PA Building - Advice please?

[Skully]

Hi all,
1st of all, I'd like to apologize for my 1st post being an 'I need help' post, I always hated when people signed up to forums just to ask 1 thing, But I really do need some and think you guys are a good source of knowledge on this subject.

2nd'ly I'd like to point out I know VERY little about PA systems, I work in the music world but as a photographer and journalist, not sound guy - and sadly my sound guy ran off to Sweeden so I'm finding that I have a fair bit to learn in quite a short space of time.

Now to save time, I'm just going to list what system I would like to build, what its for, and let you guys say weather its a good idea, or if you think anything needs to be changed.

I already have a mixing desk (behringer) its got plenty of line-ins so that should be fine for me (yeah I know its a budget model but I'm working with a tight budget).

Next I was thinking of a Skytec SPL1500 power amp (2x 750 at 4 Ohms) - I'm not totally in the know about Ohms, but from what I've been told I believe the lower the Ohms the more bass it picks up?

Now speakers I am having issues with as there are so many... I'm thinking of 2 500W speakers so I have some head room with the 750W.

The PA will be used firstly for our reg monthly gigs at a small pub (100 cap), I'll be using the cash made to upgrade bits to move to a bigger venue.

Anyway, thank you to anyone who bothered to read that, and even more thanks to anyone offering help!

Ian / Skully

 

[vibrostrat43]

I'm not expert at this stuff at all, but it seems to me that you'd want a pair of subs, and set of woofer speakers. Maybe that will come later.

Anyways, I'd love to help more if I could, but this particular section of TGP is all about gear and tone, and I don't think anyone here would know too much about PA's (generally speaking). I do believe there is a Recording and Live Sound section where you will likely get much more help with this Sorry I couldn't really answer any of your questions

 

[GCDEF]

First thing is educate yourself. That amp is junk and doesn't put out anywhere near that kind of power realistically. " 2 x 750W max. output" with no other qualifications is pretty much meaningless.

Impedance has nothing to do with bass response.

Power handling is a somewhat useful spec for speakers, but to say you're going to buy "500 watt" speakers doesn't make any kind of sense.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. Read up and learn as much as you can, particularly about specs, how to read them and what they mean. Learn which brands are good and which should be avoided. If it uses the word "DJ" anywhere in the description, odds are really good you don't want it.

 

[Skully]

First thing is educate yourself. That amp is junk and doesn't put out anywhere near that kind of power realistically. " 2 x 750W max. output" with no other qualifications is pretty much meaningless.

Impedance has nothing to do with bass response.

Power handling is a somewhat useful spec for speakers, but to say you're going to buy "500 watt" speakers doesn't make any kind of sense.

Bottom line, you get what you pay for. Read up and learn as much as you can, particularly about specs, how to read them and what they mean. Learn which brands are good and which should be avoided. If it uses the word "DJ" anywhere in the description, odds are really good you don't want it.

Thanks, Actually after a little more reading on a few other forums I did decide Skylab do not have a good rep at all, Behringer on the other hand do seem to have a little respect (for a budget maker), I may go for the NU3000DSP or EP2000, but I've spoken to my old soundguy and he has put me in contact with a local studio guy so I'll be getting a little more help before I buy anything, thanks again

 

[GCDEF]

Thanks, Actually after a little more reading on a few other forums I did decide Skylab do not have a good rep at all, Behringer on the other hand do seem to have a little respect (for a budget maker), I may go for the NU3000DSP or EP2000, but I've spoken to my old soundguy and he has put me in contact with a local studio guy so I'll be getting a little more help before I buy anything, thanks again

Behringer doesn't have a very good rep either, especially when it comes to reliability. Yamaha, Peavey, Allen and Heath, ART, Yorkville, QSC are where you should start looking if quality matters at all.

 

[Skully]

Behringer doesn't have a very good rep either, especially when it comes to reliability. Yamaha, Peavey, Allen and Heath, ART, Yorkville, QSC are where you should start looking if quality matters at all.

How are UKP? i've been suggested them, but the 1's i were offered were 2 1000K amps that i'd have to use a crossover on - its cheap but add another £100 with the crossover

 

[GCDEF]

How are UKP? i've been suggested them, but the 1's i were offered were 2 1000K amps that i'd have to use a crossover on - its cheap but add another £100 with the crossover

Never heard of them. Got a link?

 

[Skully]

their now listed on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110819733623?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

I'll list a few others I'm thinking of as-well:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Peavey-IPR-1600-1600-Watt-Power-Amplifier-/120773754848?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item1c1ead3fe0

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEHRINGER-EP2000-2000-Watt-STEREO-POWER-AMPLIFIER-ATR-/200481961358?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item2eada7f58e

 

[Skully]

After speaking to a guy at the local studio - the same 1 my sound-guy put me in contact with I think I'm going down the active speaker route

 

[Nickstrtcstr]

Find 'Clean Power' amplifier i.e. Crown Power Tech series or others to use with the mixer there are many good used units out there. Get NEW quality speakers Peavey SP5 X's are excellent. Peavey makes subs PV 118 un-powered or PV 118D powered. One will be good enough to start with. Spend the money wisely now or it will cost you much more down the road. As soon as you can upgrade that mixer to a Mackie, Yamaha or similar used is OK in the mixer world from a reputable seller. In the PA world it is all about reserve power and CLEAN power. The less distortion you push through the system the better off you will be. You can get all the speakers and the power amp for less than 2k isf you shop right. PM me if you need any more advice.

 

[GCDEF]

After speaking to a guy at the local studio - the same 1 my sound-guy put me in contact with I think I'm going down the active speaker route

That's good advice.