PA Advice

ShriekingSheet

Looking to improve our PA set-up, as the one we have is quite old.

We're also now using a laptop (ableton) for synth and drum sounds, as well as our vocals. So the PA has become much more important since our times with just vocals going through it.

Trouble is, it seems you can spend any amount of money on a PA. I'm sure the entry level ones are geared toward corporate speaches, and the higher level ones toward lottery winners, so if anyone could give me a steer on what kind of money an amateur band looking to get a better sound in practice should spend to get something that sounds reasonable I'd be thankful.

Sheet

68 lost souls

To be honest you cant spend enough on a PA.I would recomend as a general setup a dynacord powermate 1000 and a set of EV Tour X tops and bottoms. That would be aroun the 3000-4000 mark but it would depend on the number of channels you need, the type of music your playing (high frequencies vs low) The venues you are playing and the number of people (large empty room vs small packed pub)

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

as 68 lost souls mentioned, a dynacord powermate would be a good option. I have used them in the past, very good work horse. Should get one second hand for around 1k,(the 1000 watt version)
In the last year, my band got our own PA, so far it has cost us around 3k, the tops, bins, desk, poweramp, monitors and some of the mics were got second hand on adverts.ie

What is your budget? if you have drum sounds, you will need bass bins, otherwise you may damage your tops

Savman

68 lost souls wrote: »

I would recomend as a general setup a dynacord powermate 1000 and a set of EV Tour X tops and bottoms.

A Powermate by itself would be nowhere near powerful enough for that rig. The TourX requires significantly more amp power than 350W per box so that would be a mismatch.

OP, I'd recommend some good Active speakers to get you started, check out dB Technologies and HK Audio for reasonably sounding gear at decent prices.

Eoin Madsen

What PA components do you already have? I'd second the suggestion of getting active speakers (or active floor monitors).

And avoid powered mixers. There's no logical correlation between the size of a mixer and the power you'll actually need, so tying these components together in one chassis makes very little sense. It just limits your options.

ShriekingSheet

Thanks guys

I should highlight that this is absolutely not for gigs - just for practicing in a room. There is no way we can spend €1,000+ and were more hoping for something approx €500 s/h.

It just has to sound reasonable, but my main worry is that using electronic drums through a PA will take all the umph from the music.

Savman, I'll check out dB Technologies and HK Audio.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

well if its only for practicing, id say get a pair powered monitors.

Savman

Forrest Miniature Orate wrote: »

well if its only for practicing, id say get a pair powered monitors.

...with a pole mount....just in case

ShriekingSheet

Forrest Miniature Orate wrote: »

well if its only for practicing, id say get a pair powered monitors.

Is the below something like what you're suggesting? Seems awfully cheap...

http://www.thomann.de/ie/the_box_ma120_mk_ii.htm

The old PA we have will do for mic-ing up the vocals. We really just need something to give the laptop a good full sound. Drums are involved and some pretty heavy low end synths so it needs to have some depth to the sound.

It'll sit beside out guitar amps which are good (fender Twin & Hotrod deluxe) and bass amp (Ashdown).

Apologies for the repeatedly asking for clarity but I'm fairly ignorant in this area. Prepared to spend a few quid - just don't wanna get the wrong thing.

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

you would probably need more power. The box are not a fantastic make, I have two 350 watt box monitors, we just put the vocals and acoustic guitar through it at practice and gigs (behind our main FOH pa) They heat up a lot, weigh a tonne and are massive! Its something like this model that we have.

used to use 400 watt wharfdale monitors, very heavy, well built but dont sound great for the price.


I would suggest these. I have played a few gigs where these were the monitors, with everything going through; vox, 2 electrics guitars and bass. They are compact, not too heavy (had to load them into a van!), sub really packs a punch, and they sound pretty good. The fact that they are so small is great, they dont take up too much in a car/van or on stage. They can also be pole mounted so they can be used in the FOH pa if needed

Thats my suggestion, but I dont have as much experience as other people here!

edit: FOH = Front Of House => the pa system used at a gig, mainly to "top" speakers and bass bins

Adyx

There's a big round up of PA speakers in the December issue of Performing Musician if you can get a copy. It's mostly very high-end (>£400 per speaker) stuff though. Definitely don't get a powered desk though. We got an older HK LUCAS PA which has two tops and a sub. Sound is great but it was quite expensive.

ShriekingSheet

Forrest Miniature Orate wrote: »

you would probably need more power. The box are not a fantastic make, I have two 350 watt box monitors, we just put the vocals and acoustic guitar through it at practice and gigs (behind our main FOH pa) They heat up a lot, weigh a tonne and are massive! Its something like this model that we have.

used to use 400 watt wharfdale monitors, very heavy, well built but dont sound great for the price.


I would suggest these. I have played a few gigs where these were the monitors, with everything going through; vox, 2 electrics guitars and bass. They are compact, not too heavy (had to load them into a van!), sub really packs a punch, and they sound pretty good. The fact that they are so small is great, they dont take up too much in a car/van or on stage. They can also be pole mounted so they can be used in the FOH pa if needed

Thats my suggestion, but I dont have as much experience as other people here!

edit: FOH = Front Of House => the pa system used at a gig, mainly to "top" speakers and bass bins

Cheers for that, is that 399 for the two speakers?? We have a mixer so they might do us.
Can anyone else comment on these?

8k2q1gfcz9s5d4

ShriekingSheet wrote: »

Cheers for that, is that 399 for the two speakers?? We have a mixer so they might do us.
Can anyone else comment on these?

afraid its just for one.