Budget Pa - for small gigs

[bongoron]

Hello everyone! In keeping with my music on a budget mindset, I have just recently added a small gig setup for our local coffee house-type gigs. I was looking for enough inputs to put two guitars, a bass and three vocalists, with stereo capability if desired. Also, a drum machine to save space in one particular gig where the drumset won't fit, and I will play one conga to save space.

As you all know, I don't care about money, but I do care about value. That's why I will buy gear that seems too cheap to be true, and try it for the lesson learned value...then I pass on my actual findings for the benefit of others.

Many years ago I bought a guitar amp this way. It is outstanding in its capabilities, especially considering what I payed for it. I looked and researched for a small Pa , and finally settled on the idea of a keyboard amp and small mixer for additional flexibility.

After reading all the internet bashing on the brand my guitar amp is...I decided to try their keyboard amp, and a mixer. The beauty is, I can stereo link them for a true stereo pa if I so desire. Yes, it's Behringer. Let the bashing commence.

The amp is the ulktratone k3000fx. It is obviously a Roland knockoff, visually. Out of the box, it's flawless in every cosmetic detail. It weighs 65 pounds, so plan ahead if you get one. The side handles make it a very easy two man carry. The top handle is a little awkward as you may imagine. Every knob and switch works smoothly and does it's intended function. No loose screws or jacks.

My keyboard drum machine is absolutely heartstopping through this amp! Super tight bass, and crisp treble...couldn't be happier. My jazz bass will rattle the house, with great definition to boot! Those two things alone make this worthwhile for me.

Still, I needed a Pa. I plugged directly in with my homemade earset mike, and the vocals are clear, loud and natural. Then I tried a dynamic samson 58 knockoff. Same deal...very clear, natural sound. There is phantom power for normal condensor mikes, and it works fine with my samson c1 studio mike. The effects aren't very well explained in the manual (not even a mention as to what each effect actually is...there are 100, so a little info would be nice to have), and there was no sheet like the one in my mixer box and guitar amp..still, it's pretty intuitive, and they work well. They amp has a 1-40 41-60, etc printed on it with the general effect group, but a little more would save time...going to email behringer about this on. Seems a little silly to leave this info out...probably an oversight in the packaging department.


We will be using this as our bands small pa for sure. I also bought a ub1202fx mixer to increase our small gig connectivity options. Oh, I forgot about the acoustic guitar...super nice, and plugs straight in with lots of adjustability between my guitar preamp and the amp. The mixer adds nothing to the sound except more inputs (as it should be)...it has fx to, but I haven't messed with them much. The room reverbs seem pretty nice, and a couple of the delays are good so far.

For under $400 I have a keyboard amp, small Pa, bass amp (need to preamp the bass, BTW, or line out of a small amp) acoustic guitar amp, and stereo capability. It has a 7 band EQ with feedback detection, too.

Also a subwoofer output, all channels and line outs are true stereo (mono on left channel if using mono inputs), cd player in, 1/4 inch line outs, slave in and out for true stereo sound with a second amp and speaker (this works great with my 100w guitar amp and its 2-12's), and xlr outs for a board if you wanted to use it as a monitor at a bigger gig.

The xlr on channel one and the trs input can be used simultaneously with the understanding that you only have one set of controls. Probably no big deal since most equipment has at least a volume or line out level control of some kind. Both sets of line outs can be used simultaneously. Channel four is a switchable headset channel for metronome, or effects free listening...or you can work it normally in the mix with or without effects. Each channel also has its own fx level control, and there is a master fx send control as well. Separate headphone level control for that jack.

Also, my electric guitar sounds fantastic (again, preamp required..I use a zoom effects board) too. The 15 inch woofer and tweeter really add a cool dimension to my stomp box sounds...totally clear and adjustable for gobs of bass, too.

The beauty is, all this fits in one small case for the mixer and cables/mikes, plus the amp, plus your instruments...and they can ALL go into this, even with out the mixer if you only need one mic input! Gig out of one car.

Our guys will either bring small guitar amps (guitarists...sheesh), or line in off their pedals, depending on the space available. My earset mike will get my conga/congas, as well as my vocals.

Just wanted to share the budget solution I came up with for very small to medium small/small venues where stage space is at a premium or non-existant.

God bless!

-Ron



Edited By bongoron on 1158243345

[ozrivera]

Saludo Hermanos
Bongoron, this is a pretty elaborate post. i can tell that you did your homework. thanks for sharing.

oz

[bongoron]

Our drummer used it as a personal monitor at our last gig...said it was the best mix he's ever had, especially the vocal clarity! Thanks for the kind words. Also, I tested it at our church from the stage. I recorded a perfectly clean level of 105 db in the middle of the sanctuary which seats 300. This was a test and I didn't press it any harder than 1/2 volume to achieve this level, so it has plenty of oomph. The level was with a bass guitar, one electric guitar, and me singing. Again, very clean and pleasant sound. That's the update.

God bless!

-Ron



Edited By bongoron on 1163429573