Help! Need to buy a PA of some sort for the new band.

Kerouac

Kerouac

weird musical dildo
Had a line to buy a PA from our former guitarist's employer, but that fell through and now we need to get shopping. Local CL has been filled with Behringer and old Peavey stuff for the most part, so we're looking at buying new, probably from Sweetwater. Since we're a trio, we're probably going to get a single active speaker and mixer to start with, then buy a duplicate speaker with our pay from our next few gigs.

I narrowed the powered speakers down to a couple of options, but if you guys have alternate suggestions, I'm definitely interested:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan10--turbosound-milan-m10-600w-10-inch-powered-speaker

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan12--turbosound-milan-m12-powered-loudspeaker

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Milan15--turbosound-milan-m15-powered-loudspeaker

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-1000w-12-inch-powered-speaker-with-bluetooth

As far as mixers go, I was also hoping to find a good local option, but no dice yet. We're a trio and don't need a lot channels or effects, so I figured these two fit the mark:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EPM6--soundcraft-epm6-mixer

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MG12--yamaha-mg12-12-channel-mixer

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Sig10--soundcraft-signature-10-mixer-with-effects


I'm leaning toward the EPM6 over the Yamaha, just because I've used the MG series before and they're adequate, but the pre amps and general build quality is pretty meh. The EPM6 also at least looks a bit tankier and well-constructed, but I have no idea how it compares to the Ghost preamps on the Sig10, which I do have a bit of familiarity with. Siog10 and the MG12 both have on-board FX, which isn't really a priority, but the MG12 does have 4 channels worth of basic, 1-knob compression built right in.

IDK, most of the places I've done live sound work for have either been permanent installations or rental systems, so I don't really know what's considered reliable orr worth purchasing these days. This was the best thing on our local CL: :ack:

https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/msg/d/harrison-paequipment/7508642744.html
 
I'm not familiar with any of that gear although sound craft and Yamaha usually make good products. We've been using a QSC Touchmix system for years. When it works its awesome. We've transitioned from Mackie to RCF speakers in the cover band although I still have my Mackie. I'm also quite happy with the EV PXM 12mp wedge that I've been playing guitar through. It works really well for a vocal monitor, too.

For monitors I'm almost always using IEM's now, though. I have this setup and it runs about $300:

KZ ZS10 Pro, Linsoul 4BA+1DD 5 Driver in-Ear HiFi Metal Earphones
https://amzn.to/3biaObA

Xvive U4 Wireless in-Ear Monitor System Professional IEM System Transmitter and Beltpack Receiver

https://amzn.to/3BoQUWY
 
It's a case of how long is a piece of string? You say you're a trio but depending on venues that can vary an awful lot of how many channels you need. Assuming 3 vocals, one guitar and one bass, that would leave 3 channels on an eight channel desk or 7 on a 12 channel desk. If you need to fully mic drums at times, the 12 channel desk is clearly more versatile. Also if you need to fully mic the drums and put the bass through the PA, you'll want higher quality speakers (and probably larger ones) to improve the low end response.

I'd go with a mixer and powered speakers by preference but it all depends what your budget is and what's available in your market.

Best of luck with it.
 
I'm sure you know this, but for the sake of future readers, you want a powered speaker and a PASSIVE board, or vice versa, but not both powered.

I've had a Sound Craft mixer and a Yamaha mixer, neither an exact match for what you've posted. The sound craft seemed chunkier/more solid, Yamaha seemed to give me more control over the sound, but I never really a/b'ed then.
 
Gorgon90 said:
It's a case of how long is a piece of string? You say you're a trio but depending on venues that can vary an awful lot of how many channels you need. Assuming 3 vocals, one guitar and one bass, that would leave 3 channels on an eight channel desk or 7 on a 12 channel desk. If you need to fully mic drums at times, the 12 channel desk is clearly more versatile. Also if you need to fully mic the drums and put the bass through the PA, you'll want higher quality speakers (and probably larger ones) to improve the low end response.

I'd go with a mixer and powered speakers by preference but it all depends what your budget is and what's available in your market.

Best of luck with it.
Click to expand...

I should have clarified a bit further, we're a drummerless trio. We'll occasionally run some drum loops off my Alesis SamplePad Pro or a pattern off my Donner looper, but it's primarily two or three vocal mics, an acoustic DI, and a bass DI. Sometimes we'll mic up an electric combo too, but as we're mostly playing breweries, restaurant and bar patios, our singer's Blues Jr. is definitely enough for the couple of songs she needs it.

15" speakers are absolutely my priority if we can swing it.

Mark Wein said:
I'm not familiar with any of that gear although sound craft and Yamaha usually make good products. We've been using a QSC Touchmix system for years. When it works its awesome. We've transitioned from Mackie to RCF speakers in the cover band although I still have my Mackie. I'm also quite happy with the EV PXM 12mp wedge that I've been playing guitar through. It works really well for a vocal monitor, too.
Click to expand...

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Ui12--soundcraft-ui12-remote-controlled-digital-mixer

It's not a QSC, but I did look at this as well, I'm just not sure if it would be the wisest use of our budget.
 
In the price range you're working in most of the stuff available is pretty interchangeable...most of the components the various manufacturers are using are all sourced from the same vendors...the differences are mainly added features and assembly quality (which is pretty much a crap shoot anyway)...you mentioned "meh" preamps and you'll find they are all equally "meh"...

So, my suggestion is this...choose the items that most closely match the specs you are looking for and include the features you need and get on with it...regardless of the name stamped on the box...
 
jelloman said:
In the price range you're working in most of the stuff available is pretty interchangeable...most of the components the various manufacturers are using are all sourced from the same vendors...the differences are mainly added features and assembly quality (which is pretty much a crap shoot anyway)...you mentioned "meh" preamps and you'll find they are all equally "meh"...

So, my suggestion is this...choose the items that most closely match the specs you are looking for and include the features you need and get on with it...regardless of the name stamped on the box...
Click to expand...

I figured for the most part that was true. I didn't want to cheap out with the rebranded Alto or the Behringer stuff since I need some reliability, but we're not gigging so frequently to justify spending $750+ a speaker either.

This one here feels like a pretty safe middle ground: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-1000w-12-inch-powered-speaker-with-bluetooth
 
Ive had good luck with:
2 Mackie powered 12"s
2 Berringer powered 10's
1 Berringer powered sub
Peavey 12 channel mixer
I put it together stages over the last 10-12 years, first the 12s" and the mixer, then the 10" monitors, and then the sub.
Used the whole system for 3-4 yrs before lockdown of steady gigging at least once a month, mostly in 50-200 people bar situations, guitar, bass, drums, sometimes keys.
Its still working fine at home in my studio/music room. No problems at all with the Berringer stuff. The system's not the greatest thing since sliced bread, but its certainly been adequate for its purpose, reliable and relatively compact. The whole thing including mic stands, my bass amp&cabs, upright bass, spare slab bass, power cords, cables, etc can be packed(albeit with precision) into my Toyota 4Runner.
For your set up you could get away with a mixer and 2 12s" and just use one for a monitor and put the other on a pole.
I'd still get a 12 ch mixer tho in case the band grows.
 
Last edited:
@Kerouac I can tell you the Milan M12’s are pretty solid. I’ve been using 5 of them as monitors for the past several years. They don’t really have any bottom end for mains.

I’ve told a few other people that if I didn’t have the LD Systems Mauii 44 sets and the Allen and Heath SQ6, I would have seriously considered the EV Evolve 50m.

They’re a 1000 watt column speaker (which project bettet than powered speakers on stands, and don’t obscure the view of people sitting side stage) but the Evolve M includes a 7 channel mixer with effects and can be controlled by an iPad. They’re smart enough that if you have a pair, they work together and become a 14 channel stereo mixer…. Or 21 channel three speaker…. Up to 8 speakers. :embarrassed:

A single speaker is pricy, but consider that a trio could probably use that as their entire PA and wheel in the full rig in one trip!
 
Kerouac said:
I figured for the most part that was true. I didn't want to cheap out with the rebranded Alto or the Behringer stuff since I need some reliability, but we're not gigging so frequently to justify spending $750+ a speaker either.

This one here feels like a pretty safe middle ground: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-1000w-12-inch-powered-speaker-with-bluetooth
Click to expand...

Alto was what I was going to say. Used first gen.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Alto/TS115A-2-Way-800W-Powered-Speaker-118142626.gc

and this.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/dbx/231-Dual-31-Band-Graphic-Equalizer-118224496.gc

More money left to spend on the mixer.
 
@Kerouac I see some A&H Q16 digital mixers on reverb for 1800… I’ve seen them go under 1500 before. I gigged with one for 6 years and they’re compact, can remember the main and monitor mixes for multiple venues, can flip to the faders being a giant 31 band graphic eq (low half, flip, high half), can record each of the 16 channels Independently to a thumb drive (I just bought a pair of 128gig low profile drives that barely stick out of the face for $20 each) and allow you to play back the gig, remix the show, listen to the entire set from the audience perspective and adjust channel or main mixes to save for next gig, or practice to the full band when they aren’t around. That is a LOT of bang for your well spent money. :baimun:
 
baimun said:
@Kerouac I see some A&H Q16 digital mixers on reverb for 1800… I’ve seen them go under 1500 before. I gigged with one for 6 years and they’re compact, can remember the main and monitor mixes for multiple venues, can flip to the faders being a giant 31 band graphic eq (low half, flip, high half), can record each of the 16 channels Independently to a thumb drive (I just bought a pair of 128gig low profile drives that barely stick out of the face for $20 each) and allow you to play back the gig, remix the show, listen to the entire set from the audience perspective and adjust channel or main mixes to save for next gig, or practice to the full band when they aren’t around. That is a LOT of bang for your well spent money. :baimun:
Click to expand...

That’s still spending more than we really need to though, and we have some standalone recorder options if we needed to capture the love show. Right now I’m leaning towards a single Milan/EVLX 12 and the A&H Zed board (hopefully I can find a used one there to save a bit.) The single speaker will be plenty for rehearsals and small gigs and we can start saving up for the second speaker and subwoofer for when we need it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top