I am on the hunt for my 1st PA system- soup to nuts. Need either in-ear monitor or wedges, 8-16 channel mixer (iPad controls would be nice) then a decent small/med size setup for mainly small (coffee/brewery) to medium (backyard BBQ party, Outside events) gigs which would be both indoor and out- so expandable/adjustable would be nice. I heard QSC is awesome but delicate. Would u mind sharing some of your PA setup u have now?
Have several. Here goes:
1) Yamaha EMX512SC powered 12-channel mixer + two BR12M passive monitors/mains (this was my first decent PA system) with two DBR10 powered speakers which I use as monitors;
2) Mackie ProFX16V2 16 -channel mixer, or a Behringer XR18 18-channel digital wireless mixer (which I literally just bought and am still playing with), driving two Yamaha DXR12 mains, and again use the DBR10s for monitors.
FWIW, for my Fractal, I typically use either a DXR10 with the Fractal for larger spaces, as well as a Quilter Tone Block 200 into a 1x12 cab loaded with a Eminence Beta 12LTA when I want to use an amp (or need to use the DXR10 as a third monitor). On occasion, for really small places where I am not using my PA, or for rehearsals, I might use a DBR10 for the Fractal.
I use the EMX512 system for smaller gigs, and move to the Mackie (or the Behringer, as it is evolving) and the DXR12s for larger venues. Usually when I play even larger gigs, there is a sound system provided by the host. Although I did play an acoustic guitar duo gig with the DXR10 as the main and a DBR10 for a monitor.
IMHO the small Mackie mixer and a couple DXR10s as mains might work well for what you are trying to do. And, two DBR10s for monitors will cost you about as much as a good IEM system, but entirely up to you, I have IEMs as well and do use them on occasion.
I gotta say that the Behringer digital wireless mixer has a HUGE bang for the buck, sounds great, lots of features, and the wifi seems pretty robust, contrary to some of the reviews. I can always get an external router if it proves problematic, they're cheap. Will start gigging with it in a few weeks when I get a little more familiar with it. And the Yamaha & Mackie stuff takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin!