Budget Live Sound/Recording Rig Questions...

[StevieRaveOn]

Hey guys,
This is killing me trying to come up with "good enough" products... I started my gear slutness in the guitar area so I'm used to finding the absolute best product for the need, saving the cash, and getting it.

Well, I'm starting a venture with a friend doing live sound and then offering live recording a little later after we get everything hammered out.

Here's what we've got so far:

2 - Yamaha Club Series 1x15 2-ways
2 - Yamaha Club Series 2x15 2-way towers
2 - Yamaha Club Series 1x15 monitors
1 - QSC PLX 1602
1 - QSC RMX 1850HD
1 - dbx 166 or 266 (I forget) compressor
1 - Presonus FIREstation

Picking up:
- Two more monitors
- Subs
- Couple of mic sets
- I'm probably grabbing a used Behringer mixer (I could grab a Crest XR20 or A&H MixWix, but I'd hate to really do that just for college bar scene stuff)
- Various extra stands
- Behringer AD8000 8-ch pres/DA converters (For $200 expanding to 16ch live recording, almost can't pass it up)



Questions:

I'm looking into getting a snake that I won't have to worry about too much, but something that I won't cry bringing into the aforementioned typical college madhouse. I was looking at one of the Jade Audio roll-up kind... Any suggestions for something that won't break the bank, but not completely suck?

I'm thinking about picking up some stuff for a lead vocal channel... IE: EQ and dedicated compressor. Any suggestions or other ideas?

Any suggestions for stuff to pick up to add to the setup to make it better?

I've done some sound work before and have gotten a good bit of compliments, but I don't consider myself great at this stuff at all... Anyone have comments or suggestions in general? Business practices? Normal rates for small sound setups? Anything ya'd like to share?

Thanks for your time, peace out.

[StevieRaveOn]

Anybody have any suggestions in general for someone just starting out? Cool, peace.

[Clueless]

Do not underestimate the effect a good mixer can have on your sound. What good is a good input chain if the mixer just screws with it? Keep your eyes open for a Midas Venice 160 (the smallest/least expensive of the Midas line), and if you can afford it, GET IT!

[Remoteness]

Have you considered building your own snake system or maybe buy a used one and modify it to your own spec?

[StevieRaveOn]

Originally posted by Remoteness
Have you considered building your own snake system or maybe buy a used one and modify it to your own spec?

I hadn't looked into it seriously. One of my first moves was to post here, I'm by no stretch of the imagination an experienced individual and I've noticed a lot of knowledge thrown around here. I was going to see what you guys suggested, I'm not one to reinvent the wheel usually.


Is that what you'd suggest, build? I usually aim for everything used if I can, but I hadn't checked into snakes too much. Thanks for the reply, peace.

[Remoteness]

Building your own, buying a used one or getting a used one and modifying it to your needs are all good possibilities...

I look for deals, so buying used is no biggie for me. That still doesn't stop me from building my own or buying a new one from the various manufactures out there.

IMO, a used snake in good condition is your best bet economically especially if you go through it thoroughly during the inspection. Check for oxidation, rust, cold solder joints or cuts in the outer jacket. Twist or flex the entire length of cable a bit and check for shorts.

If you're good with your hands, build your own.

[StevieRaveOn]

Originally posted by Remoteness
Building your own, buying a used one or getting a used one and modifying it to your needs are all good possibilities...

I look for deals, so buying used is no biggie for me. That still doesn't stop me from building my own or buying a new one from the various manufactures out there.

IMO, a used snake in good condition is your best bet economically especially if you go through it thoroughly during the inspection. Check for oxidation, rust, cold solder joints or cuts in the outer jacket. Twist or flex the entire length of cable a bit and check for shorts.

If you're good with your hands, build your own.

Cool, thanks for the help man, I'll definitely look into those options. JBurn34 and I have been talking about having a soldering party for a while, this might just be another projext to add to it. Thanks, peace.