General Music Chat

I'm looking for a small PA system primarily for a practice room setting - that could also be set up for something like a backyard party, etc.

I'm not sure what kind of wattage and speakers I'd need for something like this so I'm hoping someone can give me some pointers. Like should I go for a powered speaker type of thing, or an actual powered board with speakers separate - I just don't know what would be best for a 400 - 500 dollar budget.

Also, is routing a keyboard directly into a PA system O.K., or is it better to have a separate amp for something like that?

much appreciated

I know this is probably not what you'd want to hear but my advice is try & spend a little more say 800-1000 or look for used gear that sold in this price range initially . If you spend less you'll be looking to replace it sooner than you'd like, and take a loss on the 500 system you bought first. what you can run through the pa is mostly a matter of how large the pa is & how loud you play. 500 system ok for acoustic solo /duet but if you play loud /electric you'll need a little more.

your best option maybe a used system (peavy , carvin , yamaha) 8ch powered mixer w/ 2 1-15 & horn cabnets. there are a lot of good deals on used music equipment right now

I know this is probably not what you'd want to hear but my advice is try & spend a little more say 800-1000 or look for used gear that sold in this price range initially . If you spend less you'll be looking to replace it sooner than you'd like, and take a loss on the 500 system you bought first. what you can run through the pa is mostly a matter of how large the pa is & how loud you play. 500 system ok for acoustic solo /duet but if you play loud /electric you'll need a little more.

Thanks - I see what you mean long term.

What would be a good minimum amp size (wattage I guess?) to look, and size of speakers?

It would be a rock trio.

I am going to beat George to the punch here! Have you tried Carvin!

In your budget you will have a hard time getting powered speakers. your best bet is to get one of those front loaded powered mixers like Bob uses. I would shoot for no less than 600 to 1000 watts. I would try to find speaker cabs that have a horn and 12" to 15" speakers preferably 15"s.
You can run the keyboards into a channel of the mixer if you go into a direct box and then to the mixer input. Also you will need monitors. For what your wanting to do I would check into one of those Bose systems. I personally don't like them but they work good for what you need!

probably around 300 watts & 15" woofers ( stay with a brand name & get as much watage & as large a speakers as you can find )

carvin has some 3 way speakers that sound very good !

I have not tried Carvin, though I have played their guitars
Okay, I can feel my wallet getting really light. I'm hoping no one tells me I need a 20K sound system (ehem, you know who you are).

Thanks - now I have a rule of thumb to go by!

Chris

My advise to you is look at craigslist and buy used. By all means be careful and DO YOUR HOMEWORK on this. I have spent untold fortunes buying gear that once I got to the next level I couldn't use and had to turn right around and buy again because I cheaped out to save $50.00 or $100.00. Its better to bite the bullet as you are buying components for your p.a.

your best bet is to get one of those front loaded powered mixers like Bob uses. I would shoot for no less than 600 to 1000 watts.

Forgive the newbness - but if the specis on a powered mixer says

2 x 300W, Class-D

Would that fit the bill you're talking about when you say no less than 600W?

Yes that would work. usually what that means is 300 watts per side if you run it stereo. I wouldn't run a small p.a. like that in stereo I would run it mono. Most power amps have a function that allows you to bridge the power amp and make it run 600 watts mono. I don't think those small mixers have that function but some might. Usually when they say 2x300 that means you can use one 300 watt for mains and the other one for monitors. that would probably work. The thing about power some folks don't understand is 300 can get loud. lower wattage will put the decibels out but it distorts and sounds like crap once you get beyond a certain point! you really should talk to Bob about this because he uses one of those all the time.

If you don't at least check the Carvin site and do some serious research on their powered mixers your short strokin yourself.

Carvin don't screw around all the info is right there on their web site.
Even the diagrams of wiring and full downloadable PDF of their manuels.

Read up on them ... In my book you can't go wrong with their PA's

Don't buy any of the plastic housed speakers they sound like crap IMO.

But those big 4 ohm three ways for about $300 each ... hell yeah man.

Lots of varied opinions on this. Here is one more from the old dude:

I found a pair of bi-amped JBL EON 15P (the plastic ones) in like new condition for $600 and a Mackie 1402 VLZ board for $200. This is a system used by pro sound and broadcasting companies in SoCal and a lot of bands who gig every week around here. The speakers are tuned for vocals so don't expect to compete with 1200W subs (unless you add 1200W subs) but it sounds very clean, balanced, and natural at typical gig levels (up to 120db continuous, 127db peak). Perfect for vocals, guitars, and keys. The total system weighs less than 100lbs which matters to us "seasoned players" ahem. It is also butt-simple to set up and use even in the dark. I'll give a big thumbs up for your current PA needs for rehearsal or playing to less than 300 people.

Been through a lot of excellent PA gear over the years:

*Huge Mitchell Cabs with long throw 15" folded horn subs, 212 horn loaded mids, EV long throw radial horns, Altec drivers. Tri-amped, Peavey board (could cover 2000 people, weighed 1000 lbs) 1975-1980

* Bi-amped Altec A7 Voice of the Theater cabs, Carvin board (could cover 800 people, weighed 600 lbs) 1980-1988

* JBL Cabaret Series 15+ Horns, Fostex Board (could cover 400 people, weighed 300 lbs) 1988-1999

* Electro-Voice 1202 ER Cabs, Mackie board (could cover 300 people, weighed 200 lbs) 1999-2009

Of those I thought the Altec A7s were the best sounding but not by much. The JBL EONS are very close on vocals and 400lbs lighter. I'll take 2 of those plastic boxes please:)

I'm looking for a small PA system primarily for a practice room setting - that could also be set up for something like a backyard party, etc.

I'm not sure what kind of wattage and speakers I'd need for something like this so I'm hoping someone can give me some pointers. Like should I go for a powered speaker type of thing, or an actual powered board with speakers separate - I just don't know what would be best for a 400 - 500 dollar budget.

Also, is routing a keyboard directly into a PA system O.K., or is it better to have a separate amp for something like that?

much appreciated

I'm even newer than you at this... I bought a new Fender Mustang II amp . Its 40 watts and it can rattle my neighbors windows, actually cause they are really close proximity to the room I use. : )

I love that little amp and its really great for practicing material (during Rough drafting stage)
But the big leagues here appear to suggest Higher wattage... Thus, I shall defer to them sages fer their advice...

Dog, I prefer higher wattage in p.a. systems as they are cleaner at lower and higher volumes. When It comes to guitar amps I prefer lower wattage. Now days the technology for live sound reinforcement (p.a.'s) has gotten such that the p.a. does all the work (if you mike up)! That Mesa Mark IV that I sometimes use is TOO LOUD and it is 65 watts. The days of using 100 watt amps are over that is 70's technology. The folks that do use 100 watt amps have to use a sound attenuator (a volume control between head and speaker) so they can crank the head enough to get a good sound.