Passive Vs Active

johnnysmack

can anyone explain d differences between an active n passive PA system for me please and which is best etc? im guessing an active powers itself while a passive needs a poweramp?

Savman

johnnysmack wrote: »

can anyone explain d differences between an active n passive PA system for me please and which is best etc? im guessing an active powers itself while a passive needs a poweramp?

Talk about answering your own question! :pac:

johnnysmack

so i was right! i must b one of those genius fellas. do you know which set up is better? which one is worth investing in for band looking to do pub and club gigs and the like?

Savman

johnnysmack wrote: »

so i was right! i must b one of those genius fellas. do you know which set up is better? which one is worth investing in for band looking to do pub and club gigs and the like?

Active V Passive is like Petrol V Diesel tbh, no definitive answer. Just 2 different ways of doing the same thing. I wouldn't go so far as to suggest which is 'better' rather which is 'better for your needs'.

Personally speaking, I like not having to run power cables to each box in the rig but don't let that put you off.

johnnysmack

so your using an active system?

wit an active system do you only need d speakers and mixer and then connect the mikes, guitar amps(or stick a mike in front of amp)to mixer? sounds almost too easy! how do monitors fit into the equation?

in terms of mixer in this set up would a basic analoge do? was looking up all this stuff on thomann and they hav digital and powered mixing desks too so just wondering which situation each is suited to.

they explained a nice bit but theres still just couple of things need to clarify for myself.

Savman

No I'm using a Passive rig, my last system was Active though. Biggest pain in the arse was having to run power cables as well as XLR cable to each speaker. Passive you're just running a single Speakon unless you're biamping and even then there's a workaround using NL4.

Active speakers you just need an Analogue mixer and away you go (I recommend A&H Mixwiz btw)

Like I said, it's all just a different way of doing the same thing so YMMV

PaulBrewer

Savman wrote: »

No I'm using a Passive rig, my last system was Active though. Biggest pain in the arse was having to run power cables as well as XLR cable to each speaker. Passive you're just running a single Speakon unless you're biamping and even then there's a workaround using NL4.

Active speakers you just need an Analogue mixer and away you go (I recommend A&H Mixwiz btw)

Like I said, it's all just a different way of doing the same thing so YMMV

Why not make a combined power and signal lead? Problem solved, no?

artvandulet

The most straight forward way for you to go is to buy a powered desk and passive speakers. Nice and easy. Speakon out to your speakers, XLR to your mics, plug in the desk and away you go. This is the most common way to run a basic PA.

Savman

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Why not make a combined power and signal lead? Problem solved, no?

More and more of those dual cables are coming into production, however Active rigs are of no interest to me for the foreseeable future.

artvandulet wrote:

The most straight forward way for you to go is to buy a powered desk and passive speakers. Nice and easy. Speakon out to your speakers, XLR to your mics, plug in the desk and away you go. This is the most common way to run a basic PA.

Yes this is the most common starting point, for most pub work a Dynacord Powermate and a pair of EV's will do the job. Unfortunately it leaves little or no room for expansion and if you ever want to upgrade you'll find yourself having to change the rig completely. A standard (non powered) mixing console can be used with any rig, active or passive so in the long run it's a better buy IMHO.

For the money, the Allen & Heath MixWizard is one of the best small live analogue consoles on the market. 16 channels, 6 aux, built in verbs, 12kg. Can't ask for more than that for €1k (or less if you go second hand).

PaulBrewer

Good post ...