Sound system advice

[smilnJackB]

I hope to start performing soon. I will be alone or with one other player. I/we will use guitars approx. 60% of the time, mando 30+%, harmonica 15% and just a little banjo and Irish whistle. We will play country blues and Gospel. I want to keep it SIMPLE and not spend a fortune. I think I would like a one mike sytstem, but I don't know what to hook the mike into. Will play outdoors or to small groups - 50 or less. I appreciate your advice.

[WoodyMcKenzie]

I've been reading reviews on the new Bose PAS system that are touting it to be fantastic. It aint cheap, and it's a whole different approach, but seems like it would work just great for acoustic acts. I would like to know if anyone out there has tried these and what they think.

Woody

[Doug Edwards]

I would think, with the venue you described, you could get by fine with a powered mixer (w/ phantom power), 12" - 15" speakers, one or two condensor mics(Octava C or K12's or AT Pro 37's). You wouldn't need monitors for such a small group. I'd set up the mics one high and one low. You'll get the best pickup for vocals and instruments without having to krank the system gain too high. Shop around on the system for good used stuff. Buy the mics new.

[mandofiddle]

Bose definitely ain't cheap, and if you're playing a loud bar type of venue, you'll need more than one tower. We use a tower and two subs as onstage monitors. We don't use wedges. I also use an in-ear monitor with my voice a little hotter in the in-ear. That way I can hear the subtlties of my vocal tone through the in-ear, but the volume and blend with the other vocalists through the Bose Tower. On top of that, we also use regular powered mains for the house, though the Bose does add a little umph to the house sound. But again, this setup ain't cheap. For your situation smilinJack, I'd look into powered PA heads with mains. They have package deals over at Musicians Friend and other retailers. This would probably be a cheaper way to go, and if you are only using 1, or a few, microphones, then you don't need to worry about having more than 6 inputs which is pretty standard on these PA heads... And if your playing to a quiet crowd, you won't have to worry about monitors.

[WoodyMcKenzie]

I think maybe you guys are not referring to the bose system I have been reading about. You can see a photo of it at bose.com by clicking on their "what's new" link. There is also a message board there that has some reviews.Here is another separate link:


http://www.gadgetopia.com/2004....em.html (http://www.gadgetopia.com/2004/02/11/BosePersonalizedAmplificationSystem.html)

Woody

[smilnJackB]

Thank you for the advice. Yes, the Bose looks great, but is out of my price range. I think we will be okay with 2 GOOD mikes, the acoustic amp I already have and a second acoustic amp. I will check into the recommended microphones. Jack

[steve in tampa]

I have a Peavy 600 series mixer/ amp and 2 Peavy speakers w/ 12" and horns that work well in small to medium sized venues. A few years back, ran me about $600.

You really need a dedicated P.A., around 100-200 watts to get the vocals to come through clearly.

Another good mic to look at is the AKG C1000S. Cardiod or Hypercardiod pattern Good for recording and stage, and can be found on special 2 for 300 sometimes.

Small monitors can be a real good thing too.

Anywhere in your area you could rent some gear to try out?

[mandroid]

FWIW, www.partsexpress.com has a PA 3 channel mixer/amp module to build into the back of a speaker box ,250W, will run a2nd cabinet too. $120.00 at this time.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[BluegrassPhilfromFrance]

Hi, I've been playing the last 5 years as a duo (mando/guitar + harmonica) and we are using a HK LUCAS XT which is very compact and really great for pubs, bars, restaurants, etc,... Mics are Shure Beta58 and SM57, very reliable. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[ira]

we have been using this, and have been thrilled. simple to use, easy to transport, and plenty of sound for indoor and out for a duo (we are also guitar, mando, harp and a instead of banjo we play some mean kazoo)playing small to med. venues.
good luck
http://www.music123.com/Kustom-KPA804-PA-SYSTEM-i58245.music

[mandofiddle]

Hey WoodyMcKenzie,
Yes that is the Bose system I was referring to. They designed it with the intention of each person in the band having their own tower and subwoofer. So a five-piece would need 5 towers and five subs if they were to use it how Bose recommends. They also work best if you can have them placed about 10 feet behind you. So aside from the fact that they are very expensive, you'd need a HUGE stage for a five piece band. A bar stage would be way too small.

We have one tower and two subs, which we've tried to use as a standalone for the entire rooms sound. It just simply doesn't get loud enough in a bar before feedback, and if you can get it loud enough, you better have hearing protection in, because the unit is right behind you and it gets LOUD. But at the bar we played, they kept telling us to turn it up. If you have the money, and the stage space, I think they'd be incredible to use with a band. Especially if you had a stage that was large enough...

[mrbook]

Learning about sound systems by the seat of our pants ten years ago, I started out with a Crate powered mixer (160 watts, 6 inputs), and along the way I've acquired two sets of speakers, one with 12" woofers and the other with 15s. A few years ago, we switched to one AT-4033 microphone, so I also need a phantom power adapter, but this works for 90% of the places we play - coffeehouses, restaurants, bars (we don't do many), and lots of outdoor concerts. It has never failed us, and the big places have their own system for us to use.

I also have a larger rack with with a separate amp and mixer, processors, monitors, etc., which I thought we needed to be heard, but it rarely leaves my garage. I'll need it when we hit the road someday, but the extra fooling around doesn't make a great difference in the final sound. With our usual setup, we connect the cables, turn it on, make a few adjustments, and play, which is all we really want to do..

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Hey Woody, our bluegrass band used the Bose PAS for a short time and I can tell everyone out there, it doesn't work worth diddly on the one mic set-up. We used the AT-4033 mic. We had way too much feedback when the system was turned up loud enough to cover the room. It worked great with dynamic mics (Shure SM58's), but then so did our non-powered Mackie board and powered JBL Eon speakers. For the money, the Bose just didn't perform the way it should have. The only good thing about it was the free trial period and money-back including freight guarantee.

[mandofiddle]

Yeah, we tried the one mic thing with the Bose too. Same thing. Feedback. I imagine you'd have to put the tower and subs in front of the mic like normal mains for it to work, but that would defeat the purpose of having the Bose which is supposed to be behind you...