richardmac

My Updated Rig I am a solo performer - keys, guitar, vocals, some songs have canned backing tracks. I play small gigs, usually anywhere from 10 to 70 people. When I built my PA, I wanted something that was small and could fit in my trunk, didn't weight much because my back sucks, and sounded good. I ended up with my current system: Mixer/Amp: Yamaha EMX312sc Main Speakers: EV ZX1-90 (2) Subs: EV SB122 (2) Mic: EV ND767a This system is 600 watts total (300 wpc in stereo) and easily fits into my trunk. It sounds pretty darned good - way more low end than the usual solo performer PA's I hear, including the Bose-based systems. The system can project fairly well outside, but has its limits. I also own a Mackie rackable power amp (can't remember the model) that does 200 wpc into 8 ohms or 300 wpc into 4, and I have a pair of Peavey PR12's - in a pinch I can use that setup for monitoring, or the Mackie can drive the subs and the Yamaha can drive the mains. If I get to the point where I need to do more larger outdoor/indoor shows, I'm considering a pair of powered EV mains like the SXA100+, and a powered 15 or 18 sub (not sure what I'd buy.) My current PA system could be used as the monitor system. I also have a Yamaha 12 ch board.

The answer to your question though is yes - carpet would help. Proper treatment would help more.

There's another thread about this, BTW. Derek sold CDBaby to Discmakers, and everything was fine until they redid the website and broke everything. They're still working out bugs. Still. And still not answering all of their support e-mails. The reason they're not answering the support e-mails is that there's too many of them to answer. I'm totally bummed. I've always loved CDBaby. But with my new CD about to be released within the next 4 weeks, I'm definitely looking to see what my other alternatives are. I'm still hopeful that CDBaby can fix their issues, but they'd better hurry. They've already lost customers and they're going to lose one more if they don't get their sh*t in order.

I want the award for having the worst PA system in the entire thread. I'll tell you that right now. I am a solo performing singer/songwriter acoustic guitar/sampled piano guy. No midi background tracks, just me and my acoustic or me and my sampled piano. I didn't buy this stuff all at once, but rather sort of slapped it together. Mixer - Yamaha MG124 12 Channel. I wanted an inexpensive small mixer for recording and live work and it had to have two aux sends. This guy fit the bill. The sound quality is OK but not great. Live I really only use two channels. Amp - Mackie FR200. I wanted a rack mount amp that sounded decent and didn't run more than $300. This amp gives me 200 wpc into 8 ohms, which is really all I need for the small clubs and coffee houses I play. It sounds good, to me. Speakers - Peavey PR 12's (2.) I play coffee houses and very small clubs - I don't need a dedicated monitor. The Peavey's were essentially all I could afford on my tight budget. I like the weight - they're real light. I mount them on poles. They sound sorta bad, but if you yank the midrange a tad, they're passable. So long as you don't try to crank them. Which I don't. Mic - EV N/D767a. I really really like this vocal mic. A lot. Outboard Gear - Ha ha ha! I have an Alesis mini-verb or micro-verb or whatever the hell it's called. I also have a rackmount Phonics stereo compressor that I don't use. Instruments - Larrivee D-03 acoustic, M-Audio keyboard controller into a MacBook Pro running Logic. For little gigs, this system is passable. You have to understand that other folks who play in these venues use Fender Passport systems, and I promise you that my system sounds a hell of a lot better than those. Once I get more money, I'd really like to replace the Peavey speakers with EV SX100's, and eventually if I ever need to play bigger gigs then add a dedicated monitor, an 18 inch sub, and another power amp.