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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 145
Apprentice
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OP
Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 145 |
Could someone please recommend a few powered PA speakers ?
And features I should be looking for ? Gotchas ? Brands ?
My application is something which is easily portable for a smaller venue, with a couple mic/instrument inputs that will also receive BIAB backing tracks from a laptop or iOS device (iPad most likely).
Considerations I'm thinking of:
1) Probably gigs at smaller vineyards either outdoors or in the tasting rooms, or in my home by my karaoke piano bar, so not a lot of wattage needed.
2) Dual speakers would be nice. Or maybe one with capability to add a second for stereo.
3) Easy to carry/setup would be nice. Like one unit of the amp/mixer with detachable speakers rather than having to carry several pieces to the setup location.
4) Self powered speakers very desirable. I don't need a big amp and passive big speakers. Battery power not essential but would be nice for outdoor locations where running a power cord is a hassle. But wouldn't want to have to continually change batteries. Probably a couple hours per gig though max.
5) Blue tooth connection to laptop or iPad/iPhone would be nice to avoid a cord but not essential.
6) At least one mic input (two would be nice) and one or two instrument level inputs for "real" instruments and one stereo line input for BIAB tracks from laptop or iPad.
7) Not much needed for a mixer, EQ, on board reverb, lots of channels/faders etc. Reverb will be built into the BIAB backing tracks. But a decent reverb for vocal would be nice.
Anything else I should think of ?
Thanks a lot for any suggestions and help.
Bob
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,473
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Check out the Fender Passport Conference. A larger more expensive alternative could be a Bose L1.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
Now JBL has a 999.00 competitor to the L1. The column collapses into the bass bin. One piece transport. Very cool. Here are 3 options from jbl http://www.sweetwater.com/c442--JBL--Portable_PA_Systems
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,733
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,733 |
Could someone please recommend a few powered PA speakers ?
And features I should be looking for ? Gotchas ? Brands ?
My application is something which is easily portable for a smaller venue, with a couple mic/instrument inputs that will also receive BIAB backing tracks from a laptop or iOS device (iPad most likely).
Considerations I'm thinking of:
1) Probably gigs at smaller vineyards either outdoors or in the tasting rooms, or in my home by my karaoke piano bar, so not a lot of wattage needed.
2) Dual speakers would be nice. Or maybe one with capability to add a second for stereo.
3) Easy to carry/setup would be nice. Like one unit of the amp/mixer with detachable speakers rather than having to carry several pieces to the setup location.
4) Self powered speakers very desirable. I don't need a big amp and passive big speakers. Battery power not essential but would be nice for outdoor locations where running a power cord is a hassle. But wouldn't want to have to continually change batteries. Probably a couple hours per gig though max.
5) Blue tooth connection to laptop or iPad/iPhone would be nice to avoid a cord but not essential.
6) At least one mic input (two would be nice) and one or two instrument level inputs for "real" instruments and one stereo line input for BIAB tracks from laptop or iPad.
7) Not much needed for a mixer, EQ, on board reverb, lots of channels/faders etc. Reverb will be built into the BIAB backing tracks. But a decent reverb for vocal would be nice.
Anything else I should think of ?
Thanks a lot for any suggestions and help.
Bob 1. Power isn't for loudness so the more the better. Within reason. Power is needed to reproduce the low end accurately. 2. Two is better. You can always leave one in the car. 3. Who doesn't like easy setup? Lightweight is good too. 4. Self contained powered speakers... the only way to go these days. 5. Use cords. Nothing sucks like the bluetooth connection dropping in the middle of the song. Remember Murphy's Law. 6. Get something that allows several inputs. You never know... you might start as a solo act, meet a really talented musician and decide to be a duo.... get something with plenty of spare inputs. 7. See # 6. Many of the small rigs now have modeled effects built in. 8. Break a leg!
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
“...Probably gigs at smaller vineyards either outdoors ...” None of the small rigs mentioned are going to work outdoors. Just ain't gonna happen. The Bose L1 (although outrageously expensive) will work reasonably well for small outdoor gatherings. I have an acquaintance who uses one. To insure you have enough rig for the gig, you have to get a rig that's suitable for your largest possible gig. That will suffice for everything else. If you don't need stereo, you might consider a small footprint mixer and a single powered speaker on a stick. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MG10c $154.00 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/EON612 $399.00 Sub Total $553.00 If sound quality isn't that important to you, get one of the Fender Passports. Be aware, however, that they are toys.  The above system fills all of your needs, but I agree with Herb about Bluetooth. Cable is better. A 20' ProCo XLR and a speaker stand and you're done. Regards, Bob
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
@90db do you have an EON612? How much better are they than the old EON12s, the grey ones?
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913 |
Lots of good advice above.
Reiterating a few points:
Bluetooth. Nope, use cords.
Outdoors - you need LOTS more power outdoors than indoors.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
Consider using half of your system indoor, I think you will need 2 powered speakers for an outdoor show.
You have to consider outdoors with one conventional powered speaker you will not have enough horizontal coverage for any sizable crowd. I have 2 Mackie DLM12s which are rated at 2000 watts each(I don't know how they get this rating) But, they are not enough to do any sizable show outdoor. (200 people)
Unless you have used an L1 model II you cannot believe how loud they are outdoors. I rented a Bose L1 model II with the tone match. I did a block party, cops arrived at 10pm as soon as the noise ordinance would allow them to come.
Nobody has mentioned this - conventional powered speakers 12/horn or 15/horn need Speaker Stands, and don't go cheap. That adds at least $250.00 with bags. Oh yes Case for your Mixer 40 bucks. Extension cords better get 100 foot ones they are expensive too. (don't get the extension cords from Walmart) Got to connect each speaker with both Power and Microphone cable now that we have all gone to powered speakers. Buy plenty of 25 foot microphone cables. Expect to use 50 feet to each speaker. Unless you want the mixer out of your reach.
So the $2600 for the Bose is 50% more expensive than a good Mixer $200.00 - 2 400W or better Powered speakers 800.00. $500.00 of extra stuff you have to haul around to every gig, and maintain. I'm hoping the $999 JBL EON ONE will be as good as the Bose, or put some downward pressure on the Bose systems prices which have been rock solid for the past 6 years.
Last edited by dga; 06/06/16 05:19 PM.
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
@90db do you have an EON612? How much better are they than the old EON12s, the grey ones? I have the EON 518S powered sub. It puts bodies on the dance floor. I run 15" Yammy Clubs with a QSC PLX1804 @ 4 ohm load for 900 watts on our mains. You might want to join and ask this on PSW: http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.phpRegards, Bob
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 671 |
@90db do you have an EON612? How much better are they than the old EON12s, the grey ones? I have the EON 518S powered sub. It puts bodies on the dance floor. I run 15" Yammy Clubs with a QSC PLX1804 @ 4 ohm load for 900 watts on our mains. You might want to join and ask this on PSW: http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.phpRegards, Bob Thanks bob for the link
"When you help somebody else you are really helping yourself"
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,139 |
@90db do you have an EON612? How much better are they than the old EON12s, the grey ones? I have the EON 518S powered sub. It puts bodies on the dance floor. I run 15" Yammy Clubs with a QSC PLX1804 @ 4 ohm load for 900 watts on our mains. You might want to join and ask this on PSW: http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.phpRegards, Bob Thanks bob for the link Just a word of caution: those guys are all pros, and don't suffer fools well. You also have to register using your real name, no handles. You might want to check out the “Lab Lounge”. That's the section for small operators and bands mixing from stage. http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/board,10.0.html Regards, Bob
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