Speakers and Lights

I’d do a search on the forum about budget speakers – there are a few recent posts on the subject that will tell you all you need to know..

Avoid any speakers that don’t say Alto, JBL, QSC, Mackie, Yamaha, RCF, dB or FBT on the front though.. Brands generally do matter as they will sound better and have better customer service.. (Note to other readers: Yes, I have just named a load of brands.. Some upmarket – QSC – and some lower down the market – Alto – but it makes the point.. feel free to add any I may have forgotten..)

In other words – avoid the “Ibiza” speakers. The sub should be good though – if maybe a little small..

A decent little system would simply be a pair of Alto TS115’s – no sub required (to start with at least).. I have done 200+ person venues with just a pair of 15″ speakers no problem.. Add subs later for more power 🙂

Lighting? Depends what effect you want to achieve.. The ADJ Pocket lights get really good reviews for not a lot of money (scanners, rolls and moving heads) and they look really good in action..

Gig bar’s are an acquired taste though. Some people like the look and some don’t. I personally have no issues with them for smaller venues but for bigger ones you will need more light and more control over that light than you can get with a gig bar..

Hope that helps…

bob6397

Good point that Scotto briefly mentioned.. DMX

This is the way of controlling lights from a controller and I recommend any lights you buy that you make sure they can so this.. Then, as you expand your setup, you can start to control your lights without having to replace them..

DMXable lights will cost more – but they will be decent lights.

bob6397