[saxobari]

Allo guys,looking for suggestions about a sound system that will be neened in a gig comin up! I just learned that this gig that was suppose to be inside a building will be in a tent,,well for about 200 persons,so I just played in similar condition three weeks ago,and without being miked,it was desastress,and really bad experience!
Playing in a tent ,is like blowing a sax with a towel inside,no projection,no accoustic at all! There will be at least 200 persons inside that cocktail time,so even worst, the accoustic will be dead as can be!I want to rent a system so at least I wont kill myself blowing,and also will have a naturel sound,with at least a good natural sound result!
Any suggestion,what kind of system,mostly what speakers size would I need,,,not to be annoying,but at least to have a presence and good qualitee sound!My microphone is a simple Sure Beta 57,which is find!
This will be only as a duet,piano and saxe!The piano has a an amplifier!
Thanks for your comments!
All the best
Saxobari

 

[saxxsymbol]

need at least 1 watt for each person so a 200 watt system should work. yamaha has several compact systems available. so does peavey. either would work.need stands for your speakers so the horn speakers are above most of the audiences heads and can carry the sound to the back.

 

[sjonesjrmd]

I would like to put in my 2 cents (actually more like 2 grand) for a BOSE L1. The system works great in that venue and the sound is fantastic and its easy to lug around......

 

[saxxsymbol]

you should patch the piano through the system as well so he can project to the back. the yamaha systems can be used as main/ monitor with the addition of a powered speaker for monitor with separate controls and reverb built in if needed comes through the mains and monitors.I use the 300 watt system for my big band, vocals , announcements and soloists and use the head and a speaker as my personal stage monitor/ mixer and send that out to the main head for the mains in my 5 pc band.very good sound for the buck. you can buy the smallest one, head, 2 speakers, speaker cords ( 300 watts) for about 550 bucks + the cost of a couple of speaker stands.

 

[saxobari]

Thanks guys that was fast!
Saxsymbol,the piano guy ,like you I think that he should go through the system too,but he does'nt like that,,I wish that he would,cause his small amplifier sounds like a toy to me!!
I apreciate all your comments guys,,thansk a lot again for your time!
All the best
Saxobari

 

[ralph lh]

Mario, what's the purpose of your gig - background during the food or up front concert performance?

I've done many gigs in a tent and for that many people and don't need a PA at all. The sax cuts through just fine if all you want to do is background. You don't need to project like a rock band for that. If you are doing a 'concert' type performance, you will need a system AND the piano will have to be plugged in. If your piano guy doesnt like that, it's your gig and rep on the line so just do it!

IMO, far too many groups use far overpowered systems for what is needed.
Ralph

 

[saxobari]

Allo Ralph
How are you?
The thing is Ralph,just did a gig lately in similar condition,and it was a pretty bad experience,on top of beeing eaten by tons of moskitos,since the wall of the tent were not installed when we played,and freezing like crazy to add!! I thought that specialy the sax was dead sound,and keybaord was find cause he has to be amplified anyways! I don't want to be loud,but to have a good accoustic sound as possible,since playing in such dead accoustic condition,i feel it is!It will be for cocktail time,,back ground music,buit still have to have a presence! When I see guys playing in a restaurant that you can't even hear the guy cause he's under the croud cause they talk so loud,,i can't understand playing in such condition!When you are seating down having dinner,,i want to hear the guy playing,If he is there and not heard at all,,what is the point?
Anyways,,hey it was nice to hear from you Ralph,,hope that you are still playing a lot! I guess you are!

All the best
Mario

 

[hakukani]

I just did sound for a high school graduation (it's the school where I'm a teacher/administrator). It was in a tent, because the gymatorium where we usually have it was damaged in the October earthquake. There were easily over 500 people there, inside and outside the tent.

I managed to cover the entire area with two JBL eon speakers, and one small Eon for a stage monitor. I got lots of complements about how every word could be understood.

So, it can definitely be done simply.Just make sure the hf horns are above the heads of the crowd. As far as the deadness of the acoustic, you might consider a reverb unit, or a mixer with a reverb unit installed.

Good luck on your gig.

 

[saxobari]

Thanks Akukani
I will take your advice,and probably will rent this !
I did play few times with about the set up you are taking about,though not inside a tent!
I apreciate your advice!
All the best
Saxobari

 

[saxobari]

Rented a SRM 450 Mackie,two speakers an a small amp,,for a good resonable price!
All the best
Saxobari

 

[JCBigler]

need at least 1 watt for each person...

That's a bunch of bull sh*t.

Where did you ever hear such a stupid method of PA system design? By this same token, the current RHCP "dual stereo" V-DOSC line array should be able to cover a quarter million people. They usually only play to between 10,000 and 30,000 people.

PA systems should be judged by their frequency response, coverage patterns, and overall volume at particular a distance, and the acoustics of the room. For a 200 person gig, I would use a system comprised of single stacks per side (i.e. one hi/mid speaker cabinet, and a sub), and depending on the size and shape of the dance floor I might center cluster the subs, rather than have them on the sides.

I'm sure the Mackie SRM450 was a marked improvement over nothing, but I wouldn't use those speakers for anything much bigger than about 75 people. And, not that it matters, but if I was providing a PA for a 200 person tent gig, my system would probably be in the 4,000 to 6,000 watts range, not including stage monitoring.

 

[hakukani]

That's a bunch of bull sh*t.

Where did you ever hear such a stupid method of PA system design? By this same token, the current RHCP "dual stereo" V-DOSC line array should be able to cover a quarter million people. They usually only play to between 10,000 and 30,000 people.

PA systems should be judged by their frequency response, coverage patterns, and overall volume at particular a distance, and the acoustics of the room. For a 200 person gig, I would use a system comprised of single stacks per side (i.e. one hi/mid speaker cabinet, and a sub), and depending on the size and shape of the dance floor I might center cluster the subs, rather than have them on the sides.

I'm sure the Mackie SRM450 was a marked improvement over nothing, but I wouldn't use those speakers for anything much bigger than about 75 people. And, not that it matters, but if I was providing a PA for a 200 person tent gig, my system would probably be in the 4,000 to 6,000 watts range, not including stage monitoring.

...And I would go for a distributed system, but I didn't think the OP had the knowledge to get the proper delay between stacks. He's not playing a concert, he's background for a cocktail party (correct me if I'm wrong). We'd all like to do concerts, but I think the Mackie's will do the job adequately for this kind of thing.

BTW, I do agree that the formula of 1 watt/person is misguided.

 

[saxobari]

Thanks again Hakukani
All the best,
Saxobari

 

[Jazzed]

People that want to hear more of the band will move closer to you. I think a small system is fine, especially if you are not the main attraction. Since you've just done a similar tent, you have a good idea of what you need. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[saxobari]

I will Jazzed!
Thanks
All the best
Saxobari