cables. 
2. Plug them into either: 
   • Channel One 
   • Channel Two 

For this setup example, Channel One is used.

Step 3: Switch the Input Mode to Line

Each speaker has an input mode switch next to the input connection.

To set the correct mode:

1. Locate the Mic/Line switch. 
2. Change the setting from: 
   • Mic Mode 
   • To Line Mode 

Repeat this step for both speakers.

Why This Is Important

Line mode is required when connecting:

• Mixers 
• Audio processors 
• Line-level devices 

Mic mode should only be used for microphones.

Step 4: Power On the Mixer and Speakers

1. Turn on the mixer. 
2. Turn on the PLX12 speakers. 
3. Raise the Channel One volume on each speaker. 

You should now hear audio from your mixer through the speakers.

Adjusting DSP Presets

The PLX12 includes built-in DSP presets that allow you to customize the sound.

Available DSP Presets

• Music 
• Club 
• Live 
• Speech 
• Flat 

To Change a DSP Preset

1. Open the DSP menu on the speaker. 
2. Navigate to the Mode menu. 
3. Select your preferred sound preset. 

These presets adjust the EQ curve for different applications.

Expanding Your Setup with Additional Speakers or Subwoofers

The PLX12 allows you to connect additional speakers or subwoofers using the XLR output.

Using Channel Two Thru Mode

What Channel Two Thru Does

When enabled, only the audio signal from Channel Two is sent to the XLR output.

This is useful for:

• Mono speaker setups 
• Daisy-chaining speakers 
• Connecting subwoofers 

Step-by-Step Expansion Setup

Step 1: Switch to Channel Two Thru

1. Locate the output mode switch. 
2. Set it to: 
   • Channel Two Thru 

Step 2: Connect Audio to Channel Two

1. Plug your XLR input cable into Channel Two on the speaker. 

Step 3: Connect the Additional Speaker or Subwoofer

1. Take another XLR cable. 
2. Plug the female end into the XLR output on the PLX12. 
3. Plug the other end into your additional speaker or subwoofer. 

Only the Channel Two signal will be passed to the additional speaker.

Using Mix Channel One + Two Mode

What Mix Mode Does

When switched to Mix Channel One + Two:

• Audio from both channels is combined 
• The mixed signal is sent to the XLR output 

This is useful when:

• Sending full audio mixes to additional speakers 
• Expanding stereo setups 

Troubleshooting & FAQs

No Sound from the Speakers

Check the Following

• Mixer is powered on 
• Speakers are powered on 
• XLR cables are securely connected 
• Speaker input mode is set to Line 
• Mixer output levels are raised 
• Speaker volume knobs are turned up 

Audio Sounds Distorted

Solutions

• Lower the mixer output volume 
• Make sure the speaker is set to Line mode 
• Check for damaged cables 
• Avoid clipping the mixer channels 

Additional Speaker Is Not Receiving Audio

Check the Following

• XLR cable is connected to the speaker output 
• Output mode is set correctly 
• Additional speaker is powered on 
• Channel Two Thru or Mix mode matches your intended setup 

Which Output Mode Should I Use?

Recommended Usage

Channel Two Thru

Use for:

• Mono signal chains 
• Stage speaker expansion 
• Subwoofer routing 

Mix Channel One + Two

Use for:

• Full-range speaker expansion 
• Combined audio mixes 
• Stereo-style playback setups 

Conclusion

The Rockville PLX12 makes it easy to build a flexible live sound system with mixers, additional speakers, and subwoofers. By using the proper input modes and output routing options, you can quickly create a setup that fits your performance or event needs.