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Post by twang46 on Mar 7, 2011 18:55:28 GMT
Hi all Thinking about a compact PA system to use in pubs/small halls for bt's & vocals Ideally a "one bag" solution, by that I mean you can carry the PA about in a bag (pretty big bag I suppose) The standard, 2 speaker/1 box system is ok as well All I've got at the moment is guitars & amps, mixer & 2 good mics (Shure) no stands for anything. Budget prices at the moment until I can see how it's going to work out please  so................ what do you guys who get out & play use ? and what would you consider the basics to get going ? Thanks Dick. |
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roymattblack
Member
I'm Marvan Freeman... Thank you for listening
Posts: 92
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Post by roymattblack on Mar 7, 2011 19:23:35 GMT
I have a Peavey 600w mixer amp with feedback killer built in, 2 x 600w electrovoice speakers on stands, 1 x 150w Alto pmPMB4 Sistema powered monitor plus my rack and laptop etc for the guitar. Shure SM58 mic on boom stand. I put the Alto on a stand around 18" from my left ear to get a really good 'inside the sound' monitor. (Yes, after monitoring myself this way for the last 30 years it has affected my left ear a bit)
All my sounds go into the Peavey (guitar, mic, backing, guitar synth) and is mixed there - no separate guitar amp etc.
Sounds a lot of stuff, but it copes with anywhere I've ever played including the Ipswich Corn Exchange, and a huge sports hall with 1000 teenagers - a charity bash for Dunblane some years ago.
HOWEVER..... I've done a few 'small' gigs in pubs and people have asked where all my gear is, when I've turned up just using the Alto monitor.
It's actually a mini-compact all in one PA. And it's bl--dy loud!!!
Search one out.
It's fantastic for home practicing too - it's around 10" long, 8" high, 8" deep with a mixer panel built on the top to take 4 inputs including several different plug types and audio conections for tape inputs etc. Speaker is built in.
Powered and unpowered outputs too.
If you want to add an extra speaker, Alto do a matching unpowered one.
The Alto was a tad over £200 when I bought it about 18months ago. They're now around £225 - 250.
Best bit of small kit I've ever had.
I know it's tempting to look 'cool' and surround yourself with kit, but these days you really don't need to if you're playing smaller venues.
And don't forget, if you're playing solo, you have to hump the lot yourself and at the end of a 2 - 3 hour gig, it's a lot heavier than when you carried it all in.
AND don't forget the extras - effects units, pedal boards, lighting, cables, extension leads, guitar stand.........
I've been gigging nigh on 40 years - I constantly look for smaller and smaller stuff. You won't go far wrong with an Alto, or similar to start off with and as your gear grows, the Alto becomes your foldback.
Roy Matt.
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Post by noelford on Mar 7, 2011 21:13:22 GMT
PEAVEY ESCORT. I use an older version of this and it's very versatile. Speakers clip to amp section making a single unit, very compact, not too heavy but with a pair of wheels to roll along on. Highly recommended. Mine is used at our West Of Wales Shadows and Guitar Club for playing backing tracks and also, sometimes, running guitars into via processors (or electro acoustics straight in). Plenty of power and excellent tonal quality, even when all inputs are in use.
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Post by noelford on Mar 7, 2011 21:22:02 GMT
Here's a pic of one packed up: Attachments:
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Post by tonybiker on Mar 7, 2011 21:38:27 GMT
Hi Dick. Like Noel I have a Peavey Escort for home use and to also attach it to a larger PA for side fills or monitors. They come in two versions, 150 and 300w. The 150w is more than enough to power one guitar, vocal and backing tracks and ideal for small venues. The system comes with speaker stands and some earlier models also have a stand for the amp to sit on. A decent mic and lead is also supplied. I have had mine for 6 years and would never part with it. A couple of members also use this PA. I have seen a many a jaw drop when they realise where the sound was coming from. What I like about this system is the quality even when pushed really hard. It is also stereo, a bonus when your playing instrumental guitar and want the full delay effects to shine though. You can pick one up via the well known auction site for approx £250. They are expensive new. Another contender is the Fender Passport, again in different sizes 250 - 500w. When you size up a PA too many look at the watts. This is secondary to sound quality. Its no good having 1000w if it sounds really awful. The band Life Story use the Fender Passport, and when I heard them I was impressed considering they were running a full band. The Peavey Escort I can give 10 out of 10 for sound quality, ease of use and it's easy of transport. I can also rate its build quality, this one has been trashed to death for years and it sounds just as good as it did when it was first bought. For a first time PA look at the Fender or Peavey. If your thinking of separate mixer, amp and speakers, it can get a little complicated with matching it all and needs careful thought. Both these systems will be at the Get Together in June.  Hope that helps. Tony |
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Post by jase on Mar 7, 2011 23:19:43 GMT
I'm not a gigging musician but I do own a peavey escort. We bought it for our business 5 years ago and it is a very durable, well built and easy to use piece off kit. Mine has never been used for more than 2 inputs at once although it is possible to have up to 5 inputs and each input has its own gain, reverb, treble and bass control. I've not used it with my Zoom pedal but it works very well with my Boss GT10 and my electro acoustic.
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roymattblack
Member
I'm Marvan Freeman... Thank you for listening
Posts: 92
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Post by roymattblack on Mar 8, 2011 8:39:25 GMT
Peavey is definitely great gear.
The 600w Peavey mixer amp I have is used for big gigs and to be fair I only use it as I was in a 5 piece group for years and I owned the PA, so now the amp/speakers are mine anyway.
Now that I'm solo, I still use it.
Best suggestion is to try to get to a decent music shop selling different PA systems.
Try them out and 'weigh' them up.
You could then search for a used system via the web but T.B.H. I would be a bit dubious of used group gear. It's very often had a hard life.
Roy Matt.
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Post by twang46 on Mar 8, 2011 19:28:58 GMT
Thanks guys Peavy Escort & Fender Passport seem very popular. The Alto is a new one on me Roy that I will investigate, but I do not feel comfortable using a shop as a "testing ground" when I have no intention of buying from them. Plenty of food for thought here  Thanks for the input Cheers Dick |
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Post by les on Mar 9, 2011 9:07:42 GMT
Hi members, What P A cabs would be suitable for one man band situations ? We have all of the gear for duo & band work but im needing to lighten the loads.
I would think that 1 x 12 cabs would be perfect ? but i am looking towards a pair of 1 x 10s
because of weight considerations, ............. would the 1 x 10s sound a bit mickey mousey or would they reproduce good quality despite their smaller size ? Best wishes. Les.
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roymattblack
Member
I'm Marvan Freeman... Thank you for listening
Posts: 92
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Post by roymattblack on Mar 9, 2011 10:17:55 GMT
If they're 'decent' speakers, 10" will sound fine for smaller gigs (pubs etc)
Fender and JBL both do portable PA's with 10" speakers - amazing sound but expensive.
For bigger venues you will lose some of the Bass quality though.
I gigged solo in pubs etc for years with 2 x 12" cabs on stands.
The bass rattled the windows.
Roy Matt.
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Post by 'Big Bose Man' on Mar 9, 2011 12:12:37 GMT
Hi to all,
For home use and small venues I use a Bose L1 Compact system. I can honestly say that the sound quality is, in my opinion, second to none. The 'Compact' would not be suitable for the larger venues. It is expensive when compared to other systems but if your looking for exceptional quality - look no further.
L1 Compact system
•For smaller spaces with audiences of up to 100
•Six small speakers in line array
•Two built-in channels; two ToneMatch® presets
•Integrated bass in power stand; not expandable
•Extended (78.5"H) and collapsed (16.5"H) setup options.
If you play the slightly larger venues (up to 500) there is of course his big brother the L1 Model . (but we're talking big money here - horses for courses).
Kind regards,
Rod.
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Post by jase on Mar 9, 2011 13:18:00 GMT
Just to echo what Rod saysI've got a friend who has Bose L1 and it really is extraordinary. I'm not sure how it does it but it fills a room with sound. The great thing with the Bose is how little room it takes up, so you can easily use it at home as well .The downside is the cost.
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Post by les on Mar 9, 2011 17:33:13 GMT
I have just looked up on the BOSE L1,What an impressive piece of equipment that is ! ......... Didnt see what the output is tho. Best wishes. Les.
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Post by bazmusicman on Mar 9, 2011 17:53:00 GMT
Hi,
I have a Bose L1 mk. 2 system and it is the 'bee's knees' for sound and portability.
Bose do not state what the output is but someone told that it housed three 250w amplifiers in the base that doubled for the speaker stand.
But as Rod says it dosn't come cheap.
Best regards,
Baz.
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Post by les on Mar 9, 2011 18:16:35 GMT
Hiya Baz,Thankyou,Plenty enough power there for most of us,Yes,Peavey P A gear is really good too. .............. Cabs with compression drivers or tweeters ? Best wishes, Les.
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Post by bazmusicman on Mar 10, 2011 16:14:51 GMT
Hi Les,
The good thing about the Bose L1 is that it isn't deafening because of the way it throws the sound all around the room. It also stands behind you without any feedback and doubles as a monitor.
Best regards,
Baz.
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Post by noelford on Mar 10, 2011 17:42:21 GMT
I've never heard the Bose, but it makes me wonder how well it would work for playing BTs only. If the sound is evenly distributed throughout the room, as I understand it to be, would it sound right for the lead to be coming from a single source?
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Post by les on Mar 10, 2011 18:06:22 GMT
Hi Baz, That sounds really good i have to say,I always like to have cabs & my lead amp behind me anyway,i have always monitored my sound this way.The Bose system is definately worth looking into. Best wishes, Les.
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Post by tonybiker on Mar 10, 2011 18:07:30 GMT
Hi. I had the chance to hear a Bose at a gig a few months ago. Very good sound and the user had BT's, guitar and vocals. However at £2500 is was far too expensive given that it looks strange and has no presence what so ever. It seemed to suit vocals better and lacks the 'big sound' that other PA's give you when using guitar. If you have no budget restrictions and want something to fit in your boot its ideal. www.brucemillersdirect.co.uk/bose-l1-systems/Tony |
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roymattblack
Member
I'm Marvan Freeman... Thank you for listening
Posts: 92
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Post by roymattblack on Mar 10, 2011 19:00:49 GMT
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Post by twang46 on Mar 13, 2011 15:10:19 GMT
Out of the blue as they say, I bought this.... www.coomber.co.uk/products-2/audio-equipment/2242-pa-cd-cassette-recorder/at a local boot sale for £6. ;D Loud enough to use as a PA in small rooms only, but great for a monitor/basic mixer with it's multi inputs/outputs as well as at home for practice. Still a current machine & superbly well build, only thing that's missing is the remote. Cheers Dick. |
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Post by tonybiker on Mar 13, 2011 15:37:53 GMT
£6 !!!!!!!!  Just shows bargains are still about. Good find  Out of the blue as they say, I bought this.... www.coomber.co.uk/products-2/audio-equipment/2242-pa-cd-cassette-recorder/at a local boot sale for £6. ;D Loud enough to use as a PA in small rooms only, but great for a monitor/basic mixer with it's multi inputs/outputs as well as at home for practice. Still a current machine & superbly well build, only thing that's missing is the remote. Cheers Dick. |
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Post by noelford on Mar 17, 2011 8:03:24 GMT
Let us know how it performs.
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