Recommendations for band PA.

[funkymook]

My local pub has bands on every week but have an underpowered PA which they keep blowing. Can anyone recommend a bomb proof solution within a fairly small budget.

It's not a massive pub, probably holds around 150 maximum capacity, and the sound doesn't need to fill the whole pub (they play at one end width ways rather than down the whole length of the pub).

They have a decent 16 channel mixer and have sensible people doing the sound, drums and bass aren't usually mic'd up.

I'm thinking a pair of Mackie 450's and putting a limiter in the chain should be sufficient - any other ideas?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I thought a passive peavey setup would be ideal? or is that too low budget?

[Glenski]

I would highly recommend they invest in the Peavey Pro15 and Pro Sub range with a decent amp or two :)

Click HERE (http://www.jbsmusic.co.uk/sampleproduct.php?vname=peavey-amp-pro-15-sub) for more info ...

These are quite bomb proof and ideal for a pub band gig :)

Thanks

[funkymook]

A bit more questioning and I think the problem may lie elsewhere - they use a pair of Mackie HD1221's, bass and drums aren't going through them, so for vocals and guitar they should be OK I'd have thought (and they aren't being stupid with the volume). Perhaps some dodgy leads?

[Pe7e]

As much as I rate Mackie 450's, I think it would be a big ask, to expect them to cope without a pair of subs to assist. If I was you. I'd use a pair of SA1521's instead, in my experience they're pretty much bullet proof, sound good, and good S/H examples can be found for £550 - £650 (if looked after they'll retain their resale value too) If you do go for the 450s, get the V2's, they don't have an overheating issue.

What's your question regarding the HD1221's ?

[Excalibur]

I'd recommend Peavey also, but Hisys/UL rather than Pro.

[deltic]

I'd recommend Peavey also, but Hisys/UL rather than Pro.

+1 for peavey hisys,totally agree with Peter

[COOL HAND LUKE]

+2 PEAVEY hysys or ul's (500 rms per speaker). I have some that I only ever use for large venues, once in a blue moon

so

for sale £800 for UL 15 X2 UL115 SUBS X2 AND 2 DIMENSION 4 AMPS SPEAKER COVERS. AMP CASE and poles, cables ready to go, any trial.

[Sapphire Disco]

I have a pair of RCF ART 500 passive for sale they have a really nice sound think you'd have a job to blow them ;)

If they want to pick them up and try them out that's fine, if they don't like them just bring them back within a week or two of course.

[mattydj50]

Another vote for Peavey HiSys2's. I've got four, two of which are 15 years old and still banging out the tunes.

Looking to offload this year though, along with a pair of Numark Dimension 3 Amps.

[Paul James Promotions]

We're selling off some pro surplus PA kit inc Turbosound, Void, EV and Peavey if that might be of any interest? Peavey wise we have a pair of Peavey Impulse 1012's in white.

[funkymook]

Could've sworn I replied to this earlier - perhaps I didn't hit submit reply before clicking away.

Thanks for all the comments - latest is that I've convinced them to get a proper sound guy in to check everything is working OK and fix/replace if necessary, he's very experienced so should be able to get to the bottom of the issues. They may be advised to get new speakers (currently using a pair of Mackie 1221's) or add to them - so may well be following up with some of you. I'll update after it's been looked at.

[Excalibur]

Could've sworn I replied to this earlier - perhaps I didn't hit submit reply before clicking away.


Well I'm guilty of not reading your earlier one fully. :o You say that the PA is only carrying guitar and vocals, so shouldn't be overstretched. I'm wondering if "over enthusiastic" microphone use is involved, or perhaps regular feedback issues have taken their toll? Some :muppet: screaming down the mic, or planting themselves firmly in front of the HF driver doesn't help preserve kit.


One other possibility is huge clunks as kit is switched on/off and plugged in/ unplugged. This could be hard to cure, unless someone sits by the mixer and uses the mute button as required.

I reckon getting someone to have a look is the best idea, keep us posted.

[funkymook]

Everything's been tested and no issues with the cabling or mixer and the soundman said he'd set it all up the same way the pub does - it looks like the speakers themselves have faulty circuit boards as they keep going back for repair, they've just been offered a refund on them which seems to support this.

Going shopping with the landlord tomorrow to look at some new options.

[Pe7e]

What was the problem with the 1221's ?

[funkymook]

What was the problem with the 1221's ?

They kept cutting out - seems like it was a fault with the circuit boards - refund is being processed.

[SamV]

You want a HK Lucas or similar type system, the small ones start around £700 I believe but they come with built in protection and actually sound quite good. Best of all look quite smart too!

[funkymook]

Trialled a pair of RCF HD12a's - I DJ'd with them on Friday (knew they'd be OK for that) and they had 4 bands through them on Saturday - been told they sounded great and plenty of headroom (bass and drums aren't mic'd up). So they'll be purchasing a new pair of those, the 3 year RCF warranty and an excellent local dealer support helped (not many would lend you a pair of speakers for nowt). Also makes my life easier as I was taking my own PA in when I played there (but I'm the only DJ allowed to use them because I'm trusted to treat them like they're my own).

[SamV]

But how will they cope when everything is micc'd up or are you intending to sub in more kit for those times?

[Excalibur]

But how will they cope when everything is micc'd up or are you intending to sub in more kit for those times?

Ahem.


Trialled a pair of RCF HD12a's - I DJ'd with them on Friday (knew they'd be OK for that) and they had 4 bands through them on Saturday - been told they sounded great and plenty of headroom (bass and drums aren't mic'd up). .


I heard the HD's at Coalville, and after the great reviews I'd seen, expected more than they delivered. Should be a fairly bulletproof piece of kit though, good choice.

[SamV]

Yes no I read that question still stands as to how they might cope when they do need to be micced up.

[funkymook]

Yes no I read that question still stands as to how they might cope when they do need to be micced up.

It's not a big pub, and they band faces widthways, not lengthways, so they're not trying to fill the whole venue with sound, and there are volume issues with local neighbours so it has to be kept within reason. So no call for mic'ing drums at all and most bands have a decent backline who play there (and there are enough musicians around to borrow a good bass amp/cab if needed).

[SamV]

Oh ok fair enough :)