New to live sound, need recommendations

[Genericbassname]

Hey everybody -

Me and my drummer friend have been working on a two man project for a while, and we feel like we're ready to start gigging, but we don't feel like we have an adequate PA setup; we only have two barely working monitors, which we can kind of use for practice but absolutely will not cut it for a live show, and the mixer itself is older than both of us and is held together by duct tape. I've been saving some money and have about $1000 to spend on new equipment, but have absolutely no idea where to start; I haven't been able to find any decent guides on stuff for live sound, and I can't figure out how much wattage I need to support vocals against a full stack and a loud drummer.

Basically, we need a mixer, a power amp (either a powered mixer or an unpowered mixer + amp, whichever works better at my price range), two mains, and two monitors; we both sing, thus we both need to be able to hear ourselves. We'd also like at least eight channels on the mixer if that's feasible at our price range, sixteen would be awesome.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm new at this, so if what I think I need isn't actually what I need for gigging, feel free to tell me how wrong I am

Thanks!
- GBN

[cricketfever32]

How big of a space are you guys looking to fill? That'll probably the deciding factor in how much money you can spend, if it's a full stack and a loud drummer, you'll need quite a bit of power, I've found the crown xti amplifiers to put out some good amount of power, quite honestly the only way to know how many "watts" you need is simply going to a store and trying out rigs.

In terms of mixers, you can easily get a yamaha mg mixer, and yamaha's known to make some pretty amazing pro audio equipment.

If you're doing separate monitor mixes, you will need more than one amp, unless you're doing a mono pa setup, daisy chaining your mains on one output and having your monitors on the second and using one side of a power amp for each. either way, you can be told all these amps, mixers, speakers are amazing for the value, but in the end you are the end user and should probably go to a local guitar center or samash and just demo speakers and amps, i suggest going with crown, qsc, yamaha or maybe investing in powered mackie speakers since they are cheaper in price (i personally dislike mackie, but to each his own).

[Floyd Eye]

Originally Posted by Genericbassname

Hey everybody -

Me and my drummer friend have been working on a two man project for a while, and we feel like we're ready to start gigging, but we don't feel like we have an adequate PA setup; we only have two barely working monitors, which we can kind of use for practice but absolutely will not cut it for a live show, and the mixer itself is older than both of us and is held together by duct tape. I've been saving some money and have about $1000 to spend on new equipment, but have absolutely no idea where to start; I haven't been able to find any decent guides on stuff for live sound, and I can't figure out how much wattage I need to support vocals against a full stack and a loud drummer.

Basically, we need a mixer, a power amp (either a powered mixer or an unpowered mixer + amp, whichever works better at my price range), two mains, and two monitors; we both sing, thus we both need to be able to hear ourselves. We'd also like at least eight channels on the mixer if that's feasible at our price range, sixteen would be awesome.

As I mentioned earlier, I'm new at this, so if what I think I need isn't actually what I need for gigging, feel free to tell me how wrong I am

Thanks!
- GBN

A couple years ago I picked up a Yamaha 532SC ( 2x500 watt) powered mixer with 2 12x2 mains, 2 12x2 monitors, 2 SM58s, stands and cables for $600 on my local CL.

My band is pretty loud. This keeps up nicely for vocals and with my back up rig hooked to the mono out for mic'ing the kick drum.

[prd004]

IMO Mackie is way over-rated. On your budget I would look into Carvin, you can get MUCH MORE for your money, and I've been happy with everything of theirs I have tried. But a grand is pretty tight if you're gonna need mains, monitors, amps, cables and a mixer. Good luck

[Genericbassname]

Thanks for all the recommendations so far, I feel like I kind of know where to start looking now. I really like the bang for the buck I can get from Carvin, that's probably what I'll aim to try out first.

[kpc]

Here is the biggest secret for the smallest box mixer with the most power per size.....it also has an impecable warranty..... Yorkville M1610-2 Micromix Powered Mixer 2X800W with Effects Chip check the spec sheet on it's power!

[MNAirHead]

OVERALL,

For your budget, I'd really be scouring for used stuff..

I've posted and sold VERY articulate powered mains with a mixer for $200 on craigslist... this would fill most medium sized clubs.

In reality when starting.. assuming you have a way to transport, there are not plenty of folks out buying ultra-efficient PA systems

----


Where to start?

I'd make a wanted poster --- then take it to a DJ/Pro Audio/Lighting store..

Talk to the sales manager and let them know what you're wanting.

HINT.. a pro audio store doesn't have drums or guitars.

Many times these places will have trade ins and dead inventory.. I've had the owners throw me free mixers with a phone number to someone who wants to upgrade... it helps the store manager.. helps the customer.. helps you.