my little punk band is starting to get some good sounds but we don't have the speakers to be heard and i really don't want to pay an arm and a leg on a good PA so I decided to do what I always do. build it myself the only problem is i don't really know how to balance the different types of drivers. i would assume the horns don't need as much power as the mids but i really have no idea on what to get i need enough volume for venues for about 100 people roughly and the band has 4 mics on drums guitar bass and vocals
sorry to tell you but there's no money to be saved in building over buying, even when your considering your labor is "free". used cabs are likely to get you more bang for your buck.
the tools necessary to do it right will probably equal the cost of your completed speakers.
but if your determined to DIY there's a lot to learn in order to get it right.
passive crossovers are neither cheap nor easy for a newb builder, active x-overs are a blessing for live sound applications.
easier options would be an array of fullrange drivers in a column with subs for the low frequencies and a two way crossover.
not sure what your currently using for PA at the moment but there is more than just speakers to think about to get a complete system that will do the job.
the tools necessary to do it right will probably equal the cost of your completed speakers.
but if your determined to DIY there's a lot to learn in order to get it right.
passive crossovers are neither cheap nor easy for a newb builder, active x-overs are a blessing for live sound applications.
easier options would be an array of fullrange drivers in a column with subs for the low frequencies and a two way crossover.
not sure what your currently using for PA at the moment but there is more than just speakers to think about to get a complete system that will do the job.
I would be inclined to go that way.
Fane do some good full range speakers and they do some good subs. See: Blue Aran - Professional Sound and Lighting
Simple speaker boxes will be fine.
A decent amp or two to match your speakers.
I built up my own mobile disco equipment.
The trick is to build it big enough to get a good sound but not so big it cant be moved around easily.
There's a lot to learn here.
What equipment do you have so far?
What's your budget?
What can you transport?
How on Earth are you using four mics for an entire band, including vocalists?
Chris
What equipment do you have so far?
What's your budget?
What can you transport?
How on Earth are you using four mics for an entire band, including vocalists?
Chris
My brother wires up car systems so I have all the tools and I have a 12 channel mixer already I just really need the speakers
4 mics on the drums sorry I should’ve been more clear
4 mics on the drums sorry I should’ve been more clear
Please answer the questions. It really will help us to help you.
For instance, if you've got a mixer and nothing else, I'd strongly suggest you get a pair of Yamaha DXR15s and call it good.
If you've got an amplifier, what is it? How much power will it put out into 8/4/2ohm?
Can you transport some huge horn-loaded cabinets, or do you want something more conventional?
Do you want to put kick drum and bass guitar through?
Are you wanting to cover 100 people exactly, or do you want something that'll cope with 2-300 people, or maybe more?
IMO, a decent punk-band PA system would be 12" or 15" tops, with a 2x18" sub per side. Give it a good few kilowatts and you'll be able to have a perfectly servicable mosh pit.
You'll be able to put all the instruments through it, no problem.
There's a lot more to speakers than slapping some drivers in a box and adding a pre-made crossover. I'm trying to ensure you don't waste your money on something that sounds bad and won't go loud enough to do what you're after.
Chris
For instance, if you've got a mixer and nothing else, I'd strongly suggest you get a pair of Yamaha DXR15s and call it good.
If you've got an amplifier, what is it? How much power will it put out into 8/4/2ohm?
Can you transport some huge horn-loaded cabinets, or do you want something more conventional?
Do you want to put kick drum and bass guitar through?
Are you wanting to cover 100 people exactly, or do you want something that'll cope with 2-300 people, or maybe more?
IMO, a decent punk-band PA system would be 12" or 15" tops, with a 2x18" sub per side. Give it a good few kilowatts and you'll be able to have a perfectly servicable mosh pit.
You'll be able to put all the instruments through it, no problem.
There's a lot more to speakers than slapping some drivers in a box and adding a pre-made crossover. I'm trying to ensure you don't waste your money on something that sounds bad and won't go loud enough to do what you're after.
Chris
I have a 35w combo amp for guitar and a 40watt combo for bass so nothing really to perform with and budget is about $300 and I have a pickup truck and a trailer so transport isn’t a problem
is your 12 channel mixer powered?
with only a 300 dollar budget your better off looking for something used in a 15 or 12 inch speaker with horn, and only run vocals through it.
with only a 300 dollar budget your better off looking for something used in a 15 or 12 inch speaker with horn, and only run vocals through it.
Mixer is powered yes and I can go higher on the budget this is all just an estimate at this point
How much did your guitar rig cost? You should be spending a similar amount on the PA if want similar results.
My guitar rig is a pawn shop guitar and a used 35w combo amp about $300 total I think that’s why I wanted a PA with a 12 channel mixer so I could run everything through the PA
Well if you are on that much of a shoe string budget(no judgement... everybody has to start somewhere) then the best you will do is with some used PA speakers. In my opinion DIY makes sense when the target you are trying to get close to is a $2k+ speaker and you are willing to spend at least $1000 on drivers, but these days a brand new $500 powered PA speakers delivers overall performance and convenience that you simply will not match with a DIY effort no matter how much speaker building experience you have.
If you're on that much of a budget you simply have to get the most efficient speaker you can reasonably obtain. That goes for both DIY and used gear - get your SPL (or bass extension for you DJ's) with size instead of watts. Old hornloaders might be the ticket to make the most of a powered mixer that's at most 200 watts. Just making a bigger speaker does NOT mean it will be louder, but something loud (efficient) will be bigger than something that isn't. It's what they used to do when all you had for output stages were glass FETs. You've already got a truck and it's paid for (?) so use it. Call moving them around sweat equity. It's either that or just save your money for a year or five. Spending $300 on something modern is going to get you something undersized and burnt out in that environment.
DIY won't be any cheaper, but it does offer the possibility of making engineering trades which are different from what you may get at a given price point. Like a bigger cab that will go deeper (or louder) to maximize what an existing paid for small amp can do, HF drivers that can actually take being run in clipping all night and you only buy once, or just spending that extra $100 to get the next level up components, that don't come in something store bought till you spend a grand on it (newsflash - that $199 Harbinger cab doesn't come with a Delta Pro 12). You do have to know what you're doing to take advantage, however. At the $2k price point, a well executed DIY wins on all fronts.
DIY won't be any cheaper, but it does offer the possibility of making engineering trades which are different from what you may get at a given price point. Like a bigger cab that will go deeper (or louder) to maximize what an existing paid for small amp can do, HF drivers that can actually take being run in clipping all night and you only buy once, or just spending that extra $100 to get the next level up components, that don't come in something store bought till you spend a grand on it (newsflash - that $199 Harbinger cab doesn't come with a Delta Pro 12). You do have to know what you're doing to take advantage, however. At the $2k price point, a well executed DIY wins on all fronts.
Indoor/Outdoor gigs are two totally different worlds. Indoor gigs can be done much cheaper than an open air gig.. Car stereo equipment can be designed for indoors venues. Stereo isn't necessary but an efficient gizmo that will cover a smaller area/crowd is very possible!
Bass needs the most power. Mid/Highs not as much. Mixer amp for stage monitors..
Just lookin' outside the box.. 😉
Bass needs the most power. Mid/Highs not as much. Mixer amp for stage monitors..
Just lookin' outside the box.. 😉
Yes my truck is paid for and don’t worry I put it to good use. If it will be cheaper to buy used then what should I be looking for
Check local classifieds for older brand name boxes from makers such as JBL, EV, Martin, Turbosound, EAW, even some Yamaha Club or Peavey SP series would be decent choices. Avoid the lowend series from EV, JBL, PV and anything DJ grade or worse. If you find something of interest post up a link here for opinions before buying.
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