Help with a Live Audio Setup

[LakAttack]

I'm helping someone set up a PA system for a medium sized hall. I have decent knowledge of stuff like this, but I've been looking for a good forum dedicated to this kind of thing, or a site with good, recent equipment reviews. Anyone got suggestions?

 

[MichaelD]

Can't help you w/a website but I can tell you a few things.

When you first setup and do soundcheck, the room will be empty, so it will be very sonically "live." Lots of echo. The high freqs may be overbearing a little.

Don't turn things down too much. Go for a clean sound (gains properly set) then just set a baseline semi-flat EQ, with a little boost down below and up top.

Hopefully, once the music/band starts playing, you can have someone out in the audience/crowd listneing, then go back to the board/rack and make adjustments.

Good luck.

 

[BigSmooth]

You could try http://www.harmony-central.com - they've got user reviews and forums, including one for live sound.

 

[fonzinator]

Check out the forums at Mackie's website.

 

[LakAttack]

Thanks for the tips. I've actually done a good deal of mixing for shows and whatnot, but this is the first time I get to pick out the equipment. So, I'm trying to get the best bang for the buck since it isn't my money. There is this new little Mackie board that seems too good for the price, but I can't find reviews. . .

 

[cavdraco]

Just remember nothing beats Crown power

Cav

 

[LakAttack]

Originally posted by: cavdraco
Just remember nothing beats Crown power

Cav

So do you think the Crown XLS 202 ($249.97) is a good amp?

 

[cavdraco]

well pertty much anything crown but I like the old microtech line not much you can do to hurt them ( we tried ) been using crown for about 18 years and nothing else seems to have the durability or the headroom

Cav

 

[43st]

People design systems like this for a living (me).

You need to provide a lot more information to get any help. i.e. room size, capacity, audio content, and price range, etc.. There's only so much information that you'll be able to get for "free" on this. It's akin to asking an IT fellow to come design your home LAN.

 

[LakAttack]

Originally posted by: Thera
People design systems like this for a living (me).

You need to provide a lot more information to get any help. i.e. room size, capacity, audio content, and price range, etc.. There's only so much information that you'll be able to get for "free" on this. It's akin to asking an IT fellow to come design your home LAN.

Thanks for the comments. I understand people do this for a living. I am pretty confident I can design the system myself; I worked in live audio for about 5 years. I didn't want to bore people with particulars because I'm more interested in help finding resources with equipment reviews, etc.

 

[woowoo]

Buy a bigger mixer
One with more sub groups
Mackie is good
So is berringer

 

[43st]

I doubt you're going to find many reviews per say. A company kinda "reviews" the product for as long as they're supporting it in the field. It's a learn as you go situation, at least for my company.

If you want me to review your BOM just PM me. I'd be happy to look over it. If you want cheap then I'd go with: QSC, EAW, Soundcraft, Peavey (processor), Behringer (limters only), Ashley (EQs only), Denon/Sony ( playback), Shure (mics).

You may want to try www.prosoundweb.com if you want to find more in depth information on certain things. Good luck.

EDIT: I'd stay away from Mackie and Behringer boards. They're the cheapest out there and they're quite limited in out-of-the-box functionality. If you're limited in funds then you can always crack open a Mackie console and apply some hardware "hacks" to make it work better. Most of these hacks can be found on the internet I believe. You also need to be solid as a rock with your soldering gun.

 

[LakAttack]

Thanks again for the comments - www.prosoundweb.com has a lot of good info.

I've heard plenty bad about behringer mixers, but I've never heard people unhappy with Mackie. I guess I need to practice with the old soldering gun. . .

 

[xchangx]

So is berringer

behringer boards suck...

Mackie has good mic pre-amps (VLR i believe), don't get the one you have linked to, The better mackies are the 32*6/32*8 boards. Very quiet and fairly cheap.


Michael Chang