Vocal Amp/PA?

IrishCian

Hey
Im in a band, and we practice in a concrete garage. Im currently using a keyboard amp for vocals. But its not great, and its hard to hear over drums/guitar etc

Do vocal amps actually exist?
I dont want to have to go and buy a full PA system, cant really afford it...

Any advice?

68 lost souls

I reckon a small Pa is the way to go. Check out the Peavey range, quality at an affordable price, they do a small mixer which I think is a 4 channel that might suit if its solely for vocals and a 300 watt poweramp that would go with it. Or something like this http://www.peavey.com/products/browse.cfm/action/detail/item/116557/PVi(R)%204B.cfm then a decent set of speakers.

darrenw5094

We use a 300w Dynacord monitor speaker, at around €250 second hand. You could then also use it for gigs too. You would need an amp and desk too, but that is the speaker thing.

IrishCian

68 lost souls, if i was to get that Peavey yokey, I'd just have to hook that up to a normal big set of speakers?

http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_pa108a_aktive_fullrangebox.htm
Just say I was to buy the above speaker. Would i be able to use that by itself, or do i need a mixer etc..

68 lost souls

I would stay away form that, I dont thnk its what your looking for really. Can you tell me a bit more about the band just so I know how big you need to go.

How many members? HOw loud is the drummer? What othe amps are you guys using?

IrishCian

Ok
Theres 4 of us. We're in a pretty small space, and it is concrete, so the drums sound very loud. Our bassist plays through a 100w Roland cube bass amp. Lead guitarist plays usually through a 25 roland cube, or else maybe a 20w marshall. I sing, through this ancient (20/25 yrs) old amp, keyboard amp. I dont know what make it is... I also play guitar for some songs, through whichever of the two guitar amps the other guitarist isnt using.
Anything else that could help you?

Eoin Madsen

IrishCian wrote: »

Hey
Im in a band, and we practice in a concrete garage. Im currently using a keyboard amp for vocals. But it snot great, and its hard to hear over drums/guitar etc

Do vocal amps actually exist?
I dont want to have to go and buy a full PA system, cant really afford it...

Any advice?

Get a powered stage monitor. Thomann do some with mic inputs.

But I'd give some serious thought to treating the room a little if you're having problems. Bare concrete and drums is a recipe for a whole lot of drums and possible tinnitus.

Eoin Madsen

Here's an example: http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma1220_mkii.htm

IrishCian

Eoin, thats very true. We're thinking of going the whole earplug route. When you say treating the room, what exactly could we do to improve it?
And powered stage monitors, if we got one of those, would we need a mixer or an amp or something like that, or just that by itself?
I'm horribly ignorant about this kind of stuff..:(

Eoin Madsen

For one mic, that monitor would be plug and play, by itself. It's basically like a vocal amp. Powered/active speakers don't need an amp because they have one built in. That one also has a mic preamp, so you'd only need a mixer if you wanted to send multiple sources to it. It's not the best, but it's simple and cheap.

In terms of treatment, drape something over the walls and put in carpet if there isn't some already. Maybe think about getting some kind of bass trap.

IrishCian

Ok, thanks very much Eoin. May do that. Would many of those stage monitors have a normal line in, as opposed to the three-prong mic style?

Eoin Madsen

They would have a line-in jack, but only at line inpedence. If you're using a mic you really must use it with an XLR cable, in any scenario.

IrishCian

Alright, cool. Thanks very much

IrishCian

http://www.thomann.de/ie/behringer_ms16.htm?sid=2426f9cafcf4e421cbcceaa0a27242ab

Would these work?

68 lost souls

Yup the one that Eoin recommended would be good. Plus its handy to have a monitor at hand. Id say head out to one of the music shops and try out what they have and they can tlak you through it. There are some affordable ones around at the moment, the likes of Wharfedable wedges. I know xmusic have some if you head out there they guys willo help you out.

IrishCian

Ok brilliant, thanks to all of yis.
I've heard a few mentions of xmusic on this site, where exactly is it?
I'd generally only go to yknow, Waltons, Instrumental, Monster Music, etc...

Eoin Madsen

IrishCian wrote: »

http://www.thomann.de/ie/behringer_ms16.htm?sid=2426f9cafcf4e421cbcceaa0a27242ab

Would these work?

No. They'd be much too low power. You don't need two speakers, but if you decide you want to have two, you're going to need to get a mixer as well.

A wedge-shaped monitor has the advantage of raising the mics feedback threshold (you can turn it up more without feedback happening) and being better directed at the listener. You lose a lot of power and frequecny response by having a speaker that you can't point directly at yourself. If you're putting a speaker on a poles, you'll need to get higher power, and be careful about your mic placement.

IrishCian

Ah that makes sense actually. What about the cheaper version of The Box eg . http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma120_mk_ii.htm?sid=0d670273a8fa71a0b98028f8083496f6 for €129, or http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma150.htm?sid=0d670273a8fa71a0b98028f8083496f6 for €159. Is the benefit worth the higher price?

68 lost souls

The more expensive one has a higher power rating which means you will be able to make it louder without pushing it as hard so it will be better overall.

With regards to xmusic check out the website www.xmusic.ie, dont think all the stock is on there but there are directions and a phone number. Certainly check out all the shops you can and shop around, they will all give you a bit of an opinion that will help make up your mind.

Eoin Madsen

IrishCian wrote: »

Ah that makes sense actually. What about the cheaper version of The Box eg . http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma120_mk_ii.htm?sid=0d670273a8fa71a0b98028f8083496f6 for €129, or http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma150.htm?sid=0d670273a8fa71a0b98028f8083496f6 for €159. Is the benefit worth the higher price?

Well, the example I showed you was kinda the bare minimum I'd suggest if you're getting a single speaker. I wouldn't put one of those two up against a drum kit.

IrishCian

Sorry to be annoying you again, interweb folk.
I was in town today and went into all Waltons, monster Music etc, looking for these active/powered stage monitors. Nowhere really had what i was looking for, and the starting prices were like €300 (my budget maybe reaching up to that max).
Anyone know anywhere in driving distance of town, where I might be able to get what I'm looking for?
I'd prefer not to buy off the net/Thomann if poss. Willing to drive up to that deadly music shop in Drogheda, but cant remember the name of it...

Help?

IrishCian

In case anyones interested, problem solved..

Bought a PA system in K'n'B music, Maynooth. Guys were really nice. Got a Meridian system, with two 75w speakers. Pretty cool...
Dunno if i should delete this thread now or anything...

Dord

IrishCian wrote: »

In case anyones interested, problem solved..

Bought a PA system in K'n'B music, Maynooth. Guys were really nice. Got a Meridian system, with two 75w speakers. Pretty cool...
Dunno if i should delete this thread now or anything...

Cool.

You can't delete it. You shouldn't if you did have the ability anyways. Otherwise if everyone deleted their threads on boards after they got their answer then there would be no history and others with similar issues wouldn't be able to find out information.