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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 10:31:15 GMT -7
We've been using a Yamaha powered mixer for something like ten years, with a pair of lightweight Peavey 12" speakers and a couple of cheapo monitors. We're set for mics (Shure Beta 58As, plus a very cool Shure Super 55 for that retro look), but I'd like to go with a mixer/powered speakers setup,. I'm looking at the Yamaha MG16XU for the mixer--a bit of overkill for us but room to grow in case we add more pieces to the band--and maybe JBL 15" Eons as our mains. Any thoughts? I'm open to all suggestions.
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Post by BW on Nov 4, 2016 11:16:27 GMT -7
I need some PA stuff too. Got a couple of big, heavy (though great) JBL Cabaret Series 4691's that I used to hoist up on a stand all by my lonesome, out of the question these days. I can't make up my mind whether having to run AC AND speaker cable to each cab is the way to go, or stay with a powered mixer. I know several guys that have gone the Bose 'tower' route, they really are amazing when used as what they are designed for but I don't think they could hang with the loud-a$$ed hooligans I run with. A bud of mine does a lot of live sound and recommends the EAW powered cabs, but these are like 1000 watts per side and while they DO sound killer, I just need something I can stick a mic into and have 'check 1-2' come out the other end. Some of the venues we do have wised up and put in a serviceable PA, makes all the difference.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 11:32:57 GMT -7
Though in most cases you will probably pay retail, the sales engineers over here really go above and beyond to get the right gear in your hands: www.sweetwater.com/shop/live-sound/My sales engineer calls every few months just to say hi and chat - despite me being a pretty low revenue generating customer for them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2016 11:38:52 GMT -7
I really like the Presonus boards. I've used them in several installations the last few years. iPad control, tons of features plus the ability to record direct to a hard drive with their really good included software.
Can't really go wrong with JBL EONs or Anything from the QSC brand.
I did use some small EV monitors in one application and while they sounded good they kept blowing up due to some glitch with the amplifiers. The company wasn't good about it either.
I've also gotten great service from Sweetwater over the years.
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Post by BW on Nov 4, 2016 11:53:00 GMT -7
My pal from Ft Worth, Kenny Bergle has worked at Sweetwater for years! He'll fix ya up.
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Post by Maddog on Nov 4, 2016 11:53:39 GMT -7
My Mackie stuff is 16 years old and still working as new. Minimum of 8 hrs per week for all those years!!! Powered SRM 450 speakers and monitors, and a Mackie 12 channel mixer (practice) and a Mackie 20 channel mixer (gigs) both w/ with EFX... I'll re-buy Mackie if this stuff ever dies....
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Post by nmz on Nov 4, 2016 12:03:05 GMT -7
Just dumped our 15in for 12in monitors and could not be happier. After years of lugging around the 15s my back is very happy. Loved the full sound of the 15s but got a great deal on the 12s (br12m) with powered mixer (yamaha EMX5016CF).
Would love to go with the bose but expensive.
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Post by iluvpunz on Nov 4, 2016 12:06:04 GMT -7
I am a big fan of using powered speakers because its flexible and modular. I have a Yamaha MGP24FX board that we gig with, a Mackie 16FX for emergency backup. We use Yamaha DXR 1000 watt powered tops and both DSR subs and Cerwin Vega CVA subs. A mix of powered monitors. We can add or subtract subs and tops depending on the venue size and whether the gig is indoor or outdoor. We've done hundreds of gigs with zero failures. The Yamaha's are less expensive than comparable QSC's and IMO they sound better.
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Post by zpilot on Nov 4, 2016 14:09:43 GMT -7
I tend to stick with brands that have been reliable for me. That's especially important with powered cabs. The most reliable I've seen (in no particular order) have been Yamaha, QSC, and EV. I think the Yamaha DXR's sound the best. There's nothing wrong with the Yamaha MG mixers (especially for the price) but I prefer the Allan & Heath stuff because I think the mic preamps are much better and the construction more robust. I've used a Carvin powered sub that, for the price, can't be beat.
I agree that you will probably do best dealing with Sweetwater. They don't carry all the brands that MF has but they will have everything you need.
Of course you realize that you can still continue to use the power amp and probably the graphic eq in your current mixer to run your monitors until you decide to upgrade them.
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Post by doctorice on Nov 4, 2016 14:37:34 GMT -7
My Mackie stuff is 16 years old and still working as new. Minimum of 8 hrs per week for all those years!!! Powered SRM 450 speakers and monitors, and a Mackie 12 channel mixer (practice) and a Mackie 20 channel mixer (gigs) both w/ with EFX... I'll re-buy Mackie if this stuff ever dies.... Long-time user of Mackie powered speakers (same ones as Lee) and mixers. I also have a Soundcraft 8-channel mixer that's very nice, probably a little better sounding than my (old) Mackie board. You can't go wrong with QSC powered speakers either. The one's with 10" speakers are really quite good, although you might want to go with larger ones if you plan to mic the kick drum and/or run the bass through the PA. One other nice thing about powered speakers is you can, if pressed, skip running a separate monitor mix by daisy chaining monitors off the mains. Also, nothing wrong with buying used gear. Several of our Mackies, a couple big (15") EV powered speakers -- also good, but really heavy -- and the Soundcraft all were bought on eBay, iirc. Advertisement: I have a 16 mic channel + 4 line channels Mackie CFX 20 on the block at a local consignment place. It's in an Anvil case. I don't remember what price we put on it, but happy to cut a deal. We bought it new.
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Post by surfhard on Nov 4, 2016 14:45:42 GMT -7
We really like our Allen and Heath Zed 12FX mixer or check out the Zed 16FX. Agree the QSC powered speakers are super nice.
A good lower cost option are the powered EV 12" speakers. I have those at home and can't complain.
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Post by texasjim on Nov 4, 2016 17:57:53 GMT -7
BW: I agree about the heavy thing! I keep waiting for HELIUM-Filled speakers.
I really loved my Mackie powered mixer and it served me well. However, since they moved their production to China, I would have a hard time buying their stuff again.
TexasJim
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Nov 4, 2016 19:37:17 GMT -7
+1000 on the QSC powered speakers. I'm using K10's. Two for mains and one for monitor. They are clear as a bell. I've run these at small gigs and ditched the monitor. By putting them just slightly behind and off to the side they gave me enough to hear myself and save a little weight. They've also covered several outdoor gigs very well. I've been using a soundcraft mixer, I picked up from Sweetwater. Those guys know their stuff. My set up is quick and easy. I did see someone here on BST selling a Presonus board. That appeared to be a sweet deal.
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Post by Righty on Nov 4, 2016 21:01:25 GMT -7
Went from a big Allen & Heath board with passive JBL mains and subs along with a 10-space rack of power amps and processors and a 8-space rack of effects. Also carried 3 or 4 passive floor wedges. Hauling all of this stuff usually took multiple vehicles or me pulling a trailer behind a Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Gotta say that dealing with all of that crap plus the cabling took its toll on me since I was solely responsible for just about all of it. All of it save for a couple of passive Yamaha wedges is gone.
3 or 4 years ago I went with a digital board and powered mains/subs. After hemming and hawing for several months and doing tons of research I decided to drop my anti-Behringer stance and give the X32 mixer a shot. I now have a full console as well as the X32 Rack and 2 S16 digital snakes. Could not be happier. For speakers we have QSC K12's and 2 K-Subs. Would prefer the KW181 subs but they are really not practical for our needs. The K-Subs work well for what we do. If we need more than that it's typically a place where sound is provided.
We also switch to IEM's and instituted a policy where if you're not on IEM's you would be responsible for providing your own wedge. If powered, that's great. If passive you get to haul your own power amps too. I have some old stuff that I'll loan out but I won't haul it. I keep a QSC K10 on hand for the bass player to use until he gets his own.
Best thing is that setup time has been reduced by 45 minutes and my guitars and amp, plus the whole PA fits in the aforementioned Explorer Sport Trac. Also along for the ride is my wife (the star of the show), her acoustic and a few other various gig bags and swag.
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Post by Don on Nov 6, 2016 1:19:30 GMT -7
I strongly recommend the Mackie powered speakers. They're clean and loud and extremely dependable.
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Post by LT on Nov 7, 2016 9:08:00 GMT -7
We use one of these and several iPads/MacBooks for mixing duties. Super compact and easy to use. I can totally control my IEM mix through my iPad.
Bose L1's or the new F1's are the cabs, depending on the room.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2016 17:46:16 GMT -7
I've got a pair Of EV ZLX15p and 2 ELX18p subs. Singer has a pair of ZLX12P for monitors....so far, it's all we need and they sound great! It's a budget priced system compared to many others but again,serves our basic needs. Been using a Mackie Pro FX12 mixer but just today ordered one of the new Presonus AR 16 mixers.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2016 7:14:01 GMT -7
So we went with the Yamaha MG16XU mixer, which is very flexible and gives us tons of room to grow. Next we'll pick up a pair of QSC K12s for mains. Powered monitors will come later--we'll probably use our old powered mixer to run monitors for a bit. Thanks for all the advice--it's been very helpful.
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