PA System

[resonic 0]

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy a decent PA system in the £600 region. As a relative newbie to the mobile dj'ing business, im not entirely sure about this system:

 

1050 Watt Sound System Package 4 x 15" (ABS Moulded)

 

A complete PA package comprising:

4 x Soundlab XA-300 15" Speakers

1 x C-Mark Amplifier 525 + 525W

4 x Speakon to Speakon speaker cables

1 x Jack to RCA signal cables

Power Output

Total: 1050 Watts - 1050 WRMS

 

 

 

I mean, 1050 watts sounds good, but it's shared between four speakers. Will this make any difference? Can anybody reccommend anything better for £600?

 

Cheers guys, http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/cool.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

Both the Soundlab ABS Speakers and the C-Mark are reviewed on the forum in the Audio Reviews, and several members have owned them, the C-Mark is also marketed under several other fairly popular names too.

 

As equipment goes both the speakers and Amp have some pretty good reviews, but it all depends on your budget. £600 isn't going to get you a whole lot more than that - certainly not with 4 speakers included http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif .

 

Personally I would replace 2 of the speakers with 2x Bass Bins - I don't know if the new range of Soundlab Speakers suffer from the same problem as the older ones, but they can sound a bit "toppy" and will certainly benefit from bass bins - in fact that goes for most full range speakers, nearly all are complimented by the addition of dedicated bass units.

 

So if you can, go for 2x full range (ideally 15" drivers) and a pair of decent bass bins to match.

 

Powerwise, I have 1600W of power available at most gigs, but at the average Wedding with 100 - 125 guests, I rarely need to use more than 2 speakers

 

You'll also find other brands of Amplifiers and Speakers reviewed in the same section, and its also worth checking out the interviews to see what other DJ's are using http://www.dj-forum.co.uk/html//emoticons/smile.gif

[vibemobilediscos 0]

heres some packs i found

 

1

 

Behringer UB1204-pro mixing desk. 4 Mono/2 stereo channels. 2 sub-groups with one fader. 2 Aux sends and 2 stereo Aux returns.

 

A Sound LAB MP1200 Power AMP. Output 600 watts RMS per channel into 4 ohms

 

2 Sound LAB P115C 15" plus horn. 300 RMS speakers

 

2 P115EA Sound LAB 18" 500 watt RMS Bass Bins.

 

Price

 

£679.00

 

2

 

2 Sound lab 15" 300 watt Bass Bins + 2 Sound lab 12" + Horn 250 watt Speakers + Sound lab MP600 Power amp 750 WATTS RMS (375 WATTS PER SIDE) + Poles and Leads

 

Suitable for pubs and small clubs and most DJ/Karaoke Use

 

(Not really suitable for Rock Bands)

 

3

 

COMPLETE READY TO USE

 

2 X 150W 4OHM Mid/top Cabs

 

1 x 300w 15" Subwoofer

 

3 x Separate Amps (600w RMS total)

 

2 x Speaker Stands

 

2 x 6mtr Speaker Leads

 

1 x Speaker stand/ lead Bag

 

1 x Dustcover for whole system

 

Offer Price

 

£599.00

 

 

4

 

A BRAND NEW MODEL POWERED MIXER FROM SOUND LAB. THIS MIXER HAS JUST ARRIVED IN THE UK AND WE HAVE JUST 10 OF THEM IT HAS A BUILT IN 1200 WATT RMS (600 PER CHANNEL) POWER AMPLIFIER @ 4OHM 12 INPUTS THE FIRST 8 ARE BALANCED XLR AND JACK INPUTS 9-12 ARE STEREO OR MONO INPUTS. THERE IS A BUILT IN DIGITAL FX PROCESSOR WITH 16 REVERB/DELAY PROGRAMS. A TWIN 7 BAND GRAPHIC EQ. ALL XLR CHANNELS HAVE 3 BAND EQ 2 AUX SEND AND RETURN PLUS FX AND A GAIN CONTROL AND 48V PHANTOM POWER. THE STEREO CHANNELS HAVE 2 BAND EQ AND 1 AUX SEND AND RETURN. ALL CHANNELS HAVE A PAD SWITCH. THERE IS A MONO SLIDER AND A LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDER FOR THE MASTER OUTPUTS. SPEAKER OUTPUTS ARE ON SPEAKON CONNECTORS.

 

DIMENSIONS ARE 535 X 425 X 145mm WEIGHT IS 15K THE SPEAKERS ARE THE IDEX BRAND MADE BY OHM A BRITISH SPEAKER MANUFACTURER FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND REPRESENT SUPERB VALUE FOR MONEY PRODUCTS. THEY COMPRISE OF A PAIR OF 15" 300 WATT FULL RANGE SPEAKERS LOADED WITH A QUALITY 15" 300 WATT RMS HEAVY DUTY OHM BUILT DRIVER AND A FP250 COMPRESSION BULLET TWEETER ON A WIDE DISPERSION FLAIR.

 

THE FREQUENCY RESPONSE IS 70HZ-20KHZ THE CROSSOVER POINT IS 3.5KHZ.THEY ARE COVERED IN A TOUGH CARPET MATERIAL WITH CORNER PROTECTORS AND A FULL METAL GRILL. THEY HAVE RECESSED HANDLES. THESE SPEAKERS SOUND SUPERB AND ARE MUCH TO GOOD FOR THE PRICE - THEY ARE CERTAINLY AS GOOD AS THE PEAVEY HISIS 2.

 

ALSO YOU GET A PAIR OF THE IDEX 15" 300 WATT BASS BINS AGAIN LOADED WITH A QUALITY OHM SPEAKER WITH THE SAME SPEC AND SIZE BOX AS THE TOP SPEAKERS. THEY HAVE A BUILT IN CROSSOVER WITH A FREQUENCY RESPONSE OF 60-150HZ. BOTH SPEAKER DIMENSIONS ARE H690 X W470 X D380 mm THE WEIGHT IS 26kG

 

THIS IS A SUPERB LITTLE PA SYSTEM WITH PLENTY OF POWER AND QUALITY SOUND FOR CLUB ACTS AND SMALL GROUPS PLAYING PUBS AND SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZE CLUBS.

 

PRICE

 

£779

 

hope these might help? who knows?

 

[Welsh Audio Man 21 0]

QUOTE (vibemobilediscos @ Jun 26 2006, 11:19 AM)

Behringer UB1204-pro mixing desk.

Don't know about anyone else, but I didn't find Behringer Mixers all that marvellous... bad construction! My Behringer lasted 1yr and a half and after that, just started causing me continual problems, mostly based around circuitry problems... ended up selling it for next to nothing after the built in effects packed in!

[Neil of the Roadshow 0]

Don't know about anyone else, but I didn't find Behringer Mixers all that marvellous... bad construction! My Behringer lasted 1yr and a half and after that, just started causing me continual problems, mostly based around circuitry problems... ended up selling it for next to nothing after the built in effects packed in!

 

Personally if its got soundlab written on it avoid like the plague!

 

Behringer will work okay for a bit but use as a stop gap - again its gear on a budget.

 

If you are on a budget get on ebay and ask to check before you buy (ie go and visit and test then bid). Will take a while to get something worth while and a few miles involved but from experience its worth it.

 

 

[bigMCben 0]

I can certainly recommend the c-mark amp. I've used it for 18 months now without issue (touch wood) and it's never let me down. I cuurently use it with two 15" Peavey Messenger Pro. These are 4 ohm speakers so your are getting the most out of the amp. I notice that Thomman are currently doing a bundle with two Pro 15 speakers, two speakon leads and a t-amp amplifier, which appears to be the same as the c-mark amp except that the bridged output is binding posts and not speakon, and it's currently £427.39, which is within your budget. Bundle 28

[Reverandfunk 0]

LOL i have to laugh at the snobbery on here

 

behringer I have used solidly for two years and never a single problem

 

Soundlad - have used a 40 quid wireless mic for 3 years without a problem

 

More money in my back pocket because dont forget:

 

Punters dont care!!!!!!!

[junglist_matty 0]

More money in my back pocket because dont forget:

 

Punters dont care!!!!!!!

 

All depends on what you want from your equipment, for example, my first mixer was a basic 2 channel Gemini PMX-140, cost about £40, did the job, but it was awful, faders felt "rusty" on the slides, the EQ was a waste of time etc...

 

I use a DJM-909, yes its a top of the range mixer, but after using this, I couldn't go back to rubbbish mixers because the 909 is amazing. Faders are faultless, everything is fully customisable etc...

 

It all depends how far you want to take your skills as a DJ and for most mobile applications, a simple beringer mixer will do the job fine. If you want to be creative with your DJ'ing, then better gear is the way forward. I would break any cheap mixer in about a month because I do a lot of fader work, but thats just my style of DJ'ing.

 

 

Going back to original, I have a QSC RMX 850 power amplifier (very high quality), I think its about 350w RMS, I have 2x 200w 12" Carlsbro Alpha's, they are very good, the system is loud enough for any small party and its nice and small, I don't think anyone needs to use bassbins unless your playing for 150+ people. Which doesn't usually happen with mobile DJ'ing!

[Neil of the Roadshow 0]

Go on then in for a penny in for a pound.

 

Mr funk your eminence. This is not snobbery its professionalism.

 

I DJ weddings and run a vocal artist too. I wouldn't use a soundlab microphone to clean out a donkeys bottom. I have two one year old KAM radio mics that were a nice stop gap and will be removed from the DJ rig soon. Couple of Sennheiser E800 series wire mics and EW series radio mics attached to the kit.

 

You might think punters don't care, but believe me once they have seen us they do care and thats why as a hobby DJ I take only take on the £150 agency work to fill gaps only - the rest is much higher.

 

It may be a hobby, but doing weddings these are some of the most important days of peoples lives, something they will put everything into and for you to turn up with a punters don't care attitude!

 

Buy yourself a dictionary and look up the word professional. Some of us make sure we are doing in right and then worry about the money coming in and you know what it takes a wee bit longer to start pulling it in, but eventually I will be making more clear profit from each gig than you even get for the gig.

 

Maybe thats why I have found it so easy to build a full card in just 18 months and taking bookings into 2010 already. Bands and acts we have worked with are taking our details to pass on.

 

PUNTERS DO CARE.

 

Matty mate thanks for the back up - I used to club DJ and I think that is where i learned my respect for a clean sound and faultless kit. But Matt, depends on what sort of Mobile DJ you are used to seeing - I have a 300 person venue to cover on New Years Eve. May need some subs.

 

So Reverand although we disagree I hope we can get along!

 

To get back on thread try Ebay for some second hand OHM RW3's

 

300w RMS at 8 ohms. Can pick them up for £100 to £200 now. Will knock spots off Soundlab

Get yourself a new amp to drive it. Carslbro do some nice effective numbers or I have a nice crown XLS602 that I swear by.

 

Alternatively BigMCben is talking sense with the Peaveys, which make a lovely sound and reliable.

 

If you have the space to carry them try some Mackies - these are nice! Ebay look for Mackie S225 - there are a pair for £399 - ex display - 700 watt RMS at 4 OHMS. So what to drive it. Crown XLS 802 £481 on CPC inc VAT.

 

Okay I'm at £881, but these will be a joy and last for years. Good ivestment and you will see it back with better gigs once people hear your sound.

 

Edited September 8, 2008 by Neil of the Roadshow

[Robster 0]

I started karaoke djing with one Ohm brand speaker (as the neighbours were complaining next to the pub) and a Soundlab 400W Stereo Flatbed Mixer Amplifier G742BA using behringer wired mics and a JVC karaoke player.

 

Now i know this equipment is very low end stuff but i come from a audiophille background and i can set up gear so it sounds IMHO as good as it can given what it is, many DJ's can have great gear but set it up badly. Many do not alter settings from one venue to the next and many karaoke hosts do not alter settings depending on the singer or song..i do.

 

I have built up quite a following of singers who say they sounded the best on my gear ..luckily most haven't got a clue that it is cheap stuff.

Some of my competitors have all the gear and no idea especially for karaoke. too much reverb , too little backing too loud , too quiet etc etc if i had there gear i could make it sing i am sure! but many are lazy have been doing it for years and have a one setting will do attitude. Its not the gear thats good or bad it the operator sometimes

 

There is a lot of snobbery in all boys toys ..cars, hifi , disco gear etc etc

 

I would like better equipment and i know what gear i would buy if the funds were there .

 

i do upgrade sensibly and if there is enough of a difference to warrant the purchase both in terms of sound quality and revenue that the item is likely to return on my investment.

 

for most pub venues paying £100 a night its unlikely that buying high end gear is going to be a smart investment from a pure business point of view.

bottom end and bottom mid is likely to be the best choice for these venues IMHO.

Edited September 8, 2008 by enquirer

[Neil of the Roadshow 0]

Scrub my point on the s225 on ebay its for one - thought it was too cheap to be true. Bloody belting speakers though.

 

[superstardeejay 0]

I wouldn't use a soundlab microphone to clean out a donkeys bottom

 

No, you need something that'll reach around corners.

 

 

[Andy Goodtimes 0]

Personally I don't like 15 inch drivers when used with bins and I do like to use bins, I feel you need bins to get a decent full disco type sound that makes people want to get up and dance. I think to get a PA that you will be happy with and that you could be confident that it will last £600 is not quite enough money to spend if buying new. Sound Lab and alike are ok and basically you get what you pay for...if you want to progress to higher class work in the average hotel ballroom that typically holds about 200 folk then I would suggest for you to try to push the budget a bit higher and look out for some good quality second-hand kit off EBay or via the sale sections of the forums. Personally I would go for 12 inch tops and 18 bins in wood.

 

My system is JBL PRX which have built in XTI amplifier cards with Pioneer mixer and CDs and Denon HDC but I also have a second show which is Skytec actives with Numark mixer, OMT CDs and Cortex HDC so before anyone says it I am not a brand snob...tell you what though, I wouldn't dare to set up the Skytecs for a £400+ Wedding in a classy venue, it just sounds a completely different beast and people do notice...PM me I know where there is an HZ system at right money.

 

Oh...Hi Kev...see they let anyone on here then

[Reverandfunk 0]

Personally speaking I have done 200 plus gigs ranging from back street pubs to 650 people in a marquee, a couple of stately homes and fairly posh weddings at country clubs. Plus I do a regular gig in a venue that holds 300 people.

 

Not once has a punter commented in the sound, hence my belief that as long as you have a reasonable standard of equipment then they dont care.

 

The only lights I get comments about are my lasers which for 3 cost less than 400 quid.

 

I use a basic laptop with windows media player and crossfade because again what is the point of spending hundreds on a specialist DJ package wen i don't need to?

 

 

Each to their own but when I work I want to keep as much of the fee in my back pocket

 

 

 

If professional means spending thousands of pounds of equipment that isn't necessary then please carry on spending and making no profit.

 

For the record I know DJ's who have spent thousands and are rubbish.

 

[junglist_matty 0]

I use a basic laptop with windows media player and crossfade because again what is the point of spending hundreds on a specialist DJ package wen i don't need to?

Each to their own but when I work I want to keep as much of the fee in my back pocket

If professional means spending thousands of pounds of equipment that isn't necessary then please carry on spending and making no profit.

 

For the record I know DJ's who have spent thousands and are rubbish.

 

From your posts, it sounds pretty obvious that you clearly don't understand (or care for) the art of DJ'ing. Your a business type not a creative DJ type which is fair enough as your here to make money.

 

I'm not going to make any statements about your skills as a DJ, but I'm assuming they are pretty amateur going by what I've read from your posts as you don't have a care in the world for how you conduct your mixing by what I've heard, although I may be wrong so please don't take this comment the wrong way, I'm just making an assumption on what I've read from your posts.

[supersound dj 0]

U gotta luv the rev ,..he always talks sence.Keep it up Rev n Keep it simple m8.

 

Paul

[junglist_matty 0]

Matty mate thanks for the back up - I used to club DJ and I think that is where i learned my respect for a clean sound and faultless kit. But Matt, depends on what sort of Mobile DJ you are used to seeing - I have a 300 person venue to cover on New Years Eve. May need some subs.

 

Well I did say (or if I didn't then I thought I did!) that you'd need a pair of 200w speakers (400w system) as a minimum. That should do for parties of upto about 150-200 people, any more than that would be pushing it.

 

If I were to do more than 200 people I would start thinking about adding bassbins into the mix depending on the size of the venue, as too many DJ's don't have a clue what they are doing and just setup their bassbins in any venue or any size party. I wouldn't use bassbins in a smaller environment because they become way too overpowering.

 

...Oh ye, i forgot to mention, that for my PA setup:

 

2x Carlsbro Alpha 12's, - £199.99 brand new for a pair

1x QSC RMX 850 amp - £150 second hand (£350 brand new)

 

I'd highly recommend buying a decent amp over decent speakers, the reason:

 

- Bad speakers with good amp - the amp will drive the speakers to their maximum, you get the highest possibly quality audio the speaker can produce

 

- Bad amp with good speakers - the speakers will be limited by the performance of the amp and only ever sound as good as the sound produced by the amp, bad amps tend to introduce a lot of signal noise which is why its better to go for a good amp/bad speaker over bad amp/good speaker as many people do.

 

- The other advantage of bad speaker / good amp is that upgrading will only cost you the amount of the speakers as you will most probably only have to upgrade the speakers, the amp should be fine; obviously depending on what speakers you decide to upgrade to.

 

 

Thats why I went for QSC because they are quality amps and used in many club installations. Carlsbro are an OK speaker manufacturer, by no means the best, but by far not the worst, I would never ever buy any speaker or amp equipment made by:

 

KAM

Behringer

Soundlab

Intimidation

ProSound

...and a few others!

 

simply because the quality is awfull.

 

[disco4hire 1]

I want to keep as much of the fee in my back pocket.

For the record I know DJ's who have spent thousands and are rubbish.

 

I totally agree with that, but just out of interest, what gear did you use for 650 folks in a marquee ?

And are you getting good fees for your efforts ?

 

Personally speaking, I've invested many thousands of pounds in high quality kit, much of which I obtained second hand (I also like to keep my money in my pocket LOL) it looks good, it sounds good, and I sincerely believe it helps me obtain higher gig prices. (I don't go out for less than £250 unless I 'want' the gig, and usually get £300 - 400 for my services, (big rig + lightshow) How does this compere to your business model ?

[D.X 0]

I have a QSC RMX 850 power amplifier (very high quality), I think its about 350w RMS, I have 2x 200w 12" Carlsbro Alpha's, they are very good, the system is loud enough for any small party and its nice and small, I don't think anyone needs to use bassbins unless your playing for 150+ people. Which doesn't usually happen with mobile DJ'ing!

 

 

I have the RMX2450, 2xS215s & 2xS218s. I haven't been in this game long but I still haven't done a gig where I needed the 18s. I did a wedding in a community hall last Saturday which had a fairly high ceiling and around 175 guests. I only took the S215s but I couldn't turn them up anywhere near full and had to EQ some bass out as it was getting a bit too much.

 

Unless you're playing to 200+ on a regular basis then bass bins are not needed IMHO. I think when I upgrade in the future I'll be looking at one of the HK Audio systems which are more geared towards getting the highest quality sound from smaller speakers. My mate went to see a singer he knows a few weeks ago in a room that held about 200 people. The artist had the Lucas Impact rig consisting of 2x8" and 1x15" speakers with a total of 1200 watts. He said it sounded awesome yet when she turns up for gigs people tend to say things like "Is that all you've brought with you".

 

Until they hear it that is.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

 

It may be a hobby, but doing weddings these are some of the most important days of peoples lives, something they will put everything into and for you to turn up with a punters don't care attitude!

 

Buy yourself a dictionary and look up the word professional. Some of us make sure we are doing in right and then worry about the money coming in and you know what it takes a wee bit longer to start pulling it in, but eventually I will be making more clear profit from each gig than you even get for the gig.

 

 

An excellent couple of statements, especially the one I have highlighted.

 

This thread is over 2 years old so am guessing the original starter has got his PA :Thumbup: ... Carry on with the debate though...

 

To me equipment is important. Its the same with any business " You get out of it what you put in" and yes the clients and their guests do notice!

[Reverandfunk 0]

I think Im off for a permanent lie down...

 

I must just totally miss the point of DJ'ing i.e. going out and giving people a good night as oppossed to one upmanship and the snobbery that goes on here with people thinking they are great because they have spent a fortune on a kit that no-one aprt from the Dj is remotely bothered about.

 

I had great nights when I started out using a pair of 250w skytecs.

 

I am amazed that people say that punters are "bothered" by your kit.

I have never had a single person ask me what system I use, how big my amp is, are my lights LED etc etc.

 

Do punters ask about the RMS of yr speakers when they ring you with an enquiry?

 

They expect you do have the equipment to do the job.

 

MY behringers have played a marquee with 650 people in the, the same as my 38 quid soundlab wireless mic which could be heard clearly at the back of the marquee.

 

Some people really need to get a grip and get their heads from up there own backsides.

 

NO-ONE CARES ABOUT WHAT EQUIPMENT YOU USE.

 

 

 

 

[wendyice 0]

From your posts, it sounds pretty obvious that you clearly don't understand (or care for) the art of DJ'ing. Your a business type not a creative DJ type which is fair enough as your here to make money.

 

I'm not going to make any statements about your skills as a DJ, but I'm assuming they are pretty amateur going by what I've read from your posts as you don't have a care in the world for how you conduct your mixing by what I've heard, although I may be wrong so please don't take this comment the wrong way, I'm just making an assumption on what I've read from your posts.

 

 

same old same old.

 

when is the snobbery/ mix dont mix/ thing gonna end?

 

i dont mix, i aint spent grands on the best of everything. i have decent mid size system, i have powered cabs plus a set of bins and tops.

a berry mixer with fx which is more than adequate imho.

 

i use a deck stand with goalpost, still need a starcloth but no rush.

 

i dont mix or beat match, i have been known to go from heavy rock to smooth soul in a flash i do not nor do i want to create a clubby type gig.

 

so am i an amateur too?

 

i dont advertise, dont have a website running.

 

yet i get lots of calls from reccomendations and pepps who have seen me perform.

that is what i do i perform. i dont spin tunes or be a jukebox, i give you a show with me in the middle of it.

 

there is a place for everyone and the ones who are lucky enough or want to enough to buy the top of the range gear etc fair play to you.

 

some of us choose not to for various reasons.

 

i average about 160.00 a gig and have just picked up a weekly 70's 80's night and 4 parties in the space of 2 days. all recc's.

 

i gig 4 nights each week and anything else is a bonus.

 

i have a 1 bed flat and not much room so i do what i can with i have.

 

i must be an amateur too. :rant:

Edited September 9, 2008 by Dukesy

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

I don`t see any snobbery here. From what I`ve read someone (2 years ago) was asking for some advice on which equipment to buy.

 

The posts I`ve read other members have stated which gear they use because that`s what they want. You wouldn`t advise someone on gear they wouldn`t use, would you?

[wendyice 0]

see post #15 where i took the quote from.

it didnt come out as a quote tho looks like i wrote it but i never.

[Dukesy 0]

Quote amended.