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I need a go to Powered Mixer!

#21
modulusman said:
Powered speakers will generally sound way better than passive speakers of the same quality.
Click to expand...

This +1,000,000

In most all circumstances, powered speakers will come out on top because most decent units are not simply a speaker with a built-in power amp...they have some onboard processing (eq, crossover, limiting) that allows you to get the most out of them, safely.
 
#22
we use a sub mixer into one channel of the 8600 - for Drums
Using an insert cable, we effect only the Kick and Snare, and it works okey dokey -

I am actually doing a job Tomorrow, borrowing a friends snake, and using my EQs for the main mix, drum mix, monitor mix and a compressor. Its the first time I will have used all of this together. A set of JBL Powered 18" Subs, my JRX115s for tops, and 4 JBL JRX 112 monitors. I borrowed the snake and compressor, the rest is mine - so this ends up being cheaper than hiring a company. a friend LOVEs to run sound and does it well - offered to do it for Dinner - and I owe a return favor. It doesn't get much better than that I think!

Doing this lets us mic the guitars, and DI the bass into the 8600, and not use any effects (Dialed off) . the remaining mics are vocal mics, and we put some plate verb on them.

I think we are using a GX5 and a PLX1602 for power. I think everything but the subs, and 2 monitors fit in My SCION XB! (Heh heh heh)

I didn't build this in one shot, but assembled what I have over time, and have made it all work. there are absolutely better ways to do it, this is just what I have.
 
#23
Floyd Eye said:
If I was the OP and didn't want to go the mixer/power amp route, I would look for a used Mackie 808.
Click to expand...

I was looking into the mackies today actually, that seems like a good route for us to go because you can still run mains and mons out of it. Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe we could add a power amp to run more speakers?

We figure a 8-12 powered mixer would be ideal for the locations we play because any where bigger would generally have house PA. We are a four piece country band. We have the option of running the guitars and bass through the pa but haven’t had to for the size of the bars we have played.

We are in the process of building our pa system. Let me know what you think of this because I am new to the game.

Powered mixer at least 600w 2x300w
2 15 mains
2 monitors
Eventually adding in powered 18 subs
 
#25
Yes, powered mixers are a poor choice for long-term flexibility. However, they are great when it comes to transporting.

I currently use a Carvin 12-channel box-top powered mixer. 12 channels, 4 400w power amps, 4 EQs, 2 monitor mixes, 2 digital FX loops, subwoofer send. It replaced my board, a rack full of amps and processing plus all the cabling. Since I have to fit the entire PA plus my upright bass plus a drum kit into my minivan, it makes a big difference....takes up less room on stage, too. Weighs under 30 pounds in it's road case (18 pounds without).

What's to dislike? My old rig did sound better but I got sick of lugging it around. Heavy and extra trips during load-in/out. As a KISS advocate, a powered mixer works better for my current needs.
 
#26
We use a Yamaha EMX512SC powered mixer often and love it.
We use two PA speakers and two floor monitors and run guitar
and vocals through it. We have a sizable Mackie mixer and
separate amps with 100 foot snake but, usually, that is overkill
and, always, that is more work. Powered mixers can get the
job done with minimal effort.

We're even considering buying a second EMX512SC as a spare.
 
#27
warnergt said:
We use a Yamaha EMX512SC powered mixer often and love it.
We use two PA speakers and two floor monitors and run guitar
and vocals through it. We have a sizable Mackie mixer and
separate amps with 100 foot snake but, usually, that is overkill
and, always, that is more work. Powered mixers can get the
job done with minimal effort.

We're even considering buying a second EMX512SC as a spare.
Click to expand...

Do you run the bass and drums thru also or just vocals and guitars? Also, what speakers and monitors do you use...brand/size? Thanks.
I'm referring to the EMX512.
 
#28
snowplow said:
I was looking into the mackies today actually, that seems like a good route for us to go because you can still run mains and mons out of it. Correct me if I’m wrong but I believe we could add a power amp to run more speakers?

We figure a 8-12 powered mixer would be ideal for the locations we play because any where bigger would generally have house PA. We are a four piece country band. We have the option of running the guitars and bass through the pa but haven’t had to for the size of the bars we have played.

We are in the process of building our pa system. Let me know what you think of this because I am new to the game.

Powered mixer at least 600w 2x300w
2 15 mains
2 monitors
Eventually adding in powered 18 subs
Click to expand...

Yes you can run a power amp from the Mon out. I wouldn't get anything rated less than 2X500w. It will likely not put out that much at any rate, so get as much as you can. I believe the 808 is (rated) 2x600w. The Yamaha EMX 512sc, as an alternative, claims 2x500w.

I just picked up a MixWiz this morning, so my powered mixer is relegated to back-up status.
 
#30
countrybass007 said:
I like the powered mixers, and use Yamaha mixers. If we have a low volume gig the powered mixer and a couple of speakers do a great job. Big gigs we just add power amps and we're ready for the big shows. We do our own sound 95% of the time, so simplicity is nice. I'm also a big fan of powered monitors, so monitor levels are easy to set.
Click to expand...

When just using the powered mixer are you just running vocals through it?
 
#32
countrybass007 said:
No, it sometimes has drums and guitars running through it also, mostly at the big outdoor gigs. The added speakers are powered by seperate Crown power amps, but everything is controlled off the powered mixer. Our big Yamaha mixer will take four additional amps, with level controls for each one.
Click to expand...

On the smaller gigs though do you just use 2 FOH speakers and 2 stage monitors? If so what to you run through it...vocals, drums, etc.? Also what size FOH/stage monitors? Thanks.
 
#33
I like my powered mixers because they sit on top of my amp and take no extra room. A big plus on tight stages.

We use them mainly for vocals, acoustic guitar. I sometimes run a bit of lead guitar and bass through them to get over the crowd. And sometimes some bass when the band gets too ... ummm.... rambunctious and the venue can handle it ;)
 
#34
seanm said:
I like my powered mixers because they sit on top of my amp and take no extra room. A big plus on tight stages.

We use them mainly for vocals, acoustic guitar. I sometimes run a bit of lead guitar and bass through them to get over the crowd. And sometimes some bass when the band gets too ... ummm.... rambunctious and the venue can handle it ;)
Click to expand...

What do you use for FOH speakers and Stage monitors...I mean what size?
 
#37
seanm said:
I like my powered mixers because they sit on top of my amp and take no extra room. A big plus on tight stages.

We use them mainly for vocals, acoustic guitar. I sometimes run a bit of lead guitar and bass through them to get over the crowd. And sometimes some bass when the band gets too ... ummm.... rambunctious and the venue can handle it ;)
Click to expand...

Did you not post recently that your PA speakers sound like crap and you think that the horns are blown? Maybe running all that into them is the reason. If it wasn't you that posted that then nevermind. :D
 
#38
mello_bedwetter said:
Thanks. I've only ran vocals through the PA. I didn't know if 2 15" speakers would handle everything. We have a lead vocalist, 3 electric guitars, my bass and drums. We have run an acoustic/electric through it with vocals. That sounded fine.
Click to expand...

If you need volume then you need subs otherwise it will sound like crap unless you have some nice {as in expensive} speakers.
 
#39
mello_bedwetter said:
Thanks. I've only ran vocals through the PA. I didn't know if 2 15" speakers would handle everything. We have a lead vocalist, 3 electric guitars, my bass and drums. We have run an acoustic/electric through it with vocals. That sounded fine.
Click to expand...

We don't mic the drums. I wish we had more kick.... but we live with it.

The bass I only run through the PA to get over the top... literally. We rarely have a stage, and when the dance floor fills up we need the bass and lead guitar in the PA so the people at the back can hear.

Ok, once in a while I put some bass in the PA if the sound level has gone way up and the venue is not complaining. Rather than boosting stage volume, I let the PA handle some of it.

Basically, I always connect the bass amp DI to the PA "just in case".

We have never had a problem where the PA couldn't handle the volume. The PA has 2x400W for the mains and 400W for the monitors. This is all the mains and the monitors can handle anyway.

This is for venues up to about 250.... 200 is probably safer.
 
#40
modulusman said:
If you need volume then you need subs otherwise it will sound like crap unless you have some nice {as in expensive} speakers.
Click to expand...

In that case I guess a power amp could be used with the powered mixer? Sorry for all the questions. We're just a bunch of 50 year olds that started out just jammin' in a basement but now we've been playing "out"...not a lot but maybe once a month. I need to find some diagrams of this stuff. I do appreciate you helping.
 

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