I Need a Point and Shoot PA

[JohnMCA72]

A good photographer can make decent photos with a "point & shoot" camera. Somebody who's clueless about photography will be lucky to get anything other than crap out of even the best camera gear.

The analogy to PA is very appropriate & similar results shouldn't be a surprise.

 

[Bean639]

Carvin.

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[GregShadoan]

Lucky indeed. It's $10,800 for the four mains and $3,800 for the two subs. Add $2,000 for a decent mixer and $130 per mic. Cabling will cost you at least a couple hundred. Better reserve another $1K or so for incidentals. You're looking at over $15K. Don't get me wrong ... I'd LOVE to have that rig, but I would not want to haul it and set it up.

I am incredulous that you would even suggest such a rig for a noob. See my post above. I will guarantee you that the VRX rig will not sound ten times better at ten times the price.

Well, personally I don't think 15K is all that expensive for a decent PA kit. I have had budgets for that much for a 3 day run, renting. As I mentioned the VRX system is very forgiving for those without a lot of experience. You plug it in, turn it on, push up a fader and sound jumps out. Good sound. If you do the math, doing 300 seat room equates to 50 bucks per head. Get 5 buck on 300 people, for ten shows and the thing is paid for, and will last for at least 100 shows or more. Damn good investment if you ask me. It is an extremely easy system to transport, setup and run. You get what you pay for. You want/need simple "point and shoot" you are going to pay a premium for it.
One person can setup a 6 box VRX system in under an hour. You can transport it in a mini van. I have done it. YMMV.

 

[bikeplate]

HI

I have JBL Eon Powered mains and subs, a Yamaha Digital mixer, snake, mic cords, etc. Easy to haul in and setup. You dont need amps, effects rack, etc. Its all in the board. For a newbie like you you'll love the digital board. Computer-esque.

Id recommend a sound guy first couple gigs. He'll get a good mix which you can save on the digital board. You can also pick his brain while he does his thing for the future. My sound guy is a friend whos been around the world with Shadows Fall and easy to work with. I know can run the system when he's unavailable to work for us.

Rob

 

[musicman7722]

Here y'go. Get a Mackie ProFX-12 mixer, two JBL PRX612M powered cabs, and the mic cables to hook 'em together. Done.

The mixer has effects built in, and has six mic preamps and a couple more line inputs. We use this setup in my trio, and we use it at rehearsal for the 6-piece classic rock band. The speakers weigh in at 36 pounds each, and crank out 1,000 watts each.

The setup is simple and fast (less than a half hour ... 15 minutes to tear down), and sounds great. It'll be less than $1,500 if you buy at the right place (Northern Sound and Light), and you'll have a semi-pro PA. You can add a couple PRX 618S subs later on.

My duo uses this mixer with powered QSC tops and sub. My 5 peice band has gotten through a few gigs as well with it. nice mixer, QSC powered stuff though in the $800 range is bery nice.

 

[rtslinger]

Ive never run sound before. I may be doing it in the future. My question is, what is the easiest setup that sounds good when the operator doesnt have a clue? What is the equivalent of the point and shoot camera? My dad loves photography and wouldn't be caught dead with a pap but says they doh decent for people like me. The cheaper, the better. Typical bars of 2 or 3 hundred people.

Simple answer there isn't one. every room is different and at times rooms you played in for years can sound wonderful one night and like crap the next! You have to work with the band and the room and the crowd who's bodies will be playing a roll in the step up as well. If there were a point and shoot pa then the soundmen of the world would be out of work. Read up on it study it like any other thing you want to learn and get good at. Lastly you get what you pay for so invest in some decent equipment so you won't find out a few months in your first choice was $ down the toilet! RTS not a soundman myself but in the music business for many years and have worked with a ton of them!Good Luck

 

[Munjibunga]

Well, personally I don't think 15K is all that expensive for a decent PA kit. I have had budgets for that much for a 3 day run, renting. As I mentioned the VRX system is very forgiving for those without a lot of experience. You plug it in, turn it on, push up a fader and sound jumps out. Good sound. If you do the math, doing 300 seat room equates to 50 bucks per head. Get 5 buck on 300 people, for ten shows and the thing is paid for, and will last for at least 100 shows or more. Damn good investment if you ask me. It is an extremely easy system to transport, setup and run. You get what you pay for. You want/need simple "point and shoot" you are going to pay a premium for it.
One person can setup a 6 box VRX system in under an hour. You can transport it in a mini van. I have done it. YMMV.

My mileage does vary. I'm over 60. I'm done lugging around my EAW stacks and QSC amp racks. Your suggestion, while a superb PA rig, is monster overkill for what the OP is seeking.

 

[RustyAxe]

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Literally LOL. Yep, that's it.