PA on a budget? ($430)

Unknowndude · #1 11-16-2006, 07:07 PM

Well, I've been offered $500 canadian to buy a PA for the band. It'll only need to be lent out occasionally, so the idea of a free PA is sweet.

Anyway, I was wondering if anything is feasible within this price range. I am aware that cheap products are usually crap. Then again, we would only need to run two vocal mics and maybe some keys through it, and it would mainly be for rehearsel.

Being able to take it to gigs and actually have it sound decent would be nice. I also wouldn't mind being able to use the mixer some time down the line to record drums for demos.

What kind of wattage would I need? What other features are necessary? Also, I'm in Canada so most online stores are out of the question. Music123.com is pretty good about shipping here, though.

Here are some that I've looked at that fit the bill and leave money left over for cables and stands (Yeah, I know they may be a gamble- I'll definately make sure whatever I buy has a good warranty):

Kustom-KPA7212
I haven't really heard any good things about Kustom products, but it seems like a good deal- 200 watts and 7 channels.
SoundTech S40
I've seen this brand a few times, but this looks like it has less features for only a little less money. Might be better quality than the Kustom.

Of course, I haven't really looked at my options locally. Most PA gear around here is Yorkville or Peavey, but I don't know if I can find anything within my price range.

Thanks

jondog · #2 11-16-2006, 08:16 PM

Of those two I'd get the Kustom. I usually buy used, almost any Peavey head will be indestructible.

UtBDan · #3 11-16-2006, 10:24 PM

Kustom is reliable. 150 watts isnt enough for my 4 piece band (ofcourse I use an 8x10 and the guitarist has a Fender twin), but the drums always seem to be louder than the PA no matter what.

I'd shoot for more watts, but if not go with the Kustom. I'd personally try to whip in 150 of your own and get one of those 400-500 watt Peavey's.

IanStephenson · #4 11-17-2006, 09:30 AM

we have a phonic powerpod 740. 2x200w with 7 channel mixer+effects. At about £160 they're a bargain. with the 12" speakers the whole rig is about £300.

definatly worth a look.

Ian

Roger Pounders · #5 11-17-2006, 09:50 AM

it depends... I cant give you advice unless you tell me what you are going to do with it, and where you plan on using it.

How many band members? Only vocals? only for small venues?

regards,

Roger... Bassist and Sound Company owner

Unknowndude · #6 11-17-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pounders

it depends... I cant give you advice unless you tell me what you are going to do with it, and where you plan on using it.

How many band members? Only vocals? only for small venues?

regards,

Roger... Bassist and Sound Company owner

We're a 3 piece, so basic guitar, bass and drums. Again, only vocals and possibly acoustic guitar or keyboards (not necessary). It would only be for rehearsels and very small shows, since for anything larger a PA is usually provided.

Kronde · #7 11-17-2006, 04:02 PM

I will echo the comment to buy used equipment. I put together a practice PA for what you have to spend. You should be able to purchase a mixer-head and pa speaks within your price range. check out craigslist. I think I paid around $130 for a used 6 channel 200 watt (4 ohms) head with reverb (no fx). I purchased 2 peavey PR 12 pa speakers (horn and 12" woofer in an injection molded box) for just over $300 new and had a great little PA for practice. Granted, they are not the best sounding speakers - yamaha, jbl or EV would be much better, but they get the job done. Obviously that doesn't leave much room for mics, mic stands or speaker stands, but you get the general idea. You will occasionally see yamaha pa speakers, which seem to be great, around here for a pretty good price used.

Dkerwood · #8 11-18-2006, 02:16 PM

Honestly, I'd kick in some cash of your own and then head to the pawn shop. I avoid used PA gear online like the plague... there's just too much left up to chance there.

For $750, Musician's Friend offers an 8 channel, 2x200W Yamaha mixer amp, 2 Yamaha 12" speakers, 2 mics, and all the cables to hook everything up.

If the system is going to be loaned out, you might consider this - buy the mixer/amp and 2 small wedge speakers that are pole mountable. Then take your own money and grab a couple of big PA mains. That way you get mains and monitors when you play, but you only loan out the monitors.

Roger Pounders · #9 11-21-2006, 11:04 AM

the only problem with Keyboards is the lower registers produced tend to overload low power amps...

as to the rest of it.. a 3 peiece playing coffee shop sized places, one of those Fender powered head and speaker kits would work like a champ. Most of those places you wont need monitors, if you needed to add monitors some powered hotspots would do the trick...

I can run a small trio on just my monitor setup 2 speakers on poles and a powered head.

Dkerwood · #10 11-21-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Pounders

the only problem with Keyboards is the lower registers produced tend to overload low power amps...

as to the rest of it.. a 3 peiece playing coffee shop sized places, one of those Fender powered head and speaker kits would work like a champ. Most of those places you wont need monitors, if you needed to add monitors some powered hotspots would do the trick...

I can run a small trio on just my monitor setup 2 speakers on poles and a powered head.

The Fender Passport systems work great, but be aware that their power on switch actually is some sort of over complicated digital powerup mechanism. My church bought one and it failed within two years. It was cheaper to buy a new powered head than to try to repair it.

So yes, the Fender works great, but for the cash, you can get a better value. The Fender, IMHO, is a purchase for convenience... although it IS nice to have all the PA bundled up in one package!

Unknowndude · #11 12-02-2006, 01:35 PM

I think I'm going to go with the Kustom. I'm gonna grab a boom stand and cable with it, but I dunno what I should get for a mic- I really want a SM57 to use for recording as well as for this system (they handle voice just fine), but it's kinda pricey, and the cheaper the better. Are there any decent cheap dynamic mics? (we already have a mic, and this one would be used for backup vocals most likely)

jondog · #12 12-03-2006, 08:18 AM

I still use the same SM57 I bought in '92. Buy once, cry once. Buy a cheapo and cry when it dies and when you have to buy replacements.

Skel · #13 12-03-2006, 08:25 AM

The singer in my band mentioned once that he liked "Carvin" PA's, so I bought a Carvin "Club Series" system that came with everything, including two good mics. I loved that they were in San Diego, USA, you could order direct, great support, and the PA is so simple that *I* can set it up and run it...I love my Carvin system.