Carvin PA/FOH Gear Opinions

[threadkiller]

I agree, if you are going to bi amp or tri amp go with 12's for the mid range enclosure. vocals will be much more clear and articulate and let's face it, vocals are all that the average joe or average teenage girl at your shows are going to notice. If they can't "hear" (when they say hear they usually mean understand which is more of an issue of proper EQ and frequency than volume) the vocal that equals a "bad" mix and if they can "hear" ( and again they mean understand) the vocal then that equals a "good" mix to the average audience member.

I got ours made by a place called creative acoustics in Raleigh. They make good quality cabs and will load them with whatever you want for much less coin than you would pay for equivalent name brand stuff. We got eminence made speakers for our mid cabs. If you are in the area you may want to check them out. If not you may have someone similiar closer to home who can build you what you want for a little less dough than you might pay otherwise.

 

[Greazygeo]

just added you, didnt know you had a store - definately will help a fellow RT'er out and ill get any future PA stuff through you

Cool thanks!

 

[Greazygeo]

I agree, if you are going to bi amp or tri amp go with 12's for the mid range enclosure. vocals will be much more clear and articulate and let's face it, vocals are all that the average joe or average teenage girl at your shows are going to notice. If they can't "hear" (when they say hear they usually mean understand which is more of an issue of proper EQ and frequency than volume) the vocal that equals a "bad" mix and if they can "hear" ( and again they mean understand) the vocal then that equals a "good" mix to the average audience member.

I started with 12's in the top boxes (just biamping with a set of subs)....then moved to 15's/ 2" (tri amping) and moved the 12's for front vocal monitors. Horn loaded 18 subs with 15/ 2" horns. That was a good combo. Had alittle buildup around 125 and 250 other than that didnt have to do to much. Had fun mixing metal bands with that system. Love the 2" horns, so smooth.

The new QSC powered series is nice sounding...but the dual 12 subs are alittle lacking with only two in a med size room.

 

[IndyWS6]

GLPG80, Threadkiller & Greazygeo - thanks a lot for the input. You have definitely given me some things to consider, both in how the system is configured and where I source the pieces/parts. Much appreciated...

As far as taking on the task of buying the PA, it's pretty much a necessary evil. As a (lame) guitar player, I pretty much have my shit together: quality amps and cabinets, good guitars, cables, spares in the event of a failure, etc. But I'll be damned if I have ever seen a singer show up with more than a microphone. If the band is going to have a good PA, someone needs to step up and I can pretty much bet it won't be whoever we sign-on as the lead singer. Plus, one of my pet peeves is seeing a good band with a crappy PA. Similar to what Threadkiller mentioned, it drives me nuts when you can't hear (understand) the vocals. I want a system that has enough headroom that you can get the mix you want, with the clarity you need, without the fatigue that a POS system driven past it's limits usually makes you feel.

Owning the system outright, or sharing the cost with one other person (as opposed to the whole band) would ultimately be less complicated. I don't want to be in a situation where we're dividing equipment if the band folds or when people inevitably move on. Plus, if we aren't playing, we can make some money running sound for other bands. There are several in the area that don't own a PA and will pay $100 - $250/night for that service. It's not a fortune, but it would help us recoup the investment.

Thanks again for the info - much appreciated

 

[Greazygeo]

GLPG80, Threadkiller & Greazygeo - thanks a lot for the input. You have definitely given me some things to consider, both in how the system is configured and where I source the pieces/parts. Much appreciated...

As far as taking on the task of buying the PA, it's pretty much a necessary evil. As a (lame) guitar player, I pretty much have my shit together: quality amps and cabinets, good guitars, cables, spares in the event of a failure, etc. But I'll be damned if I have ever seen a singer show up with more than a microphone. If the band is going to have a good PA, someone needs to step up and I can pretty much bet it won't be whoever we sign-on as the lead singer. Plus, one of my pet peeves is seeing a good band with a crappy PA. Similar to what Threadkiller mentioned, it drives me nuts when you can't hear (understand) the vocals. I want a system that has enough headroom that you can get the mix you want, with the clarity you need, without the fatigue that a POS system driven past it's limits usually makes you feel.

Owning the system outright, or sharing the cost with one other person (as opposed to the whole band) would ultimately be less complicated. I don't want to be in a situation where we're dividing equipment if the band folds or when people inevitably move on. Plus, if we aren't playing, we can make some money running sound for other bands. There are several in the area that don't own a PA and will pay $100 - $250/night for that service. It's not a fortune, but it would help us recoup the investment.

Thanks again for the info - much appreciated

I was in a similar situation and ended up just buying a system. Going in on it with the band or using band money to get it never worked out for me. There is always someone leaving at some point to have to deal with.

Even if you buy alittle at a time, eventually you'll have it together. With large venues, I'd hire a sound company. They were usually better gigs anyway at that point, so I would rather concentrate on the gig then having to deal with any sound issue that came up.

The main thing imo is to buy good stuff that is appropriate to your situation. Match up the speaker cab with the correct size power amp / cabling. And spend some time dialing in the system.

 

[Meathead]

I'm with Greazygeo...

I've found the best sound for the buck is Yorkville Ellite speakers....they've done my current band and things I've done before that nicely.
Didn't like Mackie and the cheaper stuff just sounds cheap and boxy. The Ellite stuff sounds large and has a fairly flat response.