need a pa system sugestion

[r00ster]

hi all, im looking for advice on a pa system that will handle micing band gear and will sound good in a small bar venue say about 200 people and an approximate cost range and wattage for a system ,2 GUITARS,BASS, DRUMS,KEYBOARD is the gear we will be using thanks alot ROCK ON!!!!!!

[PRSplaya]

There are several way's you could go about this....

1. you could get a powered mixer to run your mains, and a separate power amp for your monitors.

2. you could get an unpowered mixer and a couple of power amps to run everything.

The later is better, but the first might be more convenient.

Most 200+ capacity venues will have their own PA system, but some might not. A huge amount will depend on how much you are willing to spend. Decent PA's can get expensive quick! If you're going to be running the bass and drums through the PA, you'll definitely want to get at least 2 sub cabinets, along with the mains.

Here are a few examples of setups for you to look through:

Yamaha EMX512SC 8-channel powered mixer (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Mixers?sku=630191) running two JBL JRX125 speaker cabinets (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=600348)

Add a power amp like a Peavey PV 900 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Power/Amps?sku=481390) and a couple of floor monitors, and you're set. The JBL's will carry the bass and drums ok, but they will be a bit week, and might muddy up the vocals a bit.

A better setup (more money) would be something like this:

Peavey PV14 mixer (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Mixers?sku=631369), Peavey PV 2600 power amp running (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Power/Amps?sku=481388) 2 Peavey SP 2 cabs (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Speakers?sku=601390). A Crown CE4000 power amp running (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Power/Amps?sku=481515) 2 Peavey SP 218 subwoofers (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Speakers?sku=601398). You would also need another power amp and a couple of monitors (like mentioned above). Then you would want to get a crossover to route the signals, such as the dbx DriveRack processor (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Signal/Processors?sku=183588). You can definately get cheaper than that, but it does have a lot of nice features for getting things to sound right. Also, don't forget about mic's, mic stands, and cables.

As you can see, it will largely depend on how much you have to spend.

[r00ster]

thanks a bunch,how about a pa system for use in agarage band type situation

[PRSplaya]

How much are you wanting to spend? With my band, I use that yamaha powered mixer I listed, 1 of the JBL JRX125's and a couple of floor monitors. We use it for vocals only. It works great! For garage band situations, there's no need at all to mic anything but the vocals. If your drummer is too loud, get him to use smaller/lighter sticks, and make him learn to play a little softer. Everybody has to make compromises in a band! If someone else is too loud, get them to turn down before you turn up, or you'll be having a continuous volume war. Everybody should set their volume according to the quitest person in the group.

I would probably suggest getting a non-powered mixer, a power amp, and 2 1x12" or 1x15" mains cabinets. This will get you by nicely for practice and your average gig. it will also leave you room to grow, and still use what you have.

[rockonn91]

yeah, PRS knows what hes talking about.

the least expensive PA system packages on the market are:

Kustom PA KPA4 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Packaged/Systems?sku=632200) $160
AudioChoice C100 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Packaged/Systems?sku=630130) $180
Squire (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live/Sound/Packaged/Systems?sku=630130) $230

if i had to chose any of those, i'd go with the AudioChoice... its by SoundTech, a pretty good brand for PA. its also a bit more powerful then the Squire PA, which i would pick second.

these 3 arnt the best quality, but for a garage band just starting out, they should work fine. cuz all you really need is something to amplify vocals.

[PRSplaya]

Depending on how loud ya'll play, you might find it hard to hear anything out of any of those at full jam volume. About all those would be good for would be an acoustic duo.

[rockonn91]

heyyyy, you never know. i hear acoustic duo's are the latest trend. :D

[PRSplaya]

Hey, I love doing acoustic stuff. It's a nice break from time to time to do something different like that.

[rockonn91]

i wasnt hatin on the acoustic, i use mine all the time. i was just playin around.

but the cheap-o PA's i posted probably will be alot better looking to someone who doesnt want to bust their life savings on an expensive, quality system like what you were posting. i totally agree with all you were saying, and would go that way myself. but i doubt that (and correct me if im way off track here on this entire post, r00ster) they have huge amps that put out enough power and volume to completely drown out a 100W vocal amp. and if they do have those amps, and the vocals ARE drowned out, they definatly would need to learn to turn their volume down so it all works together. i bet the neighbors are gathering for a riot by that point.

[PRSplaya]

Well, he still hasn't said how much money they're working with.

One more option is to use a keyboard amp. You would be really surprised at how much volume they'll output for vocals. Take a look at some of these.

Roland (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/Amps/Accessories?sku=480195)

Yorkville (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/Amps/Accessories?sku=480035)

Alesis (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/Amps/Accessories?sku=705527)

Peavey (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Keyboards/Midi/Amps/Accessories?sku=703370) This would probably be my first choice for vocals.