Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Hey all! I'm new here so first just let me say how impressed I've been with this forum so far. There is a rediculous amount of knowledge and experience floating around here. Ok, enough butt kissing...on to my situation. I play guitar and sing in an acoustic-based rock band. There are 3 of us: me, a violin player and another guitarist. We've been getting by on a little Kustom Profile One system for the last couple of years, but we're starting to play more and bigger shows and I'm thinking about putting together a better PA system. So I've spent the last month or so researching components and there's so much out there I'm a little overwhelmed and looking for some advice. Some things to keep in mind: - we may add bass in the near future- we may add percussion in the near future (probably not a full drum kit, though)- the other guitarist switches between acoustic and electric for leads and we want to start micing his tube amp- I'm not planning on buying subs yet- I'm looking to spend about $2k, but could be talked into a little more if it means better quality Ok, so here are some of the options I've narrowed it down to: Mains: - Yamaha S115V or C115V - Yamaha BR15 - Peavey PR15 - JBL JRX115 - Yorkville? Monitors: - Yamaha A12M - Yamaha BR15 Amp: - QSC GX-5 Mixer: - Yamaha MG166C (or maybe MG166 and buy a compressor separately?) - Peavey PV14 Am I missing anything? Any ideas on the best bang for my buck? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Shaster Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I would cross the JRX off the list. You'll want decent mics as well, if you don't already have them. They're an important part of the puzzle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaBender Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you go with the Yamahas, you definitely want the Club series, and they would make a good choice for monitors as well. I think a GX3 might be plenty of power for those, but I'll let others chime in on that. I have the PV14, like it a lot, and I haven't seen any need for a compressor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author Craig Vecchione Posted November 24, 2009 CMS Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Cross off everything but the Clubs, including for the monitors. Also have a good look at the Peavey SP-12M monitor. Speakers make or break a system. Look at 12" speakers if you have intentions of adding subs in the future, and you should intend to add subs in the future if you're a rock band. 12's are much lighter, a bit less expensive, and will handle your immediate needs very well. If you can't expand the budget, look at used items rather than go with cheaper new items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I've got a sure Shure SM58 that I like. What would you recommend for micing the tube amp? If you go with the Yamahas, you definitely want the Club series, and they would make a good choice for monitors as well. I think a GX3 might be plenty of power for those, but I'll let others chime in on that. I have the PV14, like it a lot, and I haven't seen any need for a compressor. If I run the club series for both mains and monitors, would the GX-5 even be enough or should I have an amp for both, separately? The QSC site recommends the PLX1804 if you're going to run all 4 on one amp, but is substantially more expensive. Alternately, would the S112V's work for what we're doing with the understanding that we will probably add subs later? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Look at 12" speakers if you have intentions of adding subs in the future, and you should intend to add subs in the future if you're a rock band. lol...you beat me to my question. Is there anything else comparable to the club series in that price range? I hear good things about Yorkville's, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dangordan Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 You're on the right track for a decent entry level system. I'd recommend CM15V's for mains. If you upgrade in the future, they can be moved to monitor duty. The GX-5 and MG mixers are also good choices. You're missing speaker cable and EQ's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Norton666 Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 If it were me , I would be looking at powered boxes. The QSC HPR boxes are great and I hear the new K series is solid as well , although I havent got to spend much time with them. With that budget , I would only be looking at powered boxes personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomis17 Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 The S112V would work fine if you are planning on adding subs later on. The GX5 would be sufficient for a pair of S112V and a pair of SM112V. Run mains off one channel and monitors off the other. For mixer, either the MG166 or PV14 would work great. I wouldn't even bother with a compressor. Instead get yourself a decent EQ. Your first option should be a powered speaker system though. Less items to mess around with and most processing are done for you. You could literally go from mixer to speakers. Done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monthlymixcd Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Instead get yourself a decent EQ. Amen to that! Get a dual 31-band... one ch. for the mains and one for the monitors. PV w/ FLS (Feedback Locator System) can be found used for $200 or less.) FWIW - We're on the same track as you and with a little patience we've been able to put together a cork-sniffer rig on a budget by saving for a particular upgrade in advance and then waiting for our target piece of gear to hit the price that we've been willing to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members allexcosta Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I'll try too... 2 Mains($798)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101176/ 1 Sub($479)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101177/ 2 Monitors($578)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101174/ Mixer($232)http://www.amazon.com/Peavey-Pv14-Channel-Mixer-Console/dp/B000NKQCZE Total = 2087 You're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaBender Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I run the Club 12s for mains, occasionally using my PV SP118 sub with them. I also run PV SM-12M monitors. I powers tops on one side of my Yamaha P3500S and monitors on the other. The P3500S is rated like the GX3, hence my feeling that that may be enough. One thing to remember is that when you run one speaker off each side of an amp, you're typically presenting it with an 8 ohm load, while two speakers in parallel will show it a 4 ohm load, and the amp will put out close to twice as much power in response. I don't understand why so many folks recommend running one speaker per channel, it's more gear to buy and hook up as far as I'm concerned. When I use the sub, I use the internal filters to run tops on one side and the sub on the other of my P3500S and use a separate amp for the monitors. BTW, my mixer is the PV14 and it has been fine for my needs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 The S112V would work fine if you are planning on adding subs later on. The GX5 would be sufficient for a pair of S112V and a pair of SM112V. Run mains off one channel and monitors off the other. For mixer, either the MG166 or PV14 would work great. I wouldn't even bother with a compressor. Instead get yourself a decent EQ.Your first option should be a powered speaker system though. Less items to mess around with and most processing are done for you. You could literally go from mixer to speakers. Done! I hadn't even thought about the EQ. What's a decent one that won't break the bank? I went down the road of amp and passive vs active, but I was thinking it would be more flexible to go the all components route. Not that I'm completely adverse to powered speakers. Is there anything powered similar to the clubs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DaBender Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 While many folks will insist you need 31 band EQs, I picked up a PV dual 15 on ebay for $100 or so that does the job for me. I second the Sennheiser E609 as a guitar cab mic, or a Shure SM57 if you get a deal on one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I'll try too... 2 Mains($798)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101176/1 Sub($479)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101177/2 Monitors($578)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101174/Mixer($232)http://www.amazon.com/Peavey-Pv14-Channel-Mixer-Console/dp/B000NKQCZETotal = 2087 You're welcome. Somebody likes Proel. I've never heard of Proel...what's the scoop on them? Have you had good luck in the past? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jwlussow Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 You might also be able to temporarily get by with one speaker or a top and sub. You can add more as you start making more money. I believe it is better going with one high quality speaker then two lower quality. Go into this with a long term plan so you can minimize the wasted money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monthlymixcd Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Nate, Where you at?!? What's your ZIP? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Nate,Where you at?!? What's your ZIP? Klamath Falls, OR 97601 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 2 Mains($798)http://www.thedjhouse.com/item/101176/ Peavey PR12D are the same price and power, quite a bit lighter, and easier to get serviced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members allexcosta Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Peavey PR12D are the same price and power, quite a bit lighter, and easier to get serviced. I know the passive PR12's quite well and it doesn't sound as good as the Active Proel. I expect the powered PR12 to be better, but not A LOT better... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jwlussow Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I also agree that the JRXs should not be on anyone's list. Really poor speakers considering the brand and the quality of their higher range speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dangordan Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 If you go with 12's keep your "in the near future bass" out of the mix til you get subs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members monthlymixcd Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Swap meet in a week and a half... do your research and go with cash in hand and you might take home a PA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tomis17 Posted November 24, 2009 Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 I hadn't even thought about the EQ. What's a decent one that won't break the bank?I went down the road of amp and passive vs active, but I was thinking it would be more flexible to go the all components route. Not that I'm completely adverse to powered speakers. Is there anything powered similar to the clubs? Good entry level EQ's that won't break the bank would be a dbx 231 or PV231. Others can add to the list but I have had good experience with these two. For $100 or less these EQ's will get the job done. I have both a passive and active system. I can tell you that they both will get you good sound (assuming that components are of decent quality). Only difference is that with a passive system it will take a lot of tweaking to get the sound you want. With my active system I don't have to do much (sometimes I don't have to do anything). When you're setting up for shows time is of essence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NateMorrow Posted November 24, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 24, 2009 Swap meet in a week and a half... do your research and go with cash in hand and you might take home a PA. Yeah, I was thinking about heading over that way. And I'm always checking CL around the region for good deals. Not much in the way of stuff in Klamath as we're not that big, but Medford and Bend have good stuff pop up frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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