Ideas for full-band PA in tiny low-volume venues

[DonaldR]

Nice choice!

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

Here are new photos to show the relative heights with the tall vs. short speaker mount for the Electro-Voice EVOLVE 50M. The stool is 29.5 inches tall. The microphone is 63.5 inches up (facing my mouth; I'm six feet tall). The Soundcraft Ui24R now lives in a 4U SKB short rack. The short mount is useful for the 50M as a standalone bass amp. As a PA, the rig sounds better with the tall mount.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

At first I wasn't sure about using the 50M as a standalone bass rig. It has surpassed my expectations on sound and volume. The 12-subwoofer gets 500 watts from the built-in amp, which also sends another 500 watts to the upper array of six 3.5 drivers. Not only is the tone uber clean and pure (shapeable however you want!), but 1,000 watts makes the maximum SPL reach 127db, which is WAY more than I'd ever need. As a bass player, I'm liking the vertical array most of all. I can actually hear the fine-grained detail of my bass's tone at any volume, which inspires me to play better. This approach is way off typical discussions here on TalkBass, but having done the traditional route for many years, I wish I had discovered the column PA approach sooner.

 

[DonaldR]

I haven't fired up my bass amp since I have a PA. Even at home the sound is more controllable than from a bass amp and I can get a way better sound with my direct-to-foh setup than any practice amp at low volume.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I configured a mic stand setup for my phone, which controls the Soundcraft Ui24R mixer, and my tablet, which displays charts and lyrics. Both holders have rock-solid connectors to the pole so there's no sway. Nice!

IK Multimedia iKlip Xpand Mini mic Stand Phone Holder, Compatible with iPhone & Android Smartphones 3.5" to 6", with Adjustable 360° Swivel​

Hercules DG307B Adaptive Tablet and Phone Holder

 

[Pop C]

Not Insane is right on the mark!!

 

[4StringDave]

I didn't realize there were so many threads on TB about the all-in-one line array PAs plus sub. I've spent the last day or so reading through, starting with the intro of Bose in early 2000s up to today. Google has been my friend and the best commentary has been on TalkBass compared to other sources! So kudos to our own brain trust for gear advice!

Can any of you speak from practical experience as to how well one of these (Yamaha Stagepas, EV 50M, etc.) can support a full band in a low-volume assisted living center or nursing home? Assume 3 instruments (incl. electric bass) and 3 mics and an indoor audience of 30-50. Virtually all of the YouTube reviews I've seen that featured a band used two units, not one. Some featured three and even four units for a band. Even the DJs are typically using two units. I'd like a realistic impression of whether I'd be forced to double the cost ... or not. Hopefully, not! An overriding goal is to eliminate the need for lugging personal cabs, amps, and combos. I want to simplify sound reinforcement with one device. Thanks!

I've just played a small gig with one of the yamaha stick systems (can't remember the name, the one without the mixer built in). Small soundcraft analogue mixer (8fx). Two vocals, bass, drum machine, guitar and sax.

It was more than enough. We set it behind us and could hear everything clearly.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I've just played a small gig with one of the yamaha stick systems (can't remember the name, the one without the mixer built in). Small soundcraft analogue mixer (8fx). Two vocals, bass, drum machine, guitar and sax.

It was more than enough. We set it behind us and could hear everything clearly.

Did you put the sax through the PA? I've been wondering if instruments like sax, trumpet, banjo, or even acoustic guitar might not need PA support in a relatively small venue.

 

[Passinwind]

Did you put the sax through the PA? I've been wondering if instruments like sax, trumpet, banjo, or even acoustic guitar might not need PA support in a relatively small venue.

I've experienced that quite a few times, same for vocals too for that matter.

 

[N. Kentucky Bass]

I've experienced that quite a few times, same for vocals too for that matter.

The Soundcraft Ui24R can automatically record individual tracks for all inputs. I can see where I might need to put a mic on certain instruments for purposes of recording a gig or session, while totally (or almost totally : ) take those signals out of the main outputs.

 

[DonaldR]

You might not need some instruments in the PA to "amplify" them but to give the audience a "finished" product (or coherent sound), all the sounds coming from the same place instead of everywhere.