Live Performance Help

D

doliva

Audiophyte
Hello. I'm new to this website and have been looking for one like this for some time. I notice that this website is aimed more towards home theater systems. So I'll explain my situation in full.

I am a musician. I play guitar, bass, piano. I produce electronic music using keyboard synthesizers and record/master music from bands. I also sing for bands as well. I'm getting a tax return...thank god, so I plan to spend it on something productive! I record bands live using this mixer EURODESK SL2442FX-PRO. It's a behringer product (I know it's not the best, but it suit my needs. If you guys any suggestions for a better mixer, please tell me, I can use the advice. I spent around 400$ for it. I can always resell it). I've also helped out DJ's with sound. But here's the problem. Good speakers. I need good speakers/loudspeakers that can handle alot of sounds, as in, a singer, 2 guitarist, a bassist, keyboard synthesizers, and maybe even DJ's, all in one. I've been looking around and noticed that these speakers, B-52 MX 1515 might a really good deal for the price. Yes, they are big, come with two 15"ers, has a frequency range up to 19 KHz (hmmm, that may be a problem with the singer and their use of the higher frequencies) and can handle up to 600 watts.

I plan on using these speakers for small gigs. Bars, Clubs, things that normal starting off bands normally would do. But are these the speakers that I would need? I need speakers that output all of these sounds using my one mixer and have it able to be loud and have good clarity with the singer and the higher frequencies. What got me going was that these speakers are 300$ each, and come with two 15" woofers. The bigger the better, right? Not always after reading some articles on this website. I need something with large woofers such as this while being able to support high frequencies from the singer or possibly the keyboard synthesizer without experiencing distortion or aliasing.

My price range is around 1000$. I can always save up for something better. So I'll say my max would be around 1600$, but I prefer something not too gargantuan, but something that would suffice for gigs.

Main concerns:
High frequency response (minimal distortion)

large woofers...more bang for the buck but can be persuaded with good advice

Powered speakers preferably. I try to stay away from power mixers to supply the power to the speakers, but if there is a damn good deal out there, I will take your advice seriously!

Thank you guys for your advice and help!
 
Z

zumbo

Audioholic Spartan
JBL, Klipsch, Peavey, and Mackie all come to mind. I would think JBL would be the performance for dollar leader.
 
A

angstadt530

Audioholic
Peavey PV215's are great. I've played several shows with these (a lot of guys I know have them) and they rock. They run about $300 each. Check out the user reviews on musiciansfriend.com: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-PV-215-Dual-15-2Way-Speaker-Cabinet?sku=601388

If you don't want something so large, Peavey PV115's are also great (I've played in even more shows with these) and they run around $220. Get yourself a couple of stands and you'll be ready to go: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-PV115-2Way-15-Speaker-Cabinet?sku=601389

JBLs are some of the best sounding speakers, but you're going to pay for it. Peavey's are great for someone on a budget. Behringers wouldn't be too bad of a choice either, but I would personally go with a pair of Peavey's.

Passive loudspeakers are a better choice. Active monitors are fine, but for mains, stick with nonpowered. Good call on the passive mixer as well. To get the power to your speakers, pick up a good amp or two with your left over money that you saved on those Peavey's! Behringer and Crown make great amps, but the Crowns will cost you a little more. I'd stick with the budget Behringers, personally. Check what's listed on musiciansfriend.com and read some customer reviews.

One more little suggestion: if you can, have your bassist use his/her own cab. This would work best for you and is how my band usually does it.
 
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