PA system FAQ?

[Flik]

I just wanted to get a moderatly in depth '101' if ya like on PA systems. I've looked a bit on google, but I don't think im searchinmg for the right thing as it seems to come up with pages selling PA systems.

I just wanna know the basics about them to know what to look for.

Thanx a lot

Ben

[Dredg]

Well, what are you looking for in a PA? Is it for personal practice or for a gig situation?

[moaner]

The most common and best small band PA: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/632200/

All you'll ever need for a short while anyway.

Next, be looking at a sorta 7-8 channel 200-300w a side powered mixer and some nice speakers (you get what you pay for, try peavey and behringerfor some reasnable value), or if in the future you'll need more power/channels, get seperates.

The stage up from that? you shouldn't be asking some people you've never met in a forum. Except maybe aes...

[Flik]

sorry i probably should have been a little more specific!

I dont particularly want to buy one as such, I just want some know how on them. :)

[Levitate]

you gotta state what you are using it for dude! no-one can really help ya otherwise - hey I even feel a little like a salesman-slick right now...

like, do your guitarists have full stacks and dime the gain?

do you play live gigs at all?

[.............]

[Redsand187]

There is no real formula to getting a PA system. There is too many factors.

The type of music you play, the desired volume, the crowd size, the room size, indoors, outdoors, monitors, your musicial skills...

If you are serious about a band, you have 2 real options. Either fork over 7-25 thousand dollars to get the PA system that will fit your needs. (This is all inclusive, speakers, monitors, amps, mixer, cables, mic's, eq's, crossovers, compressors...) Or, you find a reliable company that you can rent from. You can normally rent a quality system and an engineer for 200-500 a night depending on your market and needs. If you are making 1000 dollars a show, it is worth it. If your big show is your sisters friends birthday in the backyard... well, then it really isn't practicle.

A quality PA system and a good engineer will improve your live sound more then you could even imagine compaired to just using your amps and a cheap PA like the Kustom for vocals. However, if you are just dicking around in your garage with some friends, have no real goal to play a real show, something like the Kustom will work.

[Flik]

what i wanted to know was stuff like how to wire one up, the difference between a passive and active stage monitor, subwoofers? etc.

but I found it all out now :p thanx anyway

[Levitate]

I think everyone's comments on the thread were helpful, and aimed at helping you with your question above. I mean, you said you 'googled' ads. Ads explain the items they are selling. JBL's website has info on their products, for instance (probably includes online instruction pamplets too...).

I hope you find out what you were looking for, best of luck with gaining knowledge on PAs.

[Flik]

Ah yea it was all very helpful! I just didn't say what i wanted exactly.

it was like i was saying i wanted a vegetable, you all returned peas and brussel sprouts, when in fact i wanted a carrot..

/end cool example

[KKKKKocaine]

what i wanted to know was stuff like how to wire one up, the difference between a passive and active stage monitor, subwoofers? etc.

but I found it all out now :p thanx anyway

If you found an online faq or guide, Feel free to post it in the 'useful sites for bands' thread :)

[moaner]

If you found an online faq or guide, Feel free to post it in the 'useful sites for bands' thread :)

haha