I Need a Point and Shoot PA

tycobb73 · #1 12-14-2010, 10:45 AM

Ive never run sound before. I may be doing it in the future. My question is, what is the easiest setup that sounds good when the operator doesnt have a clue? What is the equivalent of the point and shoot camera? My dad loves photography and wouldn't be caught dead with a pap but says they doh decent for people like me. The cheaper, the better. Typical bars of 2 or 3 hundred people.

greenboy · #2 12-14-2010, 11:28 AM

**baba** · #3 12-14-2010, 11:39 AM

Sounds like you are looking for a powered mixer that has on board effects. Check out the Yamaha and Mackie offerings. After that you just need 2 passive mains, 2 passive monitors, 2 speaker stands, 4 speaker cables, and maybe a snake. This is about as point and shoot as you can get.

If you wanted you could add a powered sub or two as well.

Jazzdogg · #4 12-14-2010, 11:43 AM

What do you intend to amplify?

If just vocals, you may be able to get away with a few powered loudspeakers and mics; after that, it begins to get somewhat complicated.

Ben Clarke · #5 12-14-2010, 11:50 AM

nothing sounds good when the operator doesn't have a clue. Do those people a favor and get some experience - shadow some local companies. New sound guys suck for a while anyway, even if they have a clue.

CTbass613 · #6 12-14-2010, 12:24 PM

if you are playing to a bar of 200 to 300...what is your definition of cheap, because thats a decent sized room. How is everyone's gear, can you get a blended sound by balancing backline volumes, and then just need to project vocals through the room? Point and click PA's don't really exist...Some form of powered speaker may be easier than a power mixer, but cost is higher....

modulusman · #7 12-14-2010, 01:09 PM

Are you trying to hire out as a soundman or run sound for your own band? Either way you're in for a rude awakening.

fokof · #8 12-14-2010, 01:19 PM

Line Array ?

M0ses · #9 12-14-2010, 01:26 PM

Good luck, sir.

T-Bird · #10 12-14-2010, 01:26 PM

Hi.

To me, a "point and shoot" would mean a mixing desk with internal FX and compressors, feeding 4 active cabs, 2 as mains and 2 as monitors. An active sub would be nice, but may complicate things too much to be considered "point and shoot".

Add cables, mics and stands, and You're looking at $3K give or take a few hundred.

As the others have said, taking the "point and shoot" attitude in mixing a band is not a very good idea. One may end up having a PA, but no band and no gigs.

Regards
Sam

tycobb73 · #11 12-14-2010, 01:31 PM

My preference is to hire sound out but I'm getting prepared to have to do it myself. Looking at options.

CTbass613 · #12 12-14-2010, 01:45 PM

Yeah start doing some research, next time you hire sound scope out there gear, see if you actually like how it sounds, then try to find the gear they are using and see if its in your price range. I personally prefer mixer to powers to speakers, versus powered speakers, reason being is that you don't have to worry about extra extension chords and power outlets, but power speakers are sometimes significantly easier as far as setting up quickly.

GregShadoan · #13 12-14-2010, 02:49 PM

JBL VRX powered speakers (tops and subs) are about as "point and shoot" as it gets. You will need a mixing console of some sort, and mics, etc.., but those boxes will be VERY forgiving for a noob. For 200-300 seat rooms, I would recommend 4 VRX 12" powered tops, 2 VRX 18" powered subs, the poles, and a little power distro. Add mixer and mics as needed. Get your check book out. Starting price about $9K if your lucky.

NickRich · #14 12-14-2010, 02:56 PM

Call your local music shops and asked them if they rent PA kits.

They'll give you what's the easiest to operate.

Stumbo · #15 12-15-2010, 02:23 AM

Here are a few links to check out:

~PA/Lighting
First
1 What size?
2
Configuring
Placing Subs
DIY monitors
1 Upgrading
2

1What mixer is your band runnin'?
2
QSC K series PA discussion
Microphones

Low cost lighting

~FOH
Working with the "sound guy"
Cheap vs. Expensive DI
Working a DI
1 Learn live sound mixing
2
3
Frequency ranges of band instruments
Bass string notes,frequencies and harmonics chart
EQ primer (all instruments)
FOH vs. on-stage sound
Solving odd feed back situations

Isolating Head/Cabs from stage/each other
Best wireless?

Find more great TB info from the link in my sig. below.

Stumbo · #16 12-15-2010, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Clarke

....get some experience - shadow some local companies.

CHeck out bands already playing those 200-300 people venues. See what they're running. Take notes. Visit as many clubs as you can.

Munjibunga · #17 12-18-2010, 12:37 AM

Here y'go. Get a Mackie ProFX-12 mixer, two JBL PRX612M powered cabs, and the mic cables to hook 'em together. Done.

The mixer has effects built in, and has six mic preamps and a couple more line inputs. We use this setup in my trio, and we use it at rehearsal for the 6-piece classic rock band. The speakers weigh in at 36 pounds each, and crank out 1,000 watts each.

The setup is simple and fast (less than a half hour ... 15 minutes to tear down), and sounds great. It'll be less than $1,500 if you buy at the right place (Northern Sound and Light), and you'll have a semi-pro PA. You can add a couple PRX 618S subs later on.

Munjibunga · #18 12-18-2010, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregShadoan

JBL VRX powered speakers (tops and subs) are about as "point and shoot" as it gets. You will need a mixing console of some sort, and mics, etc.., but those boxes will be VERY forgiving for a noob. For 200-300 seat rooms, I would recommend 4 VRX 12" powered tops, 2 VRX 18" powered subs, the poles, and a little power distro. Add mixer and mics as needed. Get your check book out. Starting price about $9K if your lucky.

Lucky indeed. It's $10,800 for the four mains and $3,800 for the two subs. Add $2,000 for a decent mixer and $130 per mic. Cabling will cost you at least a couple hundred. Better reserve another $1K or so for incidentals. You're looking at over $15K. Don't get me wrong ... I'd LOVE to have that rig, but I would not want to haul it and set it up.

I am incredulous that you would even suggest such a rig for a noob. See my post above. I will guarantee you that the VRX rig will not sound ten times better at ten times the price.

derridiandrift · #19 12-18-2010, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munjibunga

Here y'go. Get a Mackie ProFX-12 mixer, two JBL PRX612M powered cabs, and the mic cables to hook 'em together. Done.

+1
this is the kind of rig every working cover band around these parts uses for most gigs

KeithAlanK · #20 12-18-2010, 03:06 AM

The dbx driverack(?) thing that does main EQ and crossover and some compression etc is the closest thing to a P&S. Add mixer, amps and spkrs.
You still need a pro to dial it in for you, but after that it's easy going.

The other route is powered mains from the same brand, like Mackie or QSC or...
The crossover points and EQ are pretty much done for you already.
If you need more subs, turn them up.

The real answer though, is no such thing.
That's how guys like me can feed our families.
How about P&S airliners, so we can put the pilots out of work?