Powered/Unpowered?

[Classical_HeavyMetal]

Here's the situation:
I have a microphone and enough store credit to purchase some unpowered speakers. So I need a powered mixer to get that up and running. But I play more guitar than singing, so I was wondering if I decided to get a powered mixer, could I plug in my mic and my guitar, and still run the guitar through my amp(which would be powered)? And I was also wondering about mixers without the word "power" next to them (which I assume to be known as unpowered mixers). Just in general, what are the advantages/disadvantages of powered mixers and unpowered speakers and vise versa.
And another question, whats the difference between speakers and monitors?

Thanks in advance for any information you share.

[Surf]

Seriously does anyone actually look at the forums before they post?

This is the wrong forum man, try jam session: this one's for lyrics and writing and stuff.

I have no idea how to answer your question. =/

[pitchfork]

Moved then I guess.

Well theres no real advantages just needs.

[Aes820]

The term 'powered' generally implies that it has a built in poweramp.
The poweramp gets your signal up to a level suitable to be reproduced at volume through the speakers.

Powered mixers obviously have a built in poweramp and will only need speakers ran off them.
Powered speakers have a built in poweramp.
If you are using a normal mixer with speakers, you will need a poweramp before the speakers.

You often find powered mixers along with those cheaper and entry level Packaged PA systems.
I guess they are an advantage because they are easier to use, quicker to set up, more fool-proof, good for beginners or simple practise setups. Unfortunately they arn't really possible to upgrade from.

Powered speakers are good, once again, because they are easy to setup and use.
Many models often have in built protection that kicks in if you're in risk of damaging them. Many of them are also 'biamped' which can enable them to perform much better 'watt-for-watt' than unpowered (and un biamped) counterparts.
Again unfortunately they arn't really possible to upgrade on their own. But you can always add more of them to your overall system - although this can end up being a bit expensive.

Unpowered mixers and speakers with poweramps offer full upgradability. With them, you can have everything from small scale setups to handle things like acoustic pub bands, or you can have massive rigs that handle Metallica concerts.
The sky is the limit as long as your budget has no limit.


There are generally two differnt types of monitors. Both groups share the same intention. They are used to hear yourself with.

Stage monitors are there so that the band members can hear both themselves and the rest of their band while up on stage. These type of monitors include things like Foldback wedges, Drum Fills, Cross Stage Fills and even those little In Ear Monitors.

Then there's Studio Monitors. These are generally used for recording and mixing purposes.

[pitchfork]

Studio monitors have a completely linear response to give a faithful reproduction of what your music actually sounds like.

[cadencethefire]

usually with musical equipment it's better if everything is separate a powered speaker isn't something i long for... same with a powered mixer etc. Though it is cheaper to get it like that considering prices of poweramps...

[Aes820]

a powered speaker isn't something i long for...
I think it really depends on what you're after.
Powered speakers can be fantastic for use in monitoring setups. And also for small scale 'pub-sized' pa systems.

I've also noticed that lots of house DJs in clubs are now using powered speakers, probably because of their ease of use.

[cadencethefire]

that makes sense... especially since most pa's are as simple as speaker 1 and speaker two... you could run a line out to the monitor that uses it's own power :)

[Tiger]

Studio monitors have a completely linear response to give a faithful reproduction of what your music actually sounds like.

This is not true.


Powered speakers can be fantastic for use in monitoring setups. And also for small scale 'pub-sized' pa systems.


I love my powered monitors. I even got a powered sub to make up for their low end.

A lot of the time powered monitors sound amazing, they are usually bi or tri amplified.