What is your bands PA set-up like?

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Well, I'll need the mixer I have now for rehearsals, along with the speakers I currently have.
Your reccommendation did not go unnoticed, its just not the most practical solution for me at this time.
And, I can sell a year old powered mixer for more than 50%, I could easily move it for 80%



Im thinking this will be the direction I go. Gotta start building the hooker & cocaine budget.

Thanks again, guys.

I usually wind up trading old gear in at my local store and they usually won't go more than 50% of what they sell them for. I guess if your lucky you might be able to get 80% selling it yourself.

[JumboJack]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Is it a carvin amp? I don't see where they make one that will put out 1500 watts into each channel at 4 ohms.

Ya got me... It's 3000 bridged only 950 in 2 channels.

[Holdsg]

based on all the responses, I'd say our PA is pretty tame, for a 5-piece CR band.

2 QSC K-12 for mains using the DEEP setting to avoid need for subs
2 QSC K-10s for stage moinitors
fed from Allen-Heath mixer

that's it. I am able to fit, bass gear, keyboard gear, and all 4 speakers into my Honda Pilot for transport to gigs.

played only small to medium rooms, 200 people max, none outdoors.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by JumboJack

Ya got me... It's 3000 bridged only 950 in 2 channels.

Well 950 is right about what they recommend for maximum so you should be fine.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by Holdsg

based on all the responses, I'd say our PA is pretty tame, for a 5-piece CR band.

2 QSC K-12 for mains using the DEEP setting to avoid need for subs
2 QSC K-10s for stage moinitors
fed from Allen-Heath mixer

that's it. I am able to fit, bass gear, keyboard gear, and all 4 speakers into my Honda Pilot for transport to gigs.

played only small to medium rooms, 200 people max, none outdoors.

well that is actually a good rig IMO. Are you micing any of the instruments or just vocals?

[RS66LB]

[quote=JumboJack;13720927]The one band that I am in that owns a PA plays mostly weddings with it.

It is a Carvin 24ch. . There are three amps.
One for the mains (2)2x15 3000w. One for the subs (2)18"ers 2000w and one for the monitors it's a four channel not sure the power.

It's more that enough for anything we have played. Outdoors mostly.
Normally just run vocals and kick.

Carvin is great stuff.

Yeah, they typically use Eminence speakers and engineer their configuration pretty well, I know that normally a 2x15" would seem to be a bad idea regarding vocal reproduction however Carvin has engineered the top 15's to take care of extended mids, if that speaker is bypassing the crossover and is anything like a simple Eminence Delta 15 will offer great vocal mids, I'm glad you're pleased with your set up and have a great day.

[Holdsg]

3 singer mics go thru the PA, as well as the keys.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by modulusman

I usually wind up trading old gear in at my local store and they usually won't go more than 50% of what they sell them for. I guess if your lucky you might be able to get 80% selling it yourself.

Yeah, Id definitely sell it myself. So long as the gear is kept in good condition 80% isnt too hard to get.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Yeah, Id definitely sell it myself. So long as the gear is kept in good condition 80% isnt too hard to get.

I always sell consignment at the local store. I am willing to take the hit because I hate selling things. But I go consignment because selling it to them outright is too big a hit.

But if you have any salesmanship at all, selling it yourself is the way to go. No matter how you slice it, the store takes a cut.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by walterw

PA heads do none of these things, they just get left behind.

Originally Posted by nutdog

One of mine is still used for practice. Another was sold to fund another purchase. For exactly what I paid for it. Kind of like a non-powered mixer I bought. And sold.

I get what you're saying but it doesn't mean a powered mixer can't meet your current needs/budget and then suddenly turns into a boat anchor when it doesn't.

So you find you need more inputs or monitor mixes? You sell it and get another. Or use it for a smaller system. How is this different from a non-powered mixer?

it's different from a PA head because the regular non-powered mixer in that price range would likely have enough ins and outs to still be useful for things like monitors, sub-mixing or recording as part of a better PA.

good point about just unloading the PA head, as long as you can indeed sell it for decent money.

[Rip Topaz]

My PA is great for practice, only used it for one gig and it was actually too much PA for the room. Sounded awesome!!

Carvin RX1200L powered rack mixer;
(2)Carvin LS2153's (dual 15" mains);
(1) Carvin LS1801 powered sub;
(2) Carvin LS 1202 monitors (12");

My bass rig is DI only, no amp. iOS based amp sims, I'm using a small mixer for IEMs with a feed from the RX1200L. Does the trick so far, will eventually upgrade to a Shure in ear system.

[nutdog]

The Carvin RX1200L looks pretty cool. Lotta bang for the buck.

[derrico1]

+1 to either of the two larger Presonus SL boards or the Mackie DL1608. If you're running your own sound, the ipad control is a game changer. (I prefer the DL b/c it doesn't require you to also set up a Mac to get wireless control. However, if you want to record your shows, the StudioLive's firewire multitracking trumps the DL's main-mix recording.)

Originally Posted by modulusman

If you forget your I-Pad at home you can use the Mackie as a door stop.

A bit of a red herring: if I forget the IEC cords (or speaker cables, or mic cables, or mic stands, etc), my speakers, mixer, and rack are essentially boat anchors. But unless I'm a completely irresponsible flake, I won't load out without at least running through a mental checklist of essential items, right?

[derrico1]

I'm a fan of small and light (but capable) tops that will cover vocals-only PA gigs, augmented with a sub or two for those tweener gigs in which the whole band is in the PA but sound is still DIY. Something like the Mackie DL or Presonus SL boards + QSC K10s makes a capable/light/no-hassle small-gig rig. Scale up with subs when you need more horses.

In general, PA speakers are the difference b/w an easy-to-live-with PA and one that you curse 4 times a night. If the gig involves moving multiple hulking PA cabs, I'll happily pass. (If the gig calls for more than 4 K10s or K12s and two subs, hire out the PA.)

My least favorite set-ups have been with bands with split-the-difference tops (1x15s, or worse 2x15s). They're overkill for vocals-only PA gigs, and I'd much rather have tops + subs for all-in PA duty.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by derrico1

+1 to either of the two larger Presonus SL boards or the Mackie DL1608. If you're running your own sound, the ipad control is a game changer. (I prefer the DL b/c it doesn't require you to also set up a Mac to get wireless control. However, if you want to record your shows, the StudioLive's firewire multitracking trumps the DL's main-mix recording.)



A bit of a red herring: if I forget the IEC cords (or speaker cables, or mic cables, or mic stands, etc), my speakers, mixer, and rack are essentially boat anchors. But unless I'm a completely irresponsible flake, I won't load out without at least running through a mental checklist of essential items, right?

Maybe. The problem with an I-Pad is it isn't just used for music. I have extra of all the things you mentioned above in our band trailer. So unless we screw up and forget to bring it to the gig we got it covered.

[5StringFool]

Originally Posted by modulusman

Maybe. The problem with an I-Pad is it isn't just used for music. I have extra of all the things you mentioned above in our band trailer. So unless we screw up and forget to bring it to the gig we got it covered.

You just buy a dedicated iPad for the Mackie and leave it docked into the mixer. A DL1608 and an iPad is not really any more expensive than a decent new 16 channel mixer with FX and a good snake. Imo it's a wash.

[derrico1]

I just always check to make sure I have mine packed when I'm loading gear. Whatever works, I guess. Also, the thing about the DL and StudioLive boards is that I wouldn't be the only one in the band bringing an ipad w/ the control software; but even so, I haven't found it that challenging to remember mine.

[modulusman]

Originally Posted by derrico1

I just always check to make sure I have mine packed when I'm loading gear. Whatever works, I guess. Also, the thing about the DL and StudioLive boards is that I wouldn't be the only one in the band bringing an ipad w/ the control software; but even so, I haven't found it that challenging to remember mine.

In my main band no one even owns an I-pad. The other band I play with alot the singer started bringing his I-Pad about 6 months ago. He has all his lyrics on it. He has also forgot it at home twice since then.

[Red Planet]

Interesting thread. I suppose I have been digressing as I get older. I used to lug around way too much gear and now I do not. I only take what we need. I will qualify my remarks by stating I play in a Trio which usually plays in 100 to 300 seat venues sometimes larger and sometimes outside. Most of the time I run vocals and a little kick in the mains and vocals only in the monitors. For rigs I use my trusty Shuttle 9.0 into either one or two 12 cabs and our Guitarist uses a Fender Twin.

Most of the time I use a Yamaha EMX512SC and two SM12Vs for mains with three SM12Vs for monitors. I run the three monitors 8 ohm series to 8 ohm, and paralleled to 8 ohms for 5.8 ohms and the first cab is really loud which our Singer/Guitard likes because he is deaf. For larger events I use two EMX512SCs, one can be for monitors only. I can power one set of 4 ohm Community's with one Yamaha head and four SM12Vs with the second (using a Channel in for the input to power amp).

If I need more channels I can add an additional mixing board for Drums and I can also add a set of Yamaha SM15Vs powered by a MarkBass F1. Next weekend I am taking it all out as I have an outside charity event in a local park. I'm not worried as much about PA as freezing my buns off. It's for a good cause though January Jam "We froze our extremities off".

There can be a big difference in PA equipment depending on the venue size so the subject matter can be all over the map. BTW portable PA heads rule. I will take my two little 20 pound heads at 2000 watts any day over a 32x8x2 and a rack full of gear.

[Floyd Eye]

Just an FYI. Carvin speakers are no longer made by Eminence. They are sourced from China and in my opinion they are junk. I used RL410s for years with no issues. Eventually I blew drivers in each of my 2 cabs. Both of the replacement drivers I bought blew very quickly. The last one didn't even make it through the first gig.