PA Advice

Snags · August 2022

If you had the following set of requirements, what would you get? (Note, this isn't for me, I'm just gatheirng info and looking for ideas):

budget of around £1k
requirement for a PA system to cover a mix of indoor and outdoor venues, but not massive spaces, and at levels where people can still talk without shouting (i.e. we're not talking Wembley stadium deafen the crowd)
no particular preference over two speakers on poles or a column system
mostly will be used for a solo artist/duo with backing tracks (so 8 channels plenty) but occasional requirement for more channels (max 16)
preference for an analogue mixer, and certainly not anything that needs a tablet/laptop (so no XR18 style kit)

Not precious about it being new, but moderately time sensitive requirement, so readily available if second hand.

Thoughts?

Legionreturns · August 2022

Pete Is your £1k including all kit, speakers, mixer, cables etc?

If so, it's a stretch, especially the occasional need for 16 channels.

A basic mixer, with some useable DSP and a set of usable FoH speakers I'd think will be approaching double that.

There is plenty of cheap gear out there that on paper fits the bill, but it genuinely is awful, and won't withstand the rigours of road use.

I've tried and tested most PA gear, and get hefty education discounts from a lot of the bigger players, so I'm happy to chat through some recommendations if you want.

Stratavarious · August 2022

Sounds like some of the clip togetherYamaha PAs might suit.. They make very good gear,

https://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/proaudio/pa_systems/stagepas_400bt_600bt/index.html

Save enough to buy an extra Yamaha MG10U to add more channels but the 600BT got plenty.

This for a permanent or mobile setting?

viz · August 2022

behringer mixer, carlsbro active 15" speakers, couple of mic cables.

Snags · August 2022

@Legionreturns it's genuinely for a friend so can't answer everything. They already have speaker poles, cables etc. and a smaller PA with passive speakers (which will be sold). Mics, stands etc all exist already. Essentially it's active speakers and a mixer.

I was thinking about it overnight, and I think they're going about it wrong. The 16 channel desk is for a one-off thing, and I think that's blinding them. They'd do better to get what they need for normal, and hire a bigger desk for one day.

viz · August 2022

A 12 channel behringer is like 100 quid on ebay and it’s totally fine and colourless.

Legionreturns · August 2022

In that case, definitely worth concentrating on the speakers. There are plenty of analogue mixers out there that can do the job. The Studiomaster ones are pretty good for a relatively small budget. The XS Club 12 is little over £200 and very capable alongside more expensive brands.

For just tops, it's hard to look past the Yamaha DXR 12s, but they're above your budget. A comparable, or even better speaker, that doesn't get as much love, is the RCF Art 710s or 712s, which would both do a fantastic job. They're immense and around £400 each.

Snags · August 2022

Thank you all!

Danny1969 · August 2022

I would just buy a pair of passive speakers, a power amp and an analog mixer. Easy get that for a grand and it would be more suitable for outdoors and indoor gigs than an active system.
It's very east to water protect a single amplifier that doesn't need to be near the speakers, not so much 2 speakers requiring 240V ..
Old school A/B amps are also far more reliable than modern class D active speakers too ... 20 to 30 years versus as little as 3 years in some cases when used on a regular basis.

maltingsaudio · August 2022

I would recommend having a search for a second hand HK Lucas system, if you fancy a road trip this one would fit the bill https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334503953654?hash=item4de1fd44f6:g:P0oAAOSwzkBi0XU9&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoJ631Wo%2BhdeEy1nj7yKsL81otzwMKisBxoSm5ULxvXlYHsAS8MM054XNHPNeJEti%2BPxgurkklxJ2wazGx%2Bo39Gs84WNfghBq9AXmng5RfwpApOctGQO%2FIwf9zOquJR2IK6sHZ9J059xmO7Oz5zjWUPuonnWVRgb7LkKnGl617WnvR6UWGlubeyWSOdq%2BMaTPe3JnRVoMogjvE4va7kVfgt4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4z2m-vdYA

£550 bargain!

chickenbonejohn · August 2022

I've been using Mackie 450 speakers (bought 2ndhand for £300 the pair if memory serves) for quite a while now, with a Mackie Pro FX12v2 mixer (digital effects and an EQ covers pretty much all I need to do), costing about £250 new. The only downside is that they are heavy-ish speakers, but are pretty much "industry standard" and there's usually some on sale somewhere. The newer version of the desk is now about £300. If you need more channels only occasionally, its easy enough to "slave in" a cheap and cheerful 4 channel (I've got a Behringer that cost me £35).