Members jdboyl72 Posted June 19, 2013 Members Share Posted June 19, 2013 I am at the point in my PA system evolution where my primary focus is to be as efficient as possible setting up and tearing down. I have a 16 channel system (mixwizad) and typically only use 13 or 14 channels. However, I am starting to think about implementing 2 sub snakes, both custom made by horizon. The first one I am definitely going to do, a 50 foot 3 xlr by 3 xlr returns to be used up front to drive 3 Eon 515xt monitors and the front vocals. The second one is where my question comes in. Initially i was thinking a 25 foot 6 xlr no returns to be used backine left (main snake is almost always backine right near drummer hi hats). This snake would handle guitar 2, acousic, a wireless mic, bass, and sometimes keys or an iPad. I am starting to think maybe a 6 channel fan snake with extensions on two of the channels is is a better option because I may not have to run any other cables to that side of the stage that way. Plus its less expensive. Any opinion/ experience on using fan snakes as sub snakes? Thanks, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Miko Man Posted June 19, 2013 Members Share Posted June 19, 2013 My first suggestion is to add an extra send and return to your 50' sub snake. A "spare" channel is a handy thing to have, and it gives you a built-in backup channel if something isn't working. A 4 x 4 snake is a lot more of a standard item, and I suspect that it should not be as expensive as a 3 x 3 custom. Similar comments on the 25' snake. Eight channels makes it a stock item. A stage box, in my experience, makes the setup go faster and is more likely to be right on the first try. YMMV, however. Mark C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members witesol Posted June 19, 2013 Members Share Posted June 19, 2013 sub snakes make life much easier. I have a 25' 6ch and a 50' 8x4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dbMontana Posted June 19, 2013 Members Share Posted June 19, 2013 Sorry to all for the blank post from my phone. twostone. I know you are are a SL user. How long a snake do you use? I have a 16.0.2 so the 12x4 would work for me as well but I've been debating the length. Just wondering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jdboyl72 Posted June 20, 2013 Author Members Share Posted June 20, 2013 I would consider an EWI snake but the smallest they make is an 8 x 0. I would have to purchase parts to turn around 4 of the channels and pay somebody to do it. By the time I do that It would be less expensive to get the one custom made. I do use all EWI mic cables and have had only 1 failure in aprox 30 cables since 2006 or 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members twostone Posted June 20, 2013 Members Share Posted June 20, 2013 dbMontana wrote: Sorry to all for the blank post from my phone. twostone. I know you are are a SL user. How long a snake do you use? I have a 16.0.2 so the 12x4 would work for me as well but I've been debating the length. Just wondering. I use the 30ft version Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted June 20, 2013 Members Share Posted June 20, 2013 Sub snakes scale based on the size of the show as well as the application. In my inventory I have 6 x 6 channel, 1 x 12 channel, 2 x 8 ch , 3 x 20 ch, all 50', all fan to fan except a 12, 8 and 2x 100' x 20. I use fans as jumper snakes interfacing to brought in splits and consoles. For me, 50' can be short Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pro Sound Guy Posted June 20, 2013 Members Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have 3 snakes and one of them is a Horizon I bought used off Craigslist. 24/4 100ft.What a piece of crap snake..honestlyI am going to replace all the xlrs in the box, and it also has 1/4 inch sends not xlr and that really putsa bigger suck factor in to the snake.I would never buy another Horizon snake again.Just my two cents on that brand snake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monthlymixcd Posted June 20, 2013 Members Share Posted June 20, 2013 I have a 16x8x100' EWI snake and although it's not seen regular use... it's very well built and I'm looking to get an EWI 32x12x150' snake on a reel and a 12x4x30' as well to run to the front of the stage.Previous drop snakes I've owned;12x4x50' Musician's Gear - Was fine, had a few wires pull loose on fan end, decided to unload it and get another EWI,16x4x100' Rapco - Bought used and it was beat but didn't have to do a thing to it for 3 years, sold when I bought the snake with extra returns,8x4x30' Livewire bought at GC to use as drum snake... was junk, took it back for refund.... YMMV, but never buy a snake sight/unseen... unless it's from a reputable dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted June 21, 2013 Members Share Posted June 21, 2013 Horizon has high grade snakes and low grade snakes. A blanket statement that all horizon snakes are bad is not accurate. It all depends on what you are willing to pay for. EWI ends test out pretty well ime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Axisplayer Posted June 21, 2013 Members Share Posted June 21, 2013 I use several sub snakes routinely. My primary snake (when not using the digital one) is an EWI 32/8. From that I run three sub snakes onto the stage. Two are Whirlwind Mini-12s (50 and 25) and the last is Mini-6 (25.) That gives me the thirty channels that the 01v96s support for mics. The last two channels are used at the console for music playback and talkback. I don't always use all the drop snakes, but it is nice to have them for those stages where you need them. Generally I can drop one 12 at the back of the stage and the 6 at the front and cover most things I do. They were great investments. http://whirlwindusa.com/catalog/snakes-splitters-and-multiwiring-systems/snakes/mini-6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratGuy22 Posted June 21, 2013 Members Share Posted June 21, 2013 I have: 30' 8ch fan to fan XLR50' 8ch fan to box XLR50' 8x4 fan to box Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted June 21, 2013 Members Share Posted June 21, 2013 I've only used a fan-2-fan from the stagebox returns to the amp rack. I still have a couple of those... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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