[John Laughter]

I need a powered stage monitor to set behind me on the floor when sitting in with bands. Using it with tenor and alto. Anyone have any experience with the Galaxy?

http://www.galaxyaudio.com/PA6S.php

Any other styles or brands that I need to consider? Thanks.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

The Hot Spot is designed to be used on a mic stand in front of you. I don't know if it has enough power to work as a stage monitor behind you, at least in loud band situations. Perhaps it would work just to amplify your sound in a more acoustic/jazz setting, but I think you're mostly playing rock. Let me add that I have no experience with the PA6S, so take my comments with a large grain of salt. But I suggest the QSC K8 powered speaker. It will be more versatile, but it also may be more money than you want to spend. If so, you could look at other small (8" or 10") powered speakers.

 

[Souportwenty]

John, I use the Mackie SRM150 when performing with a loud band. However, I'm sure it would be useless behind me. I have it high, in front of me and not far from my face. It will cut and give me the sound I need to not overblow when the stage volume gets out of hand. It seems like a similar design to the Hot Spot. I like the Mackie as it is light and easy to set up. I would love it if it had built in effects as I do miss a little reverb in the monitor mix.

 

[John Laughter]

I appreciate the advice. Especially about the size. I had some concern about that.

In my band I run a cable from the Mackie board into my piano amp that is behind me just to get a little balance between me and the mains. Works great.

However, when I sit in with some bands it can be hard to hear especially if there is a guitar or piano amp behind me so I would like something that I can rely on to give me my sound if the stage volume starts to rise. If I am near the front of the stage the stage monitor normally works fine but sometimes we find ourselves in back near an amp and too far from the monitor on a small stage.

Thanks and I will check out both units!

 

[Souportwenty]

I used a keyboard amp for years but just got tired of carrying the damn thing as, even though it sounded great it weighs far too much. I live in an apartment and my rule is "one lift". I have a little cart and, at over 50, if I can't put everything I need on the cart, I don't take it. The little monitor works great and I do use the attachment that allows me to put the top of the boom stand right on top of the monitor. It seems a little cluttered at first, but it is certainly effective and allows you to hear very well. If you need a bit of a tweak on the sound, all the controls are at your fingertips. I usually set up behind the front row of players and that does put me closer to some guitar amps and the drums. The little monitor works great for me. To get the correct level, the signal to the board is pretty hot. However, as long as the signal is matched with the gain control it is not an issue. The singers love it as well as it keeps the sax volume out of the monitor which makes it better for them when there is only one monitor mix.

 

[Rich Maraday]

I have a Galaxy and it works fine for loud situations considering its size but i just got a $365.00 Nady in ear monitor 6 belt pack system and it is much better and you can control the volume from the belt pack. My ears don't get destroyed in the process.

 

[Rich Maraday]

PS Mackie makes a better sounding unit then the galaxy.

 

[John Laughter]

Thanks for the updates!

 

[scotts]

http://www.behringer.com/EN/Products/B205D.aspx is also a fine option, for $100 less than the Mackie

 

[MartinMusicMan]

I've seen a number of comments on SOTW and other fora about the crappy quality of Behringer gear. But then I've also seen some comments from people who are satisfied with it. I've also seen comments about how Behringer gear is cheap Chinese copies of better gear made elsewhere. And then there's all the threads about Chinese saxes ...

caveat emptor?

 

[John Laughter]

Thanks for the update. I am going to contact Sam Ash in Atlanta to see if they have any of the units in stock so that I can listen to them.

 

[Fader]

I highly recommend the Roland AC 60 (or 90). More than enough power for even rock bands, small footprint, a nice carrying case, pole mountable or a tilt bar for putting it on the floor or a chair at an angle. It also has two channels (one XLR), balanced line out, phantom power, and rudimentary FX. Depending on the gig, I've used it to great success with tenor, alto, and Bari on everything from small rooms to gigs with a 50' stage. (the big stages benefit from additional monitoring) I typically pole mount it behind me at head height so it doubles as a stand for my wireless receiver and a drink or two.

If you're local, i am in the ATL and have two of these. I don't want to get rid of either as one lives in my car and the other at a rehearsal space, but I'll loan it out if you want to try it on a gig. Or you can come hear it being used on a sax live with a pretty loud band. I have 8 local gigs in the next two weeks in the metro area. 3 in town, 3 in Marietta, one in Vinings, and one in Tucker if any of those are close. (you're also welcome to sit-in and demo it live) Or you can come try it at my studio near Stone Mountain. I see them around here used sometimes on CL for around $300 or less.

 

[DanPerezSax]

I use the galaxy with the ewi. Remarkably neutral sound, though the bass is what you'd expect. Very small and light, very directional.

 

[John Laughter]

Fader, I appreciate the offer and sent an email to you.

 

[John Laughter]

Fader, I am impressed with the AC 90 demo. I can see why you like it;

I like the built-in effects that can be sent to the PA board. Going to order it and give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion! And thanks to everyone else for the input.

 

[Fader]

I should have mentioned that you need to pick up a line attenuator (pad) of -10 to -20 db with the AC series amps. The signal from the balanced line out is too hot for most mixers...

 

[John Laughter]

you need to pick up a line attenuator

Thanks.

 

[Hinzaldi]

I've seen a number of comments on SOTW and other fora about the crappy quality of Behringer gear. But then I've also seen some comments from people who are satisfied with it. I've also seen comments about how Behringer gear is cheap Chinese copies of better gear made elsewhere. And then there's all the threads about Chinese saxes ...

caveat emptor?

I own this Behringer now for about 5 months. I used it nearly every week, and no problems so far. The quallity is great. A lot of bang for the buck. I use it for fluteplaying in jazzcombo's. My esperience this far is that it is very loud, so plenty of volume. But the small size has its limitations. One is that the response is a bit irregular. Some places in the flute register are better amplified, and some notes have the tendency to stay behind in volume. I suppose this has to do with peaks and lows in the speaker response. An other problem is that you cannot tilt it backwards while resting on the floor, as the powerchord needs to much room for that. I 'm curious how it performs compared with the new Gallaxy Hot spot. The Galaxy has a dome tweeter, the Behringer has not.

 

[jblues1969]

I own this Behringer now for about 5 months. I used it nearly every week, and no problems so far. The quallity is great. A lot of bang for the buck. I use it for fluteplaying in jazzcombo's. My esperience this far is that it is very loud, so plenty of volume. But the small size has its limitations. One is that the response is a bit irregular. Some places in the flute register are better amplified, and some notes have the tendency to stay behind in volume. I suppose this has to do with peaks and lows in the speaker response. An other problem is that you cannot tilt it backwards while resting on the floor, as the powerchord needs to much room for that. I 'm curious how it performs compared with the new Gallaxy Hot spot. The Galaxy has a dome tweeter, the Behringer has not.

The Behringer 205 and the Mackie 150 mentioned earlier, as far as I can tell, are the same unit with different logos. Whomever is manufacturing them is making the same unit for both companies. Buy whichever one you can find cheaper. I've been putting mine behind me, since the horn section is in front of my band. At max volume it makes just enough difference so I can function. I've not enjoyed using in-ear monitors so far and I get too much feedback from our wedge monitors.

 

[funnyfreddie]

Hi ,
I owned the 3 pack galaxy audio and used it for vocals only. it was excellent. however, when the band ended due to ill health, i brought these with the idea of using them as monitors for my alto/tenor sax. I wrote to the company who makes them and this is the reply i got . i feel it needs to be read to avoid any misunderstandings over the use. I hope this helps.
all best
FF

copy of reply

The frequency response of the PA5XD is 200hz-18kHz and what would concern me is the PA5XD not being able reproducing the same sounds as the sax. Research has said that a tenor sax frequency response is generally 110hz-630hz. ( not considering harmonics )

It might not sound very good and the low frequency might damage the speaker.

In my opinion you would probably be able to hear your sax just fine without having to send it through the PA5XD, but if you want to experiment with using it - listen for distortion and observe the limit light on the PA5XD. ( distortion and pushing the compressor to it's limit could destroy the internal speaker)

Regards,

Aaron Simpson
[email protected]
Galaxy Audio Tech Support/R&D
1(800)369-7768