Duo looking for a first purchase PA

[Slimchandi]

I'm hoping to start doing some gigs with my girlfriend as an acoustic duo over the next few months, we've just recorded a demo cd. The next step is to purchase a good PA system which can be used for small venues like restaurants, hotels functions and small bars. I'm playing acoustic guitar through a K&K pickup (arriving soon fingers crossed), and she sings but as yet does not have a microphone

 

I would appreciate any advice towards a good system for us. Our sound is quite mellow, reworked covers for a guitar. I'm looking at about an £800 budget but could stretch a little more if it is necessary. I've had a look at the JBL system on the soundcontrol website, any ideas where to go from there?

 

If anyone knows of a good PA vendor where we can go and try out equipment in the York/Leeds area, this would be great as well.

[lightsource]

Look at the Mackie SRM450 active cabs, also available from Sounds Live

[Shez]

I've just had a Studiospares live catalogue supplement through the post; in the back of that there's a "silver PA package" that would probably suit you for £595 + VAT.

Comes with:

• 15" active fortissimo speakers
  
• Spirit SX desk
  
• Leads for speakers
  
• Speaker stands
  
• Stand bags
  

Add an SM58, stand and XLR lead and the whole lot should come in just under £800.

 

Desk is more than adequate for your needs; I've not used those speakers but understand that they're pretty decent.

 

No affiliation with Studiospares, I only mention them as I was just browsing through that catalogue.

[Slimchandi]

Thanks for those opinions, have a few questions.

 

lightsource, as I have no other PA equipment at present, I would also require a mixer in addition to the Mackie wouldn't I? If I did, that's going too far over budget for me really, though I hear Mackie speakers are well regarded.

 

Shez, thanks for passing on that offer, found their webpage for the package (http://www.studiospares.com/pd_250120_STU%20SILVER%20PA%20PACKAGE.htm)

 

Is there going to be much variance in sound from one PA system to the next in the same way you get different sounding guitar amps, or are they all designed to have the same response curves and sound fairly similar? I'm a bit dubious about purchasing a system over the net without hearing it first, but if the difference between systems is likely to be small I could probably settle and buy confidently (and probably with a big discount!).

 

Anyone have other suggestions for me?

 

PS. Also might be looking for a reverb unit as well if they aren't normally built into the mixer

[MarkPAman]

I've just had a Studiospares live catalogue supplement through the post; in the back of that there's a "silver PA package"

 

Or possibly the Bronze package, which would then give the reverb built into the desk. It is a step down from the "silver" but about £100 less.

[Ben Langfeld]

Slimchandi: I get the impression you're asking "if I buy a cheap one will it sound as good as an expensive one?". The answer is really a big fat no. Cheap speakers sound awful. Just something to be mindful of.

 

If, however, your question is "are cabinets designed with a specific tonal/colouration effect in mind?", the answer is, by and large, no (at least not in the way a guitar cabinet is). This is not a definite no, but the job of a guitar cab and a PA cabinet are quite different.

[Simon Lewis]

This is not a definite no, but the job of a guitar cab and a PA cabinet are quite different.

 

Amplifying further the good comments that Root has made, guitar cabinets will deliberately introduce distortion - e.g. the use of narrow voice coil formers so that the action of the loudspeaker cone is non pistonic and gives rise to a number of harmonics, or the use of open back cabinets to restrict low frequencies and lack of high frequency units to further restrict frequency response.

 

With PA cabs, you want the sound going in to be the same as the sound that is reproduced. In fact this can be quite hard to achieve, for a host of reasons to detailed to go into now.

 

Spending the extra money will make a difference, and the better kit is more likely to retain some value should you decide to sell up later on.

 

Simon

[Slimchandi]

Slimchandi: I get the impression you're asking "if I buy a cheap one will it sound as good as an expensive one?". The answer is really a big fat no. Cheap speakers sound awful. Just something to be mindful of.

 

If, however, your question is "are cabinets designed with a specific tonal/colouration effect in mind?", the answer is, by and large, no (at least not in the way a guitar cabinet is). This is not a definite no, but the job of a guitar cab and a PA cabinet are quite different.

 

It's the second one I am veering too (though I would probably be happy if the first one were true). The other two worlds I am more familiar with are hifi and amplifiers, which AFAIK both attempt to accentuate certain frequencies to get a particular type of sound (which some like and some don't). If PA is more concerned with flat response, and leaves the overall EQ to the guy behind the desk, then it would make my life a bit easier!

 

I am concerned with price, but do you think I could get a decent setup with the budget I am on that also leaves room to expand and add better components? I post on a few AV/home cinema fora, where people tend to buy "all in one" systems that leave no upgrade path. It seems like PA is a little different in this respect.

[StevieR]

With only an £800 budget for all the bits I wouldn't think that you are going to get more than a budget system. To get hi-fi quality sound you are generally needing to be looking at parting with a few thousand.

 

I must admit to not being a JBL fan these days. I haven't heard everything in their current range but from what I have heard I have been less than impressed.

 

Mackie cabinets are everywhere. However, my personal impression is that although they are relatively powerful, their sound can be a little on the harsh side to say the least and probably nor suitable to a guitar/vocal duo.

 

I'm honestly not sure what to suggest at your price bracket but I would strongly advise that you audition any system before purchase. Make sure that you take some CD's along with music that you know well for comparison.

 

hth

 

Steve