PA system under 1500$?

[Blaze Barlow]

I'm unsure if this is the best place to put this question.
I'm currently in a small pop rock trio type thing.. All kinds of music, mainly originals. Drummer, singer/guitarist and a bass. All 3 of us will be doing vocals at one point or another.

Anywho, to the question. I'm trying to piece together a small PA that could carry 3 vocalists and a guitar in a small to medium venue setting, sometimes outdoor but nothing huge. We don't have any intention to mic the drums as our drummer has lead hands as is. I will be running my ampeg SCR DI into it and pretty sure the guitarist plans to as well. Of course, all 3 mics.

I've tried researching online for the price range, as the vocalist wants to have at least 2 monitors. Found a few packaged sets with 2 loud speaks (Yamaha a15s I think), 2 kustom monitors and a powered mixer. Though I can't seem to find whether it's great for running a bass through or not.

Got about 1500$ to put one, preferably somewhat portable, together. Any ideas? Our used market isn't great, that's why I'm looking new.

to be honest..you are not going to be able to get much for the dollar range you are talking about..a console..amps..speaker cabs..cables..and mics/stands will chew up those dollars quick..low budget speakers tend to blow quickly if you put too much level thru them..the small diaphragm horns are usually the first to blow..I like horns that have a 3" voice coils for those really crisp and penetrating vocal highs..you are looking at a 1" voice coil in most lower cost stuff..if you can go up in money..better gear is worth the investment..especially if you continue to gig..buy new if you can..and get that warranty..buying used is usually a crap shoot especially when speaker cone condition is to be considered..

 

[Blaze Barlow]

I don't mind having to haul my bass amp around, have a Ampeg BA210 v2. I'm just lazy and wouldn't mind not having to move it. Lol.

lazy doesnt make it far in the music business..

 

[guts]

You don't need 15" speakers in your PA for small to medium venues. You'll be wasting your money on speakers that will always be turned way down, or you'll be playing way too loud for the space. You would probably be fine with 10" in most cases so long as they have decent bass response.

 

[richntiff]

You guys replying suggesting all the new high end stuff (usual for these type threads) do recall that the OP has a $1500 budget, right?

Yes. The point is - the budget needs to go up if you want a decent solution.

 

[MTN.bass72]

I'm unsure if this is the best place to put this question.
I'm currently in a small pop rock trio type thing.. All kinds of music, mainly originals. Drummer, singer/guitarist and a bass. All 3 of us will be doing vocals at one point or another.

Anywho, to the question. I'm trying to piece together a small PA that could carry 3 vocalists and a guitar in a small to medium venue setting, sometimes outdoor but nothing huge. We don't have any intention to mic the drums as our drummer has lead hands as is. I will be running my ampeg SCR DI into it and pretty sure the guitarist plans to as well. Of course, all 3 mics.

I've tried researching online for the price range, as the vocalist wants to have at least 2 monitors. Found a few packaged sets with 2 loud speaks (Yamaha a15s I think), 2 kustom monitors and a powered mixer. Though I can't seem to find whether it's great for running a bass through or not.

Got about 1500$ to put one, preferably somewhat portable, together. Any ideas? Our used market isn't great, that's why I'm looking new.

Think outside of the big name, high dollar gear for a bit...
Look up and call Seismic Audio in Tennessee... no, I'm not affiliated... just great experience with their gear...

They have whole system set ups, or individual components to suit your needs at amazing prices..
Give them a call, they're super nice and easy to work with.
Hope this helps, good luck

 

[MrKeef]

lazy doesnt make it far in the music business..

Music isn't a business for me, It's a hobby I absolutely love. When I say lazy, think of it as, who actually likes hauling gear? I take my amp with me, I've even considered going bigger when we get an actual secured rehearsal space (just another month or so as my wife and I are buying a house with a big attached garage).

 

[MrKeef]

If the band can manage their on-stage volume, I think you could do the job properly just by monitoring/amplifying vocals only.

Cheap, sounds good, easier loadin. YMMV

That is one thing we plan on working on, stage volume. We aren't a super loud band, no reason to be. We play a lot of originals as well as covers ranging from Elvis, Janis Joplin to Sublime and even Jimmy Eat World. We aren't a loud band.

 

[MrKeef]

I'd cherrypick the local craigslist. If you're in Brooklyn I'd think you could pick up some bits and pieces.

Would love to see what you decided. Do a follow up?

I will most definitely do a follow up in the coming months. My wife and I are buying a house, we close at the end of March. The attached garage is going to be renovated into an extra room. Insulated, drywalled, electric and heating/cooling. Plus removing the actual garage door and walling it up entirely. It will become the bands rehearsal space.. As my wife actually both enjoys and supports me in all of this.

 

[MrKeef]

At $1500 I would focus on great vocal quality and not put the bass through it. Get some gigs under your belt and add a sub down the road.

If you think the gig has the opportunity to grow beyond your current expectations, then
Used QSC K12’s or similar. $900 a pair in good condition around my parts as a Craigslist buy. K12’s are industrially strong and sound good.
Ultimate Support 110 BL stands extra tall, gas lift, leveling leg for uneven surfaces. I recall around 300 for the pair
a decent stringer for power disto Rigid from Home Depot $150
And barely enough for something like a used Mackie CFx mixer (on board eq and efx).

That will get you started. Add the powered sub next, Add some basic lighting after that. Add the digital board last (IMO). I see Mackie dl-1608’s for $350 on my local CL time to time. If you aleardy have an iPad, it is a very good bet. Note that if it is an older 30 pin unit,there is a30 pin to lightning adaptor. What I did was to purchase a kit from Mackie and upgrade the 30 pin doc to lightning. A used 1608 is maybe the best, cheapest way into digital. The software rocks. You’ll also want a router but that is true with any digital setup of you want rock solid reliability.
Their idea here is to strategically invest in better pieces that you won’t just toss later.

If this is going to be a block party band and stay at that level...

A used Yamaha or Soundcraft Powered mixer and 2 Yamaha 15 plus horn and 2 Yamaha 12+ horn monitors. Cables and stands. You should be able to get all that in your price range.

Mackie c200 and c300 Passive speaks aren’t bad. The c200’s are 10’s, the 300’s are 12’s. Same cabinetsand I think drivers as the SM powered boxes. I had the 10’s and ran them on a pair for home built fEarful 12 subs for one season when I was starting out in the sound biz.

If you want to add a sub later, you also add a cross over and probably a power amp.

I had a Yamaha efx-5000/12 that was a good place for me to start piecing my way in a long time back. I still have a Soundcraft Gigrac ST-1000 lunchpail powered mixer that goes out on loan to not for profits and on rentals on the back yard party circuit...

Do not skimp on the stands... definitely get the leveling leg variety. They will save your bacon at some point. I have even used a set where one was on the ground and the other was on a set of stairs. I also have ballast that I use every time the stands are outdoors. Concrete with eye bolts embedded, climbing rope with carabiners that I use to suspend the concrete form in the legs and above the ground. That setup will take a huge gust of wind and not budge.

PA is a very slippery slope. I started in and eventually there is a truck, 2 trailers, a stage, A, B and C systems. 80’ of lighting truss, 24 lighting fixture, computer and interface to drive them...

Be realistic with yourself and your band mates about how deep in you want to go... option 2 or something like it could carry a band a long way.

I've actually been thinking about this a lot. Staying with just running vocals through it. Would be a lot cheaper. We will be gigging in areas that have pa systems already but then there are bars/vineyards/parks in our area that don't have PA support. If I went the vocals only route, I'd need a slightly bigger amp to keep up with lead hands.

 

[MrKeef]

I'll put this to a vote, a TON of great information about PA systems no doubt. I love it all and appreciate you guys and this community so much.

Keep the system small right now with just vocals running through it and upgrade my own amp? (Running an Ampeg BA210 v2, it struggles a bit with a loud drummer, I was thinking of going with a Rumble Stage 800, and getting the 210 v3 ext to use when I need it)

Or.. Go with a cheaper PA system and upgrade over time?

I currently do have a small powered mixer that I picked up locally for like.. 100$? It's 500w 8 channel. GTD Audio BM8800.

 

[MrKeef]

Whoops, forgot to add. Someone local has a pair of Peavey 412 columns with black widow speakers in them for 300$ for the pair. I've heard mixed reviews on those old school columns.

 

[MrKeef]

Think outside of the big name, high dollar gear for a bit...
Look up and call Seismic Audio in Tennessee... no, I'm not affiliated... just great experience with their gear...

They have whole system set ups, or individual components to suit your needs at amazing prices..
Give them a call, they're super nice and easy to work with.
Hope this helps, good luck

Oh, wow! I just looked at the seismic website. So the only reason they are cheaper is simply brand recognition?

 

[Paulabass]

No point in investing in backward technology. Avoid powered mixers , and analog mixers. With some careful shopping, some used EV or other name brand powered speakers, and a Soundcraft UI 12 digital mixer will allow you to grow as needed, and is about where the state of the art is now.
Electrovoice zlx12p powered speakers are $399 each NEW, and a Soundcraft digital mixer (without ipad, but will work well with a cheap android tablet) is $385.

 

[Paulabass]

Oh, wow! I just looked at the seismic website. So the only reason they are cheaper is simply brand recognition?

Seismic cannot be trusted to get you thru a gig. The cheapest thing on the market always has a reason for being the cheapest thing on the market.

 

[4Mal]

I'll put this to a vote, a TON of great information about PA systems no doubt. I love it all and appreciate you guys and this community so much.

Keep the system small right now with just vocals running through it and upgrade my own amp? (Running an Ampeg BA210 v2, it struggles a bit with a loud drummer, I was thinking of going with a Rumble Stage 800, and getting the 210 v3 ext to use when I need it)

Or.. Go with a cheaper PA system and upgrade over time?

I currently do have a small powered mixer that I picked up locally for like.. 100$? It's 500w 8 channel. GTD Audio BM8800.

GTD when it works it is fine. I’ve been using their wireless mic setups for several years had a couple of failures along the way. At the price, I could afford spares so nothing tragic. I might not want to depend on that though.

For your larger shows - rent. A decent double 18 and top per side rig is 200 to 400 per day depending on location and engineer, no-engineer from me. There are probably similar systems available somewhere in your area. Build that into your pricing and focus on the smaller rig is my vote.

 

[TheReceder]

I will most definitely do a follow up in the coming months. My wife and I are buying a house, we close at the end of March. The attached garage is going to be renovated into an extra room. Insulated, drywalled, electric and heating/cooling. Plus removing the actual garage door and walling it up entirely. It will become the bands rehearsal space.. As my wife actually both enjoys and supports me in all of this.

Thanks.... you just made salivate all over my keyboard.

 

[edro]

Digital is cool, used em... well familiar with em. Walked around plenty of times with an iPad...
Soundcraft is killer beans for sure... Love their desks...

That being said, I've seen used Yama 16s for a hunnert and up. Inserts, FX, their one knob Comp.... Nice board... I've used one off and on for years when I didn't need the digital. Paid for itself over and over... I don't need a tablet to use it. FX works, Comp works, it is clean and a quick setup for a show.

If OPie is needing NOW, I still say go used and cheap. Never sink a bunch of geet into a purchase on short notice. Whatever OPie decides to get in the long run, he can still use part of used system, use it in rehearsal space, or move it on CL...

I also would not go less than 16 channels on anything I bought...period....whether analog or digital, new or used.... Tish comes up out of the blue sometimes...

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Music isn't a business for me, It's a hobby I absolutely love. When I say lazy, think of it as, who actually likes hauling gear? I take my amp with me, I've even considered going bigger when we get an actual secured rehearsal space (just another month or so as my wife and I are buying a house with a big attached garage).

maybe business was the wrong word..

 

[nutdog]

I'll put this to a vote, a TON of great information about PA systems no doubt. I love it all and appreciate you guys and this community so much.

Keep the system small right now with just vocals running through it and upgrade my own amp? (Running an Ampeg BA210 v2, it struggles a bit with a loud drummer, I was thinking of going with a Rumble Stage 800, and getting the 210 v3 ext to use when I need it)

Or.. Go with a cheaper PA system and upgrade over time?

I currently do have a small powered mixer that I picked up locally for like.. 100$? It's 500w 8 channel. GTD Audio BM8800.

The JBL/Soundcraft system at PAS will sound very nice. Are there better systems for more money? Sure, but that's an almost new system at a used price. QSC, Yamaha and EV are marginally better quality but twice (or more) the price. I went with the latter 3 but I'm tempted to order some of the EON's because their so cheap.

You can also sound good with an older powered mixer system. Did it for years.

Me? I love the 23lb dbr10's. So easy to load, enough volume for many of my gigs as mains and great monitors for the bigger PA. One survived a fall from a 3 foot ledge onto concrete (thanks, drummer). Maybe not enough volume for others. But most bar bands are too loud.

And the digital mixer that weighs less than 10 lbs and fits in a laptop bag? It has the equivalent processing power of multiple racks of old school gear. Reverb, delay and compression on every channel. Graphic and parametric EQ on every channel, mains and auxes. Hi pass/lo pass filters. No snake and your sound guy can mix from anywhere in the room. Best PA purchase I ever made.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Seismic cannot be trusted to get you thru a gig. The cheapest thing on the market always has a reason for being the cheapest thing on the market.

Not true... I played numerous gigs for two different bands using their gear.. never an issue, or hiccup.. EVER