mackie are much higher end equipment with some excellent pre-amps, but behringher will do fine, specially live.

Hi I have a [URL=http://www.music123.com/Behringer-Europower-PMX2000-Power-Mixer-i84485.music]Behringer PMX2000 Power Mixer[/URL]

I was wondering what speakers I should use with it? Atm I'm using some old speakers that r just dying in the arse

Is a poweramp absolutely required? I just purchased a Peavey Unity 2000 16ch mixer and will be gradually acquiring monitors, mics, and other required things. I don't think the mixer is powered though, so I'm guessing that I'll need one.

[QUOTE=painball]Is a poweramp absolutely required? I just purchased a Peavey Unity 2000 16ch mixer and will be gradually acquiring monitors, mics, and other required things. I don't think the mixer is powered though, so I'm guessing that I'll need one.[/QUOTE]
you'll most likely be getting passive moniters, meaning you'll need either a powered mixer or a poweramp.
or active moniters.

yes, you need a poweramp. always.

[QUOTE=t1m]Hi I have a [URL=http://www.music123.com/Behringer-Europower-PMX2000-Power-Mixer-i84485.music]Behringer PMX2000 Power Mixer[/URL]

I was wondering what speakers I should use with it? Atm I'm using some old speakers that r just dying in the arse[/QUOTE]

any suitably rated PA speakers.

look for some with at least 12" dirvers, and preferably a compresson horn and a tweeter aswell.

Is there any certain specifications that I need to worry about for the speakers and power amp? I saw something on the first page about ohms and wattage being compatable between the amp and speakers. I haven't purchased any speakers or an amp yet, so what specifications do I need to worry about?

I already have a Peavey Unity 2000 mixer if that matters any.

[QUOTE=painball]Is there any certain specifications that I need to worry about for the speakers and power amp? I saw something on the first page about ohms and wattage being compatable between the amp and speakers. I haven't purchased any speakers or an amp yet, so what specifications do I need to worry about?

I already have a Peavey Unity 2000 mixer if that matters any.[/QUOTE]
Match the power output with the speakers (while at a given ohm load) as best you can.
For example.
A poweramp may be rated to pump out 2x500 watts while at 4 ohms or 2x300 watts while at 8 ohms.
With this poweramp you could either use 2x500 (or more) 4 ohm speakers,
or 2x300 watt (or more) 8 ohm speakers.
Put the simplest way.
So just chosse some speakers that are rated to handle the power of that amp at their rated ohms.

Also know. That connecting up multiple speakers may change the loading that it has on the amp.
Google (or search this thread) for the difference in Parrallel and Series speaker wiring for more information. But generally if you are just going to be running two speakers off your setup then you wont have to worry much about this.

That sounds simple enough. Are there any websites that explain all of this PA stuff in great detail? I'd like to learn more about bridging and other such things.

I've covered many of these topics before, somewhere in this thread.
Like bridging, and biamping and etc.
And I would do my best to field any specific questions you may have.

But there are some useful articles on this site:
[url]http://www.peavey.com/support/technotes/[/url]
(particularly under the subheadings 'power amplifiers' and 'sound systems')

And also here:
[url]http://www.colomar.com/Shavano/pa_page.html[/url]

Well, while I'm at it I might as well ask something else. The mixer that I picked up is missing a few of the volume sliders. I've got replacements, but I cannot figure how to put them in. They don't seem to snap in as easily as I hoped.

I dont think i'll be of much help to you there.
Call up the manufacture of your mixer and ask where you'd be able to get some suitable replacements.

It's not so much as getting replacements, but putting the stupid things in. Argh

Ok, I have a Kustom 8 Channel 400 Watt P.A. head with two 15" Kustom cabs. It has two power amp sections (main and monitior) each use 200 watts and each can be split into two meaning I have four outputs each running 4 Ohms at 100 Watts (I think).

I want to run two dual 15" speakers (for main speakers) with two 15" speakers( for monitors). The 2x15" I was gonna run is 4 Ohms and the single 15" are 8 Ohms each. I'm not sure, but I think the power amp running the 2x15"s would be blown because it's rated at 4 ohms and it would be pushing 2 ohms, is this right? If so would running the two lines out into a power amp help? Would a power amp change the Ohms or stop it from blowing my head if the power amps Ohms rating was diffrent from my P.A. head's Ohms rating?


This would be the set up:

......................................../ Channel B Power Amp > Dual 15"
...................main power amp
................./......................\ Channel A Power Amp > Dual 15"
.............../
mic > mixer
...............\..............................15" monitor
.................\........................../
..................monitor power amp
............................................\
..............................................15" monitor

[QUOTE=iplaybass9340]Ok, I have a Kustom 8 Channel 400 Watt P.A. head with two 15" Kustom cabs. It has two power amp sections (main and monitior) each use 200 watts and each can be split into two meaning I have four outputs each running 4 Ohms at 100 Watts (I think).

I want to run two dual 15" speakers (for main speakers) with two 15" speakers( for monitors). The 2x15" I was gonna run is 4 Ohms and the single 15" are 8 Ohms each. I'm not sure, but I think the power amp running the 2x15"s would be blown because it's rated at 4 ohms and it would be pushing 2 ohms, is this right? If so would running the two lines out into a power amp help? Would a power amp change the Ohms or stop it from blowing my head if the power amps Ohms rating was diffrent from my P.A. head's Ohms rating?


This would be the set up:

......................................../ Channel B Power Amp > Dual 15"
...................main power amp
................./......................\ Channel A Power Amp > Dual 15"
.............../
mic > mixer
...............\..............................15" monitor
.................\........................../
..................monitor power amp
............................................\
..............................................15" monitor[/QUOTE]

I'll need to reread it later, but i'm pretty sure running your monitors in parallel wil,l give 8/2= 4ohms. you don't need (or even want) stereo on your monitors- you want to hear everybody all around the stage.

[QUOTE=moaner]I'll need to reread it later, but i'm pretty sure running your monitors in parallel wil,l give 8/2= 4ohms. you don't need (or even want) stereo on your monitors- you want to hear everybody all around the stage.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, the monitor part I think I got figured out, I would just use the two 15" cabs I have now and face them at the band. I want to put two dual 15" cab facing the crowd and that what I'm not sure about. I'm afraid it will blow my P.A. because my P.A. is 4 Ohms to each power amp section and the cabs I want are 4 Ohms each meaning it would be 2 Ohms which could/would blow my amp. What I was wondering is, is their any way I can make it work (add a power amp) or something?

[QUOTE=iplaybass9340]Yeah, the monitor part I think I got figured out, I would just use the two 15" cabs I have now and face them at the band. I want to put two dual 15" cab facing the crowd and that what I'm not sure about. I'm afraid it will blow my P.A. because my P.A. is 4 Ohms to each power amp section and the cabs I want are 4 Ohms each meaning it would be 2 Ohms which could/would blow my amp. What I was wondering is, is their any way I can make it work (add a power amp) or something?[/QUOTE]

doesn't your amp have 2 8 ohm speaker outputs?

[QUOTE=moaner]doesn't your amp have 2 8 ohm speaker outputs?[/QUOTE]
I have a powered mixer with two 4 Ohm power sections and the can be split into two. So I can run two 4 Ohm cabs at 200 watts each or four 8 Ohms cabs at 100 watts each. I'm pretty sure I figured out what i need though. I'm gonna take the Preamp Out and split it into two then take the two lines and run them into a power amp then run the Dual 15" off that and then run four 8 Ohm monitors off of the power section in my mixer.

[QUOTE=iplaybass9340]I have a powered mixer with two 4 Ohm power sections and the can be split into two. So I can run two 4 Ohm cabs at 200 watts each or four 8 Ohms cabs at 100 watts each. I'm pretty sure I figured out what i need though. I'm gonna take the Preamp Out and split it into two then take the two lines and run them into a power amp then run the Dual 15" off that and then run four 8 Ohm monitors off of the power section in my mixer.[/QUOTE]

should work fine.

make sure you don't overpower your speakers.

Moaner and Aes, how do you guys know so much about PAs and electronics? You two always answer any electronic-related question out there... I wish I was like that! :upset:

[QUOTE=CDoasis]Moaner and Aes, how do you guys know so much about PAs and electronics? You two always answer any electronic-related question out there... I wish I was like that! :upset:[/QUOTE]

you pick a few things up, you read about something when you want to know how to do it... I always like to learn new things, and on here i learn as many things as i help people with...

Maybe it's also experience?

[QUOTE=airborne50caliber]Maybe it's also experience?[/QUOTE]

oh yeah, that too. the ebst way to learn is to watch and do.

[QUOTE=iplaybass9340]I have a powered mixer with two 4 Ohm power sections and the can be split into two. So I can run two 4 Ohm cabs at 200 watts each or four 8 Ohms cabs at 100 watts each. I'm pretty sure I figured out what i need though. I'm gonna take the Preamp Out and split it into two then take the two lines and run them into a power amp then run the Dual 15" off that and then run four 8 Ohm monitors off of the power section in my mixer.[/QUOTE]
For your original question. You would only want to use 8 ohm speakers to prevent running your powered mixer at less than what is reccomended. However, while at that 8 ohms. You power output may not be as much as you would ideally need.

I would reccomend running you main setup as is off the powered mixer. Then buying a seperate poweramp for the monitor speakers. Run this monitor setup off an Aux output of the powered mixer.

It would be an advantage if you could switch these aux sends for each channel to 'pre-fader'. So you can then use the Aux send levels for each of the channels to determin the monitors mix. If not possible, that's no real problem.

I'm looking to pick up a power amplifier, but I'm completely clueless as to what I should look for. My preferred price range is anywhere from $100-200, new or used.

Any suggestions? I just need something that can run 2 speakers now and possibly more in the future. Essentially, what would give me the best bang for my buck?

Sorry for such a broad question.

[QUOTE=moaner]you pick a few things up, you read about something when you want to know how to do it... I always like to learn new things, and on here i learn as many things as i help people with...[/QUOTE]

Yeah, me too, I just love finding a book on something I want to learn. I've accumulated some books on guitar setups/building and I've starting my own guitar, but I know nothing about electronics! I have a book called "basic electronics" though, so I suppose it's a start. I don't know where to go from there though.

[QUOTE=moaner]any suitably rated PA speakers.

look for some with at least 12" dirvers, and preferably a compresson horn and a tweeter aswell.[/QUOTE]

Sorry if this sounds dumb...but wot the hell is a compression horn/tweeter? :p
And how do I tell if a speaker has these things

Ok i have only known how PA's work for the last 10 mins or so since i started reading this thread, and i assume i still dont know a great deal about them, so i may have picked completely wrong set up.

Would this desk:
[url]http://www.musicianswarehouse.com.au/default.aspx?Pg=21&ProductCode=PMA640D[/url]

Work with these speakers:
[url]http://www.musicianswarehouse.com.au/default.aspx?Pg=21&ProductCode=B1520[/url]

They are both 200watts, and the desk has less (desk 4ohm, speakers 8ohm) Ohms than the speakers, so as i see it, from what little i know, that should be fine? I's a powered desk, does that mean it has a poweramp built in and thus means a poweramp is not neccesarry? And how would that set up perform?

Or indeed would it be possible to run a microphone straight into a poweramp and then into speakers if you only wanted to use it for vocals?

[QUOTE=strummerkid]Or indeed would it be possible to run a microphone straight into a poweramp and then into speakers if you only wanted to use it for vocals?[/QUOTE]

i've never seen a poweramp with a mic input, altho some powered speakers do.