Help With Mixers!

Crucified_With_Christ · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject: Help With Mixers!

Ok, people. We are now looking into a PA system of some sort. At first, we were looking into the Fender Passport, but now I'm not so sure that this is the best way to go about it. My thinking is this: Eventually, we will want to upgrade. Eventually could possibly be as near as the near future! In the long run, we will end up throwing the little 250W Passport away. So, I'm thinking that it might be better to get something a little larger scale. There are 4 of us, so the total price will be split 4 ways. Also, we may be able to finance our purchase. So taking all this into consideration, I'm looking at these items:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/631246/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480697/

That's an analog mixer and a power amp. Of course we would need speakers as well, but those could come one or two at a time a little later on. Together, the mixer and power amp mentioned cost almost $1000, but with the financing, it could be as low as $30/month for the two combined. Also, we would want to throw in much more than $30/month as we all have relatively good jobs and could easily afford more on a monthly basis. So, would this be a good way to go?

Also, is Behringer a good name? Will it last? Please help me!

- Tim

Steve · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 4:34 pm Post subject:

Behringer is mostly made in China, some in Germany, or other places.
That said, I've had no trouble with a V-amp processor, or a guitar amp of theirs I've had, both made in China.
One of the local music stores sells a lot of it, and he likes it quite a bit, so I guess not much comes back on warranty.
He has dropped a lot of other lines of equipment, over the years.

PunkStar · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 5:58 pm Post subject:

My German designed, China made V-AMP2 made by Behringer has always been a brilliant piece of amp moddling machinery. And my favourite local store (the owner is a professional sound mixer) is a huge fan of them. They seem like a good brand to me.

sharring · Tiger Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 813 Location: Texas

CWC...IMO the PA speakers are the most important thing and will affect your sound most. High quality efficient mains and monitors-you will never regret buying them. Just be careful about buying anything real heavy-gets old fast. I personally have experence with Mackie and Yamaha and that is what I would recommend for speakers. The small JBL's just arn't all that good to me. Fender makes some kicking little monitors with a 10" speaker plus horn that are in a super lightweight plastic cab. You can easily carry one in each hand up a couple of flights of stairs! I think the next most important component is the power amp. I like and have bought Crowns-low noise and durable-but Yamaha, QSC, even Peavey makes good ones. Wait for a blowout sale at GC. Read and compare specs like total harmonic distortion (lower the better) and buy the most watts you can afford. You DON'T want to work the amp hard...that creates distortion (good for guitar amps, bad for vocals). Don't scrimp on cables. Get the best you can afford. Nuff said. Finally, there is the board. How many sing in your band? For a four-peace band (live use only) i think an 8 channel board would be enough. Even if all sing, you have xtra channels to mike the snare and bass drum, run a line from your bass players amp to a channel and use the remaining one for between-the-sets music. For boards i think Mackie can't be beat. But they are expensive. Yamaha is nearly as good. But even a cheap board with a good amp and speakers is going to be good. Tip-NEVER have the recorded music louder or more 'rockin than the band. Make it a notable difference so that when the band steps up the volume/excitement level steps up a distinct notch.
Now my PA ideas will likely cost between One to Two Thousand Dollars Exclamation

If this is too much, there is nothing wrong with buying a small system and just using it for vocals. Thats a good way to start in a new band because it forces you to LISTEN to each other which is the most important thing. Also, set up close to each other-even on a big stage. This way you hear better and can follow each other's visual cues. Be God's-scott

Crucified_With_Christ · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 5:34 am Post subject:

No way are we looking to spend a couple grand! Even split between the 4 of us, that would be impossible!
Ihave another question of utmost importance, however. Would it be smart to buy a powered mixer? They are much cheaper and you don't have to lug around a heavy power amp. However, the one we are looking at has 800W, compared to the 2400W of the power amp that we were looking at. What should we do?! We need to know by this coming Friday!!! Here are the two powered mixers that we're considering and below it are the power amps that we were looking at if we went with an analog mixer:

POWERED MIXERS

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/631248/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/631249/

POWER AMPS

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480697/

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/search/detail/base_pid/480696/

sharring · Tiger Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Posts: 813 Location: Texas

Tim, i'm sorry but fast decisions on gear are rarely good decisions. And i can't tell you how to spend your money-i don't want the responsibility. If i was in your shoes i would RENT Exclamation

one for this friday and not put the pressure on yourself to get the perfect PA so soon. I will say that separate components are usually better since you can upgrade easier. And i am currently using a 1000watt Crown and it is ample for the small rooms and occasional church parking lot block party. Be God's-scott

Crucified_With_Christ · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 3:21 pm Post subject:

Is it possible to plug a powered mixer into a power amp?

Steve · Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject:

If it has a line out you could.
The main outs go to speakers, so that won't work.

Brian · Pit Bull Joined: 26 Aug 2003 Posts: 373

Scott gives Sage advice. A snap decision is not a good idea. Buy the best speakers, amps, and cables you can afford. And renting? Chipping in 4 ways may still keep the costs down, you get to try out different types of gear and make a decision later. For big shows across the state a band I was in used to rent systems and a couple of techs. We all had day jobs so if the contract would cover a system, travel expenses and still put some $$$ in our pockets when it was all over, it was a no-brainer. But someone needs to have a credit card, not charged to the limit.

I know from experience that when a band splits the cost of a system like that and later breaks up that nobody owns enough to make a system and PA electronics are the worst at holding value. Unless someone steps up to buy out the partners, and then should only have to pay FMV for the others' gear, everyone feels stung. Having good quality equipment that can be used in another system can lessen the sting for all but can also be a good deal for a partner who has deep pockets.

Bates15 · Moderator Joined: 19 Feb 2002 Posts: 1084

Wise words. Be carefull with splitting. Make some sort of contract, you wont regret it! Now back to buisness.

Today I got a listening test of ALTO speakers, powered with processor inside. http://www.altoproaudio.com/html/details.php?ID=122&

I have not seen anything like this yet. Sorry to say they sound much better than the Mackie powered speaker in the mids, not as nassal. (is that English?) And the price is like 1/3 of the Mackie! I am seriously thinking of getting 6 or 8 of these to use as main PA. Add some subs and GOOOOOOOO. All you would need after this is a mixer and a couple of mics. For real, I have not seen anything like ALTO for some time. BTW, Alto makes some lame stuff as well, but they are forgiven couse of the speaker!

Now back to your board. Why 32 channels? With my band outside on a big PA system i can get away with 24. (7part drumkit, bass, guitar x 2 keys and 5 vocals) We have space left for FX return and a cd player! Why bother to drag around the extra channels.....

Powered mixers are great but weigh a ton! Soundcraft make some nice ones with Lexicon FX.