4 channel power amp setup?

[pendergasta]

Hi guys,

The good news: After entering every single week for years, I won Carvin's Online $250 gift certificate giveaway this week!!!!

The question: I'm thinking about moving to a pre/power amp setup. I don't have much live sound experience. Would it be possible/feasible/wise to get the Carvin DCM1204 Link Removed ??
I'm thinking I could use two of the four channels to power two separate cabs (300watts at 4ohm per channel), and then use the other two channels to power other things, such as my band's floor monitors, maybe a full PA in the future, etc...

Bottom line- Any wisdom regarding using two channels to power bass cabs and two channels to power a pa system or monitors (or anything else) all at the same time?

Thanks guys!

 

[jtc_hunter]

You can do your 2 cabs @300 watts ea. , but as far as floor monitors AND a PA, 600 watts would be a little lean powerwise. The reason I say this is, floor monitors will be 8ohm each, so if you only use 2 , then you will be ok. If you use 4 floor monitors, the you have used up your amps capabilities. Which is Ok. Now, to run 300 watts for 2 floor monitors, and 300 watts for 2 (say) 15 inch mains, would be Ok for a fairly small PA. If you HAD to use the amp to power everything, I would do it this way:
Channel 1: 300 watts for bass , either one 4ohm cab or 2 8ohm cabs.
Ch.2: 300 watts for 2 floor monitors
Ch. 3 and 4 600 watts for PA, 4 main speakers

I have only done this stuff for 35 years, so just my 2 cents

 

[pendergasta]

Thanks Jtc,
Thanks for the reply! Your 35 years definitely trumps my 6 months with live sound!
I wasn't totally clear in my rambling... I was thinking that I could use it for either Bass and monitors OR PA and monitors. Sounds like I would be OK in either situation...
I'm just not sure whether I should do that, or just go with a big 2 channel power amp and let the monitor/PA stuff work itself out later...

 

[BassmanPaul]

Each channel of the 1204 will supply 300W at 4Ω. Channels 2 and 3 can be bridged internally to supply 600W at 8Ω. I use mine as a monitor amp for my PA. I drive my four 8Ω monitors from individual channels. It's a good amp and I am very happy with mine.

Paul