Help with live sound!

[Penaltyplaybass]

I have no idea whats going on with our live sound system. I really need some help.

All we need is to amplify the vocals, 2 mics.

We have a 2x12 speaker to play out of, but i dont know how to amplify the sound best.

We'd like to have 2 people singing, so what do i need to make our voices heard?

(were a punk band, so it doesnt have to have great quality. Also, the loudest guitar amp we have is 75 watts, so we dont really need too much power)

Thanks sooooo much

[isojoe420]

I have no idea whats going on with our live sound system. I really need some help.

All we need is to amplify the vocals, 2 mics.

We have a 2x12 speaker to play out of, but i dont know how to amplify the sound best.

We'd like to have 2 people singing, so what do i need to make our voices heard?

(were a punk band, so it doesnt have to have great quality. Also, the loudest guitar amp we have is 75 watts, so we dont really need too much power)

Thanks sooooo much
Huh? :confused:

[Penaltyplaybass]

what do i need? Like is there a voice amp?

[isojoe420]

What are you using?

[DokterPeppor]

If you are using a PA system then you need a mixer and a power amp unless it's a GOOD mixer with an onboard power amp. If you want to know what my bands setup is let me know and i'll explain it.

[isojoe420]

If you are using a PA system then you need a mixer and a power amp unless it's a GOOD mixer with an onboard power amp. If you want to know what my bands setup is let me know and i'll explain it.
I would like to know your bands setup.

[DokterPeppor]

ok ok ok......To start off, we have 5 people. Lead Singer, Lead guitarist, Rhythm Guitarist, Bassist, and the Drummer. The guitarists are all played through Peavey seperate cabinets. They are not mic'd, the Line-out is just plugged into the Mixer. We use a Behringer 8 track mixer. The mixer is powered by a Peavey 400wattt power amp, fed into 4 Crate PA speakers. The singer is plugged into the mixer, and the extra mic for back-up vocals in in a channel. That's 5 channels used. Then the drums are mic'd. I'm not sure how our drummer does it but he does that into the mixer. then we jam..need more specific details?

[isojoe420]

So you have 100 watts each going into 4 cabinets?

[DokterPeppor]

So you have 100 watts each going into 4 cabinets? yes, the mixer is powered by the Peavey 400watt power amp and that is fed into 4 seperate PA speaker cabs.

[DokterPeppor]

oh and I forgot.....we used to only use 2 crate PA speakers...wokred just as well, we just wanted more even sound distribution.

[isojoe420]

Does it sound good with the bass and drums all going through it?

[Penaltyplaybass]

so i need a mixer and a power amp? is that what im getting? Im kinda looking for bare minimum here, im poor. We dont need to mic the guitars or bass

[DokterPeppor]

ok i didnt know you needed th easy way out. No you dont need all this stuff then if its just a garage type thing. You could try what we did in our poor days......before we mic'd anyhting. When the only thing we mic'd was the singer, we plugged him into a 8 track recorder and into a stereo...that's right, a stereo. he sang through stereo speakers. Man i miss the poor days :P

[isojoe420]

so i need a mixer and a power amp? is that what im getting? Im kinda looking for bare minimum here, im poor. We dont need to mic the guitars or bass
I would go with a cheap package system!
Examples:
System 1 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/s=packaged/search/detail/base_pid/632200/)
System 2 (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/s=packaged/search/detail/base_pid/630130/)
System 3 (http://www.wwbw.com/SoundTech-STPA4040-i149904.music)

OR...

stuff like this:
Example (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=key/search/detail/base_pid/701761/)

OR...

find a cheap used guitar amp.

[Penaltyplaybass]

is there anyway to get the those packages without the speakers? B/c we got those, i just need the rest of the package.

[Penaltyplaybass]

btw...thanks for all the help

[DokterPeppor]

yes there is, look up powered mixers on musicians friend.

[isojoe420]

yes there is, look up powered mixers on musicians friend.
Yup, here's a link!
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search?c=4610&c=4611

[isojoe420]

Repeat to DokterPeppor:

"Does it sound good with the bass and drums all going through it?"

[Aes820]

Threadstarter. If you are only using one speaker, you can 'bridge' a poweramp for lots more power.
It would be handy to know what the speaker you are using is actually rated. Then you can choose a suitably powered amp for it.

[Penaltyplaybass]

Threadstarter. If you are only using one speaker, you can 'bridge' a poweramp for lots more power.
It would be handy to know what the speaker you are using is actually rated. Then you can choose a suitably powered amp for it.

ooo, theres another question for u geniouses to help me on.

I looked at the speakers. there are 2, 12 inch speakers. Each one is rated for 200 Watts.

Does this mean i can push 400 W thru the amp total? or close to it? ( i dont think we'll need that much)

Also, can i run bass thru this? or would it blow the speakers? Its a custom made cab, not a brand. the speakers are carvin tho.

[isojoe420]

ooo, theres another question for u geniouses to help me on.

I looked at the speakers. there are 2, 12 inch speakers. Each one is rated for 200 Watts.

Does this mean i can push 400 W thru the amp total? or close to it? ( i dont think we'll need that much)

Also, can i run bass thru this? or would it blow the speakers? Its a custom made cab, not a brand. the speakers are carvin tho.
That would work. You could run bass through them, depending on venue size.

[isojoe420]

Threadstarter. If you are only using one speaker, you can 'bridge' a poweramp for lots more power.
It would be handy to know what the speaker you are using is actually rated. Then you can choose a suitably powered amp for it.
Good point. Won't he need need an external mixer also?
Could be cheaper to go with what I was talking about above, or just a powered mixer.

[Aes820]

What is the impedence of each of the speakers. And how are the speakers wired in relation to each other.

Or, rather, what is the impedence of the entire cabinet?

[DokterPeppor]

Joe....sounds normal with all instruments through it....it is made for it basically....It may sound crappier with crappier PA speakers but good speakers sound great with it all coming through.

[airborne50caliber]

If you are using a PA system then you need a mixer and a power amp unless it's a GOOD mixer with an onboard power amp.

yeah, a powered mixer. And no, they're not 'better'.

[airborne50caliber]

so i need a mixer and a power amp? is that what im getting? Im kinda looking for bare minimum here, im poor. We dont need to mic the guitars or bass

Just get a powered speaker.

[DokterPeppor]

yeah, a powered mixer. And no, they're not 'better'. I wasn't saying they were better...I was saying if you do get one make sure it's a "GOOD" powered mixer because powered mixers are all crappy. Honestly I would never buy one, that's why we use a power amp and a 8-track mixer. For you a 4 track powered mixer will do in your situation.

[airborne50caliber]

gotcha. Until powered mixers record, its 4 channels. I doubt you use an 8track mixer :lol:

[DokterPeppor]

gotcha. Until powered mixers record, its 4 channels. I doubt you use an 8track mixer :lol: I am not comprehending that sentence about the powered mixer.......and yes we do use and 8 track mixer

[Nicko_Shmicko]

I am not comprehending that sentence about the powered mixer.......and yes we do use and 8 track mixer

mixers have chanels, not tracks, recorders have tracks.

[airborne50caliber]

I am not comprehending that sentence about the powered mixer.......and yes we do use and 8 track mixer

I meant that your powered mixer does not have an inbuilt recorder, it uses CHANNELS. And if you don't believe me refer to Nicko's post above :lol:

[DokterPeppor]

ohhh.....same **** thing you know what I mean quit trying to pick at my posts just because I used an incorrect term. You know what I meant by the #8 and mixer so that should be enough said....

[isojoe420]

ohhh.....same **** thing you know what I mean quit trying to pick at my posts just because I used an incorrect term. You know what I meant by the #8 and mixer so that should be enough said....
<In a soothing voice> "Calm down, relax, it will be ok."

[airborne50caliber]

ok. as you wish.

[Penaltyplaybass]

wheres a good place to get all this stuff? Guitar Center?

[airborne50caliber]

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