PA systems

GoldRush4821

I posted about this a while back but now it's coming to the time when I want to actually buy one, and as I've had my Leaving Cert to contend with I haven't been able to give it as much thought as I would have liked. So now, I really need some direction in finding an affordable, durable and powerful PA system to get me through pub gigs and the like. The system would be used for 2 mics, 1 for vocals and a second at the soundhole of the guitar. My questions are:

1. Do I need a separate amp for the acoustic guitar or is the PA system itself enough to cover that?

2. Can someone give me an overview of the important parts of the system - mixing desk, power amp, speakers - would I need all of these, or if I have powered speakers do I need a power amp?

3. Finally, anyone who can find any links to PA systems (<€500), I'd appreciate it!

Also, I recently saw this http://www.thomann.de/ie/peavey_audio_performer_pack.htm?sid=14fd17ba1897d80b51eb689ce7572a87
and was wondering what you make of it. It seems very cheap for what's there, but really I'm not looking for anything spectacular, just good enough to get me through my first few gigs so I know that pubs etc is for me. I don't want to dish out too much for my first one.
Thanks very much. All advice is appreciated.

68 lost souls

The Peavey pack i wouldnt really recommend for gigs. Its fine for rehearsals or just basic starting off but I dunno in a pub situation. They are available in Irish shops for about the same price so you may as well go in and try it out if you can.

I would maybe look at a marshall as100D instead of a PA system if it only going to be used for a guitar and mic. http://www.marshallamps.com/product.asp?productCode=AS100D

If you would rather a PA I would say a stagepass 300 would be far better than the Peavey althoguh it is reflected in the price a tad over 500, closer to 550.

If you have powered speakers you do not need a power amp.

There are three basic setups.

1. Powered speakers and a passive desk.
2. Passive speakers power amp and a passive desk
3. Passive speakers and a powered desk.

You will find that 1 and 3 are better suited for the kind of gigs you are tlaking about. I generally prefer the 3rd option. Passive speakers are much lighter and cheaper than powered speakers and generally it works out cheaper and easier to use a powered desk than a passive desk and a power amp.

GoldRush4821

Thanks a lot man, this is the kind of advice I'm looking for. Much appreciated. I've always thought that having 1 amp set up on stage wouldn't be a good idea for some reason, like maybe the sound just wouldn't reach out to the whole room, whereas the PA system's speakers could be placed further out and be heard by everybody. But if you think that one amp could do the trick, I'll definitely look into it. Unfortunately, that amp is a little out of my price range, and what I really liked about the Peavey pack was that it included microphones and cables which would really take the pressure off financially. Having to spend 600 on an amp and then get a good microphone, stand, cables just isn't feasible for me right now. So after a bit of research on Thomann, I realise that I will need 2 300 - 500 watt speakers to be comfortable. With passive speakers, let's say in the yamaha stagepas, where is the amplifier? By powered, I assume that this means that the desk provides amplification, but how is this so? Is the desk enough to give it enough power?
Thanks again

alphasounds

I would recommend a powered monitor with small mixer build in.
You can always use it later for monitor application and not getting stuck with stuff you prob grow out.
Solton MF 300a

GoldRush4821

Would 1 really be powerful enough? Also, would 2 inputs going into the 1 speaker sound bad?