Some of our band are very keen to get a column type PA system for small gigs.
From some reading I get the impression they may not be the best choice for bands and are more suitable for solo or duos or dj's
Any thoughts?
If they are suitable then the one that they've been looking at is EVOX J8 but about £800 per speaker is quite pricey.
I've spotted things like the Fame audio everest 10 at about £450 a speaker so quite a lot less expensive. Are the cheeper systems good enough, or do you really need to be paying a decent wack?
I know these things need an external mixer if being used with a band, we've got one so we're ok there.
Comments
That aside, I wouldn’t go for column speakers for a full band mix. A pair of 12’s for coals and sub for kick sounds much better imho
playing medium pub gigs (medium sized room and maybe 100 people)and occasionally beer gardens.
bigger venues tend to have their own pa.
We currently use a soundcraft powered mixer and an old but very good set of Yamaha speakers.
it sounds great and does the job but just heavy and bulky.
Personally though I wouldn't bother. Look at something like a used pair QSC K12 tops and subs. They are much more capable and still pretty compact.
Not the right solution for a band, or serious volume though.
The JBLs sound beautiful for electro acoustic gigs with two guitars and two voices, but you'd never get a band mix over even the ambient chatter of a 100 person pub gig - the kick drum alone sets off the limiter and the vocals disappear.
It all started last week when we were offered a pair of Evox J8's. We nearly bought them on a whim as they would solve some transport issues for us.
They sold before we could buy them and it sounds like we may have saved ourself some money as I don't think they would have been right for us.
For full band, I use 2 EV Evolve 50s, and supplement them with either 1 or 2 EV EKX-15 Subs, depending on the venue.
This setup covers most bases. The only time I deviate from that is when I need longer throw.
Column arrays tend to spread sound really well, but do not hit the back of big venues. I will add some traditional tops, either RCFs or EVs, as satellite speakers, to increase the straight line power.
A quick look at the above, and some maths, and you'll see that @Snags was correct. You can do it, but skimping on price will mean a poor result.
2 x EV Evolve 50: 1kw per side, with 12" sub. Circa £1800 each
1 or 2 EV EKX-15SP 15" subs, 1600w each, £950 each
RCF Art 710 / 712 tops, 1500w each, £500 each
I choose the EV arrays, as they blew everything else in their class away, hands down. Even so, if I want chest thumping kick and bass, I need the dedicated extra sub.
I get booked for a lot of indoor and outdoor festivals with multiple bands, and they sound great in any environment.
My Trading Feedback | You Bring The Band
Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after youI sometimes tech for an act with an EV Evolve 50 either side and it’s very well balanced as regards power, coverage and weight.
Personally, I’ve ended with an EV elx200-sp sub and Yam dxr8 either side for small/medium pub band gigs. We borrowed some RCF j8s for a couple of rehearsals but when they get to the limit of their useful output they sound very feeble. A massive sound in a small area but the upper limit is very obvious. Great for an over 60’s DJ with a small car.
The Yam/EV system has always been enough without going into the red.
However, it sounds like the OP is simultaneously going for more power and less weight and that would cost considerably more than my little system.
The subs are 2x8" per side, and I can't believe how good they are for such small cones!
I've played a wedding with my function band with around 100 guests in a 8 x 10m room and they were absolutely fine also, and I'm doing another one soon for a similar number of guests with the same system.
I have a larger system (SRM450s + 2 x active 18" subs) which is the system we use most often in the function band, however I would say we could get away with the Ergo 4s for 80% of weddings we do in terms of size of room/number of guests.
As others said, throw can be an issue in larger rooms but easy to reinforce with a couple of extra speakers.
I've compared a lot of other mini line arrays, FBT, EV and Bose F1 all very good. Definitely worth spending more to get a better system rather than cheaping out and being disappointed later.
If you want to check out the Ergo 4s in action the Jam Night is in Holmfirth twice a month.
https://youtu.be/0LWWGQ4RaEc
PA - two electric guitars, acoustic guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals, violin and drums. Everything was miked.
This is my Evolve 50 system, with 1 added 15" EV sub (I sometimes use 2) at an outdoor jubilee festival last year. Shit recordings, on someone's phone, and taken from inside the busy beer tent with lots of chatting going on. Even so, you can (if you listen on headphones) hear everything, and plenty of trouser flap and chest thump.
Two different styles for you. Yes, column arrays can definitely do rock. (The second band actually went out and bought my exact setup afterwards, and ditched the van load of massive bass bins and tops they'd been using for years!)
https://fb.watch/jCXaAS3RJP/
https://fb.watch/jCXsjfMuE-/
My Trading Feedback | You Bring The Band
Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you