Choose The Right PA Speakers & Mixer For Your Band
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- čas přidán 6. 02. 2023
- Different people will recommend different PA systems for live play. You'll read conflicting information about which to use. I go over the most common live rig bands use and which will fit you best.
Shure PSM300
Single pack
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Dual pack
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Rolling Rack- Seismic Audio
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Rack Mountable Splitter Snakes - Seismic Audio
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Behringer X Air XR18 18-channel Tablet-Controlled Digital Mixer
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Behringer X32 Rack 40-channel Rackmount Digital Mixer
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Good info. QSC is awesome. JBL though I think has watered down their name with some of their lower lines and doing bluetooth speakers etc. But the concert stuff is great.
One thing you didn't mention here that is a personal pet peeve for me is bands that only run vocals through the system. Inevitably as the night wears on and ears get tired, someone decides to turn up and if someone's out front for you, they can't do anything about it.
In my opinion using 12 inch tops and 15 inch subs works great for bands. It makes the gear a lot more transportable and with today´s active subs and tops there is plenty of power. Although I can recommend RCF as a brand, so you only have to buy equipment once. Using a pair of HD32 on 905ASII subs is a great combination for most venue´s up until 150200 people. Using a digital mixer like a behringer or Touchmix on stage as a stagebox and your entire system will fit in a car.
RCF seems to be the go to for speakers now. 12s are a lot lighter that's for sure and they are "clearer". There is something to be said about portability. My 153s are a pain in the butt to move solo.
But really you can get almost anything to work if you eq it. Last week I did a gig with two 10s over 18s and I thought for sure it would be awful. With a little work (and some live amps/monitors on stage) I got it to sound full.
@@DustinRadtke A lot has to do with the crossover frequency of your tops, that should be like max 700 Hz or so, so all the vocals come out the high compression driver. If you use tops with not so good tweeter than this freq will be higher and 15 inch are not so good for vocals.
@konradhof7318
0 seconds ago
Heard a cover band mostly outdoors last weekend (it was a sort of open-barn-type venue). They had two 12” EVs for mains and two budget (Harbinger) subs that looked like 12s. Plenty loud and clear! I could hear them very well even from a block behind the venue. I’m thinking about buying 12s for mains based on manageable size and weight.
It is venue specific. That set up would not work well completely outdoors. Sure 12s can get loud enough but they get harsh. If you ran 4 sets of 12s it would work just fine.
Two 12" subs would be completely underpowered in any outdoor style venue unless the bass and the guitar were running large cabs. Then you could push less instruments to the mains to give space to vocals.
the 10" tops will actually just give you better clarity in the highs as well as additional cone coverage (120 degree +). I always debate just getting more 10" to add to the rooms I need them instead of using big tops to just fill and be done for this reason
@@DustinRadtke
Using top speakers with a 10 or 12 inch (if you have a sub) works much better in my opinion. Usually better sound and better dispersion, lower weight. Regarding Mackie, they make both budget and expensive modells, just like JBL and the others.
I like 12s and 10s if you can use multiple, but one per side runs out of steam quick.
Good point@@DustinRadtke
@@DustinRadtke I feel like that's the case if you don't have enough headroom.
Hey Dustin! Do you have any recommendations for vdrum monitor PA speakers for solo practice use? Been looking at the Mackie Thump 15 you mentioned as well as the Simmons DA2112. Have read a lot that Mackie Thumps have better bass, but a higher noise floor often leading to stagnant hiss. Would love any personal opinion or advice you have
That's actually a tough one. That I don't think has a perfect solution. We use a QSC k12.2 (hits really hard for a 12) with our Roland Kit. A lot of people like 12's and a sub.
Of course it depends on budget too. You'll have to make some concessions. If it was just one speaker on a budget, I'd probably get the Electrovoice ZLX 12 or 15 or a JBL eon in either size. 12s will give you more clarity, the 15 will get you more low end. Mackie, seems to lack clarity to me.
@DustinRadtke thank you! i just went to guitar center to test these and also found the Mackie to be lacking in clarity. i think im gonna go with the Simmons because of the bluetooth and EQ settings, plus its only $250 right now. would do even better to get one of those $500 range 12s from EV or JBL you mentioned too, but I think the Simmons will be great for now and if in the future I want to upgrade I will just skip that middle grade tier and jump right to something like the QSC. appreciate the thoughtful response and great videos!
I'm thinking two QSC CP12's based on size not sure how they are gonna sound or what sub to pair with, any ideas?
I haven't heard the cp12s in person, but it is all relative to the music you are playing. If I do an acoustic act, I may not need a sub at all. An acoustic band I'll run a pair of 12s sub or maybe a 15. Now a full rock band I'll take 2 or even 4 18s
Do you have any recommendations for a cheap mixer and PA system bundle? I am a vocalist in a death/doom band and I am looking for a PA system mainly for practicing and playing in small outside gigs.
It really depends on your band gear. If you run half-stacks for guitar and if your bass runs a big cab you can get away with a less powerful PA since you can mostly run just vocals through it.
Outdoor is a different beast and is hard to do well and cheap. But for a mixer, I'd go with Behringer X Air XR16 or XR18. Compact and everyone knows how to use them so there are lots of instructional videos online.
@@DustinRadtkeI play in a death metal band, we just need stuff for vocals, what would you recommend? This is sheerly for rehearsals which take place in a garage
@@complexambtn10 For rehearsals only running vocals is fine, but don't do that for a gig, how will you or someone mixing make adjustments? Go up on stage and turn amps up or down?
Thanks for your guidance. If I need to set up pa system for a outdoor concert of 500 members, how many jbl irx112bt speakers (300w RMS) do I need?
I wouldn't run 12s for an outdoor concert. You need way more power outside and for that large of a group. 12s would mostly be used as center fills unless they are line array (which the IRX112 isn't) because they stack to create a wall of sound. You might be able to pull it off if you have subs, but it won't sound great.
@@DustinRadtke ohh thanks for replying. then if I choose jbl eon615 (500w RMS), how many do I need for 500 members?
Your question has too many unknowns to properly answer, What equipment needs to be amplified, how many instruments and what are they, are you running monitors on stage or IEM's and vocals? I can do a very large crowd with 2 of my Meyer MSL4's (only a single 12 and HF driver in these) but for my small outdoor setup I'm running 4 double 18 subs and 4 of my MSL4's. This small system will blow any of the above mentioned out of the water for sound quality. The unfortunate part is that this is all very heavy and power demanding setup.
@@mobiletoonz oh ok thanks for replying
If you want a low cost or expensive PA setup RCF/DB Technologies are your best choices, ALWAYS!
RCF makes great speakers, pretty pricey though. I've never used a DB Technologies speaker, I'll check them out.
Playing in small space for only few friends and family. I need speaker for vocal and acoustic guitar using mic not pickup, any advice? Thanks
Depends on your budget, but a couple of decent 12s would work nicely. The EV ZLX is a nice mid-priced speaker.
Many acoustic acts buy the Electro-Voice Evolve 30 or the 50 Column PA System.
@@DustinRadtke I just bought one, thanks. :) For some reason they are not popular in Australia but I really like it.
Is Rockville PA systems any good
Most of my peers say to stay away from them. They are cheap, but they don't last long.
Rockville is a very low-end product. If it's just used in your home fine, but if you are moving this in and out of gigs the quality just isn't there. I do not know about the quality. I would also question about availability of service and parts.
People!! Get OUT of the 70's!! I haven't used a main speaker larger than 3.5" in OVER FIFTEEN YEARS!! A 12" or 15" on a stand with a sub is 1970's technology!! Yet people are STILL choosing this over line array column speakers! I don't get it! It is true that a QSC 12.2 is modern class D amplification with Digital Sound Processing, but it's still pushing 1970's speaker arrangements! If you want to move past the Jurassic period with your PA system look at things like Turbosound IP2000, Turbosound IP3000, LD systems Maui 44, or even Electro-Voice Evolve series. When multiple small speakers reproduce sound they can work much more efficiently. You will hear individual instruments much more distinct. Really folks... time for your audio gear to... 'Evolve'.
These are interesting. I'd use them if I was an acoustic act. I'd have to see these in person if they can handle a loud rock band.
But honestly, they are priced well for how easy they are to use and their sound clarity.
only the maui 44s are large enough to move sound effectively for a band or DJ. The others fall flat on about 50+ ppl@@DustinRadtke
This is good advice for anyone who doesn't really care how their bass sounds. I know that's a lot of people.
I hear ya ...........I don't understand people who want to lug these big speakers around. Technology has evolved and line arrays work great.
I had to buy my own to show people my evolve line array blow their old crap away. And get this........... people still want those big speakers........they say it looks weird with my line array.
I don't use my tube amps either..........once you mic it....... It becomes digital and that is what the audience is hearing. That's what you're hearing in the monitors.
Man I swear..... people are idiots
People are reluctant and afraid of change..........
@@user-fc9iq6le2gI really do with you we’re right, but unfortunately you’re not.