I'm seeking input regarding what others here use for a PA? While I currently have a full PA (8 ch. powered mixer, mains, 2 monitors, mics, stands, etc.), I'm now looking for a new rig that suits our needs yet is as bare minimum as possible. No vocal songs with this line-up at present.

So here's what we need amplified beyond our guitars:

• 1 mic for public address and the occasional hoots, hollers, yells.
• Percussion effects via our drummer's sample pad.
• Audio samples via the same sample pad.
• Digi-Synth (I may get a keyboard amp for this?)
• MP3 player for music in-between sets.

I'm wondering if one powered main on a stand with a 4 channel mixer would suffice. I'm looking to haul as little equipment as needed but still get the job done.

What do you use or what do you recommend?

Thanks

METEOR IV on reverbnation

One important question would be how large room are you going to play or are you going to play outside? Because your drummer are soon going to feel the need to mic up the bass drum. To get a good bass drum sound you need speaker with some size, 15" would be nice.

You could solve this by having a single 15" bass speaker cabinet/sub , the human ear can not tell in what direction the bass sound comes from so that works OK. You also need a electronic crossover for the sub. One the positive side you drummer could ally with the bass player, so the bass player could run directly in to the PA.

Regarding powered mixers, my impression is that those usually have weak power amps. A separate mixer with a separate quality amplifier, is probably going to sound better but take up a little more space.

Last edited: Jul 22, 2013 17:36:02

Forgot to add I'm more or less looking to cover the bases for small-medium sized rooms (which is most of our gigs.)
Normally when we play larger gigs or big outdoor events the PA is provided.

• Eddie, I have considered the "bull horn" as well.

We do need something for the audio / percussion samples though. Not looking to mic the drums and all that. To be honest I want to get what I have to transport down to as little as possible. We did quiite a few gigs last year and I normally provided and hauled around most of the PA equipment as well as my rig. Getting old and lazy I guess?

METEOR IV on reverbnation

A QSC K series powered speaker would be perfect for the job. It's got one line in, one mic in, and RCA in for your MP3 player... if one speaker isn't enough, they are easily expandable.

I own a music store and am a QSC dealer, do a little research, call me for questions, and I'll hook you up!

Ferndale Music Co: 707-786-7030

Surf On!

Paul

I have a Fender Passport, the one with the upgraded Bose speakers, that we use for announcements and the occasional guest vocalist. It can be carried in one hand, and in the other hand you can carry the PA and mic stands. Works fine for small to medium venues.

Have a look at the Bose L1 Compact system. It's REALLY good!

The Hicadoolas

PA? Isn't this a forum of instro-surf-guitar-into-reverb-into-coolamplifier?

Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)

1. Unless you're playing dance music, forget the subs.

2. Plus 3 on the QSC K series - believe it or not a 10 would be plenty!!! Those things are very well-designed. That and a small 4 channel passive mixer would be fine.

3. One other option would be to use something like a Keyboard Amp. Many of those have multiple inputs and are full-range, so you could do all your samples/mp3/hoots/announce through it. Find an old 4 input Roland or Peavey and you're good to go. Won't sound as crisp as a K series, but it's a one piece solution if you only need 4 ins and can probably find some used.

4. You also might want to consider putting the speaker "in the band" since it's going to be a lot of drum sounds and it won't matter (aside from feedback issues) for the vocalizations and announcements. If you guys are playing drums acoustically, and guitars and bass through amps and have the ambient sound balanced, I'd put the keyboard amp or a K series cabinet "within the ensemble" just like another guitar amp, rather than on a pole out front - that will make it sound a little more "disparate" or "separate" (and that's the reason people with P.A. on sticks want to mic drums and such becuase it won't sound "blended" if some things are coming from on stage and others through the P.A.).

I mean, if you're going to keep it simple, keep it simple!

Steve

Last edited: Jul 23, 2013 01:21:49

I agree with stevel. A keyboard amp or a e-drum amp as part of the backline would work well and no monitor required.

Keep it Drippy Brothers and Sisters!

When I need to use a PA (usually at stand-alone gigs where we are outside and there is no 'house PA'), I use a line level desk and Wharfedale powered cabinets, and when more definition is required I hook up a slave amp and floor wedges for a wall of sound. The little wharfies can be good for practices where the band are learning new songs too (as you can plug your laptop or mp3 player straight in to one).

He who dies with the most tubes... wins

Surf Daddies