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Big speaker/small PA advice needed
 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-05 11:40 [#02090755]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



Hi Folks,

I'm looking at buying a smallish PA system (ideally just a
shade over 1Kw) for use DJing at small-medium sized venues
that lack their own PA (or that charge silly prices for the
hire of their own). Crucially, I will be DJing outdoors at
least a couple of times this summer and I know from
experience that you need a fair bit more power to be heard
at even reasonably small gatherings. In the past, I have
always had PAs provided by venues/the events, but a friend
who is a promoter is looking to do a few and to save costs
(in the long run) we're probably going to get one ourselves.


I was thinking of one of these:

LAZY_Speakers

Anyone have any comments/advice?

Thanks in advance.


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2007-06-05 11:49 [#02090760]
Points: 40042 Status: Lurker



There WILL be BASS !


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-06-05 11:49 [#02090761]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



I don't actually know all too much about PA systems, but it
seems to me JBL is the industry standard, and it must be so
for some reason... I guess you've already looked into that,
though, as you've probably noticed that everyone uses
their speakers.


 

offline freqy on 2007-06-05 13:44 [#02090808]
Points: 18724 Status: Regular | Show recordbag



mackie pa sound real sweet for a cheap price!

d&b audiotechnik are the best i've used, the NIA /NEC
symphony hall use them. tested a fair few during the period,
d&b came out tops. i even pumped fsol lifeforms through
them, sounded fk'in awesome!!!

http://www.dbaudio.com/en/





 

offline sheffieldbleep from Sheffield (United Kingdom) on 2007-06-05 13:48 [#02090809]
Points: 2466 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02090755



I'm not clued up on speakers but I can tell you that
Omnitronic are ok. A friend had some Omnitronic turntables
which were very solid and similar to 1200s but for a
fraction of the price!


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-06-05 14:47 [#02090828]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #02090761 | Show recordbag



JBLs hi-fi stuff isn't all that, though, mind you...


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-06-05 14:51 [#02090830]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



I wonder if there'd be a market for a club that focused on
high-end sound.. I mean.. people like to talk when they're
out, and most of the time, the sound only works as a buffer,
so that everyone else's conversations don't interfere with
yours, and so that other people can't hear you dissing
them... But maybe, if it was done right, like a jazz club or
something, a high-end club could work.. music played off a
clearaudio master reference through some super great mono
blocks and then awesome speakers, made out of stone or
whatever gives the least resonance... I'd go there, but
would other people?


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-05 15:02 [#02090838]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #02090830 | Show recordbag



Drunken Mastah: Sadly sound quality isn't actually terribly
important in 90% of venues. Most people prefer it to be loud
as opposed to clear. Imagine how sound sounds when you're
quite drunk, it's like a bad plate reverb (at least for me),
then there's the fact people are talking over the
top/singing along at the top of their voices etc. You'd be
amazed how many venues have a mono speaker system too. Some
places that are more clubs for people who are actually into
music (as opposed to it just being a soundtrack to shark
drunk girls to) have great systems, but even then, it tends
to be an emphasis on volume and bass rather than audiophile
quality.

Any bigger venues are likely to have their own PA and
besides, cost rules it out. So, I'm looking to get something
in the 1-2KW range (probably nearer 1 than 2). So, "cheap
and loud" is what I'm after, provided it doesn't sound
really bad. I won't be using these in the house
(well, maybe in my garage for mastering the bass on tracks)
for listening!


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-06-05 15:13 [#02090843]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02090838 | Show recordbag



Yeah, I know, but I was just thinking out loud (or rather,
out writing).. I mean, my fav+ place in town is Biskopen
(the bishop). It's got skilled people in the bar that you
can talk to about whisky and beer, and they have reclining
chairs in the basement. They've got a fireplace (which rocks
in the winter), and the sound levels are never intrusive,
except saturdays when there are tons of people everywhere
(tuesdays are the best days for going out). And, basically,
I could love a place just like that even more if they had a
high-end soundsystem.

As I said, I don't know much about PAs, but I know a bit
about hi-fi and high-end.. I don't know if cerwin vega makes
PA systems, but they're like hi-fi with bass.. they're known
for their bass, but at the same time retaining a bit of
hi-fi...


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-05 15:30 [#02090853]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to Drunken Mastah: #02090843 | Show recordbag



Don't get me wrong- I'd love a place like you envisage. I
just don't think enough people are discerning enough that
it'd be financially viable in most places.


 

offline Drunken Mastah from OPPERKLASSESVIN!!! (Norway) on 2007-06-05 15:42 [#02090858]
Points: 35867 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02090853 | Show recordbag



Yeah, I know.. and when you love high-end, you usually get
it at home where you can modify everything.. at a bar, it'd
all be depending on how many people are there, etc, plus a
few people would always be fighting over the sweet spot, and
one of the main points of going out is exactly not
being the wanker who has to complain about the sound quality
or the quality of the music because you're busy talking to
whoever's there instead...

Actually, I kind of just wish I could afford a high-end
system at home.. I mean, I have a decent budget hi-fi
system, but when you notice the faults of your own system,
it's obvious you're wishing for something better... I'll
just have to write some sort of crappy popular science book
in philosophy that people will buy... something like that
"the philosophy of simpsons" thing (I cringe whenever I see
that book, btw). I could quite possibly do "everyday
introduction to existitentialist issues" or something..
however, the funnest thing ever would be to do some kind of
I <3 huckabees existential detective thing. That just
wouldn't pay off, plus it kind of contradicts
existentialism, but it'd be fun!


 

offline diablo on 2007-06-05 17:16 [#02090921]
Points: 3242 Status: Lurker



I reckon they'd be good. I'm no expert but looks like good
sound system fayre.

Best club sound system I've heard is at The End. Haven't
been for a while but when I went you could talk over it, and
it's still loud.

PS Can I DJ at one of your nights? ;)


 

offline w M w from London (United Kingdom) on 2007-06-05 17:20 [#02090924]
Points: 21449 Status: Lurker



If you're doing the lyrics remember to get a larger system
than a normal person would get to better amplify your voice
since you have such a miniature head.


 

offline J198 from Maastricht (Netherlands, The) on 2007-06-05 17:26 [#02090928]
Points: 7342 Status: Lurker | Followup to w M w: #02090924 | Show recordbag



i know nothing about sound systems and yet i read this
entire thread for god knows what.

and your avatar is most excellent.


 

offline w M w from London (United Kingdom) on 2007-06-05 19:31 [#02090971]
Points: 21449 Status: Lurker | Followup to J198: #02090928



That means you read 3 posts by Ceri JC... you should
probably sterilize yourself. I'm starting to think this
avatar sucks. The triangles need to animate differently all
the way around, and the black part is too static, and the
circle part is blobish after vector graphics convertet to
pixels.


 

offline w M w from London (United Kingdom) on 2007-06-05 19:33 [#02090973]
Points: 21449 Status: Lurker



I just got a good idea though.


 

offline futureimage from buy FIR from Juno (United Kingdom) on 2007-06-06 00:20 [#02091002]
Points: 6427 Status: Lurker



I need one for having a rave outside the maths office at my
school. Wankers.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-06 02:45 [#02091017]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to diablo: #02090921 | Show recordbag



Yeah a chap I know who is really into hi-fi (£10,000
system and counting..) says that with a good system it
should be loud, you should be able to talk over it without
shouting and it shouldn't carry very far through
walls/doors. His is all of these things (home system, not a
PA).

If we have any spaces for DJing (I know the 2 arranged
nights are full), I can't imagine he'd be able to pay
anything more than petrol/train fare at least for a few
months. Still interested? :)


 

offline diablo on 2007-06-06 03:19 [#02091022]
Points: 3242 Status: Lurker



Cool, where is it based? Might be a trek but I do need to
get out more...


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-06 03:59 [#02091028]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to diablo: #02091022 | Show recordbag



Either around Bath or Cardiff. We're doing fairly downtempo
electronic things at the moment. Where are you these days?


 

offline diablo on 2007-06-06 05:39 [#02091040]
Points: 3242 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02091028



Weddings, birthday parties... not much right now. I was in
NZ for 2 years and had a radio show there, played downtempo,
electronic, dubstep, hip hop, some grime... ambient etc etc.
I play all sorts, lots of old ska recently, again. But yes,
would be cool to do something, I can certaily do a downtempo
set. What kind of parties do you put on? (or plan to)


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-06 05:53 [#02091044]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to diablo: #02091040 | Show recordbag



He has a clubnight that he is looking to make bi-monthly,
currently looking for new premises, probably around cardiff
(existing venue has stopped doing music and is focusing on
visual arts). Also do the odd event, the next two are out in
the woods near Bath.

Part of the logic of getting the PA was that I could do a
few more weddings/birthday parties for a bit of cash. I've
only done a couple of weddings before and don't really enjoy
them (aside from playing soft cell's version of "Tainted
Love"), so would want to do more for money. Parties are
usually a good laugh though and I'll often do them for free
if I like the people.


 

offline diablo on 2007-06-06 06:18 [#02091048]
Points: 3242 Status: Lurker



Sounds cool to me man. Outdoors parties are always good. Is
it, like, an illegal rave? :)

I was kind of half joking about the weddings thing but I am
actually playing at my mates wedding soon, plus assorted
parties. I just play for some free beer. It's fun, but
always good doing some actual mixing etc.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-06-06 07:15 [#02091054]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to diablo: #02091048 | Show recordbag



No, the chap who owns the woods has asked us to do it, so no
complaints about the noise/hassle from the police. :D


 

offline diablo on 2007-06-06 07:28 [#02091055]
Points: 3242 Status: Lurker



Well all sounds good I'll send you and email, so you can let
me know when something might happen. thanks.


 

offline dave_g from United Kingdom on 2007-06-06 12:40 [#02091104]
Points: 3372 Status: Lurker



so long as the crowd gives thansk its all good, bass or not.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-07-20 10:56 [#02104836]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



Just an update. I bought those speakers. I must say I am
very very impressed for the money.

The amp is overly loud (cooling fans), but this is to be
expected for the money. I've heard much more powerful amps
that are less than half as loud, but these have cost several
times as much.

Stupidly loud speakers (I've only dared to turn them up to 3
and that is ASBO-getting loud), great for parties and easily
loud enough for gigs in venues under 500 people, or playing
outdoors. For a laugh I hooked them up to the xbox for a
game of burnout revenge. The crashes are superb when they're
that loud, it actually sounds like there's braking glass and
twisting metal in the room.

They're currently in my studio (nice to be able to hear)
what stuff sounds like on a 'big system' at the flick of a
switch.


 

offline dave_g from United Kingdom on 2007-07-20 13:02 [#02104876]
Points: 3372 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02104836



neighbours gave thansk then?


 

offline Sido Dyas from a computer on 2007-07-20 13:06 [#02104877]
Points: 8876 Status: Lurker



Apparently you can get thansk and comebacks even if there
is no bass whatsoever .


 

offline Sido Dyas from a computer on 2007-07-20 13:08 [#02104879]
Points: 8876 Status: Lurker | Followup to dave_g: #02104876



Shit , i nominate that thread best of 07 already
Classic xlt moment =)


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-07-20 20:37 [#02104984]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to dave_g: #02104876 | Show recordbag



Neighbours were out during my last party, so no thansk
yet...


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2007-07-21 00:37 [#02105006]
Points: 40042 Status: Lurker



I want to hang out with you Ceri.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-07-21 16:49 [#02105461]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to recycle: #02105006 | Show recordbag



Anytime you are in Blighty, you are more than welcome to, as
is your missus.


 

offline recycle from Where is Phobiazero (Lincoln) (United States) on 2007-07-22 21:28 [#02105717]
Points: 40042 Status: Lurker | Followup to Ceri JC: #02105461



can i bring the little one, hes only 16 1/2 months, not
ready to be left home alone

well i did that one day and went skating, but dont tell
anyone.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-07-23 02:19 [#02105768]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Followup to recycle: #02105717 | Show recordbag



Ha ha quality negligent parenting, yes certainly, the sprog
is welcome too. I could probably arrange to borrow a cot
from my in-laws.


 

offline Ceri JC from Jefferson City (United States) on 2007-09-07 06:35 [#02117908]
Points: 23533 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



I still have the PA and am very happy with it. A word of
warning though, don't buy from Elektronikstar-de on ebay, in
spite of their low prices. Took the money before they had
the goods ready to ship, slow despatch, goods arrived
damaged, it has taken almost 2 months to get them to offer a
refund (delay all their end) and now they're trying
(illegally) to get me to pay for some of the P&P for them to
collect the damaged goods.


 


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