| There comes a time in the early life of every | | | | up the power! |
| band when someone wants them to actually play | | | | The fact is, you should buy the highest-power |
| somewhere. (Somewhere that isn't the drummer's | | | | system you can possibly afford. You are just |
| basement, I mean.) Up until now, the singers have | | | | about guaranteed to need more power than you |
| been using a microphone plugged into the | | | | think you will. Then throw in the further fact that |
| keyboard amp, but is that going to be enough | | | | the power ratings for these systems are more |
| when we play at a restaurant (or a barn, or a | | | | marketing numbers than engineering numbers and |
| patio)? The truth dawns: we need a PA system | | | | are often misleading... The bottom line: I never |
| for the vocals. But what kind? | | | | heard of a band looking back and saying they |
| There are several factors you need to consider | | | | wish they'd bought a smaller PA system! |
| and a number of pitfalls you must avoid. I'll just hit | | | | 3. How many speakers? |
| the high points here, outlining the key decisions | | | | I would recommend two main speakers and two |
| you and your band need to make to be sure you | | | | monitor speakers. Even in a small venue, you |
| get the right system for your hard-earned cash. | | | | really need left and right main speakers to |
| Since I've only worked extensively with a couple | | | | properly distribute balanced sound throughout the |
| of systems myself, I won't recommend specific | | | | room. (When I say left and right I am not talking |
| brands or models here. But I'll give you some | | | | about a stereo setup - the signal is the same in |
| points to ponder as you sort through the available | | | | both speakers.) With two speakers, you reduce |
| systems. | | | | the number of listeners who are closer to the |
| 1. Powered mixer or separate components? | | | | amps than to a PA speaker, and thus can't hear |
| The very first thing to decide is whether to use | | | | the vocals. |
| an all-in-one PA system or separate components. | | | | You might be tempted to skimp on monitor |
| An all-in-one unit, also called a "powered mixer," | | | | speakers and make do with only one. This might |
| contains a mixer (usually 8 channels), a power | | | | be OK if there is only one vocalist, but instrument |
| amplifier (two channels, for the main and monitor | | | | players also benefit from hearing themselves and |
| speakers), and perhaps some basic effects like | | | | other players properly. Having two monitor |
| reverb and delay. | | | | speakers should allow everyone to be |
| If this is your band's very first PA system, you | | | | somewhere near at least one of them! |
| should probably get this kind of unit, especially if | | | | 4. What about microphones and other |
| you don't have a sound man for your band. An | | | | accessories? |
| all-in-one unit is easy to set up, needing only AC | | | | Unless you have something else on hand, I would |
| power, microphones, and speaker connections and | | | | pick up a trusty Shure SM58 for each vocalist. |
| it's ready to go! You can put it at the side of the | | | | You will probably not need to mike the drums. In |
| stage and have easy access to its controls, | | | | fact, you should avoid using microphones for |
| including the all-important monitor levels. | | | | anything other than vocals if at all possible, as |
| A component system with separate mixer, | | | | each microphone onstage is a show-stopping |
| power amplifier, and effects units takes a lot | | | | feedback howl waiting to happen! |
| longer to set up and get going at a gig, although it | | | | If you are going to run instruments through the |
| does offer some additional flexibility. If you have | | | | PA, use direct boxes between each instrument - |
| someone to set up and operate the PA for you, | | | | guitar, bass, keyboard - and its onstage amp to |
| a component system could work. Otherwise, I'd | | | | send part of the signal to the PA mixer. If there |
| keep it simple and go with the all-in-one. | | | | is an acoustic guitar, use the signal from its pickup |
| 2. How much power? | | | | in lieu of miking it. If it doesn't have a built-in |
| The power level you need from the PA system | | | | pickup, you might try an add-on type, although |
| depends on the size of the venues you expect to | | | | this may not have the sound quality you need. |
| play in as well as the kind of music you play. (An | | | | Fortunately, most acoustics seem to have built-in |
| acoustic band with no drummer needs less PA | | | | pickups these days. |
| power than a headbanging metal outfit.) Another | | | | You will also need microphone cables, main and |
| consideration is whether you plan to run only | | | | monitor speaker cables, and possibly a snake (a |
| vocals, or vocals plus certain instruments, through | | | | multi-core cable allowing you to run eight or more |
| the PA. Putting bass guitar (even a little) through | | | | signals between the stage and the PA mixer). |
| the PA to augment the onstage amp really eats | | | | |