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Help Choosing a PA

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Viewing 8 posts - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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  • December 23, 2013 at 9:43 am #1021331
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    If it is just for a few people (< 50) then the LD Systems Dave 8 will prolly suffice for your PA needs.

    If you have more needs, possibly one of the Reloop complete systems will do fine.

    To switch between the 2 of you get a very small mixer. Like a Behringer Xenyx or Mackie 402.

    December 24, 2013 at 12:01 am #1021536
    Robert Murray
    Participant

    Top job (as always) Terry, It was a mixer i’m after.

    Time for some homework to make sure I get the right one 🙂

    TY

    December 24, 2013 at 2:02 am #1021573
    tom cryonicangel
    Participant

    If you already have a mixer with more than 2 channels, you can use it to connect your CDJs and your mate (controller DJs usually need only 1 channel) and connect this mixer to the PA. You dont need a small mixer if you have enough inputs.

    December 24, 2013 at 9:19 pm #1021960
    Robert Murray
    Participant

    That’s a great idea – sadly my mixer and his controller are both 2 channel 🙁

    December 24, 2013 at 10:52 pm #1021989
    DJ Vintage
    Moderator

    Personally, and I have said this before, I don’t like using PA mixers for hooking up CDJ’s and other line sources like controllers or soundcards to PA mixers. PA mixers are typically geared towards connecting microphone and instrument level inputs. Channels are predominantly mono, meaning you need two channels for every stereo source. And you have to pan the channels hard left and right (leave ‘m in the middle and you’ll have mono). Stereo line input channels are mostly an afterthought. On many 16 channel mixers there will be only 2 stereo channels available.

    There are some pretty decent and not too crazily expensive stereo line mixers available. They might not have faders (often in 19″ format) but rotary volume knobs. But they ARE geared towards receiving line input signals in stereo.

    So if you don’t have anything yet, be on the lookout for one of those rather than getting a small PA mixer.

    Just my pocketchange.

    Greetinx.

    December 25, 2013 at 11:46 am #1022075
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Actually both the mackie and Behringer both have 2 stereo channels (although they are both only 4 and 6 channels, 2 of those are stereo). That is why I like them as those stereo channels are specifically made with portable guys in mind to hook up CD players etc. (aka line level stuff) some of the Behringers even have RCA inputs and TRS in the stereo channels and a special edition of the Mackie even has “phono” connectors. I guess they have developed it with us mobile DJs in mind and they also get used a lot in bars etc. to hook up the permanent PA in a bar.

    December 25, 2013 at 10:03 pm #1022144
    Robert Murray
    Participant

    You guysd have me reading all sort of posts.

    I’m interested in a mixer that has XLR out for my speakers and 2 stereo channels for me and my mate.

    I like the look of:

    • Mackie  Profx8
    • Mackie 802VLZ4
    • Allen & HEath ZED-10

    Not quite sure why i’m not taken with behringer mixers :-/

    Which of these mixers do feel would suit me best?

    Or am I missing an obvious price/brand/make choice?

    PS – Merry Christmas 🙂

    December 25, 2013 at 10:32 pm #1022149
    Terry_42
    Keymaster

    Well that mixers are all good choices, but I will try to pick my personal favourites, so small disclaimer: Technically they are all good and all 3 will work, but I will pick personal choices now so the following is not the usual objective Terry 42 you know, but the “this is what I like” Terry:

    Hands down I would pick the Allen&Heath. It may look like it has less features than the Mackies, but while the Mackies are really good A&H just has proven to me to be a company that has outstanding craftsmanship and their signal path is as good as it gets. I have yet to come across one A&H product that does not perform as advertised or better. Also most of their gear would prolly survive a plane crash…

    Coming in second would be the 802VLZ4, but just because I dislike the grafic EQ on Mackies. Not that it aint good, but I am on the road a lot and the tiny grafic EQ slides just seem to attract dust better than any other sliding opening in gear I have come across… one of the mysteries of the universe I guess hehe. Nothing that cannot be helped with by Canned Air and WD40, but I like it hassle free.

    So there you go. All good choices.

    As for other brands: I also like mixers from Peavey and Yamaha, but your list is pretty good and excellent price/value.

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