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Post by aslerjack on Jun 21, 2014 7:49:27 GMT -7
I am thinking about getting a portable PA system. Have had use of a Yamaha StagePas 600 for the last 3 years or so, and it has been perfect for what we do. Usually just a couple of vocal mic's and sometimes the bass with a di box and an mp3 player at times. Mostly it is used for practice but have used it for a couple of small shows. We don't mic the amps, have messed around with mic'ing them just to check it out.
Leaning to getting the same thing but wanted to see if there is a better use of my dollars. I know nothing about PA systems, just how to setup and use the above. Was looking to get it from Sweetwater for their support unless i find a killer deal on craigslist. I saw a sampson pa system at sweetwater, it had a bluetooth unit, thought that was neat but know nothing about the brand.
Thanks in advance,
Jack
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Post by Deleted on Jun 21, 2014 8:02:12 GMT -7
Friends don't let friends buy Samson stuff
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Post by JeffG on Jun 21, 2014 8:05:03 GMT -7
Check out the Bose L1. It's super portable. A friend of mine just got one and it sounds incredible.
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Post by Brian on Jun 21, 2014 9:06:32 GMT -7
There are a couple of Bose L1 models. I have both. I use the L1 Compact for small acoustic type shows. Small sound board, plug in to the Bose and go, or you can plug a mic and guitar directly into the Bose. The compact model will handle running a bass guitar and drums thru it...just the same as running an MP3 player thru it. It's only limitation is the size of the venue you want to play to. Don't try to use this for you main PA at a large gig. Think Chili's restaurant dining rooms as far as coverage area. Three pieces to set up and tear down...takes 5 minutes.
The Bose L1 Model 1S with dual subs (I use 2 of them) is what I have used for the past 7 years for my full band Front Of House Mains for the whole band. Takes a little longer to set up...but it will do everything from bar size venues to outdoor venues. All I do for outdoor stuff is run the Main Outs from the board thru a crossover to an external amp to run some 18" subs to get the punch you lose when you play outdoors.
The best thing about the Bose is you get even sound coverage with less overall volume so you don't have to blast the music to fill the room. I got rid of a big JBL (2 tops and 2 subs per side) system once I stated using the Bose. The band (4 piece) can set up and play in less than 45 minutes. Once you get your sound board dialed in...all you have to do is plug everything into the board the same way you did last time...and turn up the volume to fit the room (using an MP3 player). On a side note...we mic everything. We never do a sound check anymore except for monitors (and that's usually after the first song). People always ask after we set up...are you guys gonna sound check? We say no...and just blow their doors off on the first song. Best musical investment I have ever made...other than my Z's.
Just my 2 cents...if you have questions about the Bose models...send me a PM...and I will be more than happy to fill you in.
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Post by bluzman on Jun 25, 2014 21:55:52 GMT -7
Sounds like you're on a budget... my take, if you're happy and familiar with the Yamaha do another one. With the used prices at 650 to 750.00 I'd get one of the new ones that include cases and perks for 899.00, unless you can locate a better deal.
I have an old Yamaha powered head with 2x500 watt amps 8 XLRs and effects. I run it with passive mains with one amp doing L and the other doing R and use the monitor line out with 2 to 5 powered monitors. I plug a powered sub into the mains line out for outdoor gigs. Bottom line is that it has been very convenient, powerful enough and reliable enough to get us through the past 12 or so years. We mic vocals and kick and sometimes DI the bass, to keep stage level lower.
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Post by smolder on Jun 26, 2014 4:56:29 GMT -7
We just re-worked our system... Went with 4 powered altos 10" for monitors, a mixwiz 16:2 for bigger stages and a zed 10FX for smaller shows, a pair of jbl eons for the mains... They'll be replaced at some point and a sub added. The Allen and Heath boards are impressive. We elected to go used on them, and are content to stay a generation back (non-digital) having no plans for complex live recordings with 16 channel mixes. Yorkville is the other brand I looked at. Lots of flexibility with this system.
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Post by zpilot on Jun 26, 2014 22:02:39 GMT -7
I'm going to key on your statement that "I know nothing about PA systems.....". It's not as important what you buy as it is that you know how to get the most out of it. The Yamaha system you used is good stuff for the money and Sweetwater is good to deal with. If it is doing the job for you now I'd say stick with it. You can always expand it by adding powered speakers as the need arises. Hire a good sound guy to help the first time you use anything until you understand things like gain structure and EQ. I can't tell you how many times over the years I've helped people who thought they needed a bigger system when what they had was fine when used properly. I recommend also buying the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook. Best $20 you'll ever spend.
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Post by jesslm02 on Aug 25, 2014 9:11:37 GMT -7
I'll second the Bose systems. They aren't the cheapest investment but since we've started using them it's the best we've ever sounded out front. Except for a $40k QSC array and sub setup that we got to play through. I think yamaha makes decent stuff though, and we've actually some behringer great that got us by for a few years. But in the end it's like everything else - you get what you pay for.
Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Proboards
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Post by harry on Aug 25, 2014 17:39:50 GMT -7
Key thing to remember about choosing the proper board is to have sufficient operating amps. A board with low op amps will sound great when you only have a few mics running through it but when you add more instruments and mics it will poop it's pants and you get major distortion. Doesn't matter what kind of speakers you have if your system is overloaded. I am a big fan of the older Allen & Heath boards as well, you can get a used one for a great price. Once you have the board then look at speakers. Remember that you can't polish a turd...
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Post by Christopher on Aug 28, 2014 17:29:59 GMT -7
My personal PA for my trio is a Yorkville powered mixer w two 800w amps inside and ten channels. I typically run two yamaha mains and two-three monitors depending on if the drummer wants to listen to us. Our wedding band carries QSC mains and subs with the mackie ipad powered mixer. We bring our own mac air tower so we can have a member mix foh from the actual FOH and we can all set our monitor mixes with it to our liking. For monitors we use mackie powered 12s. We usually run a snake center stage and between the 5 of us are loaded in and setup in about 15-20 minutes. BTW the qsc mains are heavy.
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