Sound System for a New DJ

[javaTN]

Hi all, i had my first gig last night and it was off the hook! Everyone loved it and today I am being congratulated and thanked left and right.

Aside from that, I already have a couple gigs being offered to me... the only issue I face is that I do not own a sound system.

What is a good sound system that's not too pricey (maybe available on craigslist / ebay)... that is powerful enough to play for a large school (high school/middle school) dance?

Tom

P.S. the sound system used last night was rented. it cost $350. i would like to be able to offer cheap prices, but $350 is a lot, not even including an income for me.

[CuttaBoi]

What system did you get for that? Make & Kw's? Did that include a sound engineer?

I'd recommend hunting down a cheaper PA Hire company, and discuss discounted rates for regular hiring of the Kit.

Buying a system is not necessarily the cheapest option, depends on how regular the custom is, and if you'll be able to hire your kit out when your not playing gigs, also depends if you pick up a bargain or not - which with the way things are going (economy) you may well do.

I used to run events, and my uncle owned a largish system (Cerwin Vega Rig) so speaking from experience.

1) A nice system can set you back alot, especialy the amps.

2) With you own kit, you've got to take into account the cost of repairs, transporting & storing it - Hiring you generally don't.

3) If you buy your own kit, your limited by the size of the venue you can use it in, unless you buy more kit, so could get stuck with a kit too small to use & end up hiring more kit (can get costly).

If you do decide to get a kit or find a bargain, take into account the size your going to need.. which basically comes down to how loud the venue is going to let you play it

Makes to look out for Speakers to name a few - Turbo Sound, JBL, Cerwin Vega, EV, Amps - crown (expensive), Peavey (cheaper, pretty good).

Different speaker will suit different genres of music.

A basic rig would be 2 x bass bins 2 x top cabs & amps to run.

Stay away from cheap makes such as skytech (owned a pair of full range cabs were tinny & ****, I have been told the bass bins aren't to bad though, but probably best to stay away from them.

[javaTN]

the system we had rented last night was 2- JBL PRX515 Tops and 2- JBL PRX518s Subs. it also came with a Peavey PV10 / PV14 mixer.

[n2hf1st]

What's your price range? and do you have a preference between active/passive?

[javaTN]

What's your price range? and do you have a preference between active/passive?

im not an audio expert, so i cant really give you an answer on active/passive... and my price range is as low as the numbers will go, but still provide good sound.

[n2hf1st]

"low as numbers will go" + "large school dance" doesn't work. To successfully cover a large gym you're going to need multiple subs, and that's gonna add some significant cost...

A good starting point might be a pair of mackie srm450s, there's pretty popular and can pump out some spl. Head down to gc with some cds in hand and listen to a few systems.

[Segfault]

I don't really know much about speakers and sound systems and what not, but I'm planning on getting a pair of Tapco Thumps. They've been talked about somewhere else on these forums, and I have yet to hear a bad word about them that I can recall, so they're well worth looking into.

[Whitey]

Hi Tom,

I understand your dilema. I have had a mobile sound and light rig for close on 30 years now and the question of what new gear to go for always comes down to quality over price.

From what you say, having done just one gig and with the promise of a few more, I would NOT jump in and buy your own system yet - it could be a big investment for not much return at this stage.

I agree that $350.00 does sound a lot to hire a PA rig, but then again I'm not familiar with pricing in the US.

I would suggest doing some work on trying to find a cheaper hire Co. and/or teaming up with someone who may already have a PA. Maybe there's someone you know or know of that has one and maybe he/she needs more work. YOu could cut a deal whereby you can use the PA and he/she can DJ a slot too.

Perhaps you could share the fee.

When you have earnt some good money from gigging and you have lots of advanced bookings then is the time I think to start thinking about buying your own gear.

Also, you mention that the venue you did your 1st gig at was quite large and so you think you need a large rig.

A couple of times in the past I bought large systems, but they were not very flexible and although fine in large veues, I found that they took up valuable room in small venues and were a bastard to lift in and out sometimes, so I ended up buying a small set of gear for smaller venues, but this meant that I had somewhat doubled my outlay.

My approach now is to buy a system that can be small and large. More versatile speakers and more amps that can be taken out singulary or in clusters.

I would never buy speakers, crossovers or amps that I had not heard all running together.

Hope you get more gigs soon as it will help with your finances and ability to be able to choose what to do.

Good Luck

[lourma]

I own a small system 2 Active tops and 1 active sub to use for smaller parties (up to 100-150 people). For larger events I rent a bigger system and sometimes people to help.

My top speakers are Behringer Eurolive B1220DSP and the sub is a db 05.
I think they produce a great sound even if its Behringer. Compared to JBL EON or the Mackie I think they are equal. Maybe a bit on the heavy side 30kg...

[jsta6]

I like the big sales that Guitar Center has. You have to watch for them. The last good sale they had was $100 off of $500.

I got two Harbinger APS15 15" Powered PA Speakers.
One Harbinger HX181S 18-Inch Passive Subwoofer.
One Crown XLS 802D Power Amplifier.

I added that to the two 15" two way passive speakers and one Crown XLS 202D that I already had.

I bought the Crown because everyone says they are the best (but these amps don't have line outs) and the Harbinger because everything that I have read about them says they are good. No problems so far.

The "active" or "powered" speakers are good because you don't have to haul around any extra amps and they are very portable.

The subwoofer weighs @ 100lbs, but it rocks.