How should I connect my line-level amp?

Cables to connect mixer to amp, then amp to speakers (karaoke system)?

• Hi, I'm very new to this. And I'm trying to setup a karaoke system for my dad. I recently bought: 1. Yamaha MG166CX 16-Channel 6-Bus Analog Mixer http://i.imgur.com/ZXRUq.jpg 2. PA DJ Karaoke Home Pro Audio 15" Three Way Black Speaker Pair 1500C (back of speakers) http://i.imgur.com/bTKD6.jpg 3. Pyle Pro PTA1000 1000 Watt DJ Amplifier (the back of amp) http://i.imgur.com/2kvg6.jpg We have karaoke player at home already. and none of them comes with any cable to connect. To my understanding, I need to connect them following this picture: http://i.imgur.com/PjMut.jpg I have cable to connect karaoke player to mixer. ok, now I need to go from mixer to amplifier, then from amp to speakers. 2 of each. So I need to buy these: 1. Pyle PPJJ-15 Professional 1/4-Inch to 1/4-Inch Speaker Cable (15 Feet) (2) http://i.imgur.com/ThWw4.jpg That one go from mixer to amp. 2. Pyle PPSJ-30 Speakon Speaker Connector to 1/4-Inch Speaker Cable (2) http://i.imgur.com/VYnk9.jpg and that one is to connect the amp to speaker. Is that correct? If not, what kind of connectors should I buy? When looking for cables I found in description about 12-gauge, 14-gauge...what is that mean? Also, if above are correct, I need to buy them locally (not online) because I'm only home for about 2 more days, I need to have them in hand tomorrow to setup. Where can I buy these cables local? I tried to search on walmart, radioshack but they only have those online. I need specific store names so I can double check if they have them. In case you need, I live in Renton, WA. Thank you so much.

• Answer:

  To go from the mixer to the amp... don't use the cables you have specified. Speaker cables are designed to (strangely enough) go to speakers. These are designed for carrying lots of power at relatively high voltage. For speaker cables, you do need to worry (a bit) about the gauge of the wire. The cables you need between mixer and amp are called line level or instrument cables. The voltage between these is tiny, so you can easily pick up electrical interference that the amp will make nice and loud. The key thing here is that the cable is shielded. Find a 1/4 inch to 1/4 inch instrument cable for this section. I think they sell them at Radio Shack, but I'm not sure. If not, is there are guitar store near you? For the connection to the speakers, the cables are fine, but you probably won't find any cables with speakon connectors in the local radio shack or walmart. My suggestion....go to radio shack and pick up speaker wire and banana plugs. Your amp will take banana plugs as output (under the speakon). You can connect wire to banana plug with a small screwdriver (also available from RS). The speakers will take just a trimmed wire. Hope this all works out for you!! John