• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

PA system for wedding band!

#21
People crap on Behringer all of the time and a lot of the time it is warranted. My bands setup is currently almost exactly what you are asking about:

2 Behringer VP2520 mains
Behringer XENYX 2442FX mixer
Behringer EP2000 power amp
Crappy 1000w power amp for monitors
4 Zebra 200w monitor wedges

We don't use our own PA all that often as the bars that we play at provide house equipment but we have used this setup at two outdoor functions, large events with multuiple bands running instruments and vocals through the PA. We had no issues.

Is is top notch? No way. Will I be upgrading? Yes, when I have the money to do so. Does it work for us now? Sure....and for about $1300 new for the whole setup we can live with it for now for what we need.

Now a weddnign abnd playing twice a week, every week, I am not sure I would rely on it but it certainly can do some work if needed.
 
#22
Hire a sound engineer with a full FOH system. Your budget is too low to get anything worth buying, and Behringer gear isn't reliable (although they purportedly have made huge strides in the last couple of years).
 
#24
I agree with everybody. You need a bigger budget and you need to not waste any more of it on Behringer.

I'd say this would be a minimum type of set up.
MixWiz
2 Yamaha 12" mains
2 18" subs
At least one monitor for each band member
3 or 4 decent power amps. ( Crown, QSC)
2 dual channel 31 band EQs ( Don't cheap out here)
Crossover
16 channel stage snake
Reverb/delay unit


Looking at about 5k right there. You'd probably be better off getting powered mains and subs, but you need more money.
 
#25
craig.p said:
I would respectfully disagree with the advice to rent. This does nothing for your bottom line in the long term. Not one cent (shilling) goes toward your future sound system purchases. Basically that money is just pissed away and does not follow you and the band forward in time. Again I would advise, instead, limiting your audience sizes at any given point in time while you're saving for the "next" scheduled upgrade.
Click to expand...

I agree in principle. But in the OPs price range he cannot get a system for 500 people. So renting may be the only option in the short term. And as they get equipment, they can rent less.

And for a wedding band, you also need lights. We always rent lights since we only need them a few times a year. Nobody is willing to pay for something that will take forever to pay off. The rent of the lights comes off the top from the gig pay.
 
#28
I-Love-Ratm said:
How come you're saying no to powered speakers as opposed to having rack amps? Curious as I want to invest myself.
Click to expand...

Powered speakers is the best way to go for people who aren’t very familiar with doing sound.

And those who do know what they’re doing recommend them, and usually choose them for themselves, as well.

I’m a person who knows more about PA gear and sound than most band musicians, and I recently went all powered speakers/monitors.
 
#29
The reason I would recommend powered is because they have their own built in amps, and crossovers.

For any mobile PA system I would recommend powered.

You can get very good powered speakers from Yamaha, JBL, and QSC.

Buy DBX rack gear for good budget gear. Their dual 31 band EQ is pretty much standard and its 239 bucks.
 
#30
That's a tough budget. There are tons of great powered speakers out there. However, it's a mine-field of quality, reliability, and value. I'm afraid that you gets what you pays for!

I ran our sound system for a few years, and I'm a stickler for sound quality over quantity. We used RCF powered speakers (they make a huge range), and always received favorable comments on the full, hi-fi quality of the sound, rather than ear-splitting midrange and distorted, boomy lows.
 
#31
Those, and most all budget 2x15 mains are horrible; the compression driver can’t keep up with the woofers, and you can’t get a clean sound from them. You want the horn to be above the people’s heads, but they’re heavy and awkward to mount on stands… just a bad idea all around.

Better to get 1x15s or better yet 1x12 two-ways for tops, and subs.
 
#32
Kevin Hamler said:
That's a tough budget. There are tons of great powered speakers out there. However, it's a mine-field of quality, reliability, and value. I'm afraid that you gets what you pays for!

I ran our sound system for a few years, and I'm a stickler for sound quality over quantity. We used RCF powered speakers (they make a huge range), and always received favorable comments on the full, hi-fi quality of the sound, rather than ear-splitting midrange and distorted, boomy lows.
Click to expand...

+1 I bought a few RCF ART312-A powered speakers, which aren’t too expensive, but sound great for the price.

For super-budget powered speakers, instead of Behringer I’d check out the Alto brand.
 
#35
Hmmm....you'd be surprised what the Behringers can do these days! Our band uses a PMP6000 powered mixer powering Mains and monitors. Subs are powered. Sounds good and loud. When we want more monitors, we use an additional power amp. One spot we play at during the summer is outdoors and easily block party status (500-1000) and there is no problem being heard. In fact, I could hear the music (band break/DJ playing) from several blocks away! Have had zero issues in the 2 years I've been in the band.

Now if I can get the BL to invest in some good wireless mics.............He's using a horrid Vocopro wireless mic system! Ugh!
 
#36
Marko5657 said:
For super-budget powered speakers, instead of Behringer I’d check out the Alto brand.
Click to expand...

+1

I've got 4 of the Alto powered 12s, 2 on poles for mains and 2 monitors. I used these with a Mackie profx mixer and it is plug and play for small 100-200 ppl gigs. They are not K12s (I have one as a keyboard monitor) , but for a fraction of the price they do very well. About a dozen gigs on them so far and no issues; mostly bag gigs and a few weddings.
 
#37
zac2944 said:
+1

I've got 4 of the Alto powered 12s, 2 on poles for mains and 2 monitors. I used these with a Mackie profx mixer and it is plug and play for small 100-200 ppl gigs. They are not K12s (I have one as a keyboard monitor) , but for a fraction of the price they do very well. About a dozen gigs on them so far and no issues; mostly bag gigs and a few weddings.
Click to expand...

Forgot to add, we only run vocals through this rig.
 
#38
DWBass said:
Hmmm....you'd be surprised what the Behringers can do these days! Our band uses a PMP6000 powered mixer powering Mains and monitors. Subs are powered. Sounds good and loud. When we want more monitors, we use an additional power amp. One spot we play at during the summer is outdoors and easily block party status (500-1000) and there is no problem being heard. In fact, I could hear the music (band break/DJ playing) from several blocks away! Have had zero issues in the 2 years I've been in the band.

Now if I can get the BL to invest in some good wireless mics.............He's using a horrid Vocopro wireless mic system! Ugh!
Click to expand...

I agree that Behringer products these days aren’t bad, but you have to take into consideration that the stigma is still there. And when you want to charge bigger bucks and they see “Behringer” on your equipment, they might not feel they’re getting their money’s worth.

I’ve heard/read people say they got more/better work just because they went to JBL speakers, and not even high-end ones, but semi-educated people see that orange square and assume you’ve got top-notch gear.

And one band provider I’m speaking of went to JBL just because they were lighter than his EAW rig, and people thought he up-scaled. :)
 
#39
bluewine said:
I'm not sure I would invest anymore money in Berhinger gear.

Blue
Click to expand...


+1 Berhinger gear is garage band quality

You need pro level gear at Weddings plus some back up equipment in case some thing goes wrong. i actually bring an extra 8 ch Soundcraft 500 watt PA Head as a quick back up. Had a bass amp crash recently and was able to use the back up PA head as a bass amp to complete the gig. In the United States there is a ton of quality PA gear on Craigslist and Ebay. Some stuff I would be new like power amps but the rest I have had good luck buying used for cheep.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back