Solo performers - Amp vs PA or both?

[buzzardwhiskey]

Early on I bought a Schertler Unico, which is a very PA-like amp with a wonderful pre-amp section. It was maybe one of the best purchases I've ever made. Great sounding and hugely flexible.

But its sound, and even greater flexibility for gigs down the road are available with an 8" or 10" PA speaker from half a dozen manufacturers, plus a stand, plus a good mixer. I went with a Yamaha DXR10 and a Soundcraft EFX8.

[Methos1979]

We use the very small and lightweight Bose S1 Pro along with an EAE StompMix X6 digital mixer. Both have internal rechargeable lithium batteries so we never need external power even when it's available. We have two S1's for when we need more power or wider dispersion but it's been very rare that we've needed to use the second one. It's perfect for a solo artist or in our case a duo. Unless you need a LOT of volume.

[TheSaint]

Originally Posted by YamahaGuy

Guitar through pedal board into mixer, vocals to mixer. Out of mixer to stick PA or powered speaker.

This....

Every time...

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Was wondering what the preferences were out there for gigging musicians?
Putting your guitar and vocals straight into your PA or using a separate acoustic amp for just your guitar or both? I have to think a dedicated acoustic amp will make your guitar sound better than plugging it straight into a powered speaker or PA system? Of course its much more convenient to just have everything going through one piece.

Thoughts?

Yes, first thought is No, " a dedicated acoustic amp will sound better" is a basic misconception . There are far too many variable at play to make such a general statement.

It completely depends on the actual front end components being used in either a dedicated amp or a PA .
For me my preference when I was gigging regularly was to have a high quality front end that I controlled and could be plugged into either my speakers system or a house system
Mine system was to have a 6 space SKB rolling rack w/
Monster 2500 power surge protecter
Langevin DVC 2 channel Pre,EQ, Limiter combo unit
TC M3000 2 channel Stereo Rerverb FX unit

[JackB1]

I don’t see the need for a mixer for a solo acoustic act

Originally Posted by TheSaint

This....

Every time...

[JackB1]

Why is a good mixer needed?

Originally Posted by buzzardwhiskey

Early on I bought a Schertler Unico, which is a very PA-like amp with a wonderful pre-amp section. It was maybe one of the best purchases I've ever made. Great sounding and hugely flexible.

But its sound, and even greater flexibility for gigs down the road are available with an 8" or 10" PA speaker from half a dozen manufacturers, plus a stand, plus a good mixer. I went with a Yamaha DXR10 and a Soundcraft EFX8.

[Chipotle]

Originally Posted by JackB1

I don’t see the need for a mixer for a solo acoustic act

If your speak/amp of choice doesn't have the effects you want (esp on the vocals, or you don't use a pedalboard).
If you use more than one guitar and don't want to swap cords all the time.
If you ever anticipate having a guest join you and you'll need another mic and/or instrument input.
If your speaker/amp and its controls need to be set up a ways away, a mixer can provide close-by control of the sound.

For me, all of the above.

[YamahaGuy]

Though I like the controls and effects on the Stagepas 1k, having the separate mixer gives me way more flexibility to be able to run delay on my guitar and reverb on my vocals, or to thicken up the midrange on my guitar, or add two additional vocal mics. Flexibility is the big thing. Also, I can even run IEM out of my mixer if the need arises.

[JackB1]

Lately I’ve been considering adding a small guitar amp, like the Boss Acoustic Singer to my setup, who currently is a 10” powered speaker and a pedal board with vocal and guitar effects. I am thinking it would be good for small gigs by itself and also as a stage amp/monitor and I can DI out to the powered speaker when I want to use both. Or would I be better off getting a second 10” powered speaker to use as a monitor or for better dispersion. Thoughts?

[ChrisE]

It’s always weird when I go to answer a question on a thread only to find out I posted already.

[jricc]

Originally Posted by JackB1

Why is a good mixer needed?

I'll use a mixer with powered speakers for eq and fx.

Re an acoustic amp, they are great for convenience and they are full range. Ive used a Fishman Artist for guitar/vocals in room 75x50 about 150 people and it did fine.

[JackB1]

Yeah I've done that

Originally Posted by ChrisE

It’s always weird when I go to answer a question on a thread only to find out I posted already.

[The Bard Rocks]

I've never used an amp. Guitar and vocal through mikes to a mixer I (unless I'm using just my S1) to the L1C. (If the L1C only had a second XLR, I could eliminate the mixer.) I am satisfied with the results. And, no, I don't play loud places.

[varmonter]

Some "amps" are actual pa systems
In one box. My eae d-68 I use as a pa.
With a small mixer on a chair next to me.
(Zed 10) I can put the d68 on a pole
And run it with the mixer. It just gives
Me more options than a board and an frfr.
I'm sure your unico has the same capabilities.
If I can get away with sitting it in a chair or on the stage floor
I'll go that and leave the board home. One less thing to carry.
The amp works equally well both ways.

[Goat Mick]

I have several different amps that I use depending on the venue. I just picked up a Bose S1 Pro a couple of weeks ago that I use now for most venues. I have a Loudbox Performer that I use for loud rooms and rooftop gigs. A Loudbox Mini for really quiet rooms or for when I'm going DI into the house PA. And a Bose L1c that I use for larger outdoor gigs, I DI from my Mini into the L1c so that I can have a bit more control over the effects, etc. I don't own an actual PA because I really don't need one. Maybe if I decide to start a band I'll get a PA but for solo performances I really don't need one. I've played to close to 1000 people with the equipment I have.