| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Th0mas25 |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 04:38:08
Not for a band, but for a primary school. My son's class had a wee production of Wizard of Oz today, in the school gym hall. They did really well, but it was sometimes difficult to hear the kids. This has been the case before with various plays, assembly etc.
I suggested that the school invests in a small PA system, they agree it'd be a good idea and asked me for more info, prices etc. Only I haven't a clue what to look for.
I guess something simple so all the teachers (and possibly some of the older pupils) could use it. Maybe 4 inputs, for a few mics and to play music through if needed, although it doesn't need to be too loud as it'll be used mainly to amplify the kids talking or singing, not for loud music. And I guess the cheaper the better (within reason).
Anyone have any suggestions for a PA like that, and also mics?
Thanks!  |
| 15 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MacDB7 |
Posted - 02/06/2012 : 20:17:57
For anything in schools, the Yamaha Stagepas systems are definitely your best bet.
We had the 500 in school, extremely easy to set-up and use.
I now use a complicated Passive system for gigging but I still maintain that these systems are very good and straightforward.
Depending on the age of the children, you could use a couple of lapel mics but another idea would be to hang a couple of mics from the roof (which would be there all the time).
Hope that was helpful for you. |
| stakka |
Posted - 19/04/2012 : 20:05:32
Good stuff We have been very pleased with our mackies and on some of our louder gigs we really push them hard for a good couple of sets, including them being used by the house DJ before, in between and after our sets to keep the dance floor going.
Sounds like you have the right man on the job, all the best. |
| Mark W |
Posted - 19/04/2012 : 09:36:09
quote:
Originally posted by stakka
Hi Mark, what was the problem with your Mackies? Which type were they?
Have not heard of too many issues with them despite them being very popular. Was it the version 1's of the SRM 450's where there was a known issue with overheating which the V2's addressed?
Hi Stakka,
We've got the tops back and will be using them tomorrow night. Apparently they weren't version 2s but everything in both speakers has now been replaced to current day standards and they're now effectively version 2.2s! It seems that something that could barely keep up in the earlier speakers was wired up to something else that was too powerful for it and boom.
The guy who's done the work recently rebuilt a Hammond organ that came to him in 8 boxes so fingers crossed he sounds like the sort if chap who knows his stuff.
Cheerio
Mark W |
| Drumbum |
Posted - 07/04/2012 : 10:10:20
Hi Thomas, I bought a pair of these for my rolnd kit and also for playing my ipod through. They have been great so far, especially when considering the price.
http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/330W-15-Active-PA-Speaker-by-Gear4music/8J7
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| Th0mas25 |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 22:55:48
Thanks very much for the info guys. I had no idea about powered speakers, they certainly sound ideal, and a lot simpler and more compact than separate speakers, mixer etc. I will definitely look into the powered speakers and also thanks for the info regarding mics and boundary mics.
Plenty of food for thought, cheers! |
| Mark W |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 16:29:45
quote:
Originally posted by DyeHouseDrumWorks
I've heard also that Mackie have had a lot of quality/consistency control issues, which is why I just got hold of some QSC K12s.
Powered cabs, and rated at 1k peak (I would guess 500W RMS?).
Well worth a look.
When he discovered that a tweeter had gone again, our PA expert/bass player told me (& this may be apocryphal)that RCF had once "owned" Mackie & all Mackie equipment had had RCF innards. Subsequently the companies have gone their seperate ways, cue Mackie quality issues.
This may be totally wrong or misinterpreted but it made sense to him!
Cheerio,
Mark W. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 16:25:31
Surprised to hear this about Mckie. Have their Bean Counters been feckin' the specs? |
| DyeHouseDrumWorks |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 16:23:00
I've heard also that Mackie have had a lot of quality/consistency control issues, which is why I just got hold of some QSC K12s.
Powered cabs, and rated at 1k peak (I would guess 500W RMS?).
Well worth a look. |
| Captain Bubble |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 15:33:51
Are the stage and hall acoustics very lively? If so then anything except close mic'ing might also amplify all the surrounding din of feet and room echo. Closer mic'ing helps, but for this situation would be very impractical. If the acoustics are not too swimming-pool-like you will want to consider mics carefully.
One option for this would be a couple of PZM / Boundary Mics, which are often recommended for this use, to get a spread of sound from across the whole stage, but obviously if there is a lot of stage noise and echo this too will be amplified.
I have 2 Tandy PZMs which were about £20-£30 and are fantastically useful. Thomann do a cheapish boundary mic (possibly Audio Teknica). I have not used this type of mic for that purpose, so I might be talking gobshyte! They work best when placed on a large flat surface, floor, wall or ceiling.
The other option is probably to hang normal mics facing down to the stage.
Sorry I cannot offer specific advice for your scenario but think it might be worth checking out PZMs and BMs |
| Drumheduk |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 14:28:33
My old band's RCF rig was beautiful, one of the things I miss most about that band, only one blown speaker in about seven years despite up to three gigs a week and running almost flat out with a wide range of inputs, from accoustics and vocals down to my kick and the bass player. |
| Mark W |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 13:31:30
quote:
Originally posted by stakka
Hi Mark, what was the problem with your Mackies? Which type were they?
Have not heard of too many issues with them despite them being very popular. Was it the version 1's of the SRM 450's where there was a known issue with overheating which the V2's addressed?
Hi Stakka,
I'm not entirely sure as I'm not the PA man in the band.
I'm fairly sure that our tops are 350w (that may mean 300 + 50), they're only about 12-18 months old, used a maximum of twice a month, have their individual volumes set halfway and the desk is never set to over 70% of maximum volume. We've had 2 tweeter failures and a circuit board "burn out". The last repair was done by an engineer who "beefed things up" as he was aware if these problems and said that this was a good preventative measure.
RCF are a lot more expensive but their reputation seems to be more bulletproof, so when finances allow our Mackies will either get sold on or end up as monitors.
Cheers
Mark W |
| stakka |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 12:30:34
Hi Mark, what was the problem with your Mackies? Which type were they?
Have not heard of too many issues with them despite them being very popular. Was it the version 1's of the SRM 450's where there was a known issue with overheating which the V2's addressed? |
| Mark W |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 09:53:46
Hi All,
I'm not the PA expert in our band but we will eventually be investing in RCF speakers to replace our Mackie tops due to the number of times they've failed.
Obviously the school won't drive the speakers as hard as a band, however we don't drive the Mackies particularly hard ( we bought bigger than we needed so they'd always be within the comfort zone) but I thought it was worth bringing up as other people interested in PAs might look in.
Definitely powered speakers IMO for their weight portability and effectiveness.
Cheerio
Mark W |
| stakka |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 09:08:52
Yup - I'd say go Active (Powered) speakers as well. Just plug em in straight to the mains and then plug a mic straight in.
The Mackie SRM 150's are great compact but powerful units - they are about £250 each - Behringer also do a cheap copy - the B205D Eurolive which are about £135 each.
Price is per speaker but depending on the room size you might only need one anyway
|
| Drumheduk |
Posted - 28/03/2012 : 07:55:42
I'd go for powered speakers as they tend to have in built limiting so are harder to blow up and it makes the connections easier for people not knowing much about PA as none of your cables will be carrying powered signal. Plus you can then use any mixing desk and upgrade cheaply if you need and replacement leads are just standard guitar jack to jack cables.
Depending on budget Behringer do some ok stuff without breaking the bank.
Mic choice depends in exactly what hey are doing but I'd avoid ultra cheap if you can, Shure BG series are ok on a budget if you can afford them. |
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