PA for an Eagles Tribute band

[Richard CSL]

I have a group of guys here that are using a pair of Yamaha 15" speakers on stands , with a pair of DB sub bass units. The band is 4 part harmonies plus 4 guitars one of which is a bass.

 

The sound when only singing is ok, and the sound when only playing guitars is ok, but when both happens the 15" seems to struggle with the amount of program source.

 

So I am looking for suggestions for a more suitable setup.

Before we start the room sizes vary , but generally thay are playing to about 200 people on average.

They have tried back line amplification, but due to quick in and out set up times, and no sound engineer , they do it all live themselves on stage.

 

I was thinking along the lines of an HK audio 10" satelites and still use the Db bass bins.

 

or does anybody do a 2 X 10" at about 116 db.

 

Suggestions appreciated. Oh and nothing too heavy as the guys are not the youngest. no disrespect.

nearly forgot , can anybody suggest a decent in ear monitor 4ch system.

[mkfs9]

Bit confussed here. You say the 15 + horn is not good enough, then suggest a 10 1nch. Although better quality not really a solution. For ease and quick set up some powered cabs would be good. RCF spring to mind.

[Jivemaster]

As a base guide I prefer to consider a 12" as a better option than a 15" driver for nicely articulated voice, and I have seen a Bose802 used as tops ( over a mackie 1801) for superb articulation of voice and playback.

 

Look at what is for hire in your location and see what you can hire before buying.

[haymere]

I do get what you are saying, what it is is that the fifteen is crossing over too high and not providing the response you need. You could go one of two ways.

 

1. Nexo PS10's x 4 and two Ls500 subs

2. Turbosound TQ445 which are 12 inch/6.5 inch/1 inch and your existing subs

 

mark

[KidRay]

Not sure I can help with specific suggestions here, but a few questions need to be asked before any sensible recommendations can be made:

 

Are there any backing tracks or is it just guitars/vocals?

Acoustic or electric guitars or a combination?

Which model speakers are they using at the moment? Are the Yamahas powered or passive?

Are they using the crossover in the dB subs or something else?

 

At first glance it does appear that the system may be a little bass heavy for the intended material, but just guessing without more info.

[cameroncoats]

HK audio active 12"'s are very good.

They also make a system called the elias, which is 2 12" tops and 2 15" bass bins.

[Trunker]

Its all to do with the amount of money you have available to spend isn't it?! I would recommend either Nexo set-up for unpowered or Kv2 ex series set-up for powered. Kv2 will handle what you want with ease and give headroom. Of course, your not going to get these for three figures though.

[swampman]

Hallo R.CSL

Are you looking at importing the speakers or to buy from local shops ? This factor will also influence since you should be able to go with reference CDs and listen...

 

Stress on the system and loss of clarity also arises -as you analyze - when you have uncompressed vocals and live instruments - some of the later analog Yamaha desks (EMX) have compressors and you could try to control the levels from saturating the mix and pushing the output too much this way, certain models (used to) have a lo output at up to 150Hz - so you could use the bass cabinets on a seperate feed.

 

For clarity I've found15"+horns to be not "clear enough" at vocal/guitar uses, though good for punch on bass when you do not want to lug bass bins around, but for more than 2 musicians (+good backing) this would be insufficient anyway so I agree with your idea of "satellite" systems which I start using at this point (15+10+horn/tweeters)

 

HK self powered Actor series is compact but does not sound good if too much is demanded of it - the sound becomes washy and unclear - as exampled by one local company doing small heavy rock gigs with that kit, however fret stringed folklore is fine even up to 16 musicians with singers (with digital desks).

Plastic RCF boxes can sound really good with 2 on tripods even in open air (2 musicians) but I have not heard the next level up with suitable bass bins.

 

I have recently been pleasantly surprised at speakers with Neodynium magnets, lighter evidently but also lighter on bass (just to start an exchange of opinions ;-0 ) - but that is an aside comment because of the ease of raising lighter speakers onto poles/tripods, one thing which does backs in.

[Matt Riley]

In terms of IEM rigs, you could always go for a 4 - way rack of Sennheiser EW300, which would be the de facto way of doing it. If you're a bit more stuck on budget, I've had some success using these for wired IEMs though they are a bit on the quiet side. I think next time I do it I will be using these from Thomann.

 

WRT speakers, it all depends on your budget and what you can get in your country easily. I will say that an ACTOR rig is not particularly compact light compared to, say a PS10 or RCF Art 712 + subs rig, both of which are options I'd heartily recommend. You might even find that some of the super high power 8 inch tops when coupled with appropriate subs would do a good job for your audience sizes - perhaps the D&B E8 (129dB, 7.3 kg) or the RCF TT08a (128 dB, 11.4kg).

[Scottish_AV_in London]

I have a group of guys here that are using a pair of Yamaha 15" speakers on stands , with a pair of DB sub bass units. The band is 4 part harmonies plus 4 guitars one of which is a bass.

 

The sound when only singing is ok, and the sound when only playing guitars is ok, but when both happens the 15" seems to struggle with the amount of program source.

 

So I am looking for suggestions for a more suitable setup.

Before we start the room sizes vary , but generally thay are playing to about 200 people on average.

They have tried back line amplification, but due to quick in and out set up times, and no sound engineer , they do it all live themselves on stage.

 

I was thinking along the lines of an HK audio 10" satelites and still use the Db bass bins.

 

or does anybody do a 2 X 10" at about 116 db.

 

Suggestions appreciated. Oh and nothing too heavy as the guys are not the youngest. no disrespect.

nearly forgot , can anybody suggest a decent in ear monitor 4ch system.

 

Hi There,

 

I have to agree that its the same old when it comes to kit... how much cash do you have, and I encounter this issue regularly with hire too!!

 

I personally would recommend the Fohhn Xperience Series IV PA system. Its a 4kw active systems with 18" bins (neodynium) and 12" Mid high cabinets with a 1.5" CD for the crisp top end. The boxes give a really warm sound, because they are really well designed and being active, the XT4 tops have Fohhns DSP programmed into them with various preset options.

 

Again with the IEM's its all down to cash however I would hold off on the purchase just now, as with the frequency switchover the Channel 69/70 one will pretty much become obsolete (and most probably illegal) after the digital change. But I have to agree with above, Sennheiser ew300 are great. They have a good range, and give a good response with the right headphones. However the Shure ranges is comparably on the same page, it all depends on your brand preference!

[cedd]

To bring things down to earth with a bump here. I guess the OP doesn't really want to go spending cash on a completely new system. He suggested adding a pair of tops to the existing subs.

 

What about keeping the existing system as is. Stacking the 15's on top of the subs, with a new pair of 12's on top? Route the band through the 15's and subs, with vocals through the 12's. Now everything is working more comfortably without being pushed, you get the clarity of 12's on the vocals, but don't have to get expensive loud 12's that'll cope with all the band too.

[KidRay]

If you're looking for something small and light you could do worse than audition the RCF TT-08/TTS-12 system discussed in this thread