#1709945 - 02/28/07 11:59 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Macbethstx]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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I have a recommendation that might be perfect for you.
While going through individual mixers, speakers, subs, monitors and such is one way to go, several of the retailers have package deals that factor in all your cabling and so on, and generally group them with really good pricing. They usually have those packages at several levels depending on how much sound reinforcement you need.
I'll look around and see if I can point you to one of those.
- Jeff
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#1710046 - 03/01/07 08:19 AM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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Macbethstx
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I have seen those but I can never find a package that has a mixer with enough microphone inputs. I need atleast 10.
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#1710095 - 03/01/07 10:08 AM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Macbethstx]
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jay da cop
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Contact your favorite music store and give them the specs that you need for inputs, the sizes of venues you plan to play, the technical abilities of the person (people) running the system, etc, and see what they can do for you. It's a place to start.
Jay
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#1710142 - 03/01/07 11:20 AM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Macbethstx]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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I have seen those but I can never find a package that has a mixer with enough microphone inputs. I need atleast 10.
I understand. On a quick side note, tell me what sources you plan on putting through the ten mic inputs, please.
I was thinking that a package system would be good for you since you're not the one who has to spec out all the cables and so on, since it's done for you. However, here's a general tutorial.
You've defined the main elements of a standard PA setup for a band.
- Amp(s)
- Mixer
- Monitors (wedges)
- PA Speakers
- Cables
- Possibly subwoofers, processing, crossovers (for larger systems), and more
What kind of venues does your band play? Is it small clubs, or outdoor festivals, or what? The amount of amplification and required speaker sizes will vary as a result. Also, many bands can get away with powered monitors or mixers, and avoid having to buy/lug around power amps as well.
My personal advice is to a) try and get as much stuff from the same manufacturer as you can so if support is ever required, it's less of a hassle going between companies, and b) go with a name that you trust instead of a low-price leader of the moment. There may be nothing wrong with a super-cheap system from Phonic or Behringer or the like, but if I were making a big investment in my band and wanted something that's going to sound great and last a long time, I'd be more apt to make the extra initial investment and use a brand that's made their name off high-quality live sound, like Peavey, JBL or the like. Again, if your budget dictates that the lower-end stuff is what you can afford, then having that is better than no PA at all, obviously.
- Jeff
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#1710144 - 03/01/07 11:22 AM
Re: PA setup
[Re: jay da cop]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Contact your favorite music store and give them the specs that you need for inputs, the sizes of venues you plan to play, the technical abilities of the person (people) running the system, etc, and see what they can do for you.
Excellent point as usual by Jay.
That's what an audio salesperson is supposed to be able to do for you... specify the right tools for the job. Call a few different places and put them to work! See what they come back with and then you not only have more information, but also some definitive pricing that they will gladly put together for you. Make them work for your money!
- Jeff
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#1710258 - 03/01/07 01:57 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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RicBassGuy
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A similar question was just fielded recently somewhere on the MP forums.
Ah, here it is on the LowDown.
I gave a bunch of links, but I think the most enlightening comments were from Bill@Welcome Home Studios on this thread.
In particular, don't overbuy and save money by buying used.
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#1710272 - 03/01/07 02:23 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: RicBassGuy]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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My singer for my band, who owns our PA, tends to try and solve any perceived PA inadequacies by buying another piece of gear. The end result is generally complete overkill. Here's a typical gig...
Was it really necessary for a silly block party to have a set of powered Mackies, and a set of JBLs, and JBL subs, and a billion monitors? We could have gotten by with maybe half that.
- Jeff
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#1710514 - 03/01/07 10:41 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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Trill
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 I guess he wanted to party in more blocks than one
That California weather looks so good right now, I'm jealous Jeff 
Edited by Trill (03/01/07 10:44 PM)
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#1719603 - 03/19/07 03:27 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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fantasticsound
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I'd be more worried about cars coming up behind me in that particular venue, Jeff.
And yes, you could've gotten by without the Mackie's and one monitor mix on two monitors, judging by the setup and band personnel. Looks like your singer has a bad case or "moremeeeee". Two monitors on either side for that gig? 
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#1719716 - 03/19/07 06:09 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: fantasticsound]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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I'd be more worried about cars coming up behind me in that particular venue, Jeff.
Always an issue when you play down in the streets, Neil!
But not at that event. They close off the block with traffic cones every year. Since it's a full neighborhood thing and everyone chips in, we actually end up making some pretty good coin at that gig, and a lot of food too! Can't underestimate the power of feeding musicians, as we're all aware. 
Looks like your singer has a bad case or "moremeeeee". Two monitors on either side for that gig?
I got there after he's done most of the initial setup, and was like, "What the HELL, man? Have you lost your mind? This ain't Staples Center, ya know." 
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#1720278 - 03/20/07 05:43 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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randy clay
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But Jeff, how did it sound? Could they hear in the back?
Sometimes a bunch of stuff is "comforting" not to mention profitable for the music stores, hah! But that many monitors that close together kinda defeats the purpose. And what, no side fills?
And to address the orginal post, he should check out the Carvin stuff. They have a lot of packages, and a phone call to a tech would probably get him what he needs. Not to mention the Carvin stuff does sound good. Or maybe a Bose PAS for everyone. (wow, 10 of those puppies will cost......)
_________________________
I'm trying to think but nuthin' happens....
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#1720921 - 03/21/07 05:13 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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NoahZark
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Jeff:
That is, indeed, quite a setup for that gig! One question: I could only make out one mic on the drums (for the kick). Were you mic'ing any other drums?
Noah
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#1720947 - 03/21/07 06:22 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: NoahZark]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Noah, if you look closely, you can see one of the two OH mics on the drums in that first pic, so yes. We probably just used the three mics (kick and two OH's).
Here's a shot during setup where you can see the drums and the mics. No, the six-yo girl is not my drummer (though my drummer acts like that occasionally). Unidentified suburban MILFs to the left.
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#1720949 - 03/21/07 06:24 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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And I believe those drum mics are all part of an Audix kit, in case you were wondering.
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#1721570 - 03/22/07 05:53 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: NoahZark]
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NoahZark
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By the way, how well does that triangular drum mic setup (kick and two overheads) work for you guys? Do you feel like you're missing a lot by not having individual mics on the rest of the kit?
Noah
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#1721631 - 03/22/07 08:12 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: NoahZark]
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Jeff Klopmeyer
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Oh, no. I only use three-mic drum techniques for everything... recording as well as llive sound. It's all about the choice of mics and the positioning of those overheads. I try and focus one more for snare/hi hat and the other for toms. Cymbals make it into both of them.
Remember, the holy grail of rock drum sounds, Zeppelin's John Bonham, was recorded with three mics (or as few as two). Don't think that you aboslutely have to multimike a kit for great sound!
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#1721798 - 03/23/07 07:42 AM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Jeff Klopmeyer]
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Trill
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Oh, no. I only use three-mic drum techniques for everything... recording as well as llive sound. It's all about the choice of mics and the positioning of those overheads. I try and focus one more for snare/hi hat and the other for toms. Cymbals make it into both of them.
Remember, the holy grail of rock drum sounds, Zeppelin's John Bonham, was recorded with three mics (or as few as two). Don't think that you aboslutely have to multimike a kit for great sound!
That is the same setup we use for drums
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#1722050 - 03/23/07 02:24 PM
Re: PA setup
[Re: Trill]
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NoahZark
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Awesome. Thanks, guys.
Noah
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