Needing advice for good acoustic sound

Faith7727 · 02-04-2004, 02:35 PM

Hey, I am a part of a small acoustic duo that plays all over Atlanta, and we have a sound system that is as old as dirt. Up until now we had no cash to upgrade, but now we are looking for a good portable sound system that will be good for an acoustic band. We don't need much, just two vocal channels, two guitar channels and a chanel to mic a cello. I am in the market but would like to know if anyone has any recommendations for a system that holds up to this reputation. Enlighten me.

Thanks
Erin Faith

DarylB · 02-04-2004, 04:59 PM

I'm not very educated so this may be veto'ed but i would suggest a small powered mixer and a pair of speakers. Another option is a small mixer, power amp and a pair of speakers. Either works, look around on www.MusiciansFriend.com and post back with combo's you've come up in your price range and maybe we'll help modify that. Also Do you have mic's yet?

Jay Tea · 02-04-2004, 07:11 PM

I've used the Fender Passport system, and thought it was pretty solid. The one I used only had four inputs, though...I think there's a deluxe version.

In general, for what you seem to be talking about, I think a powered mixer makes more sense.

nate95366 · 02-06-2004, 09:38 AM

The big thing is that you need power for the loudspeakers. The powered mixer will accomplish this (combining mixer + power amp). So will powered speakers (combining power amp with loudspeakers). Peavey and Fender do well with powered mixers. Mackie does well with powered speakers. Personally, I prefer powered speakers because then I don't have a lot of higher-voltage wiring (power amp) really close to my lower-voltage wiring (mixer), which leads to less potential for problems.

In your situation (but not knowing your budget, so I'm really just kinda dreaming a bit), I would get a standard 8-channel mixing board that had the capability for low-Z XLR (three-prong "mic" cable) outputs along with a set of powered loudspeakers.

Nate

DarylB · 02-06-2004, 04:46 PM

Are the low-z XLR cables the ones that would go to the powered speakers or do regular style 1/4" cables do it?

nate95366 · 02-06-2004, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarylB

Are the low-z XLR cables the ones that would go to the powered speakers or do regular style 1/4" cables do it?

IIRC, for Mackie powered speakers, there is a special auxiliary send (XLR female) and the speakers also have an XLR female input. That would require an XLR cable with a "gender-bended" end. The Mackie powered speakers I've seen did not do the 1/4" input thing... (which is unusual).

Nate

Deren · 02-07-2004, 07:13 AM

Powered speakers are good, and usualy speakers do use a 1/4" speaker cable that runs from the speakers to the mixer "mains" or "monitors" input.
A note on powered speakers. They are great, but they will be heavier to carry around because they have thier own power amp in them.
I have a "powered" guitar cabinet thats 4X10" from GBX (its way old) but still sounds great. I comes weighting in really heavy though and does not have wheels. Just letting you know.
ON the plus side, you can get a good workout by lugging them around

take care,
-Deren

DarylB · 02-07-2004, 11:50 AM

I would go with the powered mixer and speakers. It will be more flexible later if you want to trade the powered mixer in for a power amp and mixer.

Faith7727 · 02-07-2004, 03:10 PM

Thanks guys! You have all been such a big help. I will continue shopping around (mainly on Musicians Friend) and I will let you know how it turns out. You guys are awesome for the advice!

Thanks!
Erin Faith

LWatford · 02-08-2004, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate95366

IIRC, for Mackie powered speakers, there is a special auxiliary send (XLR female) and the speakers also have an XLR female input. That would require an XLR cable with a "gender-bended" end. The Mackie powered speakers I've seen did not do the 1/4" input thing... (which is unusual).

Nate

The Mackie speakers are great, and they work really well with the Makie boards (not really a big surprise...). One church I used to work at used a pair of Mackie SRM450's and a Mackie CFX12, and that was a great small, simple setup. Plug mics into the mixer; take two mic cables from the XLR outs on the CFX to the XLR ins on the SRMs; and you're set (well, aside from pluging everything into the wall and setting your sound).

This setup might is more than something similar from another company, but the sound is great, the construction is great, and it will last you forever.

Being acoustic you probably wouldn't need much of anything in the way of monitors (unless you play places were there is alot of ambient noise), you should be able to hear each other and some bleed from the speakers...maybe...

robert4xst · 03-08-2004, 12:59 PM

I must say the Fender Passport is a nice system, definatly very portable and has quite a bit of power to it. The nice thing about the Passport is you could easily set it up for outdoor gigs, or small locations without any hassle.