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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | I am considering purchasing a small PA system. I want to use it for an occasional gig with Brad and I playing acoustics and singing. Once in a blue moon I might want to use it for a small band with drums and bass, nothing major, no mic’ing the drums or such, and for smaller rooms. Portability and ease of transport are important to me. I kind of like the looks of the small Yamaha powered mixers like the Yamaha EMX312SC (300 watt) or the smaller EMX212S 200 watt system. I am leaning towards Yamaha cabs with either 10” or 12” speakers. I have a couple of questions:
(1) is 200 or 300 watts enough for our needs? Is it too much?
(2) For a small room or a practice session can I use just one speaker? Or will it be like an out-of-balance washing machine and go wobbling across the room? Will it hurt the amp using just one speaker?
(3) Is a ten-inch speaker too small for what I want to do?
I would appreciate your thoughts and opinions.
thanks |
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Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | They are both stereo mixers so you need to have speakers going to each side. Also the power is double 300/200 per side so the total power out is 600/400. |
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July 2005
Posts: 150
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada | Check 'em out: http://centauramp.com/acoustic2.html |
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November 2005
Posts: 111
Location: Southern California | Plenty o' power either way. 10 vs. 12? It used to be, the bigger, the better the bottom end. Not so much anymore. Best advice? Go down to ye' 'ol music shop and sample both, then decide which fits your needs. Make sure to have the sales guy play something through it appropriate to what you'll put through it, not what shows off the system best. And yes, a stereo amp requires you hook up both sides or bad things can happen. The amp powers both channels when it's turned on, and if you don't give it somewhere to send that power, things can melt. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Brian,
I use this one Kustom Profile System One for my gigs at the Rest Homes with my Church Band. I also use it for outdoor Weddings and other gatherings. I really like it and have no complaints about it at all. Plenty of inputs/outputs and power and it has a roller case like a piece of luggage that it all fits into and away you go! Look around and you can get one for less than $500 easily. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Toronto | You might want to consider active speakers and a mixing board (instead of the power board). Might be more practical, and easier to throw in the trunk!
I like Behringer boards (power or not) and have had lots of luck with their truth active speakers. IT's decent quality for my needs and the price is excellent. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=live/product/reviews/base_pid...
Bose system is good for small venues and if you are playing acoustic. I don't know how it would intarct with drums. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | The Bose PAS system is NICE, but pricey. It also kind of limits you to the amount of inputs it'll effectively service. Great for solo gigs, but each subsequent band member should have their OWN unit. (I don't think it has any reverb, either.)
Rick and I use my old 5-channel 200W Peavey (mono) powered head and a pair of Peavey cabs w/10's (and a horn) in each. Barebones, but get's us paid.
If it were me, I'd go 300W with the 12's.
Powered speakers are good 'cause they free up a lot of "stagespace" with just a mixer, but keep in mind that you'll need the "testicular fortitude" to heft 'em up onto the poles, and hump them out to your car (at 2am). I might consider them if I ever had to re-equip. I've heard some Mackie's that sounded really nice.
If you're vacillating between the 200-300W thing, go to 3. It's better to have "too much" and not use it (and have the headroom), than to be in that big, noisy room (or outdoor gig) and wish you "had it".
just my $0.002. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | those peavey's are nice. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Yeah, but it's too much stooping over and finding/twisting the right knob (in low light) when I need to make an adjustment. I'd prefer to just look down at a mixer-type setup (I'm more "visually-oriented"). Plus, I'd like t'have something with a bit more effects.
Lately, I've been thinking that I can "get by" with just a National and my big f@ckin' yap . . . . :-) |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Anyone have any experience with the Fender Passport systems? |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Yep. They sound like all the other thin sounding, underpowered, poorly speakered 'portable' PA systems. I have yet to hear one really suitable for guitar/vocals, other than the Bose (which, being Bose, is of course overpriced...).
You'll get better quality of sound and power with a powered mixer (flat or head-style) and some decent cabs (with stands!).
Just my .0015. |
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Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | Originally posted by cliff:
Lately, I've been thinking that I can "get by" with just a National and my big f@ckin' yap . . . . :-) ...Now appearing, 1/2 off the Two Man Group. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | . . . it's been done . . . |
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Advice on small PA system
