Take a look at this list for me...

[penguin07]

Here's what I plan on getting for my sound system...the only reason the Behringer is in there is because I already have it and it powers my mains just right. I plan on getting a pair of Peavey PV 118 subs to go with them. I was thinking about a compressor/limiter, but I don't know if i absolutely need it. Tell me if there is anything else I need....

Power Conditioner - Furman PL-8 II
EQ - DBX 231
Crossover - DBX 223XL
Power Amp (subs) - Crown XLS 402D (subs = 2x Peavey PV 118)
Power Amp - Behringer EP2500 (mains = 2x Peavey PV 215)

P.S. My mixer is a Soundcraft Spirit FX16

[AXEMAN]

Mics and Mic stands. I love Audix mics. Thier mics are bullet proof and have excellent sound quality. When you have a need for Monitor speakers I would reccomend a 2nd EQ just to put a curve on the monitors. A nice CD recorder would be an excellent addition. I really like Berringer sound renforcement gear...thier stuff is always reasionably priced and the sound quality you get out of thier stuff is very nice. I must say I'm not a fan of Berringer's mixers though. Mackie has the best sounding mixers and I believe they are the most user friendly.

It's ruff to get into sound renforcement as a drummer is'nt it?

AXEMAN

[surftex363]

yeah sounds pretty good. live sound i presume?

[penguin07]

yeah sounds pretty good. live sound i presume?

yeah


My band has been playing for about a year and a half. We have been running everything through a behringer powered mixer and the power amp. we power the peaveys from the power amp and use the mixer's power to run our 3 12" monitors. Its good enough for small bars and stuff, but now we're getting bigger gigs. so we need a sound system with better sound quality. Thats where subs and all that stuff in my list (^first post^) comes in. My goal is to own my own sound system apart from my band so that i always have one. Right now the band owns about 75% of the sound system. The rest is equipment that me and my guitar player own individually.

[weps]

Quote:
"Power Conditioner - Furman PL-8 II
EQ - DBX 231
Crossover - DBX 223XL
Power Amp (subs) - Crown XLS 402D (subs = 2x Peavey PV 118)
Power Amp - Behringer EP2500 (mains = 2x Peavey PV 215)

P.S. My mixer is a Soundcraft Spirit FX16"

Wish you have marked or separated the stuff you own from the stuff you INTEND to buy ;>)
So you have the EP2500 amp, the PV215 tops and the spirit FX16 already?
Are you planning on having a soundman in the future with this gear or mix from stage?

Regardless you need one or two rack cases. A 8RU would contain the above. I recommend TWO cases. One for the amps plus crossover and one for the EQ, processors (or Front of House or located with the mixer rack). A single 8RU would hold the above but no expansion, good for now. You need to plan on large gauge cable for powering from whatever AC source you'll have, think 12ga, black is more pro onstage. Also think 12ga (14ga is ~ok) for speaker cables with the correct ends (love speakons). patching cables, if the gear has XLRs for balanced patching, use 'em). A nice enclosed box to hold all the cables makes things better, too (rubbermaid action packers work well). I mentioned in your other thread the dbx DRPA can be had for $400 new via eBay and serve the functions of the crossover and the EQ and so much more for mains (FOH) sound plus it's only ONE RU, saving two spaces in the rack real estate.

I strongly prefer not mixing amp brands but there's a lot of times it's unavoidable when building up. Pull the web based manuals BEFORE purchase to make sure the amp air flows are the same way. Bad juju recycling hot air in the upper amplifier ;>)

Since you have a mixer, I ASSUME you have some mics and stands. You can pick perfectly usable, inexpensive stands and mic cables via Musician's Friend. I picked up TEN 20' for $24 a while back. You can often get their round or tripod base stands for under $10 and add on telescoping booms for $6 each! Just keep checking their website weekly for their super sales.

Extra mics to fill out the PA come in handy. But you (certainly, I) don't want to have a bunch invested in "guest" or loaner mics. I picked up a few of the (dread) Behringer XM8500s a while back, first one to test, then a couple more for the big old farts jams (10-12 performers at once) we were doing. For $20 each, very functional. If nothing else, it comes with a real nice foamed case, rubber mic clip, and a windscreen ball that swaps with an SM58 ;>).

Not to rain on your parade, but the FIRST thing you'll want to upgrade after you get this stuff together is the weakest link. Not knowing your mics, I'd have to say the PV series speakers. I'd say, IF you didn't own the PV 215s already, to move up the food chain a little. The PV series was produced to compete at the lowest level (in China)and to get people started into Peavey gear, which is fine. Just don't compare the PV series with anything else but others in it's direct price range. A pair of USED Peavey SP2s would handle far more power and sound a LOT better for a similar cost. Look for some used Peavey SP118 subs while you're at it.

I also ASSUME the FX16 means the Spirit has onboard FX. You still may want to get a nice FX unit. The TC M300 (now M350) is a real nice unit for $150 or so. When you decide you want to work with a compressor, the new TC C300 is VERY nice for about $200. It is a comp/gate and has several preset but modifiable comp, gate and comp/gate settings. The reviews by end users (that I respect) have been only superlative. I WANT ONE! But have no more rack space ;>(

And you know you make no mention of monitors, requiring another amp, EQ, & speakers.
weps

[weps]

Quote
"It's ruff to get into sound renforcement as a drummer is'nt it?

AXEMAN"

Say it again, Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pretty bad when you get more invested in the PA gear than you have in ALL your drumsets. And then want to upgrade that.

weps

[Tju85]

I just bought the Audix Fusion mics and I'm loving it.

I havn't played any shows with them yet, but I've recorded with them a little and they sound incredible. The condensors are out of this world for the price.

[penguin07]

I have another question about crossovers. How would I hook up my set up. I know the subs would handle the low end, but what about my PV 215s. Since I don't have seperate high and mid speakers, how can I hook those up so i can get both high and mid through them. If i would need a different crossover than the dbx 223XL, please let me know of one that would work.

BTW Weps, we're good on mics.

[penguin07]

^^^anyone?^^^

[weps]

Many crossovers have enough of a frequency range that you set it up in simple 2 way stereo, set the crossover point to about 100Hz and feed the lowout to the subs' amplifier and the high out to the tops' amplifier. Any selectors or plug ins on the top speaker will be full range (really from 100Hz & up, highs & mids).

Several crossovers do NOT have the frequency range(s) to do this as a simple 2 way split for subs. So it's best to pull the crossover manual from the maker's website and check it out first. In the cheap zone, the Behringer C2310X can, the Nadys can't. Just because they have a designated mono sub out doesn't mean it can send all the frequencies above the sub output out a single signal path.

I know I can do it on my DRPA but I'll have to pull the manual on the separate dbx crossover to check.

weps

[weps]

Just checked. The dbx 233XL can run in 2 way stereo mode for just separating out the subs. When you select 2 way stereo mode and use the low/mid frequency selector as a low/high frquency selector. They have extra silkscreened markings on the bottom to show it's use when that mode is selected (so you don't have to reference the manual or remember it). As long as you don't select the x10 button, you could cross as low as 45Hz!!! I wouldn't.

With dual 15 2 way tops, it's best to cross over subs at 100Hz or even slightly below, 90Hx, probably no lower than 80Hz. This is to get optimum use out of the bottom 15".

weps