Advice Needed - PA system and Lighting please!!!

Abominog

Hi there guys!

I have a few questions, I am contemplating starting a new venture where I do tours and shows etc for artists. I am going to focus on Afrikaans artists, and take the shows to the platteland.

I used to do sound and DJing a few years ago but had to quit because I moved and got stuck in IT.

So my knowledge is basic, but my passion makes up for the rest and the willingness to learn whats what is going to be a pleasure rather than a chore!

My old setup was small, could do about 200 people, 2 mids, 2 subs, 1 amp, mixer and my PC.

What I want now is something alot bigger.

I want to be able to have enough sound for venues, its going to be clubs, school halls, outdoors, that varies in size from 200 people to places that will take about 800.

I dont want to go to big now and make an arse of myself before gaining experience.

I read a lot of things the last few weeks about PA, and honestly, I rather ask an expert and know Im getting the right equipment than trust myself in the initial purchase.

So can you guys help on what to get, sound and lighting please!

I am sure you a lot more questions that I didn't think about what I need, so please, I need to get the proposal in in a weeks time, so I need everything to be perfect!

I had a look at these two sets at soundz.co.za, please tell me what you think or am I on the wrong track?
http://www.soundz.co.za/pSZPACK6/Behringer-Complete-PA-Package-6.aspx
http://www.soundz.co.za/pSZPACK7/Behringer-Performance-PA-Package-7.aspx

Thank you!

Gearhead

Dude, without wanting to discourage you, there's more to that job than buying the right stuff - you need to be able to make it sound right. If you don't know what gear you want, you must have less of an idea of what you want to do with it.

If you are set on going into that line of work, you might give Prosound a call to see if they have an opening. With them you are very likely to pick up more in a month than you would learn on your own in ten years. And, you would get paid. Just my 2c.

Abominog

Point taken, but I am not completely new at this, I have done it for a few years, just not on the scale I am planning to go now!

I have done shows for Jakkie Louw, Nic Stevens and Dowwe Dolla a few years ago.

I am just a bit rusty, and inexperienced in the bigger setups, as far as getting the sound right, I have worked with it before so I know what to listen for!

But thanks for your 2c, as for a job at Prosound, I live in rural eastern cape and want to do it from here, so that wont be an option!!

Cheers

Gearhead

If my income would depend on how my equipment would sound I would not go for Behringer. Plus, with the different venues and cabling requirements I would prefer active speakers over passives.
Do these artists come with band or do they sing over a CD? The cd thing takes a few less mics to invest in...

Abominog

The artists we plan on doing shows for will be either acoustic guitarists with vocals, or vocals with backtracks.

Mostly afrikaans artists, my brother is a standup comedian and we want to do a tour for them as well, so its gonna be vocals, backtracks, and guitars.

Later when I am more experienced I want to take on doing sound for full bands.

What would you prefer above behringer? I have used their mixers before and I could not find a fault with them, my old set was Quad Pro speakers and a Denon amp.

As I said, I am out of the game for a while now so I dont really know which brands to avoid, thats why I am asking the pros!

Gearhead

The resident pros would be Matta, Tomcat, ...

Abominog

I wait and see waht they say, but thanks a lot for your input as well!

AlanRatcliffe

Gearhead wrote: If my income would depend on how my equipment would sound I would not go for Behringer.

+1. Acceptable in a low-cost situation and excellent value-for-money, but for pro use (and abuse) the Behringer stuff doesn't have the quality, reliability or backup needed. There's a reason the pros use Allen and Heath, Crown, EV, etc. I can almost guarantee that you will have replaced every part of the system within a year, so far better to start at a higher level if at all possible.

PA is a business and like any business, must be built up. I'd also say start out smaller, with higher quality gear, big enough to handle the smaller venues you will be tackling. Invest the most in your desk, then you can hire in bigger/more amps and speakers for the occasional show that exceeds your gear's capabilities. When you're hiring more often than you are not, step up to the next level. Plough the money you make back in and build your big rig over time.

Tom will be able to advise you on what the current good systems are and will no doubt have plenty sage advice.

Oh - and get a copy of the Yamaha Sound Reinforcement Handbook. Read it cover-to cover. Then read it again. Then one more time. Wash. Rinse. Repeat...

TomCat

I missed this thread...was in bed yesterday afternoon with a migraine.....all better now...

I go with Gearhead and Alan regarding Behringer.....Behringer is not regarded as professional gear and one of the biggest problems is support and service in this country as the agents are not good in that area.

Where you are relying on income you must have kit that people recognize and feel comfortable with.
Unfortunately that means you have to get professional kit such as JBL, EV, Nexo etc.....at fairly steep pricing.

Lighting is a little more forgiving than sound and equipment spec and brand is not as important.

If you need detailed assistance in putting something together then PM me the details and I'll see what I can do. I might be able to help you out.

Abominog

Thanks Alan,

I have never seen guys doing big shows using behringer, have seen alot of wharfedale pros, HK's and hartke floating around.

But from all the shows Ive seen, I learnt that can you put down a huge set, looks impressive but sounds crap! Bigger isnt allways better!

As you stated about building it up Alan, thats excatly my plan, I realised the money that has to be invested in this is alot, so building up will have to happen. But I want at least for the start have enough to cater for what I want.

Doing bigger venues will come later as I learn more and feel more comfartable in this setup, so then hiring in will be my option!

And for the book, I have found this on Kalahari after a brief search, http://www.kalahari.net/home/Sound-Reinforcement-Handbook/581212.aspx, will that do as well or do you guys prefer the Yamaha book!

And thanks a lot for all the help so far!

AlanRatcliffe

Abominog wrote: And for the book, I have found this on Kalahari after a brief search, http://www.kalahari.net/home/Sound-Reinforcement-Handbook/581212.aspx, will that do as well or do you guys prefer the Yamaha book!

That is the Yamaha book ? It's a bit outdated, missing out on some of the latest stuff like composite cabinets and powered speakers, but there is so much valuable info that it's still an invaluable resource and the theory never changes.

Abominog

Thanks Alan, Ill put in my order!

guitarboy2828

I cannot echo the thoughts regarding Behringer more.. Really not quality stuff... You just will not be regarded as a professional if that is your set up..

JBL, Mackie, EV, etc...

The reality is, if you can get hold of a quality mixer, and a nice set of speakers, you will have amazing sound...

I pair of JBL eon's and a sub, with a good mackie mixer will be suitable for a couple couple hundred people..

Abominog

Thanks guys, Ill start doing research on the above mentioned brands and see what I can find!

Abominog

Has anyone here had any experience with Turbosound speakers?

I got a hold of Stage Audio Works and they seem keen on those speakers?

TomCat

Gearhouse has a whole warehouse full of them. Good product but expensive.

Turbosound were made famous by Pink Floyd as these were their touring loudspeakers of choice.

Abominog

I see, still waiting for the qoute on them from stage audio works, the sales guy said he will be able to get me something in my budget range!