Running vocals JUST through a powered speaker

flatfourfan

Okay, I need some help, I don't have the financial outlay to splash for a PA for the band, but as a temporary solution, what's stopping us from getting a powered speaker and then just hooking a mic straight upto it?

We're really struggling on the VOX at the moment and I'm looking at a cost effective way to get some amplified vocals into the mix as my voice is shot from screaming......

This is only for jamming.

AlanRatcliffe

As long as the speaker has a mic input. Proel Flash, Wharfedale Titan Actives, probably others too.

flatfourfan

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: As long as the speaker has a mic input. Proel Flash, Wharfedale Titan Actives, probably others too.

Is it as easy as that Alan? I know that It'll involve some tweaking to get everyones levels right, but can it be that simple?

Warren

I used a Yamaha powered speaker for a solo gig in Feb. Had three inputs on the back, one of which was a mic input. Plugged the acoustic into the other one. Quality was fairly clear, although it sounded a lot better with a TC vocal unit in front of it (obv.).

flatfourfan

I'm going to try out a titan 12" at my local tomorrow and see how it holds up to playing with an drum kit in an enclosed space.

He's also given me a few other options costing the same as a decent active speaker and I'm surprised that I can get the Wharfdale Pro PM-500 for the same price. R3400-00. I've used a PM-600 with 3 cooked channels and was way WAY impressed and it's 8 years old that gets used all the time.

I think a PA and mixer would be the better option, now it's just trying to get myself to justify the additional grand..........

DonRoos

I have a pair of JBL EON 15 G2's that have mic and line inputs so can plug in a guitar and mic at the same time and then daisy chain from one to the other. They push out 400W each so ar overkill for jamming. They are also quite heavy to transport.

So I have a 35W Laney Acoustic amp that has two inputs and I use that for jamming as it is light and portable and can handle my accoustic guitar and mic. I have even used it at a gig as it has a DI out that can feed a PA. It then serves as my personal monitor. Also a probably cheeper than a powered speaker.

Averatu

We used a Peavey keybord amp, a KB4 i think, for a while, worked well, used it at a gig once, best vocal level we ever had. Now we have a small Peavey PA that also kicks. I'd say the Yamaha active would be the most reliable. The MSR25 or 400. A friend has a sound hire company, and he swears by them.

flatfourfan

Well I'm going to listen to the Wharfdale Pro PM-500 (120watt) tomorrow as well as the active speakers lined up next to a drum kit at full tilt and then see what's what. I'm told the 120watt samson and Wharfdale set up would be more than fine for a jam room enviroment and even small gigs.

This will only be used in a 6 x 6m Jam room and probably never see the light of day.

I would like the mixer and PA route, but I don't want to go the cheapest of the cheap just to get vocals.

Nitebob

AT the risk of everybody on here arranging an event just so I can be stoned (and not in the good way)..... If it's just for jamming, why not splash the R1800 Cash Crusaders is Charging for an Amp with two huge speakers? My thinking here is, If the Amp breaks, get a better one...if the speakers conk out, upgrade. I know it's a big no-no for performances, but for jamming? Anyway just my opinion, better than spending between R3-6k on only a speaker. I've listened to them blasting loud Kwaito through those, and the sound is not realy that bad...like I said, just my opinion.

flatfourfan

SO I took the plunge...........and bought a PA. Wharfdale PM500 with twin 10's with mic and all the cables........R3200. Also splashed out and bought two heavy duty stands for the speakers for R300 a pop and lastly a mic stand.......R150.

The deciding factor was buying our works PA PM600 and damn that thing had grunt, I used it only to find out that 3 of the channels were crackling badly and a speaker had cone issues........so that was promptly returned. Fair enough that they did have it for the last 8 years.

A titan 12 would cost about R3400 and then I'd still be down on mic, cables etc, but I would be able to use it at a later stage. This option however is good for the gig room and allows us to play around a bit. The next plans are to make a rack for the PA that will have enough storage space for the 2 speakers underneath and all on wheels to make moving stuff around easier.

Thanks for the input guys and also thanks to my wife...........birthday came early this year.