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Cheap PA

Hwegs7

Hwegs7

Guest
Mar 31, 2015
37
3
#1
Hi guys im in a four piece band. (two guitars, bass and drums) and we need a loud enough PA system to hear over 3x15 bass 2x12 guitar and another 4x12 guitar amp and a full drum set. Anything $200 or less doenst need to sound amazing and we would like at least two channels. Im thinking 200 watts-ish let me know if you have any sugestions! We are ok with used equipment!
 
#3
Do you have any of the extra gear already (mikes, stands, cabling)? You're going to be very hard pressed to get anything usable within your budget, especially if you need mikes, etc. I get the whole "anything usable" vibe but with your budget it's going to be very hard. You would be better served to find a work around (rent a PA, partner with other bands, etc.) and save up some more money. You don't need the latest and greatest but you don't want to throw your money away.
 
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#5
everytime I read one of these threads, I can't help but think to myself, as I started out ...... and wish someone would have explained better to me that you can't haul 10 tons of gravel in the $40 a day budget rental car.

That said, you need enough clean head room to make it worth making the initial purchase, but you don't need to play a festival gig with your new and upcoming PA. If you don't have mics already, don't buy ultra cheap, and doom yourself to feedback and bad sound. Same stands true for your mains, or monitors. Lessons learned in cable purchasing - If you can solder and make your own - great - if not......Buy DECENT ones......the ends and gauge/quality of cable are also important.

that all being said - if you look used, and can find stuff that is not in its finals stages of life, you might be able to get something useable but My guess is that you will have to really be diligent, or really really lucky.
 
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#7
As an old guy, I think you have entirely too much gear to begin with. Lol.

That being said ... you DEFINITELY have more stage sound than $200 is going to be able to keep up with. $200 won't even buy you the proper sized amp- much less mixer, cables, mics and most importantly- speakers.

I suggest you find yourself a good powered mixer ( carvin, peavey, Yamaha. .) In the 500w range and start saving money for some good mains. Jmho
 
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#9
DWBass said:
$200? Not a reasonable budget at all. Check your local Craigslist and piece something together 1 by 1.
Click to expand...

Yeah, no kidding. I've got about three times that just in cables. 15 XLR cables at roughly $40 bucks average, depending on lenght for a "decent" cable is $600 plus spares because they do wear out at the worst time. Granted I've got a big band but still $200 won't get you anything
 
#10
If you really want "bang for the buck" for cheap, try used or these folks:
Seismic Audio: Pro Audio Speaker Equipment - PA Speakers | PA Floor Monitors | Amplifers | Mixers | DJ Speakers | PA SubWoofers | PA Loudspeakers | Church Speakers | Guitar Speakers | Bass Guitar Cabinets | Rack Cases | Snake Cables | Splitter Snakes | Patch Cables | PA Speaker Cables | Amps | Seismic Audio Speakers
- Seismic Audio Speakers

No affiliation with the company but do have more than a few of their products. They will discuss systems with you since they now seem to not have system packages.
 
#11
Is this just for rehearsal? My band started off spending $200AUD (gear is MUCH cheaper in the States, which is where I assume you are?) on an old Shure system from the 70's. We already had SM58's/57's and cables and that did us really well for a few years. We then upgraded to a pair of Mackie Thumps (on stands) and a small mixer, which was amazing in comparison and eventually got a pair of JBL Eon's too (Thumps are now foldback). Point being, if all you're doing is rehearsing and you don't want to spend too much (and you're happy to wait and look around), then $200 will get you something that is a LOT better than nothing. Just don't expect it to last you forever, don't expect it to be super loud and as you get more serious maybe consider throwing down some more money. I would always recommend powered boxes over an amp + speakers as they are modular and allow you to expand down the line. Good luck!
 
#12
Thanks again for the information i already have mics and cables. Yes this will be pretty much practice only. Also keep in mind the guitar amps and bass amps are never even close to maxed out. Rarely past 3 on all of them we just want to hear them as loud as the drums. Yes im in the united states.
 
#13
FunkySpoo said:
Yeah, no kidding. I've got about three times that just in cables. 15 XLR cables at roughly $40 bucks average, depending on lenght for a "decent" cable is $600 plus spares because they do wear out at the worst time. Granted I've got a big band but still $200 won't get you anything
Click to expand...
The last time I counted I had about 80 XLR cables. Every thing from 3 ft. lengths up to 50 ft.
 
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#14
Wow... You aren't asking for a miracle or anything are you?

Even shopping Behringer, or Kustom, you just aren't going to get there, even used, at the price tag you are wanting to get at...

Assuming just for vocals, 4 vocalists. You would need 4 mics, 4 stands. To keep it on the cheap, the lowest cost, usable mic I am aware of is the Nady SP-5, you can get a single mic for $15.00, a package of 3 for $29.99, so let's just round and say for $45.00 you have mics.

Lowest cost XLR mic cable I am aware of is the CBI MLC20 20 foot mic cable at $6.09 each, you need for so there's $24.36

Mic stands. Again shooting for lowest cost period. Samson MK-10. Thankfully these are decent stands on the cheap, they go for $19.99 for a total of $79.96 for the 4 stands.

And you need a mixer to connect it all up, minimum of 4 XLR inputs. lowest cost, no frills I am aware of is the Behringer XENYX 1202 at $89.99

At this point you have already blown over your $200.00 budget, and you haven't included powered speakers, speaker / power cables, or stands.

I am pretty sure you aren't even going to get there shopping used.
 
#17
You have powerful amps - I assume you don't play softly. Don't skimp on power, or you will waste what you spend. Again, better to spend enough money to get something useable.

The cheapest way to go is a (hopefully used) powered mixer. For example, Peavey makes a 6 channel, 400w mixer for about $350.

Kustom cabs are pretty decent for the money, but again, look used.
 
#20
DWBass said:
Shhhh......don't say the B or K word! Or suffer the wrath of modulusman! ;)
Click to expand...

The B word? You mean Behringer correct? Wrath schmath, it's just a company brand name. The undies need to get out of the knot they are in about Behringer.

Yes I said it, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer, Behringer. It's thoroughly idiotic to intentionally steer away from a company name like it is a racial slur, so yes, I am going to spell it out when I see a company or product name dodged like that.
 
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