#883052 - 03/20/06 08:29 AM
How would you set up a basic band live PA?
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Emma_N/A
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Registered: 02/20/06
Posts: 3
Loc: Chesterfield
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This seems a pretty stupid question, but I've never helped set up a PA at a gig, and I just can't seem to find what I'm looking for on Google, possibly using the wrong terms, so here goes:
How would you set up a Live PA system for a basic 4 piece band?
Now, I understand that the vocal and drum mics are fed through the pre-amp or mixing desk, and that is in turn hooked up to the speakers, but what I don't understand is how the guitars are hooked up.
Are the guitar/bass cabs mic-ed and those mics are then fed through the pre-amp etc, or are do you use the line-outs on the guitar and bass cabs and hook the guitar and bass amps up to the pre-amp that way?
I've played live and all but I'm having a bit of a brain freeze trying to remember how it was all set up, thanks a lot for any help,
Emma
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#883053 - 03/27/06 06:09 PM
Re: How would you set up a basic band live PA?
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josh a
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Registered: 09/24/05
Posts: 419
Loc: uk
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I am not entirely sure, but I believe you can do either, or both, if you so wish.
Remember you also need a power amp in there somewhere.
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#883054 - 03/28/06 12:13 PM
Re: How would you set up a basic band live PA?
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paully
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Registered: 05/25/04
Posts: 1057
Loc: Northern New Jersey
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Hi Emma,
"This seems a pretty stupid question"...
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No such thing, just stupid answers, and that's our job!
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"Now, I understand that the vocal and drum mics are fed through the pre-amp or mixing desk, and that is in turn hooked up to the speakers, but... Are the guitar/bass cabs mic-ed and those mics are then fed through the pre-amp etc, or are do you use the line-outs on the guitar and bass cabs and hook the guitar and bass amps up to the pre-amp that way?"
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Every mixer has individual channels for a single source, be it a mic or a line source. Each vocal mic gets its own channel, and is normally routed directly to the mixer's output faders. Same with a guitars. BTW, the Shure 57 is a great, cheap mic for guitar or bass. All mics use the XLR 'mic input' channel jacks in the rear of the mixer. The bass AMP, not the speaker, usually has a line out which can connect to the 'line in' for the chosen bass channel. Mic or line can be used for bass, and the mixer channel usually has an 'input selector' switch to pick the source. That's your decision. Same applies for guitar, although you might want to preserve the 'sound' of the guitar speaker cabinet, in which case a mic is a better choice. I like a line feed for bass, as it's one less mic on stage to worry about.
A typical small (Example: 12 x 4 x 2) board is laid out as follows:
12 = number of inputs available, each selectable between line (1/4" jack) or mic (XLR jack). Each channel can be routed either directly to the master L & R faders (normal), or to a subgroup.
4 = number of subgroups, which can have channels assigned and routed to them. Their purpose is to take a group of mics, such as a drum kit's mics or a group of background singers' mics, and route them to a single submix fader. This allows you to control a whole group of mic channels with a single fader. Very convenient. That subgroup fader then feeds directly to the L & R output faders. Subgroups are not necessary, but are handy when you get used to them. If your board has a submix section, this is a great way to set up a drum mix.
2 = The L & R output faders. Unless your mixer is 'self'powered', these faders/jacks typically feed a stereo power amp, which in turn connects to the L & R speakers. All input sources end up at the output faders/jacks. If the L & R faders have 'pan' adjustments, set L fader to fully CClockwise, and R fader to fully Clockwise. The power amp is usually set to full power (knobs fully Clockwise). The L & R output faders are then used as your final volume control for room level. On some boards, the L & R outputs only have one stereo fader instead of two, and usually no panning is provided.
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Check back in if you have trouble, or just to say 'hi'.
Good luck, Paul
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WUDAYAKNOW.. For the first time in my life, I'm wrong again!!
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