Guest Posted November 2, 2000 Share Posted November 2, 2000 I need a vocal monitor PA for my band practices. Since we have a percussionist and a drummer it gets loud, but not really loud or anything. I need a system to run just vocals through. I was thinking a cheap mixer like a Behringer with a power amp, a couple 15's and a couple wedge monitors. What do you guys recommend? My main concern is that I sing softly at times and I dont want to have to strain to be heard. By the way, our practice space is 20x30 feet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted November 2, 2000 Share Posted November 2, 2000 You can get by with whatever you want in this department. What's the minimum needed to do the job? Obviously, you really don't need mains for rehearsal. We have a problem in our band in that our drummer lives about 40 or so miles from the rest of us. He's got a couple of kits, so he keeps one up north with us, and in return, we've got a cheapo PA that we keep down there, so we can trade off on driving duties. An old Fender powered 8 channel head and a couple beat up old monitors. Good enough to hear vocals through. But, that's us. One thing I would advise, is having a vocal practice session, particularly if you're trying to work out harmony parts. Take the drummer's sticks, hand him a tambourine, and work out your harmonies without Bonzo doing his Keith Moon impersonation. Heck, give him a mic (unless he sings like Fred Flintstone). Great to have just the singers get together with acoustics once in awhile, too. And it doesn't matter how heavy your style is, the acoustic thing is really beneficial. Fun, too... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 2, 2000 Share Posted November 2, 2000 Seth, First thing is to get a great vocal mic to accommodate your softer vocal style (not shouting) within the confines of a loud rehearsal room. Consider the Audix OM-5 or the Shure Beta 58 to accomplish this. For speakers, consider going with 12 woofer models since vocal reinforcement is the primary purpose and you'll save a few bucks too. The Yamaha Club Series or the EV Force monitors are good candidates. Go with with all wedges, since these two candidates can be tripod mounted later if needed. For a mixer, I would look at the Peavey RQ2300 series or the Mackie 1604VLZ before Behringer. For power amps, the QSC RMX1450 would be about perfect for driving a bunch of wedges. Just my preferences today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 So, should I go with a QSC power amp, a mixer(mackie or Behringer) and 4 wedges? Should I have a wedge for each drummer and a wedge for me and the bass player? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 "So, should I go with a QSC power amp, a mixer(mackie or Behringer) and 4 wedges? Should I have a wedge for each drummer and a wedge for me and the bass player?" Yes, on the "at least one wedge per performer" idea on wedges. The drummer may like his/her wedge upright at ear level, stacked on a drum or road case so that the kit noise does not swamp out the monitor. The QSC RMX series amps are highly recommended because of the high regard of the manufacturer's quality, the endorsement of the pro community, and the very large value (watts/dollar) that this series offers. I can't as enthusiastically endorse the Behringer/Mackie choice on mixers, but it's a no win situation in that "cheap mixers are cheap mixers" and they are typically traded away for better stuff as the money comes in. The lowest cost/smallest pro-endorsed mixer is the Allen and Heath Mix-Wizard 16:2 model. Of course the $1000 price tag stops most garage bands right there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Yeah we are poor struggling musicians, spending a grand on a mixer is not an option right now. The usual paradox is that once a band gets big enough to afford really nice equipment, they usually get it free. I just need a cheapo mixer to run vocals. Any "best" cheapo mixers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kris Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Check out some used gear either at your local dealers, or online at places like sweetwater sound, where you can really find good deals. For example, I sold my Mackie SR 24x4 online at Sweetwater for $600 a while back. That's half the retail price, and there's lots of deals out there like that. And it sounds like you need something smaller and cheaper than that. Just be a little patient and informed and make sure you are getting a good deal. I'll second the saying away from Berringer mixers. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/frown.gif [This message has been edited by Kris (edited 11-03-2000).] Kris My Band: http://www.fullblackout.com UPDATED!!! Fairly regularly these days... http://www.logcabinmusic.com updated 11/9/04 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tequillawillieyahoo.com Posted November 7, 2000 Share Posted November 7, 2000 On mixers: We use a Carvin for small clubs running (2)15" mains, (2) 12" mains and at minimum (3-3) 15" wedges. We also use this for rehearsal using (3) 15" wedges for monitoring. It works pretty well, I do lead vocals with an sm-58, sometimes a wireless sm-58(uhf). If the band is at a consistant level and there are no "volume wars" I can hear all my voclas clearly over 2 gutiars, a drummer, a bassist, and our 63 year old keyboard player(he plays a liitle loud sometimes). For more serious gigs we use a mackie mixing board and 2 seperate power amps. There is a major difference here because let's face it you get what you pay for. Check out used gear, but go for as much quality as you can afford. Keep Jammin!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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