Suggestions Needed: Portable PA for Small Venues

mrbowes · 24th October 2008

I play in a three piece blues band and we are finally getting some decent gigs at respectable bars. Well, maybe not respectable, but the checks are coming, so I don't care.

Current setup:
Mixer/Amp -Behringer 500watt all in one amp/mixer - has some dsp fx - not in love with them but like the feature

Mains - 2x Madison dual 15s (these are rather bulky, would like to go smaller if possible)

Monitors - 2x CGM floor monitors and 1x home made (we're fine with these monitors for now)

Overall, I'm ok with our current sound, but I think that's just I'm inexperienced and am not aware of many of the alternatives.

The main thing I would like to have is portability. The all-in-one mixer/amps with handles are a god-send for this necessity.
1) What do you recommend as far as all-in-one mixer/amps?

As for mains, our Madison's work fine but they are not the easiest to move.
2) What are some of the best values in live 12" portable monitors?

I'd like to keep the cost of the upgrade to under $800-1000 and will be buying used most likely (maybe not for the mains).

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Shadow_7 · 26th October 2008

How big is the average small venue? Square Footage? Seating Capacity?

It seems like you already have a lot of gear for what I consider small venues. Is the band big enough to even need monitors? Or are they just there to give the singer(s) some feedback on what they're doing relative to loud drums and various amped guitars?

And how would you define portable? Carried in by hand in one trip? Or something in a large box with wheels in one trip? Or something in a motorized vehicle so that the band can perform during parades and such?

24th October 2008	#1
mrbowes Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2005 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,452 Thread Starter	Suggestions Needed: Portable PA for Small Venues I play in a three piece blues band and we are finally getting some decent gigs at respectable bars. Well, maybe not respectable, but the checks are coming, so I don't care. Current setup: Mixer/Amp -Behringer 500watt all in one amp/mixer - has some dsp fx - not in love with them but like the feature Mains - 2x Madison dual 15s (these are rather bulky, would like to go smaller if possible) Monitors - 2x CGM floor monitors and 1x home made (we're fine with these monitors for now) Overall, I'm ok with our current sound, but I think that's just I'm inexperienced and am not aware of many of the alternatives. The main thing I would like to have is portability. The all-in-one mixer/amps with handles are a god-send for this necessity. 1) What do you recommend as far as all-in-one mixer/amps? As for mains, our Madison's work fine but they are not the easiest to move. 2) What are some of the best values in live 12" portable monitors? I'd like to keep the cost of the upgrade to under $800-1000 and will be buying used most likely (maybe not for the mains). Thanks in advance for the advice!

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26th October 2008	#2
Shadow_7 Banned Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 595	How big is the average small venue? Square Footage? Seating Capacity? It seems like you already have a lot of gear for what I consider small venues. Is the band big enough to even need monitors? Or are they just there to give the singer(s) some feedback on what they're doing relative to loud drums and various amped guitars? And how would you define portable? Carried in by hand in one trip? Or something in a large box with wheels in one trip? Or something in a motorized vehicle so that the band can perform during parades and such?