Author Topic: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?  (Read 29212 times)

BillESC

  • Preferred Vendor
  • Padawan
  • ***
  • Location: Kilmarnock, VA
  • Posts: 85
  • President of Entertainment Systems Corporation
    • Entertainment Systems Corporation
Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« 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?
Thanks,

Bill ESC

Entertainment Systems Corporation
Innovative production services since 1973
800-582-2421
bill@entsyscorp.com

BigJD

  • Charter Member
  • Youngling
  • **
  • Location:
  • Posts: 22
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #1 on: April 15, 2010, 02:39:20 AM »
Half and Half active tops passive subs,half IEM's, Half active floor boxes.

RoadRanger

  • SysGod
  • Counselor
  • Master
  • *****
  • Location: NE CT USA
  • Posts: 1776
  • "Wherever you go, There you are"
    • Cacophony Forums
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #2 on: April 15, 2010, 03:32:02 AM »
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 :(.

BillESC

  • Preferred Vendor
  • Padawan
  • ***
  • Location: Kilmarnock, VA
  • Posts: 85
  • President of Entertainment Systems Corporation
    • Entertainment Systems Corporation
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #3 on: April 15, 2010, 03:33:58 AM »
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.
Thanks,

Bill ESC

Entertainment Systems Corporation
Innovative production services since 1973
800-582-2421
bill@entsyscorp.com

abzurd

  • Guest
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2010, 01:17:17 PM »
All active FOH. 2 active, and 2 IEM's for monitoring.

axisplayer

  • Charter Member
  • Youngling
  • **
  • Location:
  • Posts: 17
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2010, 01:45:00 PM »
All passive.

RoadRanger

  • SysGod
  • Counselor
  • Master
  • *****
  • Location: NE CT USA
  • Posts: 1776
  • "Wherever you go, There you are"
    • Cacophony Forums
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2010, 01:57:21 PM »
Those of you running active monitors - how do you prevent the controls on them from being tweaked?

BillESC

  • Preferred Vendor
  • Padawan
  • ***
  • Location: Kilmarnock, VA
  • Posts: 85
  • President of Entertainment Systems Corporation
    • Entertainment Systems Corporation
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2010, 02:21:45 PM »
Those of you running active monitors - how do you prevent the controls on them from being tweaked?

A gun.
Thanks,

Bill ESC

Entertainment Systems Corporation
Innovative production services since 1973
800-582-2421
bill@entsyscorp.com

RoadRanger

  • SysGod
  • Counselor
  • Master
  • *****
  • Location: NE CT USA
  • Posts: 1776
  • "Wherever you go, There you are"
    • Cacophony Forums
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #8 on: April 15, 2010, 02:32:33 PM »
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?

Gorgon90

  • Charter Member
  • Youngling
  • **
  • Location:
  • Posts: 8
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #9 on: April 15, 2010, 04:04:11 PM »
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.

RoadRanger

  • SysGod
  • Counselor
  • Master
  • *****
  • Location: NE CT USA
  • Posts: 1776
  • "Wherever you go, There you are"
    • Cacophony Forums
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #10 on: April 15, 2010, 05:29:20 PM »
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 :).

BillESC

  • Preferred Vendor
  • Padawan
  • ***
  • Location: Kilmarnock, VA
  • Posts: 85
  • President of Entertainment Systems Corporation
    • Entertainment Systems Corporation
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #11 on: April 15, 2010, 05:56:49 PM »
Quite easily IMHO.
Thanks,

Bill ESC

Entertainment Systems Corporation
Innovative production services since 1973
800-582-2421
bill@entsyscorp.com

Keyguy

  • Charter Member
  • Initiate
  • *
  • Location:
  • Posts: 3
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2010, 05:51:53 PM »
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.

monthlymixcd

  • Charter Member
  • Padawan
  • ***
  • Location:
  • Posts: 59
  • Rink Rash is Sexy. Support Your Local Roller Girls
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #13 on: April 17, 2010, 01:56:41 PM »
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.

Keyguy

  • Charter Member
  • Initiate
  • *
  • Location:
  • Posts: 3
Re: Who runs an active system - who runs a passive?
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2010, 05:34:00 PM »
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.