[James-T]

So my band has a dilemma and it looks like sooner or later reality is going to set in that we can't continue to cobble a PA together ever time we get a gig with no sound.

Any recommendations on a small board that could run 3 or 4 vocal mics and a few drum mics, perhaps even mic'ing a small fender deluxe reverb from time to time. I've got a QSC K12 and a Mackie thump and I think perhaps we could squeeze by with those as mains for super small venues if we had one or 2 more powered monitors.

Ideally I'd like something used (folks cant help me on that) and in a perfect world something I could stick a USB in or at least interface with my Tascam interface to record.

Its got to be small, affordable and able to make our vocals sing (like delays and verb would be awesome!).

I'm no techno guy and the whole sound reinforcement is way above my pay scale but I may be the instigator here so I'm looking for a crash course.

Peace,

James

[garciafan]

Hi James- I really like those Peavey Powered mixers...usually 6 or 8 channels...solid state, durable and they can be had for between $150 and $300 used on ebay. Great for small clubs and rehearsal.

[gmchart]

I've had the opportunity to learn a little bit about mixing FOH sound for my brother's bands in the last couple years. It's a whole lot more than "Turn up the guitar". If you're using a PA then that's what the house is gonna hear. If you've got a cobbled together system and your half drunk brother running it, it doesn't matter how good you sound on stage. My suggestion would be to go to the venues you play at and listen to other bands. Walk around the room to see if you can hear everything clearly. If so then that's your guy (or gal). Buddy-up to him to see if he can work for you or suggest gear and or training.

[tcsned]

What's your price range? If you're getting speakers I'd look for used ones. If you've got the money for a presonus mixer those are pretty good recording boards for the $$. I just gigged through a similar Behringer which are even less expensive and I was really happy with the results.

[James-T]

Do those Presonus boards need powered mains? We play through a sweet Berhinger that records direct to USB. Its the new house system at one of the venues we play. But I hear like you say they are bottom end.

My budget would be not much - certainly not 1k for a board. I don't want a huge system, just something for the smaller venues that don't have house sound. That's like 25% our our gigs...you know small outdoor shows, private parties, the odd legion gig....stuff like that. So it would be for gigs where it wouldn't make sense to mic all the amps and all the drums. Really 12 channels would probably be more than enough. We play with 2 drummers. In a small space amplifying 2 sets is suicide. Good luck getting asked back. I agree that the best sound is when everything goes through a PA, and those are our choice gigs of course.

Like I say, I've got a couple of powered monitors already and I think that K12 is good for vocal mains in smaller venues - but that's only a guess. Anyone care too comment?

Peace,

James

[Smolder]

I've become a big fan of Allen and Heath. I have a mixwiz16:2, and a zed10fx... both have excellent sounding preamp circuits. Most folks with big bucks are going digital these days so you can find great bargains on the last gen analog stuff.

[tcsned]

Smolder is right about both A&H stuff and being able to get good analog stuff for a great price. As to the powered speaker issue, all those boards will do both. A mixer out is a mixer out it doesn't matter whether it goes to a powered speaker or an amp to a passive speaker. Analog boards are the same.

We use a Yamaha 01v96 digital mixer - motorized faders, programmable scenes. Makes it nice to have all the clubs we play programmed in so we just hit one button and it goes back to at least a good starting place. 2 QSC 750w power amps. 1 drives 2 Mackie 15" passive mains (also use a Mackie powered subwoofer. The other amp drives 4 JBL monitors. This seems to be plenty for any club we play, we've done small outdoor gigs with it too. We do our own sound 90+% of the time. The mixer was kinda pricey $2400 but we've gotten 10+ years out of it and it's still cruising. Probably 500+ gigs. We usually pay our band fund a 1/2 share of the gig money and that helps to fund gear for the band.

[NSP]

I also have a MixWiz3 16:2 and think it's a great board. You get what you pay for...I know you said you don't want to spend $1k, but that's what these are brand new and worth every cent in my opinion. Buy once cry once. I've seen them on my local Craigslist for between $500-800 fairly often, so used ones are out there. Like Smolder said, really nice sounding pre's as well as many different routing options, nice on-board effects, 4 individual monitor mixes plus the two aux channels for effects, compact, etc... Highly recommended.

[strumminsix]

Agree, buy once cry once.

Here's my rec. Add to your existing so buy:
4 QSC 12's. 2 mains and 3 monitors or any combination of with the one you have now. They can also be backups if the board fails
Use your Thump which isn't the greatest but better than no sub!
Yamaha MG166: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Yamaha-MG16 ... 1322410.gc

That board gives ya 10 XLR ins and 2 more channels for line in like keys and bass. 2 monitor channels, and the ability to submix to mains (IE vox in 1 & 2, instruments in 3 & 4 and can easily bring down all instruments or up all vox).

There are better mixers out there but this one is one I've used for years and very reliable.

[Cmnaround]

+1 for Allen and Heath - I have a powered PA12-CP that packs 500W per side with lots of options for running stereo or mono mix, monitor feeds and a sub out for the low end. Excellent board with great sound and components - everything is soldered into each channel strip so no messing around w an entire circuit board under there. Scored for $600 on eBay - also good mic preamps - go with something flexible so you can add on if needed - from what I hear single cabs on either side with good power are better than trying to do 2 cabs on a side due to issues with phase - unless you are running a line array - which most if us are not doing