• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

basic PA for reggae band

#21
Great input thus far, especially that post from 4lPh4n0m3g4

Most of the gigs I've played in Reggae bands were club gigs and parties where we didn't use the PA for instrument support. At that point, you're really putting the vocals and the kick drum through the PA, and your PA requirements are much less.

Gigs that were big enough to require more sound reinforcement (festivals, bigger concerts) generally provided that sound reinforcement. Or we could (and did) hire a good sound guy with the right gear (and factored that cost into our fees).

You don't have to come out of the gate ready to play Sunsplash on your own.
 
#22
kesslari said:
Great input thus far, especially that post from 4lPh4n0m3g4

Most of the gigs I've played in Reggae bands were club gigs and parties where we didn't use the PA for instrument support. At that point, you're really putting the vocals and the kick drum through the PA, and your PA requirements are much less.

Gigs that were big enough to require more sound reinforcement (festivals, bigger concerts) generally provided that sound reinforcement. Or we could (and did) hire a good sound guy with the right gear (and factored that cost into our fees).

You don't have to come out of the gate ready to play Sunsplash on your own.
Click to expand...

i agree. that's why i thought the link i posted earlier to the Phonic package would be a good idea...or something of similar functionality. what do you think about that one?
 
#23
It's an off-brand, so I can't speak to performance or reliability, which are pretty key if you're shelling out for PA gear. In terms of "what's there", that's more or less what you need, though you could stand to have more wattage, and you will need at least a pair of monitors. You will also benefit from a pair of speaker stands - getting your mains up off the floor will make you sound much, much better out in the house.

If I were in your shoes (and I have been in the past), I would scour my local Craigslist or equivalent and buy used. Peavey PA gear tends to show up cheap and is generally bulletproof, and other good deals show up left and right.
 
#25
modulusman said:
You had many posters telling you that even $1000.00 isn't enough money. So now you only want to spend $400.00.:rolleyes: If you spend 10 times that amount you would barely have a PA.
Click to expand...

And I realized $1000 would not be nearly enough for an ENTIRE system. So instead, I'm trying to start with what I can. I'm just looking for some help looking for specifics, and sarcastic replies are pretty hilarious, but really accomplish nothing. It would be a little more helpful if you showed me some better options that you've had experience with. But kicking someone that's already down is pretty good too.
 
#27
stinger12345 said:
And I realized $1000 would not be nearly enough for an ENTIRE system. So instead, I'm trying to start with what I can. I'm just looking for some help looking for specifics, and sarcastic replies are pretty hilarious, but really accomplish nothing. It would be a little more helpful if you showed me some better options that you've had experience with. But kicking someone that's already down is pretty good too.
Click to expand...
kicking someone when they're down is a time-honored american tradition ;)

but look, he's right. even if you only can get a vocals only pa, at least get a decent one. that's not even decent, imho. i don't know that you need a $20,000 pa, but you're probably going to want something worthy enough to be able to run the bass drum through so you can add the needed low end response for reggae. and decent vocals only pa's that can hang with a loud reggae band in a 200 seater will probably cost a couple grand minimum.
 
#28
stinger12345 said:
And I realized $1000 would not be nearly enough for an ENTIRE system. So instead, I'm trying to start with what I can. I'm just looking for some help looking for specifics, and sarcastic replies are pretty hilarious, but really accomplish nothing. It would be a little more helpful if you showed me some better options that you've had experience with. But kicking someone that's already down is pretty good too.
Click to expand...

There are no better options at $400.00. I gave you some good advice in post 17. You have a bass rig that costs 2 grand so what would make you think that $400.00 would buy you anything that sounded good. You would be better off with a $400.00 bass rig and a $2000.00 PA.
 
#29
stinger12345 said:
And I realized $1000 would not be nearly enough for an ENTIRE system. So instead, I'm trying to start with what I can.
Click to expand...
You did ask about a system for a reggae band. If you said singer/songwriter with an acoustic guitar, I may not hesitate the recommend the Phonic system. But since you're looking for the "sound" of reggae, which is very bass heavy, a low-powered system with mid-high cabs only is probably not going to be sufficient.

If purchasing that Phonic kit means the difference between your band being able to do shows, and not being able to...then you can guess the answer. Just put vocals through it and keep the stage volume to a reasonable level and it may be fine as long as you temper your expectations.
 
#32
we don't own a PA but we own a qsc 18 sub. So for gigs with out house sound we rent a smallish pa with just 12 0r 15 inch mains for vocals, a percussion mic and keys, then run the kick drum only through the sub. My rig is plenty for any gig with out house sound. even with a huge bass amp reggae sounds ultra weak without a subbed kick drum.
 
#33
So I finally lucked out and got a pretty good deal on some mains, 2 JBL powered 15s for $450. It's an older model from a couple years back. Now I wanna ask a few questions that may be extremely N00B, but this is my first PA and I want to ensure I don't mess them up in any way. The speakers have 2 xlr's, an in and an out (both mic/line level).

1) How can I connect an iPod or something of the like to the speakers? Is there some type of xlr adapter I don't know about?
Something like this?

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Mogami-Gold-TRSXLR-Mini-Patch-Cable?sku=483353&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=209527705

4) Does the mixer I get have to be unpowered?

5) Does anybody know where to find old product manuals from jbl? I google'd it, but couldn't find what I wanted.

Sorry about the elementary questions but I bet we all remember our first time :p

EDIT: One more question...there's a line/mic switch on both of the speakers. I'll set the speaker the mic is plugged into to "mic", but what about the other one? Since no mic is plugged into it, do I set it to line? Thanks again
 
#37
Also, I'm looking for the RMS wattage of what I got. On the back it says 880 max. All it says in the manual about wattage is, "Internally Bi-amplified - 130 watts low frequency and 50 watts hi-frequence (bi-ampflied) - actual power delivered to the drivers".

Here are the specs from Amazon:

* Frequency Range (-10 dB): 60 Hz to 18 kHz
* Frequency Response (-3 dB): 80 Hz to 16 kHz
* Enclosure Alignment: 6th Order
* Long-Term Continuous SPL1: 120 dB
* Long-Term Peak SPL2: 127 dB
* Input / Connectors: (2) 4-pin Neutrik Speakon: 1 Input, 1 Loop-Through/Output
* Sensitivity: 100 dB SPL, 1W/1m
* Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
* Power Handling: 250 Watts
* HF Transducer Protection: Crossover Network Includes Integral HF Protection Circuit
* LF Transducer Diameter: 380 mm (15 in)
* LF Transducer Power Handling: 250 Watts
* HF Driver & Horn:
* Diaphragm Diameter: 44 mm (1L in)
* Power Handling: 50 Watts
* Dispersion Angle (H x V): 90° x 60°
* Baffle: Die-Cast Aluminum
* Enclosure: UL 94HB Polypropylene
* Dimensions (H x W x D): 27 x 17 x 17.5"
* Internal Volume: 1.8 cu. ft./51 liters
* Weight: 42 lb./92 kg



Anybody able to make sense of all that to find out what the continuous power of these guys are?
 
#40
stinger12345 said:
How can I connect an iPod or something of the like to the speakers? Is there some type of xlr adapter I don't know about? Does the mixer I get have to be unpowered? One more question...there's a line/mic switch on both of the speakers. I'll set the speaker the mic is plugged into to "mic", but what about the other one? Since no mic is plugged into it, do I set it to line? Thanks again
Click to expand...
Pick up a small unpowered mixer, maybe something with four or so channels (or as many as you think you may need). You can plug in your vocals, Ipod, Acoustic guitar, keyboard etc. Run out of your mixer into the speakers LINE level.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back