PA System

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 7:52 pm

We're looking for a new PA system. We have a cheap one for practices but it just isn't loud enough anymore. Any suggestions?

Nothing ridiculously expensive, but not a piece of garbage either.

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm

bigger amp(s). I personally love Carvin equipment. Great prices for high end product. If your PA has pre amp outs, which it should, you're all set. You can get a 1000 watt mosfet Carvin for around $500 bux. You can also get Carvin speakers to fit in your cabinets that can handle the power too.

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 9:38 pm

I suggest you tell us what your current system is so we can recommend something better. What do you want to run through it (just vocals?) and what other amps and such does it need to compete with?

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Fri Mar 16, 2007 11:08 pm

Yeah, I just need it for vocals. I think our current PA is 100 watts with 2X10. We are mostly just looking for something that would be good for small live shows.

I'm not sure exactly what all of our equipment is. Here is the best I can do.

It has to be able to fight the following:
We have a Carvin guitar amp, 2X12 (+100 watts). A 100 watt Fender guitar amp 2X12. A 300 watt bass amp 1X15. And drums of course.

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 10:36 am

If you don't want to get even semi-serious about your front end sound, but you want to be able to play small rooms up to pubs and even the occasional hall gig, then get a self powered board with on board effects. Mackie makes a few... and they usually have two amps, so you can get yourself two speakers for front end, and a couple of monitors for stage vocals. Then, get a powered sub... cause if you want to fool people into thinking you have a kick ass PA, you need LOTS OF BOTTOM END POWER. Now, you might want some type of cross over or just roll off below 100 or so on your tops if you're using a self powered sub... I'm not super technical on this stuff although I wish I knew the answers off the tip of my fingers here...but anyway. you get the drift I hope. Self powered board and self powered sub equals decent sound potential and less hassle.

Take an aux. off the board, and send only the kick, the bass guitar, maybe a bit of the tom toms (to the sub only) and you're system will sound WAY huger than it is.

I have a 2400 Watt front end, with 2 18" subs and 2 top speakers (twin 10 inch speakers and a horn in each). This works real well for pubs. Now, if I do bigger shows, I borrow the identical set of speakers from a buddy which beefs up my sound quite a bit... but the thing is, I play in other bands that have their own pa;s, and the self powered subs are SO THE WAY TO GO. Easy to set up, easier to move around, more powerful....my bottom end, despite the power, sucks.

I'm planning on upgrading my system and getting two self powered sub cabinets, and getting rid of the 18's I currently have. That'll give my the full 2400 watts for my tops (as it's two amps running 1200 each) while my 700 watt amp will continue to run monitors..

But the BIGGEST f-ing problem...is all the freaking cables!!

With a self powered board, you plug it in the wall, plug in mics, plug in speakers, away you go. With a component style like I have (board, effects, cross over, amps all separate) its a BORING hassle.

Which takes you to those cables that are out now... basically a snake for speakers...one cable, 4 wires, or more depending on your needs. That's what I need...

Now, since I'm rambling.... I'll move on...

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:00 pm

Thanks for all of the info, Leaf.

That sounds awesome, but isn't that going to be hella expensive? We all work shitty paying part-time jobs (our youngest member is only 14) and I think we're looking for something a little less expensive.

Billy's Little Trip · Post by **Billy's Little Trip** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:34 pm

Well, if money is an issue, then try out systems at guitar center, etc, then once you find what you like, hit the pawn shops and recyclers. We did that for years when we were starving artists. Now we have credit cards with huge limits, so now we're in debt artists.

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 1:36 pm

The Yamaha club series speakers are among the best value available. The Peavey BR series is also a great deal, if you don't mind the look of gray plastic.

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 5:27 pm

Leaf wrote: you need LOTS OF BOTTOM END POWER.....my bottom end, despite the power, sucks.

basically a snake...That's what I need...

My gaydar just exploded.

Smalltown Mike · Post by **Smalltown Mike** » Sat Mar 17, 2007 8:04 pm

The Anchors wrote:(our youngest member is only 14)

This kind of statement always frightens me most on SF. I've been with my wife for 14 years, for crying out loud. 15 years ago I was jamming with Leaf above the garage at his parent's house.

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 4:49 am

It sounds like you may not have much of a budget available; your best bet may well be whatever used system you can find on your local craigslist.

As far as a new package goes this looks like a pretty good deal. I don't know how far I'd trust the included wireless system, but at that price I wouldn't care much. I'm not sure how that compares with your current system, though. If it turns out to be not loud enough, at least it's returnable.

You might be able to upgrade either your current speakers or amp but I don't think I'd bother: it's probably more cost-effective to just buy a whole system and sell your old.

ken · Post by **ken** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:51 am

I will always recommed powered speakers and a mixer. Check out the Mackie or JBL ones. Yes, they are expensive, but you will get great sound at a reasonable price. Even with a small mixer, you can upgrade that later.

Ken

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:51 pm

Thanks for all of the help!

I think we are going to try and sell our current PA (at an overpriced rate) to someone we know and look at buying a new system. If all four of us pitch in we should be able to get something fairly decent.

bz£ · Post by **bz£** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:12 pm

The Anchors wrote:Thanks for all of the help!

I think we are going to try and sell our current PA (at an overpriced rate) to someone we know and look at buying a new system. If all four of us pitch in we should be able to get something fairly decent.

For what it's worth, most folks (that I know of, anyway) consider the PA to be the sole responsibility of the singer. You probably wouldn't all pitch in to buy a guitar for your guitarist, right? You'd expect him to provide his own gear, usually. Same idea. Plus, bands don't always last forever and you might not want to find yourself debating who gets to keep the thing with people you just had a falling-out with.

You know, just stuff to think about. Do whatever works for you, of course.

blue · Post by **blue** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:49 pm

The Sober Irishman wrote:The Yamaha club series speakers are among the best value available. The Peavey BR series is also a great deal, if you don't mind the look of gray plastic.

agree @ the yamahas, and you can almost always find them used somewhere. used power amps are also very, very cheap. add an old mackie CR1604 and you have a cheap, good-sounding PA.

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:25 pm

bzl wrote:For what it's worth, most folks (that I know of, anyway) consider the PA to be the sole responsibility of the singer.

Shhh... Don't tell them that.

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:05 pm

The Anchors wrote:I think we are going to try and sell our current PA (at an overpriced rate) to someone we know and look at buying a new system.

This has the makings of REALLY bad Karma written all over it. First and foremost you should never sell your used crap to someone you know (hence E-Bay). They inevitably come back to you to bitch about it breaking down. Secondly, you shouldn't be intentionally trying to get over on someone (again, especially someone you know) by overpricing your crap. Everyone wants a good deal, and who knows when they might be in the position to return the favor someday, or fuck you over likewise.

On the PA end of things, the powered JBL series has been really good to me, and used there are a really good deals to be had. Be sure to get the ones that have the high and low frequency adjustable knobs. They really make a difference if you don't have an outboard EQ or if you're working with a small (7 band) onboard EQ with the mixer. Don't worry about the grey plastic, they'll get enough scuff marks on them no matter what color they are that it won't make a difference anyway. Soft cases are nice to have, my buddy has some of those for his JBL's, and it makes them easier to carry as well as the protection they provide. If the speakers are used and already scuffed, I wouldn't sweat it myself. But do yourself a huge favor and make sure your mixer has a case. Broken knobs, lost fader knobs, and exposure to the elements will ruin a mixer.

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:53 am

Dan-O from Five-O wrote: This has the makings of REALLY bad Karma written all over it.

Man, you sound like Jason Lee.

We're selling it for a little more than we payed, but the PA is in excellent condition and we're throwing in two decent mics. We're just looking for some more power.

I have no doubt that the person we're looking at selling it to will break it though. He and few other guys get stoned, jam, and break shit all of the time. They broke off the end of a 1/4" cord in an amp the other day and couldn't get it out. So he just went out and bought a new amp.

I'd feel just fine taking his money.

The Anchors · Post by **The Anchors** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:55 am

I'd like to thank everyone again for their suggestions. We're going to hit up some pawn shops today and see if we can find anything.

Dan-O from Five-O · Post by **Dan-O from Five-O** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:03 pm

The Anchors wrote:Man, you sound like Jason Lee.

I'd feel just fine taking his money.

Then go ahead and add it to your list. The worm turns in many bizarre and unpredictable ways. Most people learn that as they mature.