I am looking to get some Carvin PA gear, specifically a mixer and the 18" active subwoofer. We already have powered Mains (300w rms). I have searched high and low for reviews about the Sub in particular (the mixer seems well received) but can only find limited info. Anyone have experience with this equipment?
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Tell me about Carvin PA gear
- Thread starter Trauma
- Start date
Disclaimer, I don't have much first hand experience with Carvin, but most of what I've heard is that Carvin is way closer to the "B word" then it is to EAW, Vertec, etc. It's hit or miss.
If you are looking at the 1644 mixer I use to own one. For the money it was OK and solidly built. I owned it for 3 years and sold it to my old drummer 2 years ago. They use it almost every weekend and it has been trouble-free.
i've seen carvins stuff used live, an entire carvin rig from amps, subs fronts and monitors. and i gotta say, its solid stuff, but its not the best sounding in the world. just my 0.02
Reasonably priced, decent sounding, and a great buy on the second-hand market. I've had experience with the LS 1503 enclosures but that's about it. I bought them to replace some POS Yamahas and have used them to this day. They do require some judicious EQing to sound their best, though. I use either a GEQ or dbx DriveRack. When upgrading, I will look elsewhere.
Riis
Riis
I've used a fair amount of Carvin gear over the years and I have always found it well built and dependable. I have used their replacement speakers and crossovers to repair other brands componets and they have performed very well and held up to steady use. I own a Carvin 8 ch mixer and it has given me very good service.
I don't understand the assertions that Carvin systems or componets are some how lacking in the quality of their sound. I've worked with alot of different companies gear and Carvin is just as good as anything in its price/quality range.
Like any electronic gear there can be units that fail but I have not personally had any problems with Carvin.
I don't understand the assertions that Carvin systems or componets are some how lacking in the quality of their sound. I've worked with alot of different companies gear and Carvin is just as good as anything in its price/quality range.
Like any electronic gear there can be units that fail but I have not personally had any problems with Carvin.
The gear works fine at it's intended price point. Just be realistic about your expectations and don't let a bunch of sound engineers polute your head. Sound engineers will start complaing about preamps, EQ, filters, blah, blah, blah. I for one hate Carvin's 60mm faders but... The truth is for small club gigs, small out door gigs and practice 99% of who is listening is not going to know anything about that stuff or even care that the EQ isn't perfect or that frequency response of your (insert any guitar store brand here) speakers is flat at 250KHz. If the Carvin gear spec and features fit your budget go for it.
The Carvin gear will work reliably as long as you are not beating it up. It's not the best sounding gear by a long shot (IMHO) but I have used their gear with reasonable success. Nobody complained about the sound quality but me.
That being said I do they they make solid power amps and they are priced at very reasonable levels.
The Carvin gear will work reliably as long as you are not beating it up. It's not the best sounding gear by a long shot (IMHO) but I have used their gear with reasonable success. Nobody complained about the sound quality but me.
That being said I do they they make solid power amps and they are priced at very reasonable levels.
We use a Carvin passive mixer ... RX1200R. Great unit for live sound. I mounted it in a Gator shallow 6 space rack with a Furman power conditioner filling the empty slot. We run it to Mackie SRM450 mains, and SRM350 monitors. Our music is acoustic and three part harmony vocals. Can't comment on speakers, amps and such, though.
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So essentially, this poster is just passing on information that he/she can't deny or verify, right? What's the point? When someone asks for an opinion, they're looking for first hand information.
I've got several Carvin power amps, speaker cabinets, and monitors. It's lightweight, sounds great, reliable, and trouble free. I'm sold on their gear. They are the only company I buy from blind.
So essentially, this poster is just passing on information that he/she can't deny or verify, right? What's the point? When someone asks for an opinion, they're looking for first hand information.
By what I've heard, I meant what I've heard with my actual ear, listening to actual Carvin gear. After all this is the Live Sound forum. And at least I was nice enough to add that my experience is only with a few Carvin products on limited occasions, and not pretending that hearing one amp one time makes me an expert on everything they make.
I hate using smileys but I guess I need to add a bunch so people won't flame this post, thinking I'm being a defensive a* hole or take things to seriously.
Is that enough?This to me indicates extreme signature loudness, not necessarily negative in nature. No?
Thank you for the info, if you upgrade, I take that to mean a significant step up in price range?
The gear works fine at it's intended price point. Just be realistic about your expectations and don't let a bunch of sound engineers polute your head. Sound engineers will start complaing about preamps, EQ, filters, blah, blah, blah. I for one hate Carvin's 60mm faders but... The truth is for small club gigs, small out door gigs and practice 99% of who is listening is not going to know anything about that stuff or even care that the EQ isn't perfect or that frequency response of your (insert any guitar store brand here) speakers is flat at 250KHz. If the Carvin gear spec and features fit your budget go for it.
The Carvin gear will work reliably as long as you are not beating it up. It's not the best sounding gear by a long shot (IMHO) but I have used their gear with reasonable success. Nobody complained about the sound quality but me.
That being said I do they they make solid power amps and they are priced at very reasonable levels.
Our band plays island/reggae music and sub will be for kick/bass. Have no gigs lined up but we are trying to get everything together for one..
Yeah, that oughta do it!I hate using smileys but I guess I need to add a bunch so people won't flame this post, thinking I'm being a defensive a* hole or take things to seriously.
Yes, I went with Carvin cabs because they have a decent rep, were readily available, and very affordable for a PA newb like me. Same holds true for the budget Yorkville subs I snagged. All-in-all, I spent ~$800 for the enclosures. They're gig-worthy and nobody has complained yet. However, I'm our own worst critic and will become dissatisified in time. A significant step-up in performance does not necessarily mean a major price increase. I'm taking a close look at the BFM designs and have already downloaded the plans for the OmniTop 15.
Riis
The gear works fine at it's intended price point. Just be realistic about your expectations and don't let a bunch of sound engineers polute your head. Sound engineers will start complaing about preamps, EQ, filters, blah, blah, blah. I for one hate Carvin's 60mm faders but... The truth is for small club gigs, small out door gigs and practice 99% of who is listening is not going to know anything about that stuff or even care that the EQ isn't perfect or that frequency response of your (insert any guitar store brand here) speakers is flat at 250KHz. If the Carvin gear spec and features fit your budget go for it.
The Carvin gear will work reliably as long as you are not beating it up. It's not the best sounding gear by a long shot (IMHO) but I have used their gear with reasonable success. Nobody complained about the sound quality but me.
That being said I do they they make solid power amps and they are priced at very reasonable levels.
Agreed.
Carvin should work just fine for the OP's intentions. Of course there are better deals on used gear to be had, but if one doesn't want to wait around, hoping to find them, Carvin is a solid choice IME.
As for comparing it to the "B" brand. I have rarely heard anyone complain about the quality of construction when it comes to Carvin gear.....
And quality construction is an important facet when it comes to sound reinforcement gear.
