Cacophony Forums
Live Performance & Production => Sound Reinforcement => Topic started by: BillESC on April 15, 2010, 02:35:53 AM
-
My shop is all active. We stock a wide variety of active cabinets including original Mackie SA1521's, EV SxA250, SxA360. and ZXA5's plus a couple KV2 EX series systems. Since we not only do on site production but also rent out systems, I find active cabinets to be much easier to explain to the clients and absolutely scalable.
What do you use?
-
Half and Half active tops passive subs,half IEM's, Half active floor boxes.
-
For smaller rooms (<=300 people?) active is the way to go for tops and subs for sure. Powered subs are still a bit pricey though. Most active floor monitors have volume and EQ controls on them - I don't really want anybody having local control of those :(.
-
That would be hard to rent out.
My rural market is in the bible belt. There are 52 churches in a ten mile circle, each trying to out do the other, business is consistant. You add weddings, public events, market days, a few stock holders meetings and lots of local events, i.e., fish frys, clam bakes and crab any way you want it. It's a good place to live, and I'm the only one here. ;) Don't tell anyone.
-
All active FOH. 2 active, and 2 IEM's for monitoring.
-
All passive.
-
Those of you running active monitors - how do you prevent the controls on them from being tweaked?
-
Those of you running active monitors - how do you prevent the controls on them from being tweaked?
A gun.
-
A gun.
:D
Aside from the talent screwing with them, I'd be worried about the controls getting moved in transport - so you'd have to check them all every time you set up? Passive monitors just seem easier to deal with. I have a 17 lbs 4 channel 2U amp in its own case for them
Do you use them fancy cables that have both AC and XLR cables in them?
-
Due to the band reforming at the moment, the PA is to be finalised but we used to use my ancient Carlsbro powered monitor with extension cab for vocals and acoustic guitar with front of house PA being a desk, power amp, and passive speakers.
This was for playing bars/small venues, anything too big for this we'd hire it in.
-
Hey Bill, do you have any of the SB2A's? Would two of those and two SB122 driven off them keep up with a pair of Peavey 12D's? I've really got a "thing" for keeping all my boxes under 50 lbs each and at 35 lbs those would be great if they could do the job :).
-
Quite easily IMHO.
-
I run all active. 2-FBT Maxx4a tops, 2-FBT Maxx9sa subs, and 5-FBT Maxx2a for monitors. And yes, you need to check the EQ's before every job because they do get moved in transport. I have resisted the power/xlr cables because of the cost, but I may be weakening. One downside to those cables is with the AC running inside it, I would hate for someone to put a high heel or something through the cable. The only problem in 5 years was one of the monitor amps went, but FBT promptly repaired it (reasonably priced). A couple of the pots are starting to get noisy, so I will have to address that soon. The system has a great sound and is pretty lightweight.
-
How are those FBTs?!? There's a used pair of Maxx4a cabs on the local CL for $1400 and a pair of Maxx6a cabs at GC for $1600. I've heard those 6s and they would be great DJ cabs for a simple SoS gig, but I prefer smaller drivers in tops for live SR.
FWIW - I run a mix of passive/active tops/monitors depending on the gig. I also use a powered sub... when needed. I'd really rather be all powered except my monitors I think.
-
I have been really pleased with the FBT's. I was originally reluctant because of the brand being relatively unknown. Like you, I prefer the 12's for the tops.
-
... and that's the main reason I haven't made GC an offer on the Maxx6a speakers... but for 15s they do have nice mids and sound really crisp... that's probably the high quality HF driver though.
-
I have a 17 lbs 4 channel 2U amp in its own case for them
Which amp?
-
Which amp?
Alto D2 - some stoopid online retailer had it for $335 shipped. I shoulda bought a couple more before they got the bill from the distributor that drop shipped it to me. Their price almost doubled to what everyone else is charging after that ;) !
-
I thought I remembered that you were the guy that got that deal. That's the amp I'm shopping for right now... seems like a better deal even at the normal price than the CS800x4.
Are these the 4 channel amps I should be looking for used?
Alto D2 & D4
Peavey CS800x4
Carvin DCM1204
QSC CX254
Crown CTS4200 series
Am I missing any? Any here that I should avoid? I'm just looking to free up 2U and drop some weight in my amp rack. Currently using 2 older amps (50lb. of amps) that run around ~150W/8ohmsx2 each for 4 monitor mixes total. My current monitors (JBLs and EVs) can handle ~200W/8ohms easy although I would love to upgrade to all EV ZX1s and maybe a ZX5 as drum monitor... so I'm in the same ballpark power-wise with that upgrade I think.
-
I thought I remembered that you were the guy that got that deal. That's the amp I'm shopping for right now... seems like a better deal even at the normal price than the CS800x4.
The Alto is a full depth amp - I'd buy this one today:
http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=DCM2004L
-
I'll add that to the list... only 10lb.?!? Sweet!
I've never really minded Carvin stuff. Had one of their 24ch. mixers for years with no issues.
-
Mixed bag here.
My "hop in the car & help us out" setup(s): 2 Mackie C300's (main or monitor depending on needs), 2 passive 10" Apogee monitors and 1 12" (rescued from friend's garage, rebuilt them myself) main, 2 QSC K10's, and a pair of passive 15" Apogee's that I drag out for larger setups (heavy & awkward but great sounding)
One company I work for is 100% QSC K-series
Another company I work for is a mix of Meyer (older, passive, heavy) and Apogee (powered) with a set of K12's for grab-n-go shows.
And of course, lots of clubs & small halls with their own various systems…
Edit: that Meyer company I work with got another pair of K12's & I used them all weekend at the Novato Arts & Wine Fest 7th St Stage for monitors (instead of packing the Meyers & their ludicrously heavy amp rack) - worked like a charm all weekend even in full sun > 100degree heat
-
I run all active. 2-FBT Maxx4a tops, 2-FBT Maxx9sa subs, and 5-FBT Maxx2a for monitors. And yes, you need to check the EQ's before every job because they do get moved in transport. I have resisted the power/xlr cables because of the cost, but I may be weakening. One downside to those cables is with the AC running inside it, I would hate for someone to put a high heel or something through the cable. The only problem in 5 years was one of the monitor amps went, but FBT promptly repaired it (reasonably priced). A couple of the pots are starting to get noisy, so I will have to address that soon. The system has a great sound and is pretty lightweight.
I purchased 2 x 30 combo cables for MF. The first one failed in a month. Took a bit of talking but I reminded them of their lifetime guarantee and they sent me a new one. Now one of them has failed again at the connector that goes into the powered speaker. I feel there is to much weight from these cables and they are just pulling the cable to much. I like them for floor speakers such as my sub or a monitor.
Chris
-
I use all QSC K series for my band. 2 K12's for tops and a K212 for the sub. Also 2 K10's for monitors and one IEM for me to mix through LOL.
I drop a small stage snake in the centor of the stage and feed all 5 speakers off of it. makes for a single home run back to the board. I also run one good sized AC cable to the same location with a heavy duty 8 port power strip and feed them all from the same line. Makes setups and tear downs that much quicker.
-
My present system is active tops, passive subs, and passive monitors. Usually my RCF 310A's over Danley TH-Mini subs and semi-custom Ramsdell Pro Audio 10" coaxial monitors (I have eight of these but usually only carry 6). My amp rack is a Gator GR-6S with two Peavey IPR1600 amps for monitors and one Behringer NU3000 or IPR3000 for the subs, weighs about 35 lbs total 8) .
I have a pair of Rog 186 horn-loaded subs loaded with 4 ohm Eminence Omega Pro's for outdoor use and a pair of Behringer B412DSP tops that don't get used much as they aren't any louder than the 310A's and weigh over twice as much - 65 lbs each :o . LeeSteel has the newer lightweight version of those 8) .
-
Fully passive!
I went this way because we could be playing a small, large or outside venue. I have all the power necessary for everything in a 12 space amp rack. I run all JBL cabs, MR515 tops for all venues and will add one or two of my SR 4718 or MR528 bottoms as required. I also run 4 monitors with this set up.....
-
All active here, mix of gear:
Pair of Mackie SRM 1521
Pair of RCF ART 312a
Pair of EV SbA760
Pair of Mackie SRM350 (used as monitors)
Pair of W Audio SW12a (monitors)
Prefer the ease of set up and being able to reduce the number of cables I have to carry. The majority of the speakers have very few controls on them, so typically it is just a case of checking the gains and that none of the line/mic switches have been depressed. With the band I normally engineer for I wil typically just use a single EV bin linked to the RCF tops and run the SRM350s as monitors. In the 14 years of engineering I've never had any one fiddle with the settings (monitors or FoH) during a gig. I have had people drunk and clearly a bit numb to their surroundings knocking the speakers round on their stands :-)
-
Technically speaking, speakers don't need to be self-powered to be "active". It's a misnomer started by Mackie marketing (of course). My main PA is all non self-powered boxes. But the system is an active 5-way system with separate amp channels for each driver band-pass. Passive implies that the speakers have a passive crossover network that divides the band-pass signals post amplifier.
Glad to be back!
P.S. you know you ALL missed my pedantic, όber detailed posts, especially Jerrylee!
-
Technically speaking, speakers don't need to be self-powered to be "active". It's a misnomer started by Mackie marketing (of course). My main PA is all non self-powered boxes. But the system is an active 5-way system with separate amp channels for each driver band-pass. Passive implies that the speakers have a passive crossover network that divides the band-pass signals post amplifier.
Glad to be back!
P.S. you know you ALL missed my pedantic, όber detailed posts, especially Jerrylee!
Haha, nice post Greg I'll be passive and let JL respond!
-
Good point Greg! :lol:
All self powered (and active) here.
-
Hi,
When we have to use our own PA we choose from 5x SWA1501's, 2x SR1530's and 4x SRM450's most of which are either Italian or US models. For monitors we use the Wharfedale EVP 12 & 15"PM and a choice of desks. Either a Mackie Onyx 1640i or a Yamaha MG24/14.
Can be set up or stripped down in a matter of minutes, probably good for a room size of 400/500 max. If we had to set up outside we would have to double up on the PA set up and possibly more.
In the past we have had the old Pro Peavey rigs were a team of gorillas are needed just to move the amp rack alone never mind the dual loaded 15" subs.
Lee
-
All active/self powered at last, FOH = 2 x QSC K12 plus 1 x EV SbA750, Monitors, 2 x Yamaha DXR10 and 1 x Alto Truesonic TS110A. Sounds lovely both on stage and off :)
-
Mix Desk - FOH
Avid (Digidesign) Venue SC48 48 Input/16 Output Digital Mixer w/ SC48 Plugin Bundle
- Avid IO16 Analog I/O board installed to insert analog & digital processing
Mains
4 Rat Sound Rat Trap 5 Flown 4-Way Quad Amplified Full Range Tops(EV 15x2, EV 10x2, JBL 2, 18 Sound 1)
4 Rat Sound Subwoofers - Double 18 (EV EVX-180B Loaded)
Crest Audio Professional Series 8001, 7001, 4801 Amplifiers
XTA DP448 4-Way Stereo Processor/DSP for Tops
BSS FDS-310 Crossover with Symetrix 501 Limiter for Subs on Aux Send
Ashley PQX-571 Parametric EQ for Subs on Aux Send
Xilica DLP4080A Utility Processor for delays & supplemental EQ
Stage Lip Fill/Side Wash
EV ZxA1 2-way Powered Speakers (processed by Xilica DLP8040A)
Monitors - Up to 8 Mixes from FOH or separate monitor desk (A&H GL2200-32)*
4 Mackie SRM450 Wedges (Self Powered Bi-Amped 12 2-Way)
4 Mackie SR1530 Side and Drum Fills (Self Powered Tri-Amped 15 3-Way)
2 Turbosound 18 Subwoofers for Side Fills
TDX CX Series Crossovers for Side Fill Subwoofer/Tops Split
Crest Audio Professional Series 7001 Amps for Side/Drum Fill Subs
1/3rd Octave EQs for Monitor Mixes when run from separate desk
Photos (http://www.cameronproaudio.com/Cameron_Pro_Audio/Photos.html#grid)
-
Mostly passive here. 15"+ horn passive mains + a two pair of small passive monitors. I do currently run a powered sub, but that will be going passive, too, soon.
In my band where I'm the keyboardist, I takes a copy of the main mix + my vocal and runs it into my rig, and then send back a mix-minus that has just keyboards. I also do sound for one band where everyone's on in-ears for most of their gigs, although they sometimes use my passive wedges for smaller shows.
-
All powered QSC K series. K10 for tops, K12 for monitors and K12 subs
-
QSC HPR122i powered tops
1 QSC KW181 powered sub
2 Alto SXM112a powered monitors (will be getting more).
Have 2 of the ProCo 50' siamese power/XLR cables that I've had for 8 years with no failures.