First PA SYSTEM for a band(couldn't find any other simular Threads)

[crozier247]

I'm in a 3 piece alternative/punk band with my two friends. We are soon looking to buy a PA system that we can practice with, and play some small shows with, like maybe the odd house party or basement, or even small clubs...we're Teenagers. My guitar player plays with a Fender M-80 chorus combo amp I believe it is 90-100w and I play through an acoustic B100 amp combo (the new guitarcenter revived series not the old acoustic brand) and that is 100w. Our drummer plays very loud and aggressively (don't they all?) so I was wondering, how big of a PA would be good enough for us to use for the purposes stated above? roughly how much in USD's will this cost and if you list any specific porducts I'd love to hear of your personal experience with it, thanks alot!

[waleross]

If possible try renting a PA, this way you can find out for yourselves what you need. Also you won't be in over your head by spending on something that is not right for your group. New can PA's cost a lot, so I would take it slow and see what you can rent first. Also, see what some of the local bar bands are using. My friends band played a bar with a bare bones PA, you don't have to get too much to get started either................................Good Luck

[Maxcamp92]

Amazon.com: Pyle Home PT610 19-Inch Rack Mount 600-Watt Power Amplifier/Mixer with 70V Output: Electronics
the greatest deal you will ever need. i got it. no effects or anything, but for vocals who cares? especially if your a punk band. just find speakers. but this is for sure worth the $. when it comes to speakers, we found 2 200watt towers in the trash, and they worked. haha

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by Maxcamp92

Amazon.com: Pyle Home PT610 19-Inch Rack Mount 600-Watt Power Amplifier/Mixer with 70V Output: Electronics
the greatest deal you will ever need. i got it. no effects or anything, but for vocals who cares? especially if your a punk band. just find speakers. but this is for sure worth the $. when it comes to speakers, we found 2 200watt towers in the trash, and they worked. haha

With that attitude I doubt you will ever get out of the garage. That POS you linked to is designed to be installed in a building for Public Address not as a bands mixer.

[crozier247]

Think back to being 15 and being broke if you were in a band at that age you would know how frustrating that can be. Especially now because the standard for what is acceptable as decent gear seems to be getting higher and higher every year. A 150w PA in the early 60's would have been more than enough to gig with but now it's just barely enough to get you by

[crozier247]

Originally Posted by modulusman

With that attitude I doubt you will ever get out of the garage. That POS you linked to is designed to be installed in a building for Public Address not as a bands mixer.

I sorta agree this seems more like something for use in a building. Have you had any problems with this unit?

[the yeti]

i hear that. maybe shop around used. people will probably tell you to get powered speakers and a mixer and that's good advice, except for the being broke part. if you gotta have something for not much $$ i think you can get a decent powered mixer and mains (maybe monitors too) for well less than $1k pretty easy.

[MNAirHead]

what's avaialbe used.. what budget

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by crozier247

I sorta agree this seems more like something for use in a building. Have you had any problems with this unit?

No, since I don't have a building where I need to make announcements. That amp doesn't even have any channel EQs from what I saw. Totally the wrong tool for a band.

[Stinsok]

2 Mackie Thumps and a 6 channel passive mixer.

[crozier247]

are those PA packages online ever any good? or is it better to do the research and mix and match various components to make a PA

[almightycrunch]

What you need to do is find a pair of old Peavey SP-2's and a powered Peavey 6 channel head, inexpensive and fairly bullett-proof, and time tested. Dont buy any of that packaged garbage that musicians friend tries to sell you, its useless.

[almightycrunch]

Originally Posted by Maxcamp92

Amazon.com: Pyle Home PT610 19-Inch Rack Mount 600-Watt Power Amplifier/Mixer with 70V Output: Electronics
the greatest deal you will ever need. i got it. no effects or anything, but for vocals who cares? especially if your a punk band. just find speakers. but this is for sure worth the $. when it comes to speakers, we found 2 200watt towers in the trash, and they worked. haha

good lord, this is whats the matter with kids these days!!!

[seanm]

The Fender Passport PAs are surprisingly good for a low end vocal/acoustic guitar only PA. You might find one used.

[crozier247]

How many watts of output would we need for a PA based on the wattage of our amps?

[walterw]

Originally Posted by almightycrunch

What you need to do is find a pair of old Peavey SP-2's and a powered Peavey 6 channel head, inexpensive and fairly bullet-proof, and time tested. Don't buy any of that packaged garbage that musician's friend tries to sell you, its useless.

this, and only this.

used peavey mixer head, used 15" + horn tops, a vocal mic or two to scream into, go play.

[countrybass007]

There are some pretty good 600watt powered mixers out there, match that with a couple of 15in. 2way cabs and you've got a decent starter PA. Peavey, Yamaha, and several other manufacturers offer these. Shure SM58s are good starter mikes, as are AKG D5s.

[allexcosta]

I'd take the "pair of active speakers and a small mixer" route.

almightycrunch's advice is good too, but you won't be able to expand in the future.

I'd run from the Fender Passport, they're terrible.

[crozier247]

the peavy's are a little out of budget for us we're jobless teens

[allexcosta]

Buy this:

Peavey XR8600D Powered Mixer NEW FREE SHIPPING XR-8600D | eBay

And this:

1 PAIR OFNEW EV SPEAKERS SX100+ | eBay

And call it a day...