Compact PA recommendations

addedc

addedc

Experienced
Our former bass player left town with the PA and the truck he used to transport it. We all drive smaller cars, so I am looking for a compact PA for 3 vocal mics, the bass, kick drum and snare, one guitar and maybe a second later. I was going to buy a Yamaha StagePass600i but the sound just really didn't seem quite there. There are some Yamaha EMX powered mixers available used locally, but the speakers, plus a monitor or two, all seem too large to fit in our cars with the other gear. The Bose system looks compact -- and expensive -- but it seems better for acoustic. We play classic rock. Anyone face a similar problem and where did you end up?
 
I'd say you're out of luck. Rock and small size PAs don't go together very well. Should be at least 2 x 12" tops + 1 x 18" sub. Buy active speakers so you don't need an extra power-amp rack. A small mixer like a Behringer XR18 might be good enough.
 
That's unfortunate. I still like my 2004 G35 coupe and would hate to have to trade it for a truck or SUV
 
addedc said:
Our former bass player left town with the PA and the truck he used to transport it. We all drive smaller cars, so I am looking for a compact PA for 3 vocal mics, the bass, kick drum and snare, one guitar and maybe a second later. I was going to buy a Yamaha StagePass600i but the sound just really didn't seem quite there. There are some Yamaha EMX powered mixers available used locally, but the speakers, plus a monitor or two, all seem too large to fit in our cars with the other gear. The Bose system looks compact -- and expensive -- but it seems better for acoustic. We play classic rock. Anyone face a similar problem and where did you end up?
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My band plays thru Bose L1, 1S! We have synth/keys, electronic drums, 2 guitars, bass, 3 vocals. No amps on stage, in ear monitors. Classic Rock never sounded as good plus, they double as a light stands!
 
jakbur said:
My band plays thru Bose L1, 1S! We have synth/keys, electronic drums, 2 guitars, bass, 3 vocals. No amps on stage, in ear monitors. Classic Rock never sounded as good plus, they double as a light stands!
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Using an e-drum is key here as it allows you to significantly reduce the overall volume level and PA power requirements.
 
Mackie SRM450 v2 or v3 & mixer. Bose L1, L2 or if possible the new Bose F1. Great reviews on the F1. Only negative is the housing would look worn after just a few months.
 
We use a pair of QSC K10's for vocals, brass and occasional keys depending on the line up. Drums and backline are live. We lack the bottom end for a kick so want to add a sub but have the same issue that you have in that we all go in cars so the sub will have to be small to fit the available space. I have a reasonably sized estate car (station wagon ;) ) but still don't have much room left for a sub :(
 
Similar boat here - we luckily have a sound guy with system that cost 200 for most gigs. Any chance there's room for a small trailer at anyones place of residence? I've always been curious about those bose systems. Never seen a full band using one. We've had pretty good shows with just 2 - 1x12" JBL PRX speakers. Vox, keys and Kick mainly going through. Did the job for a small bar.
 
Thanks for the replies. A van is definitely more rock and roll but the G is more fun to drive. I will check out specs on these suggestions as the other guys have cars we can use, too. Any other suggestions would be welcome.
 
There's always the U-haul van at $19.95 per day plus $1 a mile if you need the rock and roll sound but it won't fit in your vehicle.
 
I think there are a lot more choices if you avoid powered mixers and go with powered speakers. Also, most digital mixers seem to be more comact per channel when compared to analog.
 
BBN said:
I can give you a variety of recommendations....but need to know your budget.

If you want to put bass/kick through your PA, you need a sub....no way around that.
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Budget is somewhat flexible, but we want to keep it within reason on what we will earn back on it. We were thinking of starting around $1,500 and then adding a sub later for whatever that adds. We're in Hawaii so stuff is a bit more expensive here.
 
That's not a lot. I'd start with 2 RFC 712 and try to get a used digitial mixer. No idea how much that would cost in Hawaii, though.
 
addedc said:
Budget is somewhat flexible, but we want to keep it within reason on what we will earn back on it. We were thinking of starting around $1,500 and then adding a sub later for whatever that adds. We're in Hawaii so stuff is a bit more expensive here.
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If you don't need many channels, then go with a Behringer XR16 mixer (used $300), and then look for some JBL PRX712 tops and a PRX718xlf Sub.
The PRX700 series are on a DEEP discount because they just launched the PRX800 series.
You can likely find new at 400 per top and 700 for the sub. Puts you a little over your budget....so maybe look for used.
 
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