About PA Systems

[Rowan]

What is a good wattage number a PA that will be amplifiying vocals when jamming in a practice space with a full band? The space is about the size of a master bedroom. The vocals need to be able to overcome two 50 watt guitar half stacks, a 2x12 bass rig and a loud drummer. I've been looking at this phonics system on MF because it is cheap. All the venues we'd be playing have their own setup so this would just be for practice. Volume is my main concern. Would a 200 watt system not be enough or too much? I know nothing of PAs gentlemen.

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-620-Plus-S710-PA-Package?sku=630486

 

[Robert S.]

Re: About PA Systems

It might be enough depending on a few factors. The trick with PAs is effeciency. Small rectangular rooms are hard because the sound is going to bounce around and feedback will easily be an issue as you try to get over the instruments. An EQ will help to pull down the hotter freqs that will feedback first and a compressor is useful to keep your signal leveled.

The hardest part is convincing the band not to play too loud. A vocal mic in a small room is going to pick up the guitars and drums as well and it is the sum of everything happening in the room that often causes problems. You can set up a PA so that the vocals sound great but as soon as everyone starts playing the PA starts feeding back. Working the EQ, compression and gate settings will help but if you dont have those things your only option is to turn down the PA but then you can't hear the vocals.

If you keep the levels down and set the PA up properly you can get away with 200 watts. My rehearsal space is roughly 20x25 and I run a Crown CE 1000 that is rated at around 1000 watts @ 4 ohms mono and it gets the job done for vocals only but I have to eq the snot out of it to keep it from ringing because we play pretty loud.

Live sound is both art and science and its all about efficiency. The trick is to squeeze every bit of sound out of a PA without having it feedback. If you are on the bottom end of the learning curve, more power will only make louder feedback.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: About PA Systems

How many vocal mics are we talking here and can everybody get by with hearing the same thing out of each speaker or do you want different things in different speakers?


EDIT: no matter the answer I doubt you'll be happy with a 300 dollar package system. The mixer/amp would probably be OK but I can just about guarantee the speakers will be utter crap and have irregular frequency responce that will only add to feedback issues. Think of this system like you would any other rig in the band. Would you be happy with a 300 dollar guitar amp? Probably not.

 

[Rowan]

Re: About PA Systems

Yeah but at this point anything is better than what we have now. Our singer is running through a peavey butcher on top of a line 6 half stack. Does anyone have any suggestions? We'd like to keep the price around 400 or under.

 

[34029324079]

Re: About PA Systems

Yeah but at this point anything is better than what we have now. Our singer is running through a peavey butcher on top of a line 6 half stack. Does anyone have any suggestions? We'd like to keep the price around 400 or under.

if its just for the singer at practice I would recommend 1 used jbl eon 15g2. I had one of those and it rocked! add more on later. compact, loud, precise. you can set it on the floor too. Ive had other PAs and used other stuff and that is what I would buy.

 

[rashayritto]

Re: About PA Systems

also get a less sensitive mic, it will make life easier. for practice i use a nady sp-5 since its really directional and has to be close to a source to pick anything up. its like a shure sm58 for dummies!

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: About PA Systems

Actually if it's only one singer Happy Dude has the idea. Get a powered speaker. JBL makes a 10" unit that runs about 400 bucks.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EON10PG2/

 

[Rowan]

Re: About PA Systems

So a powered speaker might be the way to go? Would something like this Tapco Thump be suitable and loud enough for my needs?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Thump15/


Or would something like this work better?

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Phonic-Powerpod-740-Plus-S715-PA-Package?sku=630489

 

[34029324079]

Re: About PA Systems

I loved my jbl eon g2 15. it sounded great. I was the singer. I plugged my sm58 mic right in since there is a built in mini mixer. I suppose the eon g2 10 would be cool too but I have not tried it. the g2 15 is not really that big or bulky and is really lightweight. I would go with the eon g2.

 

[Rowan]

Re: About PA Systems

I loved my jbl eon g2 15. it sounded great. I was the singer. I plugged my sm58 mic right in since there is a built in mini mixer. I suppose the eon g2 10 would be cool too but I have not tried it. the g2 15 is not really that big or bulky and is really lightweight. I would go with the eon g2.

What was your band's setup Happy Dude? How many guitars, halfstacks, head wattage, bass etc?

 

[supernosher]

Re: About PA Systems

one tip - get a hyper or super cardioid mic. It will feedback less, and pick up less of the other stuff going on in the room.

 

[supernosher]

Re: About PA Systems

my little bro blew out his M-Audio studio monitors using them as a PA system...

 

[34029324079]

Re: About PA Systems

What was your band's setup Happy Dude? How many guitars, halfstacks, head wattage, bass etc?

I usually play with 1 or 2 guitarists with half stacks. 100 watts. bassist uses 4x10 or more. the eon g2 15 is all I need and maybe a pa stand. I got mine used for $400! great condition.

 

[J Moose]

Re: About PA Systems

Think of this system like you would any other rig in the band. Would you be happy with a 300 dollar guitar amp? Probably not.

But for $300 or so you can actually find a decent guitar amp... something that you'd want to use. The $300 PA "package" is like buying the $79 special... six months after you buy it (maybe!) you'll be wishing you had saved more & gotten something else.

I'd advise to go with the best speakers & mics you can afford and upgrade the rest piece by piece. $500 isn't a whole lot of cash... buy used and it'll go further, but not much.

Suggestions for a JBL Eon are pretty good... they sound decent and can hang with a fairly loud band for vocals only, or at least the 15" can. The 10" Eon is a good personal monitor or for small stages... not enough juice for a main.