Newbie needs a PA system - Suggestions?

[sashua]

Looking to buy a PA system for my band and don't know much about them.

Any suggestions for a system that is portable, powerful and sub $2,000 all-in? I have no problem with clean used gear.

We have 4 singers in total and we already own microphones and stands.

~Russ

[jps]

There is a lot of choices out there, but for a mixer I would look no further than ALLEN&HEATH. I have their PA12 which offers a lot for the money and sounds great. For excellent pricing on what you want, check out RMC Audio.

[peewee]

I've a Mackie 808M that has been fantastic for small to medium rooms. It can power mains as well as monitors simultaneously and with the addition of a couple of powered subwolfers can be used outdoors as well; I've used it in that application on a number of dates. I believe that I paid @ $545 for the head new 5 years ago and added a soft case from Mackie for an additional $45 IIRC. Killer portable board that has never let me down. For mains I'm running a pair of JBL M-Pro 112s; wedge shaped speaker cab with a small horn and a single 12" driver and built in X-over. I paid maybe $425 for the pair new, also 5 years ago. JBL has discontinued these but offer MRX 512M which is basically the same speaker with a molded resin finished cabinet instead of the carpet covering that mine has. These are great speakers and can take near anything you throw at them. I went with the 12" drivers on recommendation from the pro audio guy at Chuck Levin's in Wheaton, MD - still provide plenty of low end but offer a bit more clarity than the 1x15" version, plus they can easily be used as monitors if need be.

For mics, I use Sennheiser e-835 vocal mics ( replaced all my Shure SM58s with these ) and Shure SM57s for instruments. Sounds like you've got that part covered though.

I can't recommend this system enough and the whole deal cost just about $1,000.




http://www.mackie.com/products/808m/index.html

http://www.jblpro.com/catalog/general/P ... d=50&MId=3

[sashua]

Thanks guys. I have heard of the Mackie unit and it seems to be a well loved warhorse for many. The Allen and Heath would be a step up in clarity and quality but it is not powered and I need at least some reasonable level of portability to this system. I don't want to be lugging a separate rack with amps along.

For speakers I think I might need a bit more than a pair of 12's as I need enough versatility to fill good sized venues. I will also need a pair of floor monitors.

As far as microphones, we are all using SM58's. Mike, did you find that the Sennheiser e-835 was a big step up in quality?

[peewee]

As far as microphones, we are all using SM58's. Mike, did you find that the Sennheiser e-835 was a big step up in quality?

Absolutely. I was a skeptic at first but after I used one live, I was sold on them. I'd had an SM58 stolen from a gig and went to buy a replacement. When I asked the salesman for another 58, he asked if I had my mind made up and would only use the 58. That's when he recommended the Sinnheiser. It was a little less expensive than the Shure so I wasn't sold on it right away. He told me to try it out and if I didn't like it, he'd exchange it for another 58. Used it the next night on a gig and was blown away by it's clarity and warmth.... then went back and bought two more the very next day! Everyone that uses one of my e835s falls in love with it. I've been using them for nearly 3 years now and probably won't go back to using Shure vocal mics.

[jps]

The Allen and Heath would be a step up in clarity and quality but it is not powered and I need at least some reasonable level of portability to this system. I don't want to be lugging a separate rack with amps along.

A&H makes a powered version the PA12CP.

[jps]

As popular as Mackie is, I'd be concerned about dealing with a product from a company on bad footing, which Loud Technologies is at the moment.

[peewee]

http://www.musicincmag.com/News/2009/09 ... _loud.html

[jps]

Interesting read, however, going by this:

Meanwhile, supplies of all other EAW and Mackie products — as well as Alvarez, Ampeg, Crate and Martin branded products — continue uninterrupted, as they are manufactured by other Loud CM partners.

I find it hard to believe that statement going by other things I have read elsewhere. It seem more and more dealers are dumping Ampeg, and many products, except for their inexpensive items, are being discontinued at an alarming rate. Artists are also jumping ship, such as Victor Wooten, for one.

BTW, I didn't know that Martin was owned by Loud!

[peewee]

I was a bit surprised to read that myself. Think it's a typo? If not, it's got to be one of the biggest surprises I've had recently. I may have to contact someone at Martin customer service and get the skinny on this.

[jingle_jangle]

Hasn't anyone considered Carvin?

Their top of the line 6-channel , the XP650-LM15, lists at $985.00 direct from Carvin.

We're talking a complete 500W system including powered mixer, mikes, cables, and 2-12" monitors.

https://www.carvinguitars.com/products/ ... XP650-LM15

[cjj]

I like Carvin amps. I like the company too, really great people to deal with, everything is make in the U.s.A., they don't outsource to Asia. Hmm, sounds a lot like another company we're familiar with...