PA Setup for function/pub band

[martinr82]

Firstly Hello everyone http://forums.prosoundweb.com/Smileys/default/smiley.gif

 

I posted this on PSW, however I didnt get much of a response (not sure if I was asking the right questions)

 

I am in a band (rock) and we are going to start playing at weddings and parties etc, up to 250 people. A bit of background on the band, I use electronic drums, 1 lead vocalist, 1 backing vocalist, 2 guitarists (who have their own amps) and a bass guitarist.

 

I am looking at the following setup and wanted to know if the setup is going to cut it and also if I am purchasing the right equipment for the job. I also must stress that it needs to be as portable as possible without sounding rubbish.

 

I already have a Mackie Onyx 1640i as the mixer and this is what I am looking at purchasing:

 

2x EV ZX5

2x JBL SRX718s

2x Yamaha P7000S

1x Yamaha P2500S

1x EV DC One

 

Obviously with the electronic drums, its an absolute necessity for a decent PA and at most I will take a DI from the bass through the PA, so it will be drums, vocals and bass through the PA

 

I will be bi-amping the ZX5s hence the P2500S amp. For smaller gigs I will more than likely only use the ZX5s and alter the crossover point on the DC One.

 

I hope the above makes sense and if anyone can offer any advice or notice any "gotchas" in there, I would appreciate it.

 

The reason I have chosen Yamahas over the EV brand amps is just simply a cost saving, unless someone has some very bad experiences with Yamaha amps?

 

I guess the main points I need clarifying are:

 

1) Are the amps going to be enough for the job?

2) would the SRX718s be enough to "support" the ZX5s

3) Any suggestions on alternative kit if opinions on the EV equipment chosen are bad?

4) Price is an obvious concern, can this kind of setup be achieved with better quality for a cheaper price?

5) Does the setup of the DC One assume that you have all your amps turned up full and then adjust the output to each amp accordingly so you dont kill the horns?

6) Can someone suggest a smaller amplifier than the P2500S to power the horns or am I bang on the money with this choice of amplifier?

 

Of course my ideal would be something like a Nexo PS10 system, but this is some serious amount of money and I am always very very wary of buying any secondhand speakers incase they have been abused.

 

Many thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions.

 

Regards

 

Martin

[J Pearce]

Why pair the EVs with the JBL subs?

I'd recommend listening to the JBL tops (712M), or the EV subs (maybe the active SBA760 or the passive ELX118?); an integrated system can look a lot smarter, hold better resale value and often sound better too.

 

Also, if you're using a sub why choose 15" + horns? The only usual reason for 15s is better bass response, so if you're using a sub as well go for 12s (or even 10s) which will give a clearer mid range and probably cost less too!

[martinr82]

Hi J Pearce

 

Thanks for the response. The only reason for choosing EV tops is that going on past experience I have always liked the sound of EV tops and I have been let down by JBLs before. Also the other reason for choosing 15" tops is so that for small gigs I dont need the subs, but I am also having reservations about that, because of the electronic drums.

 

Another point is that the SBA760s weigh over 40Kgs each. Of course at the gig I will have help from the band, but not when I get home, so I didnt want to be seeing a chiropractor every few weeks.

 

I wanted to avoid active speakers purely so that I can be in complete control of the sound and know what my gear is doing just by glancing down at the amp rack, its a personal preference more than anything

 

Regards

 

Martin

[J Pearce]

The SBA760s are heavy beasts I'll give you that, but the SRXs aren't featherweights.

 

I'd advise investigating what options EV have in passive subs. Or, to mix things up a bit look at Martin Audio and Turbosound who both have some good passive kit that will compete with the EV ranges.

I would also advise dropping to 12s or 10s for your tops and for smaller gigs you could always take just the one sub. The increase in vocal clarity is quite noticeable in my experience.

[ChazHS]

The SBA760s are heavy beasts I'll give you that, but the SRXs aren't featherweights.

 

I'd advise investigating what options EV have in passive subs. Or, to mix things up a bit look at Martin Audio and Turbosound who both have some good passive kit that will compete with the EV ranges.

I would also advise dropping to 12s or 10s for your tops and for smaller gigs you could always take just the one sub. The increase in vocal clarity is quite noticeable in my experience.

 

 

I have to agree with the 10" being better for mid (vocal) response, they do however lack in the bass department, so if you ever plan on using just your mid-tops I'd stick with the 12"s.

[Takeiteasy]

'' would the SRX718s be enough to "support" the ZX5s ''

Yes, but they need quite a bit of power to get them going :)

[martinr82]

right ok

 

A lot to think about.

 

If anyone knows somewhere with SRX712Ms on demo let me know

 

I guess an alternative to the SRX712M would be an EV ZX3?

 

Would using 12" tops with 18" subs provide enough power for a wedding venue with a capacity of 200 people?

 

I know these are a lot of questions, but I just want to make sure I spend the right amount of money in the right places.

 

Many Thanks

 

Martin

 

'' would the SRX718s be enough to "support" the ZX5s ''

Yes, but they need quite a bit of power to get them going :)

 

OK, that is good news. I never put much thought into the resale value of the gear, but now J Pearce has mentioned it, I may be going all JBL (if I can find somewhere that has them on demo) or all EV.

 

 

Then again, if I did not, would the Yamaha P7000S be enough for the job, bearing in mind that I would be using one Yamaha P7000S for the subs and then one P7000S for the mid?

[Takeiteasy]

I've owned the SRX 712, 715, 718, 725 & the 728, ALL fantastic cabinets and rate very highly.

 

Oh and those 712's are LOUD ! will keep up with a 718 with ease ;)

[martinr82]

I've owned the SRX 712, 715, 718, 725 & the 728, ALL fantastic cabinets and rate very highly.

 

Oh and those 712's are LOUD ! will keep up with a 718 with ease ;)

 

Again, excellent news, but would it be enough for a 200 capacity venue or am I going to run out of steam?

 

Thanks

 

Martin

[Takeiteasy]

Your be fine ** laughs out loud ** trust me..... we have hired that system out to dance promoters covering 200cap venues and they really do give the system(s) some crap ;) Remember thou those bins need a good 1000w + per bin and use JBL's crossover settings / PEQ settings... makes a world of difference

[martinr82]

OK, I am just looking into importing from the States because the prices I have been quoted by actually calling the shops in the US are exactly half the price, its just the shipping cost is extortionate. Having said that, it will still be a 15% saving on the total cost once you factor in shipping, import duty, VAT blah blah blah

 

 

Would a EV DC One fit the bill for crossover or would a dbx DR 260 do the same job?

[smalljoshua]

A Behringer DCX2496 would do the job for this system. It's one of behringer's better offerings.

 

Josh

[Takeiteasy]

Look for a used XTA .... your only end up buying one one day anyway ** laughs out loud **

Worth its weight in gold

[David A]

Follow the instructions on gain structure from Mackie or Yamaha , wrong gain structure will stuff up the sound from even the best gear and good gain structure will optimize your dynamic range and noise levels.

[paulears]

If you are importing, just check the UK guarantee situation - getting repairs on a product thousands of miles away from the dealer can be fraught with danger.

 

If you can pay the freight charge and then the VAT and still be better off, to be honest, I'd be surprised. I bought some kit recently and the end price would have been better purchased here.