Advice on Band Gear

sfmartins · Unread post by **sfmartins** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:02 am

My band was able to get 4 big speakers: 2 bass + 2 tops (don't know how to say it in English). The speakers are old, but we've tested them with a bass amp and the sound was quite nice.

Anyway, we wanted to use then to plug the main and secondary mics for voices. They might also be usefull to help the sound of one of our guitar amps or even to plug some keyboards.
Thus, we were thinking of getting an amplified mixer, but we don't know what's the best choice. We don't want to spend a lot of money, so $350-$400 would be great.

What do you guys think? Is it better to buy a mixer and an amp separately?

Thanks in advance.

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 11:52 am

I have always liked mackie mixers for live play. How many inputs do you need?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=634264

mattinbeloit · Unread post by **mattinbeloit** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 1:20 pm

RunsWithBuffalo wrote:I have always liked mackie mixers for live play. How many inputs do you need?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=634264

Also, check out some of the packaged deals on musiciansfriend with mixers and speakers.

sfmartins · Unread post by **sfmartins** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 2:22 pm

7-8 inputs would be enough. The Mackie one seems pretty cool and cheap! The 50dB are good for the mics. Can I also use a keyboard or a guitar amp?

Another doubt: how do I plug the mixer to the 4 speakers?

Thanks guys for all the help!

sunglassesatnight · Unread post by **sunglassesatnight** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:03 pm

The speakers will plug into at least one of the outputs on the mixer. I'm not totally sure, but I would guess either stereo TRS plugs or a set of RCAs. You'll be able to mix the sound to each speaker separately so you can send more bass to the low speakers and more treble to the high speakers, along with pan for each.

sfmartins · Unread post by **sfmartins** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 4:26 pm

slimerdmb24 wrote:The speakers will plug into at least one of the outputs on the mixer. I'm not totally sure, but I would guess either stereo TRS plugs or a set of RCAs. You'll be able to mix the sound to each speaker separately so you can send more bass to the low speakers and more treble to the high speakers, along with pan for each.

Sorry if I'm too dumb on this... But the mixer only has 1 or 2 outputs, right? How does one plug, let's say, 4 speakers?

Brock · Unread post by **Brock** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 5:40 pm

By tops do you mean heads or do you mean tweeters? Heads are amplifiers. How many outputs you get depends entirely on the mixer. I'd recommend a separate amplifier if possible. And most speakers in your price range allow you to "daisy-chain" them - you plug the first one into the amp, then the second one into the first, etc.

RunsWithBuffalo · Unread post by **RunsWithBuffalo** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 7:03 pm

sfmartins wrote:7-8 inputs would be enough. The Mackie one seems pretty cool and cheap! The 50dB are good for the mics. Can I also use a keyboard or a guitar amp?

Another doubt: how do I plug the mixer to the 4 speakers?

Thanks guys for all the help!

You will just need to mic the amps with an sm57 or something. Depending on the size of your venues, your amps may be enough on their own or if its a big place the amps will provide good sound to those in front while the mic'd sound will hit the PA and everyone else.

A keyboard should be either XLR or 1/4" so i dont think it would be a problem.

sfmartins · Unread post by **sfmartins** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 2:07 am

bbatsell wrote:By tops do you mean heads or do you mean tweeters? Heads are amplifiers. How many outputs you get depends entirely on the mixer. I'd recommend a separate amplifier if possible. And most speakers in your price range allow you to "daisy-chain" them - you plug the first one into the amp, then the second one into the first, etc.

Then I mean tweeters.

I think we can "daisy-chain" the speakers, but I haven't tested it.

And a separate amp would definitely be better, but more expensive. The Mackie mixer costs 250Eur and I can spend more 100Eur (say around $100). Is there any nice mixer + amp for $350-400?

mattinbeloit · Unread post by **mattinbeloit** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 1:10 pm

sfmartins wrote:
bbatsell wrote:By tops do you mean heads or do you mean tweeters? Heads are amplifiers. How many outputs you get depends entirely on the mixer. I'd recommend a separate amplifier if possible. And most speakers in your price range allow you to "daisy-chain" them - you plug the first one into the amp, then the second one into the first, etc.
Then I mean tweeters.

I think we can "daisy-chain" the speakers, but I haven't tested it.

And a separate amp would definitely be better, but more expensive. The Mackie mixer costs 250Eur and I can spend more 100Eur (say around $100). Is there any nice mixer + amp for $350-400?

Stick with Mackie in that price range, some of their best stuff is in that range in my opinion.

mangold · Unread post by **mangold** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:16 pm

this is an informational thread already

Kahn · Unread post by **Kahn** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 10:24 pm

Mackie makes good products in my experience

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