When it doesn't fit anywhere else
 #28787  by betteroffdeadnc
 
Hey do any of you guys ever rent a pa? I don't mean rent the house pa in a club,I mean the portable types with a powered mixer, main speakers and 1 or 2 monitors? What do you usually pay for them?

Thanks,
-s

 #28798  by strumminsix
 
In Chicago I see the simple PA heads and mains at about $100-150.

Most places then do monitors and subs sorta a la carte.

 #28812  by strumminsix
 
Hence I'm looking for a PA for my band.

I see for under $1000 I can get something decent.

Sure beats renting and having crap to rehearse with.

 #28820  by tigerstrat
 
strumminsix wrote:Hence I'm looking for a PA for my band.

I see for under $1000 I can get something decent.

Sure beats renting and having crap to rehearse with.
I'd get the mixer/amp + 2 monitors for starters, facilitating rehearsal and try to gig only bars/festivals/parties that either provide a house PA or at a very minimum have permanent mains for the stage which you can plug into your PA (only one place we gig is like this).

 #28827  by strumminsix
 
tigerstrat wrote:
strumminsix wrote:Hence I'm looking for a PA for my band.

I see for under $1000 I can get something decent.

Sure beats renting and having crap to rehearse with.
I'd get the mixer/amp + 2 monitors for starters, facilitating rehearsal and try to gig only bars/festivals/parties that either provide a house PA or at a very minimum have permanent mains for the stage which you can plug into your PA (only one place we gig is like this).
Exactly, Tom! That's what we've been doing.

We just added another vocalist (4 now) and my 150W, 4 channel, 2x 8" 2way, 12 year old Fender unit is dying.

Here is the replacement I'm pondering:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630191

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601426

Figure those will be good mains for small bars and use my current boxes as the monitors and the drummer has a powered monitor that I can feed from the passive out.

It seems like the perfect thing for what we need.

Plus it would allow for a nice rig for 2 main acoustic shows which I've been pondering lately.

 #28850  by shakedown_04092
 
Nick - I'd stay away from the Peavey 15's. I have a pair

Image

and am not very happy with them. They are horses and I haven't had a problem with them in the 3 years I've owned them, but they're kinda blah sounding. Depends on your tastes/budget/needs, though. I don't know what to recommend (Yamaha?), but just my 2 cents.

As for a PA, we have a Peavey XR696F 8-channel:
Image

and have had no issues with this whatsoever. A little more expensive ($800-$900 whenI bought it 3 years back) but will be all you'll need, I assume. Good luck!

 #28882  by strumminsix
 
Thanks Benny! Yes, I've heard the PR15s are, "reliable workhorses but not impressive" from a live sound guy I trust. He advised that at the < $200 price range they are the best but for $250 I would be happier.

Only problem is that I am gonna have to buy this for my band and I've got a bit of a neck and back problem that I have to be sensitive to. So those Neo speakers make each cab weigh less than what others do.

Hmm, but not by much:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601213

I was told 15 lbs diff. Specs say 7, I'm guessing reality = 10.

Would you give them at least a "decent to good" rating or less?

Now I'm thinking those BR15s and this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=630202

It's got something called YSP which 'on paper' means it modifies the output creates a better sound with or without a subwoofer.

It's tough. I want to go the cheaper and lighter route but afraid I'm gonna be needing an more channels one day or hate the speakers one day. And I've already been through enough rotations of buying gear that "just wasn't right" and taking a loss or cluttering my basement...

BTW - anyone use compression on their vocals?

 #28901  by shakedown_04092
 
Ooooh....those BOTH look like good options. Good find! :cool:

The Peaveys are pretty light, esp. for their size. I have lower back & wrist issues and can't lift them above my head because of my wrists but I used to be able to. I'm guessing the Yamaha speakers will be pretty damn close. I ended up buying 4 Yamaha monitors for us (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=601214) and they sound waaaaaay better than the Peavey speakers do. In fact, we don't even use the Peaveys in our practice space anymore, we just use them for when we play out.

And you already know this, but it's usually always better to get a little more than you need, because if you end up needing one day, it saves you a whole lotta hassle & $$, and if not, well, no big deal really. At least that's the way I look at it. Spend more up front, usually able to save more in the end.

If I had to buy speakers again, I wouldn't go with the ones I've got. I'd defintely shop around. You know, come to think of it, Guitar Center or the equivalent is a really good place to do that kind of thing (for speakers/monitors/mics) because they have it all set up ready to go so you can listen to a bunch of different stuff right there on the fly. Might want to check that route to, if nothing else than just to do some research. And in all honesty, if you do go to GC, you can usually talk those guys down. I bet if you bought 2 of those Yamaha speakers w/ the PA ($1250) you could get it for $100 off. Just tell them that's what you're paying or you're leaving. Works for me. I mean, they're not gonna give it away, but I'm always able to work a deal, better than online for sure. Good luck.

 #28939  by strumminsix
 
Thanks so much, Benny! You've convinced me to upgrade to the Yamaha speakers. I can deal with the weight if they are that much better. That's assuming that the Yamaha monitors sound like the mains. And I'm also thinking that I should get the same brand to make the mix easier. I know, not needed but one day and I know the Yamaha gear is rugged so I think decision made.

Yes, thanks for reinforcing my theory that it's best to err to the side of more than needed.

And yes, I have 2 good contacts at GC one is pro audio and he worked up a heck of a deal for me for stuff in the past and said he would again. He quoted me a $$ with the PVs that woulda saved me $150 from list and that was bare bones and he said he could help out more if I needed cables, stands, etc...