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What PA for vocal-only?

E

Electricblue

Feb 1, 2011
1,204
49
Norfolk
#1
Hey guys.

I've just joined a new band, we have everything apart from vocal amplification.

I was thinking just a cheap single 15+horn active PA speaker and plug the mic straight into there, assuming it has enough gain.

Thing thats bugging me, what kind of wattage to you need for live vocals? Our setup would likely be:

Bass: 300w 410+115
Guitar: 150w 412
Drummer: Angry

I would preferably not want to spend more than 200 pounds. I know this is a horrendously low budget, but I only need a basic setup.

Thanks guys :D
 
#2
I don't know what you can get for that kind of money where you live, but a 12" speaker will reproduce vocals with better clarity. I would get a reverb unit too (Microverb maybe?) and that's about it.

Regarding active 12's, check out the Proel Flash 12A.
 
#3
allexcosta said:
I don't know what you can get for that kind of money where you live, but a 12" speaker will reproduce vocals with better clarity. I would get a reverb unit too (Microverb maybe?) and that's about it.

Regarding active 12's, check out the Proel Flash 12A.
Click to expand...

That speaker looks pretty rad, but way out of my price range!

I was thinking Behringer.

I'm a massive hater of Behringer, but for a PA speaker, there's not too much to go wrong...
 
#6
Electricblue said:
I'm a massive hater of Behringer, but for a PA speaker, there's not too much to go wrong...
Click to expand...


Remember this statement for later "I told you so's". There's plenty to go wrong with powered speakers.

Avoid Behringer.

Get a couple of powered 12" or 15"ers that can be either pole mounted or used as wedges. You'll want two to cover both sides of stage. One doesn't work very well IME. Additionally, I suspect that you won't get competitive volume out of a single speaker given what you stated it would be competing with. Put the speakers on poles and feed the pair of them from an inexpensive passive mixer. Some cheap mixers have built in effects. They aren't the greatest, but you usually want a bit of reverb or delay on vox live. If you decide to upgrade the PA later, you'll have a pair of powered monitors as well as a basic starter mixer.
 
#8
allexcosta said:
^ All that with 200 pounds? How?
Click to expand...

Invest the 200 pounds in various illicit black market goods which you sell for a profit, proceeds going towards the above mentioned setup?

Seriously, the OP isn't going to get the job done with a single powered speaker given the instruments it will be competing against. The probable SPL levels needed are just going to be too high. Go ahead and start with a single speaker though. When you see that it is inadequate, start finding funds to finish out the PA.
 
#9
Kael said:
Invest the 200 pounds in various illicit black market goods which you sell for a profit, proceeds going towards the above mentioned setup?

Seriously, the OP isn't going to get the job done with a single powered speaker given the instruments it will be competing against. The probable SPL levels needed are just going to be too high. Go ahead and start with a single speaker though. When you see that it is inadequate, start finding funds to finish out the PA.
Click to expand...

Ah, may I politely mention that it will likely be only for practice.

For live and practice, what kind of wattage are we talking for vocals here? roughly :bassist:
 
#11
Even if you get 2 new powered 12" Behringers it's going to cost $500-$600. You could get a powered mixer and 2 speakers for close to that if you shop around. I got a Yamaha EMX512SC powered mixer for $350 and 2 Peavey SP 15" speakers for $250, both off of Ebay. With the powered mixer you can add 2 more speakers also to use for stage monitors. It has more than enough power for just vocals. I do have to admit I picked up a couple of 15" Behringers. We use the 2 Peavey speakers for FOH and the 2 Behringers for stage monitors. Just another option.
 
#12
mello_bedwetter said:
Even if you get 2 new powered 12" Behringers it's going to cost $500-$600. You could get a powered mixer and 2 speakers for close to that if you shop around. I got a Yamaha EMX512SC powered mixer for $350 and 2 Peavey SP 15" speakers for $250, both off of Ebay. With the powered mixer you can add 2 more speakers also to use for stage monitors. It has more than enough power for just vocals. I do have to admit I picked up a couple of 15" Behringers. We use the 2 Peavey speakers for FOH and the 2 Behringers for stage monitors. Just another option.
Click to expand...


I have the same mixer. I got mine with 4 12x2 Eminence cabs, 2 mics +stands and 2 speaker stands for $600.
 
#15
Floyd Eye said:
His best bet is to save a little longer and get something that will actually be appropriate for the application he is intending it for.
Click to expand...

You mean rehearsing in his bedroom?

Have you actually heard a single Proel Flash 12A speaker with only vocals on it?

It's pretty damn loud...

The beautiful thing about powered speakers is that you can just buy one at a time and see if it fits your needs. If you need another one or another 20, no problem at all. No ohm or power calculations needed...
 
#16
I think at this price point, you will have to look around for used equipment. But I don't know what the used market is like where you live, and you may have to wait to find deals.
I know around here, I could put together an old Peavey PA -powered mixer + 2 big old heavy 15 + horn for $300-400- within a couple months. Maybe even cheaper with enough time....

Stuff like this....
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or this.
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and this
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Dinosaurs and heavy- but the price is right if they work....
 
#17
Electricblue said:
Ah, may I politely mention that it will likely be only for practice.

For live and practice, what kind of wattage are we talking for vocals here? roughly :bassist:
Click to expand...

No easy answer for suggested wattage. Much as with bass amps, specs can be misleading. You know how that goes-300 watts of Brand X will not produce the same apparent volume as 300 watts by brand Y.
By the equipment list, I would say you guys are gonna be loud. Loud -in my experience- is better served by more speakers with as much wattage as you can afford instead of investing into a single speaker setup with more wattage. IMHO, YMMV
 
#18
Kirkowitz said:
No easy answer for suggested wattage. Much as with bass amps, specs can be misleading. You know how that goes-300 watts of Brand X will not produce the same apparent volume as 300 watts by brand Y.
By the equipment list, I would say you guys are gonna be loud. Loud -in my experience- is better served by more speakers with as much wattage as you can afford instead of investing into a single speaker setup with more wattage. IMHO, YMMV
Click to expand...

Cheers man, your points are pretty understandable. I'm growing rather fond of second hand equipment now :)

I'm just trying to get the facts and figured sorted out, and then I will buy second hand. I just need to know what I'm after :)

What about cheap no-name ebay DJ PA stuff?
 
#20
What the heck, I'll admit it. I got a Phonics P.A. package, the 740 Plus. It's 440 watts or 220 x 220 depending on how you use it. We can play pretty loud at times and it carried vocals just fine. It was used both indoors and outdoors. The cost was around $400...a little less. We used it for almost 3 years and had no problems. Not a popular brand for many on here but it worked. I got the Yamaha off Ebay, not because of the quality of the Phonics but for more power with the Yamaha.(plus it was priced right).
I just thought I'd throw that out there...believe me I'm no expert by a long shot. But then again I don't gig every weekend either.
When I got the Phonic I wasn't planning on using it for a P.A.. I was just using it to use with my ipod. We decided to try it for vocals and it was fine.
More than one option...by new, by used, shop around on Craigslist and Ebay. Good luck.
 

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