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**StukaJU87** · 02-13-2006, 08:30 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

We used the Yamaha powered mixer for rehearsals and small bars. It worked fine and it was plenty loud. You could even put a little guitar and kick drum through it and it worked fine. We used Yamaha 1x15 plus horn speakers on those stands you can buy. The whole set up is pretty affordable.

For larger, and outside jobs we used a tri-amp system with subs and 2x15 plus horns Yamaha speakers. MUCH more expensive. Both systems adorn my garage at the present time. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

**StukaJU87** · 02-13-2006, 08:32 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

Oh , and the Yamaha powered mixer can also power monitors seperately from the mains, which is a nice touch.

**zeegler** · 02-13-2006, 08:33 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

The more power the better. For vocals, it's nice to have as much headroom as you can get. We have a powered mixer that is 300 watts I believe, and to be honest, it only barely does the job. I wish we had spent a little more for the 600 watter.

**micha** · 02-13-2006, 09:16 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

thx for your replies.
but 2x400 watts should be enough to handle it?
what do you think of the PMH3000 powermixer by behringer?
so far I like their stuff and I can get pretty good deals on them from a local dealer. we're a little low budget, you know? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I thought about getting this one and two 15" 2-way speakers and maybe later a subwoofer if we can afford...

**StukaJU87** · 02-13-2006, 09:22 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

I am pretty sure this is the one we have. I can't get to the garage because of all the snow, but here is a pic off ebay. Ours is either 6 or 8 inputs, I can't remember. Plenty loud, especially for rehearsal and bar gigs. I don't think it can power a sub properly, but mains and monitors are no problem.

**micha** · 02-13-2006, 09:25 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

aahh... the EMX640! I've seen these around quite a few times and I remember them to be pretty affordable.
I thought of this one too, but I had almoust no experiences with the yamaha amp stuff...
think I will keep an eye on them! thx! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**StukaJU87** · 02-13-2006, 09:36 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

Micha, the only reason I suggest this is because I KNOW it does the job, especially with the Yamaha speakers and monitors. Cheaper speakers will sound craptacular. Been there, tried that. The Yamaha speakers are worth a few extra bucks over the no name junk.

I can't speak for the Behringer mixer because I have never tried it.

**hammer84** · 02-13-2006, 09:37 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

I would stay away from behringer mixers. Behringer makes some good stuff, but thier mixer are not one of those items. I have been using behringer mixers for our practice set up and even those have been crapping out on me. They are very fraile and unrepairable.

If you want to go powered I would look at the Carvin heads. If you go power amp/mixer you have a lot of options.

**StukaJU87** · 02-13-2006, 09:43 AM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

Ok, we have the Yamaha EMX860ST.

**micha** · 02-13-2006, 12:09 PM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

@paul;
did you talk about a 300 watt stereo (2x300) or 300 mono btw?
I'm somehow still not sure of how much I need...

@hammer; that's what I heard quite a few times already, and that's why I mentioned the PMH here...
they are damn cheap IMO, but some people already told me they're not that much of quality... think I have to have a look at them in person. how is the sound itself like?
you mentioned you have to take care of them to not get'em damaged, but is the sound alright?
I'm still not off of them yet, since I really get good deals on the behringer stuff and my local dealer always gave me first class service whenever I had problems with gear he sold me...

I'm still open to the question wether I want poweramp and mixer seperated or in one unit.
all I know is;
we have nothing at the moment, so we do need a mixer, an amp, chords and speakers to get rehearsals running again.
we have small budget, and I think with five people we should stay under the 1000euro mark to make it affordable for us.

can't find any dealers for the carvins right now, but the yamahas show up pretty everywhere, doesn't seem to be a problem to get one of those.
what I see quite often is the 312SC and the 512SC which only seem to differ in their wattage (2x300 VS 2x500 watts).

what do you guys recommend as a speaker solution?
is it a need to get a 2.1 setup or will I get away with two fullrange speakers?

thx a lot for your help guys, it makes me feel way better to rely on some experiences here. if I go and ask in store I can never know what kind of BS they're selling me... [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

**hammer84** · 02-13-2006, 01:12 PM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

Behringer mixer actually sound pretty good. They just don't last. My last one had the right main output go dead after about 6 months. It just sits in a rehersal room and just gets turn off and on.

This is what I would suggest, but I don't know how big a set up you need but this would cover small bar set up and is flexiable and expandable.

Mackie 1202 or similar mixer from Yamaha/Alesis/Carvin.

I would go with active speakers, I did this a few years back and I'm waaay happy with them. You could get by with a 12" and horn like the mackie 350/ JBL EON or for less money Soundtech ST12RXP. Soundtech makes a really good speakers for the money.

You can now add either powered or passive subs at a later date.

You can get 4 ST12rxp ( 2 main, 2 monitors ) for approx $1000 US and a Mackie 1402 off ebay for ~250. You will have a very flexable and expandable system thay will last for years.

**jjw** · 02-13-2006, 01:16 PM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

i have just bought a peavey xr800 f+(1000 watt)with matching peavey sat and sub speakers with cross overs.Total overkill for what the band needs it for(small venues)but it is future proof.I am going direct from my preamps into the Mixer/poweramp as is the bassist and Singer(of course.lol)and i can tell you i dont miss my old marshall speakers-the 15inch peaveys sound great.The PA is also built like a tank and should handle anything i throw it.You could look out for one of the smaller peavey mixer/poweramps,or check Ebay for 2nd hand models.

**zeegler** · 02-13-2006, 03:14 PM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

Micha, I can't even remember for sure. I'll have to ask my other guitar player, because it's at his house.

Hey, how did you make out with the pre-amp?

**OnlineStageGear** · 02-13-2006, 04:10 PM

Re: PA-purchase - need advice

[ QUOTE ]
We used the Yamaha powered mixer for rehearsals and small bars. It worked fine and it was plenty loud. You could even put a little guitar and kick drum through it and it worked fine. We used Yamaha 1x15 plus horn speakers on those stands you can buy. The whole set up is pretty affordable.

For larger, and outside jobs we used a tri-amp system with subs and 2x15 plus horns Yamaha speakers. MUCH more expensive. Both systems adorn my garage at the present time. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

9 times out of 10 the powered mixer or simliar component system is really all you need. There are also a lot of bars believe it or not where you can't play that loud without causing problems.

A lot of the bars that will allow and need the larger PA setups might already have them in-house. A Tri-Amp system can be many thousands of dollars after you add lights and everything. You can usually rent the same type of sytem or even hire it out with someone to run it for $200-$300. You have to decide if it is ecconomical in the long run in your area for you to get a system like that considering the setup and teardown time, transportation and storage of all that stuff. Not to mention the backpains the next morning.

Matt

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