D&B C series

[RustyBrooks]

Even when you know what you're doing (the system tech who put the Lampy Soca into the V-DOSC on the X-Factor tour, anyone..!), if you're not particularly knowledgable about high end systems, then the likliehood of making very, very costly mistakes is simply heightened.

 

Stage managment, when did this happen, which year, which tour, and whos kit? Honestly, I see people jump on a thread to make somone look a little stupid, just because they are new, and quote stuff that isn't true! I know of no instances where the "lapmpie soca" has been plugged into the v-dosc! this would be impossible for the audio hire company involved... all the socas would be loomed together, and be pretty seperate from the way that the lighting would run theirs! I, yet again, am disgraced by the mis-information purpotrated by people on this website trying to make them selves look knowledgable! You heard from who that this happended.... don't talk utter ######! makes me furiously angry.... you dis a job, people know who the hire company is, and then think that they are a little bit cheap/useless/inexperienced... words that would never be used to descirbe the company that does this tour, and, I know, the people that work with them will know who they are! Please, as I have said before on this site, GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT before attempting to make yourself look clever!!!

 

PM me if you want to know more/have any accurated information Stagemanagement

[Simon Lewis]

John,

 

I'm sorry, but some of these post replies really piss me off.

 

I'd suggest the OP has been given some good advice. Using high end PA equipment is a little bit like driving a high end motor car - you have to have a certain level of skill and understanding to get the best out of it. Rather than see a poster make what might be an expensive mistake, various people have suggested he understood some speaker basics first. They are trying to help, not insult him.

 

Simon

[soundiesam]

I have to agree with Simon, having read the OP's profile he works for KFC he announces that he is a newbie, C series is serious kit a couple points id like to point out:

 

a. D&B is incredibly expensive,

b. as Simon said D&B is incredibly unforgiving it is designed to be the best so a newbie will have issues with it simply because if something sounds bad it will sound bad

c. is this a serious question OP? Do you seriously have the Money to pay for it?

 

If the answer OP is yes to comment c I'd be more than happy to help you out and discuss this, but if this is a situation where your saying to us, Well this is what I want I cant afford it though this is a waste of time asking these type of questions. TBH if you want a PA and you are just starting out I'd suggest going for something like a mackie self powered system which I believe will help you start out.

I started my career mixing on a unbranded desk, unbranded speakers and TBH with you that was a great start because if you cant handle using the crap bottom of the bottom equipment you have no use to sound companies, If I employ a freelancer I need to know that he/ she can cope with any standard of Kit, so as I say if you want to buy a system and you are truely a newbie I believe that C4 is not for you.

 

I hope that people agree with what I have said but thats my honest opinion

 

Sam

[johndenim]

Yeah, maybe I should feel a bit foolish.

 

Sometimes I go off on one and that day happened to be "the one"!

I started on sound at 17 with reel to reel analogue everything, since then really self taught.

 

I really believe there are some top blokes on here and I don't like it when someone who knows a lot about something ridicules someone who knows nothing.

 

You maybe right with your 'c' question Sam, I would not look into a D&B rig for myself.

A. I don't need that kind of kit.

B. I would probably struggle to use it!

C. I definitely don't have the funds for it!!!

 

John Denim.

[willtom]

Thank you all for your input. Sam, one of my questions in this post was what price range am I looking at for this equipment, unfortunately, I don't have that much money, so any answers related directly to the c7/c4 diffrence are appreciated, but not going to affect me over the next few months. However, the advice about speaker dispersion patterns, and not rushing into anything too pricey, is all very helpful. It is great that the guys with experience and knowledge can take the time to help out those of us just starting on the way, and tell of how they started out.

Personally, I started on an A&H Icon in v bad condition, through a dare amp & speakers a couple of years ago. I now use a Behringer 3282 through whatever speakers I can get hold of. I am looking to spend £2-5000 over the next few months getting a better desk, and reasonable speaker system that will serve me well enough for now. So, to drop a new question in here, which pieces of equipment would you recommend as most necessary for purchase or upgrade first? Desk, FOH speakers/amps, monitors, larger range of mics (beyond SM57/58), outboard effects or all those little things you hire in (multicore cable, stands, power distro and the like)? Which of these are better to keep hiring in? If this is going too far off topic then sorry and I will ask elsewhere.

[Ben Langfeld]

If you don't always use the same sort of venue, you will probably be best off hiring in racks and stacks to suit each one, rather than trying a one size fits all solution - one size does not fit all! A desk is also a large investment, and seeing as you have one that works, I would keep hold of that, and hire in when it is not suitable. If it was my personal money, I would buy the little things that you use all the time. The most common mics (don't go buying obscure stuff that isn't rider friendly or is only useable for one thing - keep it flexible), stands, cables; and all the accessories - tape, sharpies, etc.

 

When you do look to invest in a desk, digital is the only way to go these days. *hides*

[soundiesam]

Digital is not the only way to go these days!!!!!

that is all im gonna say on that matter

[Sirch Sound]

Digital is not the only way to go these days!!!!!

that is all im gonna say on that matter

 

Well without opening this can of worms again, put it this way. I have a very nice A&H Gl2400 which I love to bits. However when I come to upgrade it im looking at an LS9 or M7. Its not the only way forwards, but its looking to be the more logical way.

 

And im going to stop as were drifting off topic now.

 

Rich

[Doug Siddons]

The only thing I would add to the digital/analogue debate, when you are starting out as the OP is, is that when you buy a digital desk you get an awful lot of outboard included for your money, my tascam dm24 has comps and limiters and gates on 16channels, limiters on the other 8 and two effects engines on board, in hardware terms thats 12u of outboard I didn't have to buy at start up

[bigglesuk]

The only thing I would add to the digital/analogue debate, when you are starting out as the OP is, is that when you buy a digital desk you get an awful lot of outboard included for your money, my tascam dm24 has comps and limiters and gates on 16channels, limiters on the other 8 and two effects engines on board, in hardware terms thats 12u of outboard I didn't have to buy at start up

True, you don't have to buy all the outboard and no, you don't have to lug around an outboard rack as well. Thing is, you have to look at who is going to use the desk. If it is going to be the same person or a few people who will know the digital desk and be able to do quick sound checks then go for digital. However, if the desk is to be used by many other people who may struggle to pick up the UI, an analogue desk may be better.

 

Most people have given pretty good advice. If you have changing venues then going for a FOH stack may not be wise. You could maybe look to monitors more than FOH. Do most of your gigs require monitors? If so then get some, get some boxes that are dedicated monitors and also some that are dual function FOH/Wedge. That way you could have a small FOH & Monitor rig for your smaller gigs, then for your larger ones you could hire in the FOH and use all your speakers for monitors saving on that dry hire charge.

 

You want to buy the stuff that you will use the most and make the most money on.

 

 

Adam

[Dicky]

D&B offer a couple of free seminars which may be a good place to start.

Rather than being a sales pitch, it's an in-depth look into how sound itself works.

 

http://www.dbaudio.com/en/education/semina...raining_day_gb/

 

for much more details..

 

I can highly recommend this, as a day to day user of D&B, it's also worth noting that it's pitched at a level that can be understood by people who have a limited technical knowledge.

 

Dicky

[SoLiEn]

C4 has a nominal dispersion of 35 x 35 degrees, while C7 is a 75 x 40 degree box. Both are exactly the same size and roughly the same weight, and C7 are often used as part of large stacks of C4 as infill.

 

Ok, what are the advantages/disadvatages of a larger or smaller dispersion? Does a larger dispersion generally offer greater audience coverage? At what expense?

Thanks

 

 

You don't know the answer to such an obvious question, yet you're considering buying a pricey and high quality system?

 

 

Hmm

 

 

Thats the questions I was sort of tip toeing around in my previous post.

[Ben Langfeld]

Digital is not the only way to go these days!!!!!

that is all im gonna say on that matter

 

I knew it wouldn't take long

[stagemanagement]

Thank you all for your input. Sam, one of my questions in this post was what price range am I looking at for this equipment, unfortunately, I don't have that much money, so any answers related directly to the c7/c4 diffrence are appreciated, but not going to affect me over the next few months. However, the advice about speaker dispersion patterns, and not rushing into anything too pricey, is all very helpful. It is great that the guys with experience and knowledge can take the time to help out those of us just starting on the way, and tell of how they started out.

Personally, I started on an A&H Icon in v bad condition, through a dare amp & speakers a couple of years ago. I now use a Behringer 3282 through whatever speakers I can get hold of. I am looking to spend £2-5000 over the next few months getting a better desk, and reasonable speaker system that will serve me well enough for now. So, to drop a new question in here, which pieces of equipment would you recommend as most necessary for purchase or upgrade first? Desk, FOH speakers/amps, monitors, larger range of mics (beyond SM57/58), outboard effects or all those little things you hire in (multicore cable, stands, power distro and the like)? Which of these are better to keep hiring in? If this is going too far off topic then sorry and I will ask elsewhere.

 

If I was in your position, I'd be looking to pick up a Yamaha LS9 (32 channel) as cheap as I could.

That's going to give you a decent sized desk, with an awful lot of processing power inside - gates, comps, EQ's etc.

I'd look to spend whatever was left over on Beta 57's and 58's (workhorses and never raise an eyebrow from clients), an AKG Drum Set (or Sennheiser, Shure etc), and a couple of decent condensers to avoid having to use the C1000's (I know, I know, it's a personal thing..!), and a few DI's (Active ones).

The suggestion for picking up your own "monitor world" kit is also a good one, as FOH racks & stacks (as mentioned) is more easily hired in at better value to your business.

[MarkPAman]

As this thread is wondering about so , I'll add a little more randomness ;)

 

I am looking to spend £2-5000.

 

If I was in your position, I'd be looking to pick up a Yamaha LS9 (32 channel) as cheap as I could.

I'd look to spend whatever was left over on Beta 57's and 58's ............<list of other stuff>

 

I'm thinking of getting an LS9-32 soon. So, if you know where I can get one & have enough change from £5000 to buy even one SM58, or more to the point a case for the desk, then please let me know.