PA - mixer - Advice

Leedspool

Leedspool

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i don’t know much about PAz or speakers so would appreciate some advice

Small area basement and the odd BBQ or friends place gig. Eventually!!

Drums, bass, x2 guitar and a few mics. Needs to be cheap coz that’s what I like

I seen some mixer boards 4 up to 12 plug ins for less that 80$ and a few speakers under 100$

We use our amps so mostly I think PA will be for vocals and maybe our acoustics

Just wondering what others use, set ups, tips tricks, fails. whatever please share

TIA
Leedspool
 
My live rig is now made up of a passive(no built in power amp) mixer, and four powered speakers(two for the crowd, and two as monitors for us).
This works well for us. The weight is manageable. The system can run on 3, 2, even 1 powered speaker if there are failures...heck, I can even plug a vocal mic straight in to a powered speaker if the board were to die. This scenario is not possible with a system, like our old one that lives in my studio now, that uses passive mixer and speakers with either separate power amp(s), or a powered mixer. A power amp or mixer failure shuts you down.(plus it usually involves more cabling, weight, and bulk)

We have sets of Peavey, Samson, and 1 Behringer powered speakers that are still making noise(the Behringers partner failed long ago). So, I can recommend the Peaveys, and the Samsons. Both sets were fairly cheap, and have been working for a few years now. The Samson powered speakers also pull duty as floor monitors in the studio...so they’ve been well used now, and are still kicking.

As far as mixers go, I like Soundcraft, and Yamaha, for road use. I’ve also had Mackie, and Behringer, mixers that have failed during live use.

I don’t know if that’s any help, but best of luck.
 
Oh yeah, one of the Peavey powered speakers has pulled single vocal mic duty at BBQs, successfully, a few times.
The set up was; a drummer with a cajon and stuff, electric guitars, and bass, with small practice amps, and one vocal mic(shared).
 
So with a mixer that has stereo out is it possible to just use one speaker and what cables are usually used mixer to speaker/speakers
 
Leedspool said:
So with a mixer that has stereo out is it possible to just use one speaker and what cables are usually used mixer to speaker/speakers
Click to expand...
If you’re running a passive mixer, to powered speakers, you’d use a standard mic cable from the main out on the board(some boards may have only trs main outputs...there are adapters, or soldering irons) to the speaker(s). Most powered speakers are chainable, and have an xlr out that you can use another standard mic cable to run to the next speaker. Gross volume controls are on the powered speakers, while signal levels sent to them is controlled by the mixer. Easy-peasey.

It would help if I knew what mixer you were leaning towards.
 
5D324E91-74B9-425A-845E-1AA84B61DE96.png 24B7DF7C-DB25-4C41-B059-42CCAD4441E5.png 5D324E91-74B9-425A-845E-1AA84B61DE96.png
Thatbastarddon said:
If you’re running a passive mixer, to powered speakers, you’d use a standard mic cable from the main out on the board(some boards may have only trs main outputs...there are adapters, or soldering irons) to the speaker(s). Most powered speakers are chainable, and have an xlr out that you can use another standard mic cable to run to the next speaker. Gross volume controls are on the powered speakers, while signal levels sent to them is controlled by the mixer. Easy-peasey.

It would help if I knew what mixer you were leaning towards.
Click to expand...


I am not sure which mixer, I just thought they Same only with different amount of inputs and some with basic effects.

Here is one I seen, i may not buy as guy not answered but was looking at anyhow
 
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From the manual, on the panel you can’t see in the pic, has the output section. It’s probably above the model logo(top right) in your pic.
97C4C028-94F5-40BC-82E8-58E1D99A9011.png
That looks cool enough. A mic cable to a powered speaker, and you’re in business...you could use the mono output with an adapter, but you won’t hurt anything by just using one main(just watch your pan controls, or you’ll send something nowhere).
 
Yes... a stereo out can run to one speaker... Some boards have a 1/4 Inch out, and others use XLR (mic) cables. XLR cables are best for long cable runs. We run one output cable from the mixer to the left hand
main speaker, and then run a cable from that to the right main speaker, across the fromt of the stage.

I use something similar to what was described above...
a 10 Channel Soundcraft mixer, and four powered speakers. 10 channels is barely enough for my trio,
because we each use several channels. We use this PA for gigs where they pay us extra if we bring our
own sound. We mix from the stage, so we have no sound man, no snake, and sound check takes at least an hour, depending on the room or the surroundings. The Soundcraft mixer has a separate monitor mix and
output, which is very handy.
soundcraft PA@100.jpg
I wouldn't waste your money on cheap equipment. Get the best you can afford, because it will serve
you better, and you can actually sell it if you change your mind about your requirements. If you buy
cheap equipment, no one will buy it once your realize it won't cut the mustard. Soundcraft mixer seems
like a moderately priced unit.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=Soundcraft+mixer

I had to spend a weekend reading the manual and plugging things in and out in order to learn how
to use the new Soundcraft board. But it was worth it. It has great features. The sound craft signature 10
is actually an old fashioned mixer, because it has real knobs... Lots of groups control it all with an iPad.
If you're feeling modernistic, that might be the way to go. My group bought the older style because
we're effing old... and we didn't trust all that invisible technology. *shrugs.

Speakers is another can of worms. Some are good, some are not. Often you get what you pay for.
My group uses Harbinger speakers, which are in the "inexpensive" category, we pounced when we saw
them go on sale. Lots of members will have their favorites. Peavey is always good IMHO, as is JBL.

Good luck with your quest.
 
FB5576DD-7428-4B35-909F-BDB41293AD2F.png I also seen this one, both are under 100$ and will run at least 2 mics and 2 acoustic guitars.

The other guitars will go thru individual amps
 
Col Mustard said:
The sound craft signature 10
is actually an old fashioned mixer, because it has real knobs... Lots of groups control it all with an iPad.
If you're feeling modernistic, that might be the way to go. My group bought the older style because
we're effing old... and we didn't trust all that invisible technology. *shrugs.
Click to expand...
I’m with you @Col Mustard. The thing with the new tech approach is that it gets outdated, and becomes obsolete.
 
Leedspool said:
View attachment 22256 I also seen this one, both are under 100$ and will run at least 2 mics and 2 acoustic guitars.

The other guitars will go thru individual amps
Click to expand...
You’ll run in to trouble trying to run 2 acoustic guitars in that one stereo channel. Not impossible, just inconvenient. That one will require the adapters I mentioned, or trs cables, for the main outputs.
Edit, and you’ll need two speakers because one guitar will go out left channel only, and the other right channel only.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
You’ll run in to trouble trying to run 2 acoustic guitars in that one stereo channel. Not impossible, just inconvenient. That one will require the adapters I mentioned, or trs cables, for the main outputs.
Click to expand...

Ok good advise, maybe best to buy more than what we need and grow into it or just use what we need then
 
Leedspool said:
i don’t know much about PAz or speakers so would appreciate some advice

Small area basement and the odd BBQ or friends place gig. Eventually!!

Drums, bass, x2 guitar and a few mics. Needs to be cheap coz that’s what I like

I seen some mixer boards 4 up to 12 plug ins for less that 80$ and a few speakers under 100$

We use our amps so mostly I think PA will be for vocals and maybe our acoustics

Just wondering what others use, set ups, tips tricks, fails. whatever please share

TIA
Leedspool
Click to expand...
Funny you should post this Leeds, as I have been looking at powered mixers and a PA setup in the last couple days. Lost out on a setup complete with 2 Shure mics. Too slow to commit.
I was looking at powered mixers/PA setup.
 
ninjaking67 said:
Funny you should post this Leeds, as I have been looking at powered mixers and a PA setup in the last couple days. Lost out on a setup complete with 2 Shure mics. Too slow to commit.
I was looking at powered mixers/PA setup.
Click to expand...

We Will have to see what comes up ehh.
 
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Thatbastarddon said:
I’m with you @Col Mustard. The thing with the new tech approach is that it gets outdated, and becomes obsolete.
Click to expand...

I’ll say this, though...I LOVE being able to control my own monitor mix with my iPhone. I never have to ask the sound guy, “Hey, I need more keys in my mix,” or, “I need just a little less bass in my mix,” or whatever. I just do it and it makes sound check way faster.

It can have issues sometimes, though. Sometimes, my phone will drop off and have to be re-paired with the board. But that is pretty rare. To me, the perpetual convenience is worth the periodic nuisance. In the worse case, I just end up doing like the old days and ask the sound guy for more of this and less of that.

I suppose you have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself.
 
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Ninja knows a guy, who has a mate, who’s uncle knows a group of guys, who have a go to person, who knew a guy, who has a sister, who may be able to help

So we may or may not have what we need or don’t need soon enough so all is good
 
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