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Putting together PA. What else do I need?

#21
RonSound said:
How about this system ?

Marketplace PA system
Click to expand...
for that money, you are better off buying separately. A used active 12"-15" full range speaker (alto are great speakers for the price), a 12-15" subwoofer (you need only one for starters) and a mixer should come under $1500. I would get a nice mixer though, digital or analog, 16 channel is nice for future proofing a band. Though we're maxed out already, (kick and snare), 2 elec guitars, 2 acoustic guitar, bass and 5 vocals.

Do you have guitar/bass amps?

This is what our band has done, we sound pretty good and def loud enough (though we use monitors/instrument amps which contribute to the volume) for small/med gigs. Mostly vocals and drums are going through the PA and instruments are going through in the background since we have amps. We are looking at sub-woofers, but honestly not in a big rush since we already sound good... though we do have a dedicated sound guy.
 
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#22
I know it's not specifically your question, but you have mentioned that you are putting this together on a budget. When I was putting together my first band's first pa system I read a piece of advice on Pro Sound Web that I have found to be true that time and every time since. When budgeting for a pa system, add together the cost of all your big ticket items then add an extra 33% on. You will be shocked at how much cases, cables, stands, clips, adaptors, racks, and everything costs. The bag for one of my QSC speakers is £120. The bag.

Don't splurge all your cash on your new speakers and then have to find more money for the rest.
 
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#23
Jack said:
I know it's not specifically your question, but you have mentioned that you are putting this together on a budget. When I was putting together my first band's first pa system I read a piece of advice on Pro Sound Web that I have found to be true that time and every time since. When budgeting for a pa system, add together the cost of all your big ticket items then add an extra 33% on. You will be shocked at how much cases, cables, stands, clips, adaptors, racks, and everything costs. The bag for one of my QSC speakers is £120. The bag.

Don't splurge all your cash on your new speakers and then have to find more money for the rest.
Click to expand...
Good advice! Thanks!
 
#24
As for power or non powered speakers, each has their own advantages and disadvantages.
Powered....
Plug them in, send them signal and you have sound.
Processing is done in the box.
Each speaker location needs to have power, extra cabling in some form or fashion.
If the amp module dies that speaker is done, no easy work around.
From what I have heard and seen amp modules in speakers seem to have a higher fail rate
than power amps

Non powered....
Only one cable to run to the speakers.
You can bag them up in the rain and not worry about them overheating or even in the direct sun.
Emergency work arounds are easier.
Extra outboard equipment needed.

The list could be longer, those are the big points.

From the guy that uses 90% non powered speakers.
 
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#25
I talked to my ex-vocalist earlier this week and he offered to sell me 6 cabs for $400. 2 Peavey towers w/ 2-15 and horn, 2 Peavey 18" subs, and 2 Peavey 15" monitors. It's basically a duplicate system of what we were using live minus the Xair18. He also offered to throw in 3 power amps of unknown condition. I have a local tech that can repair at a reasonable price if needed.
He also disclosed that the guitarist finally drove him over the edge and that's why he quit.
 
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#26
RonSound said:
I talked to my ex-vocalist earlier this week and he offered to sell me 6 cabs for $400. 2 Peavey towers w/ 2-15 and horn, 2 Peavey 18" subs, and 2 Peavey 15" monitors. It's basically a duplicate system of what we were using live minus the Xair18. He also offered to throw in 3 power amps of unknown condition. I have a local tech that can repair at a reasonable price if needed.
He also disclosed that the guitarist finally drove him over the edge and that's why he quit.
Click to expand...
Works for me...you can do some neat stuff with old tech. Get the towers elevated, center / cluster the subs, and add a crossover. Regarding the amps: bench fees are ~$75 so I'd be a little wary about dropping coin on repairs.

Riis
 
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