Any suggestions for PA Gear?

[ajhayes]

Hey all, I was wondering if you guys had any reccomendations for some PA gear for performances.

My group will consist of an acoustic guitar, a mandolin, an acoustic bass, and a drum set or congas. I would really like to stay below 600 dollars, however, I'm open to different options.

Thanks for any advice!

[catmandu2]

Welcome to cafe aj-

One other thing you'll need to mention--at least as important as what instruments you'll be amping: what venues (size, shape) are you playing?

Also, there's an "Equipment" category just above this one--probably better for gear-related stuff

[Treblemaker]

The number one thing I'd advise (after 25+ years of experience playing gigs):
There are a variety of excellent, not too expensive, integrated and powerful PA Boxes from companies like Mackie, Yamaha, Peavey, Carvin, Beringer and others that provide for both Main and Monitor Mixes (some with onboard EQ and effects).

Using one of these is much easier, more convenient and poses less of a load in/out challenge than going hi tech and having to schlepp a power amp, mixer and outboard eq/preamps etc. I own the latter and the former is much easier to manage.

This being said - I'd also reccomend getting one of these with as many low-impedance inputs as you can afford.

I play in a six piece band with 3 singers and we've found that 8 channels is not quite enough to provide us with what we need so we are on the hunt for what I described above with at least 9 Low-Z inputs.

Otherwise - a good pair of Mains that aren't too heavy to handle, decent monitors and a set of SM57s and SM58s would be a very good starting point (plus cables, stands and mic clips).....

[jab]

I'm on my 4th Carvin system over 25 years. They work and sound good, have good effects, power, are portable and affordable, and somewhat idiot-proof. They even answer the phone when you call them with questions or problems and walk you through solutions. Probably hard to beat for the price. I've got a large system for large gigs and a smaller powered mixer for the rehearsal/small gigs.

[Mandobart]

This is a great discussion, as I'm considering the same purchase. I have a local music store that rents various PA's out at $60 to $100 per day, so I'm trying these out to get an idea of what I like first. Definitely do a search on the equipment forum; there have been lots of threads on this.

[dcoventry]

For just a few extra dollars, you can get a full Meyer self powered line array system!

Actually, it's more than a few dollars, but even the banjo will sound good...if you want it to!

http://www.meyersound.com/products/mseries/milo/

[G7MOF]

I work with an Irish band in the UK, everything we have instrument wise is accoustic, Our PA is a Mackie 808 1200watt system, It gives us a great natural accoustic sound and handles a bodhran drum and a bass guitar as well.