louder sound system?

[ukpartydj]

I've done a few "big gigs" with around 500 people and my current system for this gets pushed to the limit every time and whilst it's loud enough it's certainly not LOUD. I thought it'd be easier to identify louder systems haha but I'm struggling as I know watts and speaker size don't mean much and the SPL between the speakers I thought were louder is the same! :cry:

Currently using:

RCF 310A
MACKIE SRM450
RFC 705AS
2x QTX 15'' SUBS

I'm really looking to replace the Mackie speakers for some really loud ones not to be used for small venues and maybe the subs, if I'm going to continue doing these types of events.

[yourdj]

You could get senders and place speakers around the room for better dispersion. Are these events outside or inside?

DXR 15's? Cant go wrong with that.

The HK stack rigs are always a good bet if you want a proper large event system. One system is better than 4. :)
Depends how much it will be used I guess to warrant the price.

Also a proper line array rig would project the sound better if its a big crowd but it will cost over £10,000

This system is well loud for £4000!! ;)
http://www.theaudioworksuk.com/hk-audio-linear-l5-power-pack-4400w-active-pa-system.html?gclid=COmJyqL58M8CFQYo0wod3iYK7g

18085

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I use Mackie SRM450's and RCF 705's together for the bigger gigs and it sounds fine to me but then I've only played to 300 with that set up.

On one occasion I replaced the Mackie's with my JBL125's and used the 705's and that was pretty meaty. I also had the Mackies elsewhere in the venue (a marquee) and it was good enough.

I think sometimes people expect it to be 'club like' at times but forget that in a lot of clubs there are multiple speakers spread around the venue.

[Excalibur]

I'm really looking to replace the Mackie speakers for some really loud ones not to be used for small venues and maybe the subs, if I'm going to continue doing these types of events.

Interesting. Budget is the first thing we need to know. I've costed an LD system of four 15" subs and two 12" tops around £3,000 ( could perhaps be lower and louder by swapping ranges about ) and a DAP Club Mate 3 at around the same price.

A pair of these (http://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Yamaha-DSR215-Dual-15-2-way-Active-Loudspeaker/JDL?origin=product-ads&campaign=PLA+Shop+-+GENERIC&adgroup=GENERIC&medium=vertical_search&network=google&merchant_id=1279443&product_id=25113d1&product_country=GB&product_partition_id=120656417119&gclid=CjwKEAjwv7HABRCSxfrjkJPnrWgSJAA45qA2U1OUuzlt 02UuPPr742ld8s4iq1u_LfWdH6uM9mh2aRoChFjw_wcB) would go a long way to making enough noise, especially coupled with a pair of these (https://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_dsr_118w.htm) Around £4,000 the lot.

The tops just might be loud enough on their own.

If you want to stay Mackie, the SRM 650 is a high spec " Marmite " cab. HK would be high on my list too, I had my LD rig blown away by one very like the one Toby linked to.

Lots of options, perhaps too many which can be confusing. Let us know how many boxes you want, and what configuration you fancy.

[Pe7e]

The HK stack rigs are always a good bet if you want a proper large event system. One system is better than 4. :)
Depends how much it will be used I guess to warrant the price.

This system is well loud for £4000!! ;)
http://www.theaudioworksuk.com/hk-audio-linear-l5-power-pack-4400w-active-pa-system.html?gclid=COmJyqL58M8CFQYo0wod3iYK7g


For a change I agree with Toby, although the set he recommends is only rated for an audience of 350 or so, a better bet would be the HK 'Big venue set' if you have the budget, they're not cheap, but with a little negotiation should come in for a bit under 6K. For that you get a very flexible system for gigs from 100 to 600+ people which would also dry hire for around £300 a day. If you need to go cheaper consider a pair of HD1521 Mackies with a couple of decent subs, they should do the job for you, a used pair of HD1521s in very good condition can be found for under 1K if you keep your eyes open.

[Nakatomi]

I think I'd be hiring for that many people. That way you get the expert knowledge of a company who regularly deals with crowds of that size too.

[Excalibur]

I think I'd be hiring for that many people. That way you get the expert knowledge of a company who regularly deals with crowds of that size too.

A valid suggestion, considering the OP says it will only be used for larger gigs. Personally, I'd like a rig that could be split into smaller parts and used for less than 500, and more than 100, as it were.

[Sapphire Disco]

I would think the Yamaha 18 subs and 15 tops would be the most powerful & economical other than a big passive system but you do have the weight and size problems with both.

But I would think the most versatile, compact and modern system would be 4x FBT CS1000

[ukpartydj]

Thanks for the suggestions. My budget isn't set in stone. I currently do maybe 2/3 of these large events per year currently. Unless I increase the amount of events there is no way I'll be looking to spend big.

What I'm thinking about now is prehaps replacing the mackies with some nice really powerful tops (looking at all suggestions now) and then depending on the venue look to hire in subs

The events I've previously done have been in hangers or marquees. Here's a picture of the last event I did, which as I said was okay, and the client seemed happy enough to ask to book again, it was loud enough but it could have been soo much better.

18086

[Sapphire Disco]

You need an HK stack system for that

[Nakatomi]

A valid suggestion, considering the OP says it will only be used for larger gigs. Personally, I'd like a rig that could be split into smaller parts and used for less than 500, and more than 100, as it were.

My thinking is, you can try something bigger that they suggest & if it's within your budget maybe buy something similar later on :)

[Retrodisco]

If those QTX subs are the active variety, they amp module in them contains one IC rated at 67 watts RMS (nowhere near the lies of 800w/1000w as quoted), a change to a better brand will increase your low end capabilities no end and allow you to run your tops in mid/top configuation, giving more headroom.

[yourdj]

SEXY :o:o

https://www.mercury-av.com/sales/HK-Audio-L5-Big-Venue-Pack.html#aL5_2dPACK1

18088

[ukpartydj]

The HK stuff is indeed sexy, a bit pricey for me at the moment.
I'm liking the look of the Mackie HD1521 speakers, love the idea of the EQ on the back also to allow a bit more control.

I think I may look to swap my SRM450s for those and there is a local hire company that does rcf705as hire at reasonable prices (4 subs at £120 a day or something) along with my rcf 310a positioned further up the venue I'd think that'd be a significant improvement and cost me likely £500 +£120 per hire = affordable for me and just a small price increase for the client.

[Nakatomi]

The HK stuff is indeed sexy, a bit pricey for me at the moment.
I'm liking the look of the Mackie HD1521 speakers, love the idea of the EQ on the back also to allow a bit more control.

I think I may look to swap my SRM450s for those and there is a local hire company that does rcf705as hire at reasonable prices (4 subs at £120 a day or something) along with my rcf 310a positioned further up the venue I'd think that'd be a significant improvement and cost me likely £500 +£120 per hire = affordable for me and just a small price increase for the client.

If you think srm450s are heavy you're in for a shock with the hd1521s. There's no putting those on poles unaided. Well not for me anyway. They weigh a ton! Nice sound though. Worked with a pair a few times.

[Pe7e]

If you think srm450s are heavy you're in for a shock with the hd1521s. There's no putting those on poles unaided. Well not for me anyway. They weigh a ton! Nice sound though. Worked with a pair a few times.

You're not kidding, they certainly aren't lightweights by any stretch of the imagination, assistance will be needed to get them on/off tripods or poles. On the plus side they do sound very good, and in my experience don't seem to be prone to breakdowns, without wishing to tempt fate, I've not had a single issue with them in over two years of dry hire.

[ukpartydj]

Haha yes I saw that they weigh just 1kg less than an RCF705AS which I consider to be heavy. I have ultimate support stands though which are rated at 68kg I think. Considering they'll likely be left in storage most if the time I'm not too concerned about weight.

It'll make up for me being a whimp using speakers that weigh 12kg each for most events.

I'm not likely to ditch my lightweight system in favour of these but should I decide to replace a 2x10" tops and the rcf 15" sub system with a pair of 15" these would I be correct in assuming running full range they'd likely be not far off?

[yourdj]

Haha yes I saw that they weigh just 1kg less than an RCF705AS which I consider to be heavy. I have ultimate support stands though which are rated at 68kg I think. Considering they'll likely be left in storage most if the time I'm not too concerned about weight.

It'll make up for me being a whimp using speakers that weigh 12kg each for most events.

I'm not likely to ditch my lightweight system in favour of these but should I decide to replace a 2x10" tops and the rcf 15" sub system with a pair of 15" these would I be correct in assuming running full range they'd likely be not far off?

You might benefit from professional dry hire of the HK rig? You would soon make up £4,000, especially with collection.
I would be a bit careful who uses it though, perhaps combine it for bands/large events with a 'sound engineer' to oversee operation.

When I say sound engineer, someone who understands PA and does the hauling about/setting up while you might be at another event. Charge £200-500 for the hire, factor in £50 for him job done. Most decent DJ's earn that in an evening, so perhaps hiring yourself is the best option as the storage or a system like that is a bit of a pain and poses a theft risk.

[ukpartydj]

You might benefit from professional dry hire of the HK rig? You would soon make up £4,000, especially with collection.
I would be a bit careful who uses it though, perhaps combine it for bands/large events with a 'sound engineer' to oversee operation.

When I say sound engineer, someone who understands PA and does the hauling about/setting up while you might be at another event. Charge £200-500 for the hire, factor in £50 for him job done. Most decent DJ's earn that in an evening, so perhaps hiring yourself is the best option as the storage or a system like that is a bit of a pain and poses a theft risk.

Certainly something to consider. Prices seem to be around the £300 mark to hire out a system, I'm not sure it'd be hired out quite as many times as I'd like though.

[TONYTIGER]

Certainly something to consider. Prices seem to be around the £300 mark to hire out a system, I'm not sure it'd be hired out quite as many times as I'd like though.

Wishful thinking i am based just down the road and been running a hire co for over 30 years and hire out ( dry hire ) a 5kw system for £ 150.00 no vat .

[yourdj]

Wishful thinking i am based just down the road and been running a hire co for over 30 years and hire out ( dry hire ) a 5kw system for £ 150.00 no vat .
Whats the competition?

Your DJ prices are very competitive (given the standard of kit you use & experience) so there may be better prices to achieve perhaps with decent marketing and contacts etc.


and cost me likely £500 +£120 per hire = affordable for me and just a small price increase for the client.

I think Hiring from Tony would be the best option for this OP. Thats a good rate for such a large sound rig, just turn up with your decks and charge £500 you did before (plus the £150 PA hire cost). Its a vastly improved system so the proprietor will see the benefits and spend the money. If its a boxing match they will be making a small fortune as it is with door cover fees alone. :)

[funkymook]

Certainly something to consider. Prices seem to be around the £300 mark to hire out a system, I'm not sure it'd be hired out quite as many times as I'd like though.


Wishful thinking i am based just down the road and been running a hire co for over 30 years and hire out ( dry hire ) a 5kw system for £ 150.00 no vat .

There you go, problem solved, hire from Tony at £150 a time (he might even give you a special forum rate).

[ukpartydj]

Wishful thinking i am based just down the road and been running a hire co for over 30 years and hire out ( dry hire ) a 5kw system for £ 150.00 no vat .

Fair enough, I do tend to agree the prices everybody chuck around are sometimes more than what is regularly achievable.

I may well be in contact when the date gets sorted for my next big gig :)

[yourdj]

Fair enough, I do tend to agree the prices everybody chuck around are sometimes more than what is regularly achievable.

I may well be in contact when the date gets sorted for my next big gig :)

What people charge has nothing to do with me, but personally I would want to rent it for (say) £300 once a month which is the same as renting it for £150 twice a month. I don't think that amount is too high for the quality of what you are delivering as its tough work, time consuming and requires fairly advanced technical experience to set it up and manage it (especially when doing the sound for bands), which is the main cost that gets overlooked.

Also these systems will be for large events, so the revenue will be there. It's not like its a small charity ball or something for 20-30 people, it will be for large events for hundreds of people, or massive open air events, where the ticket charges might be £30 per head so the promoter will be turning over £thousands. It's a lot of work running these rigs to personally I would want to be paid for it.

Perhaps the PA hire industry runs on a completely different monetary system? If a Photo Booth can regularly achieve £500 (I have one booked at that rate tonight) then i don't see why a sound systems managed and run by an 'engineer' can't also, especially with microphones and other technical kit. Maybe just a matter of good marketing and Kudos. :)

I know my friend Joe gets paid thousands for his PA and lighting services just for a day rate.
He now does Top gear and Robot Wars. he also has some very serious sound rigs should Tony be busy. :)
http://www.sfxevents.com/sound

This might be an area I may go into when i take on my new partner to deal with our corporate site hence the interest. :)

[ukpartydj]

What people charge has nothing to do with me, but personally I would want to rent it for (say) £300 once a month which is the same as renting it for £150 twice a month

I'm totally with you Toby, prehaps it is marketing etc but I have similar problems with my large MR&MRS letters, everybody keeps saying "don't underprice" but the truth is they're getting booked for £350 in London and up north more often than I'm getting £200 locally, and I've done 3 wedding fayres with them! Same with the dance floor I've just bought, getting more people wanting to pay the proper amount anywhere but here! Considering we have Sandbanks and the New Forest I'm actually really surprised.

I'm pretty certain my Dorsetdj site is in very good Google search positions too!?

Maybe people just don't like me :( haha.

[yourdj]

more often than I'm getting £200 locally

If you can get £200 from 4 large letters in a small private event, I am sure you can beat that with the whole sound for a boxing match or similar large event. I only find they sell when they are really marketed to people, but I do lots of face to face meetings, which makes things much easier as you can drop it into the conversation. A tri fold double sided leaflet is also working well along with the pages on my site showing it all off. I am trying to push evenings with lots of extra this year as i will have 2 babies, so will not have a lot of sleep!!