Help me, help a dying social club get a PA setup to bring it back to life.

[TheBigLongy]

Howdy all.

I am currently in the process of trying to help my local social club get back on its feet. Sadly it hasn't been doing so well for the past few years and those in charge have run out of ideas and steam. Upon visiting and seeing just how in need they are I have decided to use up the last of my free time to attempt to bring the locals back in and hopefully revitalise it. Its a passion project for me as I grew up there many years ago when my parents were Steward/stewardess and it was full pretty much every night. I know times have changed...most members clubs are on their way out, but for me, these were the heart of the community and seeing it closing its doors as it is unable to get the footfall needed to keep the doors open, just breaks my heart.

I, many moons ago, put on gigs there, the main hall has a seated capacity of 150 and will hold 200 standing comfortably (rectangular room, high suspended ceiling, wood dance floor and tiled seating area). Also has a decent size stage, bug enough to fit my old band including Drums, Bass, 2 guitarists, 2 Keyboardists and Singer...it was tight but manageable ** laughs out loud **.

Approximate size is 30m x 12m (but that's a figure off the top of my head, must measure properly.

My old JBL rig would fill that space no issue...but that is long gone.

I am looking to help them out by buying a PA rig myself, on a budget (£2-3k for PA and £2k for mixer, snake and mics) I still have some mics. Loads of microphone cable and XLRs to make cables myself. I still have some outboard compressors, effects units, behringer ultracurve and other bits that I am happy to use alongside it all.

I would prefer a system I can pretty much leave in place, so don't mind 2x18 subs (passive or active) the main thing is obviously it needs to be able to do the job for live bands, solo and duo artists, dj's and so on. Mixer wise I am thinking of a behringer x32 compact and digital snake to keep cable runs easy.

I have a couple of friends in some decent bands and have the possibility of getting a signed band or two in to help the cause. As well as a few djs.

Any help, suggestions you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks, Chris.

 

 

[Alec]

Any decent 12" over 18" (or even 15") system would be as good, if not better, than most social clubs have.  As budget is tight, something like Yamaha DXR or RCF ART 700 series would do a reasonable job.

Glad you're thinking X32 & digital stagebox.  That means you can forget any outboard - that would would be a complete waste of time, as well as adding a load of unneccessary cabling and bulk at FOH.

Don't most social club bands tend to bring along their own PA, though?

What about lighting?

[cedd]

If you're looking new then I really rate Thomann's Achat range. For the money they're very good. 

 

[TheBigLongy]

11 minutes ago, Alec said:

Any decent 12" over 18" (or even 15") system would be as good, if not better, than most social clubs have.  As budget is tight, something like Yamaha DXR or RCF ART 700 series would do a reasonable job.

Glad you're thinking X32 & digital stagebox.  That means you can forget any outboard - that would would be a complete waste of time, as well as adding a load of unneccessary cabling and bulk at FOH.

Don't most social club bands tend to bring along their own PA, though?

What about lighting?

Thanks for the suggestions, I shall check those out.

 

Yeah most of your usual booked in artists have their own pa. But I am looking to put on some proper gigs in there including some touring bands where possible. So looking to get a rig in there that will serve the purpose on a budget but satisfy those who appreciate a good sound (I know for most part that is down to the band and engineer, however the less effort needed to get a good sound is likely to make for a more pleasant experience for those tasked with the job).

 

[TheBigLongy]

4 minutes ago, cedd said:

If you're looking new then I really rate Thomann's Achat range. For the money they're very good. 

 

I have seen the Achat systems on thomann... did wonder if they were any good. I shall give them a nose 🙂

thanks.

[Stuart91]

X32 definitely makes sense for bands etc. but maybe factor in a smaller/simpler analogue mixer for events with basic requirements. 

[TheBigLongy]

22 minutes ago, Stuart91 said:

X32 definitely makes sense for bands etc. but maybe factor in a smaller/simpler analogue mixer for events with basic requirements. 

I have a small mackie that is suitable for smaller events 🙂 I also have a Crest x18rm monitor mixer in my studio that may come in handy.

[sunray]

10 hours ago, Stuart91 said:

X32 definitely makes sense for bands etc. but maybe factor in a smaller/simpler analogue mixer for events with basic requirements. 

Thank heavens I'm not the only one to have this thought.

[kerry davies]

Do yourself a favour and fill out your profile a bit more fully. Who knows but you might be neighbours with members who can help? 

Last time I looked Wales was the size of at least one whole Wales. 

[J Pearce]

I'd be looking at a half decent used PA and amp rack that lives in, with maybe a DJ mixer for BGM and vocal mic. Install some CAT5 lines to any sensible mix position, then add in mixer/snake/mics as needed event by event.
Lots of the artists that do that sort of gig have their own setup in any case, and are used to either setting up their whole rig or plugging their mixer into the venue system.

An X32 compact with stagebox and basic mic/stand/cable package will sort band nights, which realistically is probably 2 nights a week at most.

Realistically, gear won't revive a venue. Good programming that engages the local population will. 

[TheBigLongy]

7 hours ago, kerry davies said:

Do yourself a favour and fill out your profile a bit more fully. Who knows but you might be neighbours with members who can help? 

Last time I looked Wales was the size of at least one whole Wales. 

Haha... I shall take that on-board, thank you 🙂

[TheBigLongy]

6 hours ago, J Pearce said:

I'd be looking at a half decent used PA and amp rack that lives in, with maybe a DJ mixer for BGM and vocal mic. Install some CAT5 lines to any sensible mix position, then add in mixer/snake/mics as needed event by event.
Lots of the artists that do that sort of gig have their own setup in any case, and are used to either setting up their whole rig or plugging their mixer into the venue system.

An X32 compact with stagebox and basic mic/stand/cable package will sort band nights, which realistically is probably 2 nights a week at most.

Realistically, gear won't revive a venue. Good programming that engages the local population will. 

The system will pretty much be an install job...with the odd excursion. The outside of the club has quite a sizable car park which would be ideal for a little outdoor summer gig/fundraiser, should the chance arrive. This being the case I will aim to get some easily accessible network ports installed to suit.

Definitely going to go for either then x32 compact with stagebox or possibly the full x32....if I can find one used for a reasonable price. I do have a few sm57/58, sennheiser clip on drum mics, beta kick mic and some others bits (crest audio x18rm monitor mixer) that may come in handy to fill some gaps if required. I would happily go for an analogue mixer providing I can set up a permanent line box, I have some spare along with cables and connectors in my storage.

Whilst most bands will likely have some sort of PA, I really don't want to rely on anyone else. I am reasonably competent as an engineer and many moons ago I had a jbl rig that I used to accompany to various venues...the vast majority of bands I engineered were very complimentary about the sound and monitoring, so as long as my ears are still up to scratch and my tech brain is on point, I should hope this will entice a few more to play the venue without worry.

I totally agree with the program. Which is why I am speaking to as many locals as possible (I have a small record shop) so this gives me a little bit of a captive audience when it comes to getting an idea of what people are looking for. Also being a gig goer with a bunch of friends/family, I know how important it is to get good artists of various genres and also give some opportunities to local bands. I am not expecting miracles and I am quite realistic about the fact that this place may not be revived...but similarly I am quite looking forward to trying and possibly getting my hands back on the board.

My day to day job I love without doubt, so it won't replace that, but it will be a pleasant change, even though I remember just how awkward some artists can be ** laughs out loud **.

Currently I am looking at a few options including a wavefront system which is similar to my old rig (at least in size and spl) but will see how that pans out when I get a grip nailing the million and one options down and catching up on the changes over many moons.

 

[J Pearce]

An old wavefront system should handle whatever you can throw at it. Just make sure it's got the right drivers in it, it's old enough now that some of the stock for sale has been modified.

[TheBigLongy]

1 hour ago, J Pearce said:

An old wavefront system should handle whatever you can throw at it. Just make sure it's got the right drivers in it, it's old enough now that some of the stock for sale has been modified.

Defo will check on the drivers 🙂 thanks.

 

Any views on the dbx driverack PA2? Was thinking of that as an all in one speaker management system?

Edited March 16 by TheBigLongy

[Stuart91]

On 3/15/2024 at 4:51 PM, J Pearce said:

 Install some CAT5 lines to any sensible mix position,

Whilst I don't disagree with this at all, some mixers are sticky about the particular flavour of cable. (Shielded vs unshielded is the most common, but who know what'll come up in future)

Many touring engineers won't trust in-house lines for this reason. Whilst installed lines will be great for your own use, it's helpful to have an easy route for cable runs. Things like hooks above doors can save a lot of time and gaff tape. (Whilst being safer in the event of a fire)