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PA + speakers question

M

MasterplayerC

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Feb 24, 2009
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Might not be computer audio, but everyone here seems pretty knowledgeable so I figure it can't hurt to ask.

My band is playing a show on Friday and we have pieced together a PA system that we want to try and optimize.

We have a 6 channel mixer, power amp, and PA head with built in 6 channel mixer. The power amp and PA head each have 2 speaker outputs.

We have two big main PA speakers with both a speaker and a tweeter, and two smaller PA speakers that we either want to use as monitors or as extra output.

The two big mains have both a low and high input on the back (speaker/tweeter), as well as 2 parallel jacks. The monitors just have one input.


Would it be possible for us to use the parallel jacks on the backs of the big mains to daisy chain the monitors? Neither the mains nor the monitors are powered.

We're currently running inputs into the mixer, and then from AUX send on the mixer to the power amp, and the big speakers out of the power amp (but only through the low input, neglecting the high). And then from the L/R main output on the mixer to channels 1 and 2 on the PA head, and out of the PA to the monitors.

We're basically trying to maximize sound while using as few cables as possible.

The gear for reference (as best as I could find):

Mixer: http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/MX602A.aspx
Power amp: http://www.markbass.it/products.php?lingua=en&cat=1&vedi=82
PA head (ignore the speakers, we dont have them): http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kustom-PA-Profile-One-PA-System?sku=630506
Monitors: http://www.audio-choice.com/speakers/ac10tbot.htm
Mains: cant find them

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
............/ -> Main Out -> Power Amp -> Main Speakers
mixer -
............\ -> Ctrl Rm Out -> PA Head -> Monitors

it may be possible to chain off of the main speakers but i wouldn't really recommend it

all should need in this setup is 4 patch cables of decent length

is this setup for mics?
 
Last edited:
how many keyboards?

you can run the 2 mics into the XLR's on the mixer and if you have a couple synths you can patch them into the available 1/4" jacks
 
just one keyboard, and for one song we have a microkorg. i'm not worried about inputs into the mixer as much as i am outputs to the mains and monitors. i dont think we could get control room out to work when we tried it the other day.

we're practicing tomorrow night in the basement and we're gonna try and make sure everything works and is loud enough. show is friday.

turns out its in a 50x40 backyard surrounded by a wall, and then 3-4 feet to buildings.

its also going to have a giant tarp over the whole backyard, which i have NO idea how its going to affect sound. we've only practiced/played in a garage, a large basement lounge, and a tiny offcampus appt.
 
honestly if you're in a band and you want to sound good when you play out you either need to:

a. learn the basics of live sound tech, buy a real sound system with a proper mixing board

or

b. find a local sound company and rent their sound and a tech to run it and make you sound good. a decent system and a sound tech to set it up shouldn't run you more than $150 a night

b is my recommended solution
 
when we blew our main PA 2 weeks ago, we briefly looked into renting a system, but it was upwards of 200$ a night.

the other issue is that we're playing an offcampus college aparment backyard. its not exactly a school sponsored event, and theres the very real chance that it could end up getting shut down by the cops, as it looks like there are going to be around 300-400 people crammed into the backyard at any given time.

i wouldnt want to rent out nice shit and a sound guy to have the party get shut down. i'm just trying to make the best out of the setup we have. to be honest, im probably even being a bit OCD, since last year's party used a PA consisting of maudio studio monitors lol. plus, drunk college students dont know what tone/good sound is.
 
in that case find out if you can rent a beater system off the local sound company

i know the company i work through here does a $50 beater system rental that's basically 2 15" cabs with horns and an amp to drive them...should be more than adequate for the space

best part is the shit is generally insured by the sound company so if it get's blown/beer spilled on it/whatever no sweat, just tell the guys you rented it from when you return it and you also don;t have to risk your own gear
 
our ragtag setup performed great in practice tonight. we plugged everything into the mixer, and then ran the main out L --> power amp --> big mains and the main out R --> PA head --> monitors. it was plenty loud and everything sounded good considering we were in the basement.
 
thanks for the link.

yea, funnily enough the trouble we're having now is getting our gear the 4 blocks to the venue, as none of us have transpo and campus security won't drive our stuff for us.

the price of big speakers i guess? lol
 
depends what you call decent and where you're located of course. not talking about stadium sound or anything too elaborate here.

the local sound company here will rent me a pretty badass system for 150 and run it for the night, however I should have taken into account the fact that I live in a VERY economically depressed region. RUST BELT RE%!!! I have rented sound elsewhere for a shitload more money for an equivalent system.

still, most sound companies have a $50 beater system you can rent
 
MasterplayerC said:
thanks for the link.

yea, funnily enough the trouble we're having now is getting our gear the 4 blocks to the venue, as none of us have transpo and campus security won't drive our stuff for us.

the price of big speakers i guess? lol
Click to expand...

skateboards my man

it's only 4 blocks
 
yea, current junior.

sound check went well. our mains/ monitors setup works well. i just wish we could mic the guitars too.
 
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