Building PA Question - First Time

DJ Life & Community General Discussion
, ,
1

Building PA Question - First Time

This may come off as a stupid question. And forgive me for my ignorance…

I am beginning the process of planning and building a PA System so I can get out and play at some parties and such. I did not know anything about PA’s until about 4 hours ago. :thinking:

I see the basic system calls for a Mixer, Amp, and speakers. There are powerd speakers, powered mixers and so on. I am trying to do this on the cheap to get it up and going so that I can buy more to add later.

Would I be able to go from my Kontrol S2 with TRS cables straight to an amp (With TRS input) that then goes to the speakers over XLR/Speakon?

Controller > Amp > Speakers

My thinking is since I’m not a band with traditional instruments I don’t need a multichannel mixer with lots of inputs because everything (EQ, Effects, Mic input) is on my controller/software

Will this work just to get me up and going with a PA?

2

I don’t see anything wrong with that

3

I didn’t either. But I didn’t want to buy something and then break it right away from lack of knowledge or experience

4

If you have active speakers you can even plugin the s2 directly to the speakers!

5

Definitely get active speakers. So worth it

6

I saw that but I noticed you tend to get less sound for the same price. I could go with lower wattage self powered speaker or for the same price just get a better speaker. Then maybe get a smaller amp and have the headroom to get a better amp later on. I dunno I’m still looking at all the options. I was thinking of heading to my local guitar center to just hear the difference in different configurations for myself.

7

just a tip. Underpowered amps are a recipe for disaster. Not to also mention that a 200w amp powering speakers that are rated for 200w will be a lot louder than a 200w amp powering speakers that are rated for 1000w.

8

What is your budget to start?

9

So if i were planing to buy a pair of 1000w speakers I should look at a 2000w amp?

10

Id like to keep it under or as close to $600 as possible. The speakers i think I’ve decided on are Behringer EUROLIVE B215XL

Now I’m trying to decide on an amp. But it looks like i might overshoot my budget if I have to buy a bigger amp. I didn’t think of what manchild said.

11

have you tried looking for some used thumps? Or maybe onsale thumps?

12

I’d get a pair of Mackie SRM-450 or JBL EON 15G2 active speakers… you should be able to find a great used pair for under your budget, and they will last for years.

Just my 2 cents.

13

Basically. Actually you should techinically oversize it. So like somewhere around the 2500w range would be ideal

14

tbh, id save a bit more and just rent out a system for the time being. Buying a low budget sound system now will only hurt you later. If you have to sell it, you will have a hard time.

15

This right here.

You won’t be satisfied with the amount of money your wanting to spend on a whole set up!

Just rent some 10 000W and have fun until you have more money!

16

Agree … don’t waste money on half assed gear.

17

Never seen a 10000W system at a house party. Maybe I’m going to the prong parties lol

18

Ok so say I decided to wait until after I get my Tax returns and double my budget. What would you think of a B-52 Matrix-1000 or 2000?

http://www.b-52pro.com/products/Matrix1000V2.html

http://www.b-52pro.com/products/Matrix2000.html

Again this is just for small parties/venues for about 100-200 people