Just how small can a bands PA be?

[Bredian]

New band acquired Line 6 mixer and powered mains. Subs just arrived and we'll gig with them first time this Saturday. So far, first gig was simple and quick. More money than the Simpler Carvin of previous band, but these peeps are busier and the budget it higher. 4 vocals, keys, guitar and will run drums and bass in to larger gigs. Only the subs weigh more than 50 lbs. (85)

 

[drummer5359]

I have a pair of QSC K-8 powered speakers, they work fine for the acoustic work that I do with vocals, acoustic guitar and either congas or cajon running through them in small rooms. When playing a larger room or outdoor gigs we add a small powered sub on the acoustic gigs and it works fine.

But, you mentioned drums...

I'm a drummer who isn't a particularly hard hitter and I don't feel that any system with 8" mains can keep up with drums and acoustic guitars, certainly no budget system.

For electric gigs with drum set I believe that you need a more serious system.

 

[waveman]

This is what I have for my personal rig, and it can be had fairly inexpensively:

Powered Mixer:

http://www.amazon.com/Seismic-Audio...9&sr=8-3&keywords=seismic+audio+powered+mixer


Speakers:

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And a couple of poles...

Lightweight, and easy to transport

For my band, and if you have the money, this rig will get you though most small and medium sized gigs and sounds way better, and cost a lot more:

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[FunkySpoo]

Most of the places we play are small by "club" standards. In my county you aren't allowed to have a bar only. It must be a restaurant/bar. So usually the band sets up in a corner of a restaurant the size of a typical Panera/Ruby Tuesday. We show up with two of the four self powered Alto 12's and four self powered Alto 10's for monitors and one of two Mackie SWA1801 subs. We use two subs for outdoor gigs and a 16 channel mixer.

 

[nutdog]

Started playing in a band a lady wants to start, and she has volunteered to buy the PA. She sings great, but knows even less about band sound than I do.
Somebody at guitar center told he she could buy this 80w four channel pa with 8" speakers since the plan is to play in small venues. (25-100 peeps)
This band is suppose to be pretty "standard" with guitar, bass, drum kit, and multi vocals.
I think that she might get away with that if just amplifying the vocals and everyone just amps themselves - but I don't think it will ever sound "good" (balanced) unless you have an 8 channel, with at least 200w, and probably at least 12" speakers and some sort of bass speaker.
Anyone know more than me? That's just what I've always been exposed too, but I know a lot of people over buy and I don't want to recommend she waste any money.

Budget? It's great to have nice expensive stuff but for vocals only a powered mixer and cabs can be fine in small clubs and sound nice. Before I'd buy a new 80w 4 channel and speakers I'd watch craigslist for a yamaha or mackie powered mixer and cabs. Preferably a mixer with two amps (monitor/mains) and at least 8 channels. Seems like you can never have enough channels. Yamaha sm and br speakers are almost always on CL for less than 200 each and sound good but are a bit heavy.

Are those subs pole mountable? I'm looking for small subs like that.

I've been using one or two of these and couldn't be happier. Especially, at 46lbs, during load out.

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