Pa Systems

Neonlight

Hello knowledgable musical people ,looking for some advice pleez, looking to buy a cheap new(2nd hand maybe) and reliable P.A(mixer) desk with alot of mic inputs with simple and easy to use knobs which wont let you down.We are just about to open our pad(3-4 weeks what a place/space) to rehearse cant wait ,we,ve got the equipment to(psychedelic) ROCK N ROLL but need the essential, monitors sorted need the obvious(PA).can you help .Recommedations will be surely noted .By the way we are looking for a percussionist(tambos/vibes/vocals) come on crazy people serious 5 piece looking for a 6th member(you wouldn,t believe this s**t you,ll hear) come on!!
Muchos Gracious
See you in hell
Keep Music Evil

Seany

Alright J,

Wha size rig are you looking for and typically how much do you want to spend??

Savman

Neonlight wrote:

...looking to buy a cheap new...reliable P.A(mixer)...desk with alot of mic inputs...which wont let you down...

Good luck!

Firstly "cheap" is Behringer talk, "reliable" is Dynacord, HK Audio, EV, JBL, Mackie, RCF, DB Technologies or similar.

Best to mention a budget you have in mind before you know what you can afford and what kind of power you want.

Neonlight

Hey Seany ,Our budget would be in and around €500-€700 ,I have my eye on this product here maybe Savman would have some feedback on this one?There seems to be a significant price difference between both these distributors,anybody ever dealt with Dolphin music.Thanks for the help guys.

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/4514

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_allenheath_pa12_powermixer_prodinfo.html

Savman

Aye Allen & Heath great mixers, I won/use one meself with 16 mic channels. Just bear in mind that one you've got ur eye on has 8 mic inputs, you have to consider what you want/need to mic up and you may have to compensate elsewhere (most likely drums)

For example, if you have 2 Vox, 2 Guitar Amps & Bass, there's 5 of those precious channels gone...

Neonlight

Yeah i had considered the Allen Heath pa20 and thats already way out of our budget (why do you wanna sell us yours ha ha) Any suggestions? could we survive with 3 mics for drums or is that Rock n Roll suicide .

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/4549

http://www.thomann.de/thoiw6_allenheath_pa20_prodinfo.html

Savman

No I've often done sound for bands using Kick + 2 Overhead Mics. In fact the results were very decent (came out well on the recording too;)). If you do want to go this road make sure you use decent Overheads, I like the Shure Beta 57A's very crisp and mid-high range responsive so you get loadsa snare n cymbals and along with a good Egg in the kick you should be sorted!

The major disadvantage about channels is that if you use them all up with your most basic set-up you've nothing left obviously. I worked previously with a 10 channel desk and found that I ran into logistical problems once the setup got anything above a 4pc band, its just not an ideal situation to have NO spare channels but you'd get away with it no doubt.

16 channels is great though! always a channel for everything!:D:D

The_g-man

http://musicstorekoeln.de/en/global/0_0_G_0_REC0003548-000/0/0/0/detail/musicstore.html
If you're looking for a mixer on a budget, this seems like a bargain. I don't know if any of the mixers mentioned have a built in amp to power your speakers, so I'm listing a cheaper alternative in case you need to budget for that too. If you're already sorted ampwise then they have this too:
http://musicstorekoeln.de/en/global/0_0_G_0_REC0004041-000/0/0/0/detail/musicstore.html

Neonlight

Thanks for advice guys ,will possibly risk getting the 8 channel but as we haven,t purchased one yet we could possibly stretch to buy a 16 channel .Savman your correct in regards of no spares but there is also the chance of a dodgy input on the night of a gig now that would be a nightmare.I was also recommended the beta 57a s great minds think alike.Keep the info coming in very useful.What about vocal mics have a couple already looking to invest in some ,current mics T-bone sc100 II,Shure sm57lc ,Behringer c1 ,Akg 3000 b condensor,Akg d60s.We will using these for rehearsing and recording and playing live.Will also post pics of the rehersal room soon.

Savman

Jeebus no for the t-bone, cheapo mics imo... SM57's work best on guitar amps, snare and hi hats and little else...for vox I really recommend the Beta 58A's which kick the standard 58's metal arse

The_g-man, those Alesis mixers you linked to are both recording mixers and not really geared towards live sound..

If you're really on a budget, and I mean really there's always http://musicstorekoeln.de/en/PA_Homerecording/6_33_PMIXEFFEKT_0_PAH0002644-000/0/0/0/detail/musicstore.html

edit: wharrabout this 12 channel mackie http://musicstorekoeln.de/en/PA_Homerecording/6_33_PMIXEFFEKT_0_PAH0003410-000/0/0/0/detail/musicstore.html

Neonlight

Savman the behringer looks like something out of star trek and i,ll take your word they are rubbish so no to behr, the mackie on the hand other could well be up our street thanks for the tips .Dont worry t-bone is going into the bin so sm57s and 58s all the way. cheers neonlight