reccomendations on PA systems, ETC.

[imlost]

arial arial 3 teal hey i need you guy's opinion on PA systems. i'll need one for band gigs and possibly some shows probably in a GYM roughly fitting 100-400 people. im also looking at any good cardioid mics and also some good computer recording software. i'd really appreciate it if you replied to this thread. thanks so much guys.

-Tom

[moaner]

well tom, for that many people, you need a fair many watts. Obviously check your school doesn't have a system already, but until we've got your budget all i can say is "more is more" when it comes to PA sytems really, and if you get one too small, you will regret it when it starts clipping. If it was me i'd aim for at LEAST 250w a side (i.e., 2x250w - almost all Pas work in stereo)

Shure make some quality mics, but they're quite expensive- i'm not really the mic man around here, others can help you better.

some fantastic free recording software is audacity- http://audacity.sourceforge.net

[allthegoodnamesweregone]

audio technaca (sp) mics are also quite fine...

[Aes820]

The problem with gyms, Is that they are big, they have high ceilings and are a real turd to get a good sound in.
Um. I reckon a 2x400 watt PA would be an absolute minimum.
Look at packaged systems from brands such as Peavey and Yamaha.

Something like this should be fine for vocal reinforcemnt. But once you start getting into micing up the drums and the guitar+bass etc. Well, that when you start getting into much more dollars. So, I wouldn't worry about that just now.
If you just want something to run vocals through at small gigs; a 2x400 watt PA should do the job.

And welcome to the forums. :)

[airborne50caliber]

shure, behringer and sennheiser all ake live card. dynamics you could look at for vocals.

[imlost]

yeah i have a shure sm57 it wasn't expensive at all it was only 90 bucks. yeah i was looking forward for a PA system for microphoning because my band got desperate enough to use small 15 watt guitar amps for our mics *smiles* i was also wondering if anyone knew any good digital recording cards

[AG]

Yeh, I wouldn't wanna be running any less than 10 a head (each side) so you'd be looking at a 2x400 watt poweramp.

Tally up how many channels on the mixer you'll need from the following:

Drums - At least 5 channels
Vocals - As many as you need, but I wouldn't get less than 3
Guitars - 1 channel for each guitar, I would get 2.
Bass - 1 channel
Keyboard - 1 channel

So looking at that setup you're lookin at a 12 channel desk, I would get a stage higher, because running out of channels is a bugger, I would go for a 16 channel desk.

As Aes said, you're probably best off looking into a pre-built one from a well known manafacturer, and then getting extra stuff if you need (multi-core, compressors/gates, Eq's)

Make sure whatever pack you get has a couple of monitors, and if they dont, budget so you can get some, I would suggest active monitors, as I find them alot less hassle.

Again, as Aes said, if you're only looking for vocal amplification, not drums/guitars and such, you can cut it all back down to the bare minimum.

[moaner]

10w a head is often too much. obviously you want spare, but playing for 100 people doesn't need 2x500w, unless they happen to be in a room far too big for them.

[AG]

I wouldn't be happy without 10 per head on most occasions. I've read artciles saying all you need is 4ph, but I would be extremely dubious of it.

[imlost]

yeah but would these systems you're suggesting, would they be also good in small venues maybe in cafes, and such?

[moaner]

oh yeah, you can always turn it down or even only run 1 speaker.

[airborne50caliber]

Yeah of course.

[Aes820]

yeah but would these systems you're suggesting, would they be also good in small venues maybe in cafes, and such?
It is always a good idea to have more power than you'll ever need.
It is known as spare headroom.

If you are loud enough while you've only got the volume dial on 3. Then that is all good. At least you arn't pushing your setup beyond its limits by cranking it up loud. Because that's when you can start to have troubles. Both with your sound quality and with your equipment.

[airborne50caliber]

123.

plus you might wanna play bigger places sometimes.

[imlost]

yeah alright i think i get it now thanks alot guys now do you guys know anyhting about a good guitar amp? i noticed Aes's comment about saying how if youj're just on the dial # 3 and you're loud enough, then you're good. yeah i leave my amp at 10 and i can see why he said that, its breaking down. so do you guys know any good guitar amps that'll match what Aes said?

[airborne50caliber]

i noticed Aes's comment about saying how if youj're just on the dial # 3 and you're loud enough, then you're good.

I thought you were saying "you're a better band".. boy, would you have misunderstood.

[imlost]

no i meant like you're good to go, its loud enough. not just because of the amp you're skillfully good...no

[airborne50caliber]

I know. But I misunderstood for a second.