Outdoor PA

[DJkiller]

Hi,

Been asked to provide an outdoor PA for about 800 people. What size sound system would you recommend?

Thanks
Mick :)

[Larry B Entertainment]

Budget ?

[Excalibur]

Hi,

Been asked to provide an outdoor PA for about 800 people. What size sound system would you recommend? Thanks
Mick :)

At least the size of the big HK rig that Andy ( Deltic) runs. He's not a million miles from you, and would be worth having a word with.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I would go to a professional P.A. hire company and take advice from them. Indoor and outdoor is a completely different thing and you really need to get it right.

[ppentertainments]

Could also do with a bit more info - requirements, occasion, where setting up etc.

[addoaddo]

Depends on the music. If it speach you can get away with less
We still work on about 1K of sound per 100 people. Outside the base is lost more so may need some extra power.
As always it is not about the power but the efficency of the speakers that is more important.

[hammy]

I do P.A hire for footbal tournaments and only use 2x500 watt and its ample enough on a school field (as long as its not windy)

[Danno13]

Is it for general PA announcments/bit of music? Or live music? There's a massive differenece in what you'd need, depending on the answer!

[Gareth]

I recently did a similar size event which happens every year. We used a 4 cab GAE system. If you want more details, let me know and I'll send you the details.

Gareth

[Danno13]

How do you know it was a similar event when we don't know what the PA system needs to be used for?

A four cab system for a live band (as for all we know that's what they might want it for) outside for 800 people??? Might just about cover the monitors I guess!!!

[Gareth]

How do you know it was a similar event when we don't know what the PA system needs to be used for?

A four cab system for a live band (as for all we know that's what they might want it for) outside for 800 people??? Might just about cover the monitors I guess!!!

Oh dear....

Similar size outdoor event. I appreciate that we don't know the details at the moment but I can assure you that a range of equipment was used which would suffice an event of the size - live music, 100v line etc...

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Oh dear....

Similar size outdoor event. I appreciate that we don't know the details at the moment but I can assure you that a range of equipment was used which would suffice an event of the size - live music, 100v line etc...

Sorry, but without knowing what the event is, you can't advise what others should be using.

Sheesh...

[DJkiller]

Thanks for all the replies.
The PA is going to be used for mainly speeches but will also have singing and maybe some live music. It will be set-up on a school yard. But their budget is very limited so narrows down the options.

[Sapphire Disco]

What do you already have ?

My thoughts are 2 amps one running subs & tops poles between as normal either side, the other amp running 2 powerfull 15" tops on tripods as high up as possible, about 10 foot further away each side all run mono.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

What do you already have ?

My thoughts are 2 amps one running subs & tops poles between as normal either side, the other amp running 2 powerfull 15" tops on tripods as high up as possible, about 10 foot further away each side all run mono.

For 800 people?

[ppentertainments]

Speeches and background music is one thing, but for live music and singing I would imagine you will need to enlist some assistance and no doubt hire in some kit, especially for 800 people.

The stumbling block is schools normally want 'the best' but 'cheap'. :(

[DJkiller]

Speeches and background music is one thing, but for live music and singing I would imagine you will need to enlist some assistance and no doubt hire in some kit, especially for 800 people.


I am thinking about hireing some kit to do the job, just wasn't sure what sort of system would be best.


The stumbling block is schools normally want 'the best' but 'cheap'. :(

I agree, this will be the problem. They want it all but don't want to pay!

[Sapphire Disco]

For 800 people?

If it's in a school yard with some buildings to bounce the sound off I think it could work.
From the sound of the the OP I thought it was to use gear already owned or that could be borrowed, I didn't realise there would a budget for hiring.

[DJ Jules]

Knowing schools, anything which will do the job properly will be out of their budget. Slap in a pair of 15" tops and a pair of bins and tell anyone who wants to listen to the live music part of the night to stand closer :D

It might be possible (if budget allows) to support this with some horns on a 100v line for announcements.

Julian

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Here's the thing though. I know people are trying to help but there are people on here advising on a P.A. Hire for 800 people that most of them have never done. It's a lot of people and needs a lot of sound.

The only reason I am posting is because some of the advice on here is not great and is being posted by people who don't have any experience with this.

I have DJ's at several events for between 500 and 1000 people and it needed big P.A.s with foldback and speakers at the back of the venue as well at the side, but I didn't provide the P.A. - I left it to those who know what to use for those size crowds.

I don't want the OP to be steered in the wrong direction. This isn't just a case of adding a few extra speakers IMO.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

To be fair, I would pass this on as like Darren says its something you need to get right.

[Gareth]

How do you know it was a similar event when we don't know what the PA system needs to be used for?

A four cab system for a live band (as for all we know that's what they might want it for) outside for 800 people??? Might just about cover the monitors I guess!!!

Thinking back on that you contradict youself in what you have just said but we'll leave that out eh?;)

Hire people who know what they're doing. Simplesssss

[deltic]

Here's the thing though. I know people are trying to help but there are people on here advising on a P.A. Hire for 800 people that most of them have never done. It's a lot of people and needs a lot of sound.

The only reason I am posting is because some of the advice on here is not great and is being posted by people who don't have any experience with this.

I have DJ's at several events for between 500 and 1000 people and it needed big P.A.s with foldback and speakers at the back of the venue as well at the side, but I didn't provide the P.A. - I left it to those who know what to use for those size crowds.

I don't want the OP to be steered in the wrong direction. This isn't just a case of adding a few extra speakers IMO.


some wise words there in my opinion,and i agree people who have not done stuff like this should not speculate on the equipment they guess will do the job.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

some wise words there in my opinion,and i agree people who have not done stuff like this should not speculate on the equipment they guess will do the job.

I would suggest that you give a friend of mine a ring, he provided equipment to outdoor events and provided most of the gear for the Wickerman Festival in Scotland, and also provided mobile discos and venue installation services, so he knows his onions...hes only based in carlisle and travels all over the Uk.

His name is Juan latour, and you can get him on 01228 533493.

His website is www.loudandbright.co.uk - But the website doesnt do him justice really.

[DJkiller]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm going to speak with the school tomorow. Will have to see what they are looking for in terms of price. I think I already know what they are going to say.

[mikeee]

My weapon of choice is the Dynachord Cobra system, Don't know what the power is without looking it up, but the stacks at 30' apart gave a coverage of 60' wide and 200' deep. Having said that, last Saturday I did a junior school with my Carlsbro system (700w +700w) driven with a QSC RMX 2450 and that was ample for the playground and half the field and there was approx 400 / 500 people milling around. But, it is dependent on the surroundings.

Ooh, just found a S/H Cobra 2 on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dynacord-Cobra-2-Compact-Line-Array-PA-System-/120705127248

[Sapphire Disco]

Having said that, last Saturday I did a junior school with my Carlsbro system (700w +700w) driven with a QSC RMX 2450 and that was ample for the playground and half the field and there was approx 400 / 500 people milling around. But, it is dependent on the surroundings.

Well I'm not surprised I have done similar and it's worked very well ;)

It's only for a school yard not Hyde Park I don't know why sometimes when people disagree, they feel they have to make you look small :(

[ppentertainments]

Ooh, just found a S/H Cobra 2 on ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dynacord-Cobra-2-Compact-Line-Array-PA-System-/120705127248
Meanwhile in the real world.

I can hardly see the OP having funds available to purchase that for a one-off school event :D :D :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Well I'm not surprised I have done similar and it's worked very well ;)

It's only for a school yard not Hyde Park I don't know why sometimes when people disagree, they feel they have to make you look small :(

If that was aimed at me Paul, I have already explained my reasons why I question people on here. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but if you don't have experience, then maybe leave it to the experts.

I would hate the thought of someone turning up with a couple of pairs of cabs for 800 people. I do small P.A. hire including sports days for a couple of hundred people with a pair of RCF 325A cabs, but that is just for commentry, not for live music etc

I know people are trying to be helpful, but sometimes they aren't. SImple as that.

[mikeee]

Meanwhile in the real world.

I can hardly see the OP having funds available to purchase that for a one-off school event :D :D :D :D

LOL, I got all excited, but it would be the ideal solution for 800 in a medium sized area. I also stated that my Carlsbro covered the school fayre quite adaquately, so horse's for course's. There are too many variables for anyone to give a precise answer.

[Excalibur]

. There are too many variables for anyone to give a precise answer.

At last, someone engages brain, before operating keyboard. Halleleujah.

[Cj_The_Dj]

I agree with what has been said. But I do the PA for my local school fair,

Maily for speachers, music for dances etc. and a pair of decent subs and tops do the job fine, More than louded enough and around 1500 come to the event though the day,

this year im using 2 hk pro 18s subs and hk pro 15 tops and a pair of bose 802s. and that will be more than enough..

and as gose for 4 GAE speakers not been good enough for live musicfor 800 people, thats wrong. theres a hull compnay who do a lot of PA hire for the local council events and they are very very loud and punchy.. granted they are double 18 subs and tops etc.

[Gareth]

and as gose for 4 GAE speakers not been good enough for live musicfor 800 people, thats wrong. theres a hull compnay who do a lot of PA hire for the local council events and they are very very loud and punchy.. granted they are double 18 subs and tops etc.

Bingo! Although it des have it's limitations and depends on the even tof course..

[axeman]

Michael, i might be able to help - dont go hiring anything without speaking to me first. I have actives subs and amps/bass bins here you could use.

[Sapphire Disco]

Michael, i might be able to help - dont go hiring anything without speaking to me first. I have actives subs and amps/bass bins here you could use.

What a nice helpful post :)

[axeman]

Thanks Paul, i try to keep it simple, and help where i can.

[mikeee]

What a nice helpful post :)

Yes, and I could read it :D :D :D :D :D