Volume and Connection Questions

[xxyzz]

I do not get the volume that I would like to. Sometimes I have to really crank up the 300 watt Yamaha mixer to do this but then many times I risk getting mic feedback (yes I have the computers volume control all the way up). I am running a standard 1/8 mini plug from my Soundblaster Audigy 2z to a 1/8 mini to 1/4 male connector and plugging it into Yamaha 88s Super Hi-Z connection. This is where I seem to get the best sound quality and the most volume. I am wondering what others are doing.
Is there a better sound card?
Would I be better off running a 1/8 mini to the XLR connection (I have never tried this).
Is my volume limited by the amount of power my computer can put out? Does the power supply have any effect. I have a 150 to 250 max power supply. Here are so other questions I have. Do all mixers/speakers put out some hum? I don't have a lot and I don't believe this is your typical hum cause by a loop feedback because all my equipment is running thru a Monster Cable HTS 2000 line conditioner.
WHAT GAUGE AND BRAND SPEAKER WIRE DO YOU FIND IS BEST
Thanks for any suggestions or information.
Monarch Customer built P4 computer
Hoster
Windows XP Pro
Enermax EG26s power supply
Asus P4R800-VM motherboard
1gb RAM
Western Digital wd2000jd 200 gb hard srive (sata)
Creative Audigy 24 bit 2ZS sound card
ATI (Original) Radeon 9600 XT 128MB graphics Card
Plextor 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive
Yamaha EM88s 250-400 watt power supply
Yamaha Series s115 club series speakers
Peavey Unpower floor monitor
Sure SM58 Mic's
Horizon 14 gauge 30 ft. speaker cables

[gduns - with the Lord]

I run from the same sound card as you with virtualy the same cables as you. With the laptop, I use an Ebtech Hum Eliminator. This gets rid of all hum The computer card produces a line out signal which is sufficient to drive an amp to it's max output.

Usually the problem with not having enough output, is either insufficient speaker mass, or not enough power (watts). I usually play small, to medium Venues, and run 2500 watts to my main speakers, and 1500 to the subwoofers. Main speakers I have are jbl sp115 they have 15" woofer, and a 15" horn tweeter. I run either 2 or 4 depending on the size of the room. I also have 2- 12" floor monitors, and run a Mackie mixer. A peavey kosmos, or a bbe 352 will also add a lot to the sound system.

I don't think everyone will be running the same things I run, But I wanted to have great sound, do I designed this system for The max.... There is a place close to me that is running 5- pv2600 amps for a total of better than 10,000 watts

[PastMember]

It shouldn't matter what you're running your computer sound "to." If you are getting a decent line level out of your computer, you should be fine.

[George]

Originally Posted by xxyzz

I do not get the volume that I would like to.

Simplest thing to check may be the master volume setting in the pc.
Go through the control panel, sounds and audio devices, audio, volume..this opens up the main volume and balance control settings. The volume slider may be down.

This may not be the problem, but at least you'd know the pc output is up tp par.

[George]

Originally Posted by George

but at least you'd know the pc output is up tp par.

Edit time ran out. Meant to say at least you'd know that setting is up to par.

[jdavia]

If all else fails, check the speaker ohms. 16, 8, or 4. If your system can use the lower value it will increase the watts of power output. Also the No.14 wire sounds like regular lamp cord. a larger size No.10 stranded and shorter lenght if it can be, should also help.

[songpony]

I utlitized an external USB sound device which boosted my volume a fair amount (and at about $80 was well worth it - it also eliminated the hum and other noise I was getting on the 1/8" headphone jack). Also, if you're using a mixer, turn up the gain on the channel the computer is on (or some will have a push-button on the channel to "boost" it a little) - this will also increase the music volume without impacting your mics.

[mindonstrike]

I did a google search on your mixer and only came up with 1 retailer and little specs, so it's difficult to give any definitive advice.
I also google searched your line conditioner which indicated that it's just a fancy surge suppressor, no ground lifting capabilities, I may be wrong but thats what they said, however if evrything is plugged into it then a ground loop wouldn't be the problem.
The retailor indicated that your mixer had 2 400 watt outputs. If it's 400 watts into 8 ohms you should be good however if it's into 2 ohms (which would be about 100 watts into 8 ohms) then you are probably underpowered.
You indicated that you are using "a" 1/8 inch mini from the card which would indicate a TRS output (stereo), but you indicated a super hi-z input to your mixer (not sure what super means) which would indicate a TS (mono). You didn't mention whether your cables are TRS or TS so I can't speculate there.
I've never owned a powered mixer so I'm just guessing but it would surprise me if youve got a xlr input along with only one hi-z input.
Also if you've got a setting for +4/-10 db make sure it's set to +4

without more specs it's hard to tell except I doubt it's your computer

Sam