[REQUEST]: PA System Info

Slaanesh

Hey lads,

I recently got the idea into my head that I want some sort of PA system. Unfortunately I have no idea what's good or what on earth I need.

I guess I need some speakers and some kind of mixer unit thingy.

I have guitars and a mic. I was thinking of starting a open mic night near me. It would only be a small venue but I would like to be able to use the equipment elsewhere if needed. I'm not looking for something insanely cheap, but of decent quality and that would do the job.

A system that would take 2 mics with the possibility of adding more and a few guitars and the likes. Maybe even the capability of a 4 piece band.

Any suggestions ?

Steve_o

If Ypu have the money...We use a Behringer PA system it consists of :

2 Tops
4 Bass Bins
3 Power Amps
1 Cross Over
1 Graphics
1 EQ
A 32 channel Mixing Desk

Its about 3500 - 4000 watts
Should cover your needs!!!

The place to get this would be www.thomann.de

Eoin Madsen

For an open mic you'd need 1200 watts (600 per side) FOH at the very most. I'd probably settle for 300 watt and 300 watt with a 200-250 watt monitor. You can always add to it later. Start with just a pair of fullrange speakers - if you expand the system you can use them as mid/high speakers later on. Behringer is as cheap as it gets, so if money is no object, avoid. Get EV or JBL speakers. Maybe Crest or Crown power amps. Don't forget monitors. One is enough for an open mic. Four is enough for most small gigs. Something like a mackie Onyx 1640 would do you for a mixer for all kinds of gigs. You could always get a smaller one to begin with and sell it off if you start doing larger gigs. A DBX or similar graphic EQ for the FOH would be very helpful as well.

The golden rule is: if it's cheap to buy, it was cheap to make. That doesn't mean expense necessarily equals quality unfortunately.

Make sure you get a proper sound engineer to run the rig for you.

Slaanesh

Thanks for the advice, I'll see how I go.