PA System

[Okiefisch]

Hello all. I've played as a solo artist at coffee shops and small cafe's where they have their own system and it was just arrive, plug in and play. However, I'm wanting to purchase my own PA system for other venues such as these who don't have their own system. In my research for a portable PA system, I've sort of narrowed my choices down to the Yamaha Stagepas 400i and/or the Behringer Europort both around $500.00 which is my limit. Any of you have any experience with these or recommend a PA system that maybe isn't "portable" but lightweight to fit my budget? Thanks in advance.

[fitness1]

Sent you a PM...

[RockerDuck]

For portability the Bose S1 pro is the way.

[Coop47]

Originally Posted by RockerDuck

For portability the Bose S1 pro is the way.

A buddy of mine uses his for solo gigs and open mics. He raves about it.

[krisls]

Hmmmm.... firstly although I hear good things about their new digital mixers, the B word still makes me break out in hives. I am too generally a fan of Yamaha gear but I have been underwhelmed by the Stagepass offerings, even the 600i is pretty anemic in my experience.

Then too do you have mic/mics, cables stands mic/speaker(s) it all adds up.

Assuming you have the basics outside mixer/speaker, I would seriously look at something like the little QSC CP8 and something like a Soundcraft Notepad 12fx mixer. Slightly over your stated budget, assuming you are in the US. But much better sound than your stated options and you could add another speaker later if needed/wanted.

Just another option to consider. I have no experience with the Bose S1Pro but it gets a lot of love here.

Kris

[wkbryan]

I have the older StagePAS 300, and am happy with it. We've used it inside and outside, audiences from 10 to a couple hundred people, for speech and for a couple of guitars and vocals. Totally reliable, simple, and portable. I think the StagePAS is a solid choice.

[YamahaGuy]

First off, I totally understand the whole budget thing and I never understood why so many people want to spend more of your money than you have to spend.

That said, consider maybe a $200 or $300 Harbinger pa system and springing for the extra warranty when it does break, so you'll be covered. You'd also have more $ to buy speaker stands, etc.

Over time, more and better components can and will come. Also, starting off with something in your price range, later down the road you can always sell it to recoup some $, or even use it in your practice space.

Best of luck, and don't let anyone talk you into doubling/tripling your budget 'cause anything less is junk.

I started off with a 40 lb 8 channel powered mixer and a 2x6.5" truck speaker box. Lol.

On a budget, and compact setup I'd go for 2 Kustom/Powerwerks PA50s on speaker stands. You'd have 4 xlr or 1/4" inputs, and 2 1/8" inputs. Sure, no reverb, but this setup would be flexible and later you could add a sub for another $200 and still come in under your limit budget.

Good luck.

[krisls]

Yep... all discussions like this can get interesting. You will get the.. bah, your idea is unrealistic and will never work, spend three times as much. Or yes cheap is great and can work brilliantly, ignore the naysayers.

I will admit that living in Australia I am very often completely bemused by the seemingly cheapskate ideas some profess. I acknowledge also that a lot of you guys living in the US have absolutely no idea how lucky you are with pricing and availability of gear that an awful lot of others don't see or the price is way above what you think is normal. Exchange rates n taxes often.

So, to this thread. The Stagepass is decent gear as most Yamaha stuff is. It will work just fine in small rooms, or attentive audience type places in larger halls etc. Anywhere people are 'socialising' you may find them struggling. Just a real world observation. Not a demand to spend more. It is a truism that it is always better to have more power than you might need than to struggle with what you have.

That said if the budget is hard and fast and the OP has realistic ideas and expectations, then the choice is yours as it always was. Any and all advise is to be taken with that ol grain of salt or whatever.

Not jumping on anyone or whining in any way. I've been around a while, people make their own choices, sometimes if they had an alternate view they may save in the long run.. or not. Choose wisely as the ol Knight said to Indy. Cheap can work, but not always or for very long... or maybe very well.

Kris

ps... I would love it if a lot more people actually said where they are.

[meb]

[Assuming you have the basics outside mixer/speaker, I would seriously look at something like the little QSC CP8 and something like a Soundcraft Notepad 12fx mixer.

I, too would recommend something like a CP8 and mixer. It will give you
much more flexibility for future changes. My guess is that this would sound
better also. As to mixer, I would think the above 12fx would be a long term
keeper. Any mixer less than 4 combo/xlr inputs, buy used and cheap,
because you will be trading it soon.......that's the way these things work
for agf junkies.

[Murphy Slaw]

I too like the idea of an S1-Pro (Bose) for a "coffeehouse" p.a..

I think in a small venue it will sound better than your other choices.

"Around" $500.00...

[MikeBmusic]

The S1Pro is a good choice, but the new price is $600. Then you'll probably want a stand for it.
Assume you also need to buy a mic, mic stand and cables too. That's going to add $200 to the $600.

So I'll just throw out another choice - get a small mixer and a powered speaker in your budget range. I love QSC, but the CP8 is $400, and you would need a mixer for EQ control.
You can often find used mixers and powered speakers at local stores - and also Guitar Center has sales or 10% off coupons. (there are lot of Behringer choices, these are not my choice although I've had a couple and in my last band we had Behr non-powered speakers, they were 'passable')
Mixer:
Yamaha MG06X $125
Mackie Mix12FX $130
There are other choices, and some cheaper, but I think you will want something with at least built-in reverb.
Powered speaker:
Alto TX210 $170 - I'm using a couple of the older Alto models (TS10), these work fine for acoustic guitar and voice. Not real loud, but that's the advantage of using powered speakers - you can always move up to a bigger/more powerful model without junking your whole system.
JBL EON 610 $250
Alto TS310 $250

Suggestions above are based on your $500 budget, leaving money for a mic (Shure SM58 for vocal - can never go wrong with one), plus the other accessories.

[roylor4]

I don't have any real life experience with the Bose S1, but most people seem to love 'em.

For a one man, acoustic guitar and vocal only - why not something like a Fishman Loudbox Mini?

FWIW, My wife and I have a Samson 308i PA and it is more than enough power for what you are referring to. It is a knockoff of the old (now discontinued) Stagepas 300. I find no reason why a Mini PA setup wouldn't be more than adequate. for your purposes and well beyond.

We also have the Kustom PA50 and it is more than capable of handling rooms of 50-75 people. It does lack bottom end but the sound is clean and clear and it has it's own mixer on board and is 100 bucks (90 on sale). It's a great little piece of "starter" gear and I actually played mine for about 70-80 people yesterday.

If you stretch your budget and consider the Bose also look at the LD Systems Maui 5 - another highly regarded piece of gear here.

[Chriscom]

There are a lot of good recommendations here, all the way from MikeBMusic assembling good choices in the budget to the somewhat more pricey ones that, frankly, my mind immediately went to--the Bose S1 which I think would be perfect for example, and most folks who set a $500 budget can find a way to add $100--but as he points out that doesn't include other essential pieces.

I am sure some people are perfectly happy with the Stagepass line, but its main benefit is super convenience (not nothing!) in a handy package with lots of inputs for the price. But they gotta make their money somehow, and at that level they make it by investing less in the sound. All these other choices, from the S1 and CP8 to Mike's lineup plux the mixer choices, are gonna provide higher-quality sound IMO.

[Okiefisch]

I appreciate everyone's replies. I should have mentioned I do have mic stands and a couple of Shure SM58's along with XLR's, so that won't be an added expense. I agree, it will be better to have more power/volume than possibly needed, rather than not enough. I will do some research on the suggestions and opinions given. Again, much appreciated!

[Chriscom]

Originally Posted by Okiefisch

I appreciate everyone's replies. I should have mentioned I do have mic stands and a couple of Shure SM58's along with XLR's, so that won't be an added expense. I agree, it will be better to have more power/volume than possibly needed, rather than not enough. I will do some research on the suggestions and opinions given. Again, much appreciated!

Awesome! With mic stands and the legendary SM58s, add a JBL EON 610 for $249 at Sweetwater (a $150 discount price that ends June 30) and a Yamaha MG10XU mixer for $199 and you have enough left over for a speaker stand. (and yeah bearing in mind our Aussie friend I'm assuming you're U.S). I see used versions of that mixer online at Guitar Center in the very low $100 range, not counting shipping. I have it, love it.

Let us know how it turns out!