what is the best pa

[doricvision]

Just like to know everyones thoughts are on which is the better system of P.A
Active or Passive
Bigmike

[weegeo]

Hiya Bigmike,

If you get a definite answer to that question i`ll send you a crate of beer lol

The PA is i think ruled by the sound that your after and how you set it up,we have 4 PA tops and 3 sets of speakers the band gear is made up of 1 soundcraft mixer [unpowered] used with a set of RCF speakers the desk is powered by a 2500watt yamaha power amp and the effects are generated by a BBE sound generator the sound i think is great. We also have a 600watt soundcraft desk [powered] complete with digital effects and we use a set of peavey speakers with this desk. We also use a brilliant yamaha desk {unpowered]with built in effects and a set of `mackie` speakers this was my favourite PA top because it is basically a plug and play setup what i mean by that is once you have it set to your ear it never needs to be changed much we have as a spare a smallish LH desk [powered] but as heavy as hell to carry so we leave this mama set up at home for home recording. I was the `soundman`and i got completely different sounds from each of these systems but i couldn`t honestly say which one is the best.
I would say the best PA is the one that works for you. Sorry to be confusing lol

weegeo

[JohnG]

Wee George has said it all.

My question would be "best for what?" A busker, small pub, a hall, a large auditorium, an outdoor concert with 50,000 people? And what music, concert orchestra, 4 piece band, choir? And what do you want to carry it in, a car, a van a fleet of lorries? How technically competent are you and how quickly and easily must it be set up? Do you have a sound engineer?

But basically, what kind of sound are you trying to achieve, how big a venue are you trying to fill, and how much can you carry and lift? A big active sub with 18" speaker can weigh 45 kilos.

Not an easy question to answer "go active" or stick with amps and passive.
As usual ...
JohnG.

[doricvision]

thanks for your advice guys, I am as you may or may not ,know a latecomer to the solo side of things as all my previous work was in comedy writing /songs for the local radio. Weeo[Eddie] who is a cracking solo performer of many years introduced me to midifiles and all of a sudden I seem to have this urge to perform ''straight '' songs. I have done quite a few Galas outdoors and a few small halls for birthdays ,works parties etc and have always managed to borrow the PA system from a local community centre but now I really feel that I should invest in a decent system. The one I borrowed was a Yamaha active system 12'' which I plugged my Beringher mixer into and it had a cracking sound output and having been an audio engineer in my early years I am fussy about how the final output comes across to the public. Maybe I have just answered my own question but I really value you Guys on this site who know this business inside out and appreciate your advice
Bigmike

[frank]

Go to a few other gigs and see what others are using. If you are happy with the Yamaha make em an offer.
I always use 2 systems one for vocals and one for backings {stereo} I have yet to hear a system that doesnt clash vocals and backings.(waiting for the flames lol)

[JohnG]

No, Frank, it's always a question of what works for you.

And one of the factors is the mic you use and how well you can get that channel to cut through the mix. A high pass filter (70 or 80Hz) is more or less mandatory, and a little (N.B. little) tweaking of EQ can help to get the voice 'over' the backing.

My problem is the reverse, to get the backing loud enough so that it can be heard above my wife's voice without a mic!!!!
She's opera trained and can reach the back of a large hall without a mic. When she sings in an ordinary room at full belt the sound is SO LOUD it's actually painful. It's staggering that such a tiny person can produce so much volume.

To BigMike, I think Terry aka Simmo uses a Yamaha Stagepas 500 system. Single cab for small venues, both cabs for larger ones.

My usual ...
JohnG.

[doricvision]

thanks guys,some useful tips there
to return to my original question [active or passive ]
Has anyone seen a difference eq wise or buzz etc between the two.
One answer I was once given in favour of active was that if one speaker amp goes you still have the other to work from whereas if a passive amp goes you lose both sides and if you don't have the financial glout to have a spare amp with you it's end of gig
Bigmike

[frank]

I have never used active but as t you say you have back up if one chuck's a wobbley .

[JohnG]

Most actives, to my knowledge these days, come with lightweight plastic cabinets. These don't resonate the same way that the older, heavier, wooden, passive cabinets do. For rock music many prefer that older sound, and I wouldn't disagree with them.

It would seem that, as you say, the modern passives with amps in the speakers, you can still run on one, or when funds permit by a single spare to allow for this.

With passive set ups, with a one-man-band, all mains cables go to one place. With mixer and amp together then speaker cable(s) only radiate out. If you go active and space a pair of speakers apart then you're running both a signal cable and a mains cable to each cabinet. If you decide to add a sub or subs then you need to provide power for these too. It's no big deal but it's all part of the process of deciding.

Any help?
JohnG

[frank]

Mar 5, 2011 8:56:39 GMT JohnG said:

Most actives, to my knowledge these days, come with lightweight plastic cabinets. These don't resonate the same way that the older, heavier, wooden, passive cabinets do. For rock music many prefer that older sound, and I wouldn't disagree with them.
Any help?
JohnG

How about transfering all the guts into a wooden speaker boxes.

[doricvision]

thanks Frank and John, that, I think ,has tipped the scales in favour of Passive speakers for me
Bigmike

[tradman]

If your looking for a compact system that you can wheel around like a suitcase then look no further than the FBT Amico range. I have the 1000 watt cab with 2 satelllite speakers. It's neat and tidy and good for the pub, hall, function room gigs. Ideal for up to 3 piece group. 16 channell input. I've had it for 6 years now. Had to replace the cones in my satellites at a cost of €70, that was the its downfall. But still using it.

Tradman

[doricvision]

thanks for that info Tradman, will check it out
Bigmike