*Please help me build a PA*

[6_strings_for_life]

Ok, so Im in the market for a new PA system and I dont want to spend over 1000$ISH. Option #1 - Ive been looking at the package deals on musicians friend and Yamaha has a very sweet looking deal for a grand that seems to have great reviews (Link 1). That package also comes with some mics, stands, and some cables, and although I dont need them now, I might down the line. I am a believer in using quality cables anyway. Im looking for something that is VERY portable. Im sure ill be the one hauling this thing in and out of gigs. Option #2 - Make a system out of individual components. I am not very versed in live audio gear and dont know what to look for. What is the difference between active and passive speakers? What are some affordable recommended brands? I have a Peavey acoustic amp, can that be used as a monitor? As of now, I play solo gigs, so how large and powerful of a monitor would I need? I dont want to waste money and buy crap, so im looking at all possibilities. If anyone can answer any of these questions, or has any advise, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.



Link 1 - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630199
(Sorry,I dont know how to make hyperlinks on here)

[6_strings_for_life]

*bump*

Im still in the market and looking, if anyone has anything, please help.

[GuitarGuy305]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

[vinestreet98]

one of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=631238

plus one or two of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=600734

[6_strings_for_life]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Thank you, What kind of a Yamaha mixer do you have? Im not that consirned with the quality of the mics, I have a SM58.

[6_strings_for_life]

one of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=631238

plus one or two of these:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=600734

I want to buy a QUALITY PA that will last a long time. I do not believe Behringer is up to that challenge. That mixer is for recording, and I would want more channels than that if I ever had to accomidate a full band.

Thanks for the imput though.

[GuitarGuy305]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Thank you, What kind of a Yamaha mixer do you have? Im not that consirned with the quality of the mics, I have a SM58.

I have a Yamaha EMX88s mixer. I don't think they make it anymore, but when I Googled it, the exact mixer that comes in the package you posted the link to came up, so that mixer must be the current version of the one I have. I also have S115V speakers which are slightly higher power handling than the speakers that come with that package you posted.

I personally think that you'd be very satisfied with that package. And to answer your question about the Peavey, you might be able to use it as a monitor with this mixer. The "monitor out" jack is meant for a powered monitor, so that might work. I'm not really sure to be honest, but it may work that way.

Here is a link to the speakers I have:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601208

I really do think the mics it comes with are decent, but I use SM58s as well. I have lent a couple of the D8000Ss to a friend's open mic cause, and used them for backing vocals a couple times. They do a decent job.

[RunsWithBuffalo]

I have used an acoustic amp for monitoring but you have to be real careful about feedback.

That Yamaha package looks pretty good but do you need all that? That would suit a whole band but may be overkill for a solo acoustic settting at 800watts.

The fender passport packages that start around 399 are totally decent, loud and very portable. They all clip together and carry like a suitcase.

Just depends how loud you need them to be really.

[6_strings_for_life]

I have used an acoustic amp for monitoring but you have to be real careful about feedback.

That Yamaha package looks pretty good but do you need all that? That would suit a whole band but may be overkill for a solo acoustic settting at 800watts.

The fender passport packages that start around 399 are totally decent, loud and very portable. They all clip together and carry like a suitcase.

Just depends how loud you need them to be really.

Well I figure, if Im going to do it, I might as well do it right. Then I could support a full band or even rent it out to other acts to make money on the side, or even DJ at a wedding or other social event. I want something more versatile than the fender passport.( and I think they are ugly). Also I realize that there are Yamaha packages on the site that have a lesser wattage, but again, maybe someday Ill need it and for a few hundred bucks more, im down.

Im still thinking about the peavey amp as a monitor, because its nice to rest my feet on while performing . I do understand that there may be feedback issues, but Ill deal with them as they come. Are acoustic amps more prone to feedback than other amps?

thanks for the reply.

[6_strings_for_life]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Thank you, What kind of a Yamaha mixer do you have? Im not that consirned with the quality of the mics, I have a SM58.

I have a Yamaha EMX88s mixer. I don't think they make it anymore, but when I Googled it, the exact mixer that comes in the package you posted the link to came up, so that mixer must be the current version of the one I have. I also have S115V speakers which are slightly higher power handling than the speakers that come with that package you posted.

I personally think that you'd be very satisfied with that package. And to answer your question about the Peavey, you might be able to use it as a monitor with this mixer. The "monitor out" jack is meant for a powered monitor, so that might work. I'm not really sure to be honest, but it may work that way.

Here is a link to the speakers I have:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601208

I really do think the mics it comes with are decent, but I use SM58s as well. I have lent a couple of the D8000Ss to a friend's open mic cause, and used them for backing vocals a couple times. They do a decent job.

Great, Those speakers that you have look dank, and very similar to the ones in the package im considering. Its nice to hear your satisfied with the Yamaha prouducts you have. I cant see a reason why the Peavey wouldnt work as a monitor, Hopefully with a careful setup I can get it running feedback free. I have about 850$ saved right now, so as soon as I get the 150$ that I need, looks like I might be getting it.

Thanks for the reply.

[GuitarGuy305]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Thank you, What kind of a Yamaha mixer do you have? Im not that consirned with the quality of the mics, I have a SM58.

I have a Yamaha EMX88s mixer. I don't think they make it anymore, but when I Googled it, the exact mixer that comes in the package you posted the link to came up, so that mixer must be the current version of the one I have. I also have S115V speakers which are slightly higher power handling than the speakers that come with that package you posted.

I personally think that you'd be very satisfied with that package. And to answer your question about the Peavey, you might be able to use it as a monitor with this mixer. The "monitor out" jack is meant for a powered monitor, so that might work. I'm not really sure to be honest, but it may work that way.

Here is a link to the speakers I have:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601208

I really do think the mics it comes with are decent, but I use SM58s as well. I have lent a couple of the D8000Ss to a friend's open mic cause, and used them for backing vocals a couple times. They do a decent job.

Great, Those speakers that you have look dank, and very similar to the ones in the package im considering. Its nice to hear your satisfied with the Yamaha prouducts you have. I cant see a reason why the Peavey wouldnt work as a monitor, Hopefully with a careful setup I can get it running feedback free. I have about 850$ saved right now, so as soon as I get the 150$ that I need, looks like I might be getting it.

Thanks for the reply.

I totally agree with what you said about "if you're going to do it, do it right" That was my philosophy too. I was performing solo acoustic when I started out with my PA, and yes, it was waaaay overkill, and still is when I perform solo. But it's great to know that I can invite fellow musicians to jam with me, or loan it out to 3 pieces or bigger groups and not having to worry about them needing to double up on channels or push the amp to the max.

As far as the Passport, I saw a guy, solo acoustic, using one at a coffee shop in Iowa City a few years back, and I remember one thing: feedback. I'm sure most of it was user error, but I just did not care for the sound of it. I also saw one used by a guy when I was a senior in high school and he was playing at some function at our school, and I also remember quite a bit of feedback involved in his performance too. Like I said, these guys might not know how to run a PA, but it definitely didn't impress me about the Passport.

Glad to hear you've pretty much made a choice here. Like I said, I am extremely happy with my PA, and I have yet to find a fault with it mechanically or in any other way. I think you'll be really pleased with it.

One downside to the speakers is that they are about 60 lbs each and bulky as hell, so I usually employ a friend as "roadie" for the night when I have a gig to help with hauling stuff. Another plus of a higher end/higher powered mixer/speaker set up is that I usually go with just one speaker when I play smaller coffee shops and stuff, which makes for much less headache when lugging gear and setting up.

I look forward to hearing your own experiences when you get yours. I'm sure you'll be as satisfied as I am with mine.

[6_strings_for_life]

Hey, sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, but this is the first time I've seen this thread. I have a Yamaha PA that I am extremely happy with. I have loaned/rented it out to a few people as well and have had nothing but good reviews from it.

The reviews on MF are true regarding the mics, they leave something to be desired. I don't have the MF speaker stands that this comes with, but I'm sure they do the job. I take most reviews on MF with a grain of salt, or rather an entire shaker worth.

Let me know if you have any other questions about this.

Thank you, What kind of a Yamaha mixer do you have? Im not that consirned with the quality of the mics, I have a SM58.

I have a Yamaha EMX88s mixer. I don't think they make it anymore, but when I Googled it, the exact mixer that comes in the package you posted the link to came up, so that mixer must be the current version of the one I have. I also have S115V speakers which are slightly higher power handling than the speakers that come with that package you posted.

I personally think that you'd be very satisfied with that package. And to answer your question about the Peavey, you might be able to use it as a monitor with this mixer. The "monitor out" jack is meant for a powered monitor, so that might work. I'm not really sure to be honest, but it may work that way.

Here is a link to the speakers I have:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601208

I really do think the mics it comes with are decent, but I use SM58s as well. I have lent a couple of the D8000Ss to a friend's open mic cause, and used them for backing vocals a couple times. They do a decent job.

Great, Those speakers that you have look dank, and very similar to the ones in the package im considering. Its nice to hear your satisfied with the Yamaha prouducts you have. I cant see a reason why the Peavey wouldnt work as a monitor, Hopefully with a careful setup I can get it running feedback free. I have about 850$ saved right now, so as soon as I get the 150$ that I need, looks like I might be getting it.

Thanks for the reply.

I totally agree with what you said about "if you're going to do it, do it right" That was my philosophy too. I was performing solo acoustic when I started out with my PA, and yes, it was waaaay overkill, and still is when I perform solo. But it's great to know that I can invite fellow musicians to jam with me, or loan it out to 3 pieces or bigger groups and not having to worry about them needing to double up on channels or push the amp to the max.

As far as the Passport, I saw a guy, solo acoustic, using one at a coffee shop in Iowa City a few years back, and I remember one thing: feedback. I'm sure most of it was user error, but I just did not care for the sound of it. I also saw one used by a guy when I was a senior in high school and he was playing at some function at our school, and I also remember quite a bit of feedback involved in his performance too. Like I said, these guys might not know how to run a PA, but it definitely didn't impress me about the Passport.

Glad to hear you've pretty much made a choice here. Like I said, I am extremely happy with my PA, and I have yet to find a fault with it mechanically or in any other way. I think you'll be really pleased with it.

One downside to the speakers is that they are about 60 lbs each and bulky as hell, so I usually employ a friend as "roadie" for the night when I have a gig to help with hauling stuff. Another plus of a higher end/higher powered mixer/speaker set up is that I usually go with just one speaker when I play smaller coffee shops and stuff, which makes for much less headache when lugging gear and setting up.

I look forward to hearing your own experiences when you get yours. I'm sure you'll be as satisfied as I am with mine.

Fantastic reply. Like you said Im very aware that this system is going to be overkill, but what better way to pay off the actual PA then rent it out and become a sound guy. It would also give me a chance to meet other entry level musicians in my area. Also, if I was giging in my local area or anywhere else, having the capibilities to allow others to just plug in and jam should be priceless

The speakers in the kit are 13lbs ligher and about 2 inches lower in height then your S115V's. So hopefully they will be tolerable in the portability area. Only using one is a great idea, even for practice at home. Thanks. I will let eveyone know when/if I purchase.

[Sort Of A Protest Song]

Can you play a bass guitar through a PA instead of going out and buying an amp?

[6_strings_for_life]

Can you play a bass guitar through a PA instead of going out and buying an amp?

yes

[Sort Of A Protest Song]

Right on. Thanks.