PA setup for Practice Space

[Kurtis Marleau]

So I'm playing in a trio right now and all of us have semi pro gear. As the bassist/singer I need to start setting up a vocal rig that will be able to get over my 2x10 cabinet and our guitarists 2x12 cabinet.
We currently have the following. Please note this will only be used in the practice space so we are aiming for something budget friendly.

Peavey I4B mixer (Powered outputs are distorted so we use line out into power amp)
Peavey M3000 power amp.
1 Behringer Eurolive passive floor monitor.
3 Behringer XM1800 Microphones (Bad condition)

So what I was thinking was adding two more floor monitors one for the guitarist and one for the drummer that way everyone can hear the vocals without needing to much volume. Total price approximately $250. After that I was going to look into upgrading the microphones to Shure SM58's. Since these mics are industry standard they are dirt cheap in the used market. I'm in Canada so during the winter we practice in a basement but during the summer we have an empty cabin (windows are covered) which is about the size of your average living room or bedroom.

I just want to hear some opinions on this setup. I can provide a layout I have in my head if needed.

 

[ggunn]

That sounds OK to me. I'd advise putting those monitors as close to your heads as possible so you can run them at lower volume. Anything you can do to dial down your rehearsal volume is to the good.

 

[Jay Corwin]

57's and 58's will get you by most of the time, plus they're indestructible.

So you will be running only floor monitors without mains?

 

[ggunn]

57's and 58's will get you by most of the time, plus they're indestructible.

So you will be running only floor monitors without mains?

I think that's the way to go for rehearsals. You just need to hear the vocals at as low volume as you can, otherwise your rehearsals can get so loud that no one can hear anything clearly.

 

[tbirdsp]

Yeah we just use a Peavey powered mixer with a couple of JBL floor wedges - good enough for vocals and keys.

 

[Downunderwonder]

If you can keep drummer and guitar from blasting you out of the room you'll be fine. Then when you get on stage you can mic everything and it'll sound great. Do watch out for low flying hogs.

 

[Kurtis Marleau]

To answer your question yes it will be just floor monitors. The guys I work with are astounding at the art of dynamics (Perfect for progressive rock) so I'm sure hearing me will be no problem. One floor monitor just isn't enough at the moment.

 

[bmc]

I assume your PA speakers are on poles. If so, put them against the back wall aligned with your amps. It works fine for practising and gigs as well.

 

[ggunn]

To answer your question yes it will be just floor monitors. The guys I work with are astounding at the art of dynamics (Perfect for progressive rock) so I'm sure hearing me will be no problem. One floor monitor just isn't enough at the moment.

That's not surprising. Monitors are very directional; it's hard for more than one person to get in the beam of a monitor. A separate monitor for each of you, as close to your ears as possible with the volume set at a reasonable level, is IMO going to be your best setup for rehearsals. If there is no "house" listening to the music, there is no need for FOH speakers.

That said, what we eventually replaced our cluster of wedges in our rehearsal space with is a Bose stick in the corner of the room and a small monitor for the drummer. It works great for us; YMMV.