A little off subject...

[okrocker]

I've been out of the picture (club sceen) for many years now...
So starting to look around at all the great gear thats available now is making my head swim!

I'm wondering if I could get a few reviews on small club pa systems for a 3 piece-zztop-srv-stp type cover band.
Yes I'll be playing an Ibanez through it!

I spent years carrying the HUGE, HEAVY stuff...so I've served my time!
So like everyone would like to have...small, compact, easy to carry, but Mega Powerful!
And yet won't break the bank! Ha Haa

Thanks guys & girls...

[ChuckE99]

"& girls"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Good one. 

[okrocker]

"& girls"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Good one. 

Yeah...I stuck that on there at the last second...just in case...lol   

[okrocker]

Ya know...I find it hard to believe that no-one here is out gigging at all 
Or maybe their just keeping what they use a secret!

[BCy2k]

Ya know...I find it hard to believe that no-one here is out gigging at all 
Or maybe their just keeping what they use a secret!

I stopped gigging regularly a good 7 years ago. I still get called to come out and sub once in a while - but lately I decline more and more. I don't know what the gigging scene is like where you are but here it's been in a steady decline for a long time. I was never one to gig for "fun" - and I stopped because the money got so bad that I would have been as good, or better off working some 'real job' for minimum wage. I do not miss gigging - or the way some of these clients treat bands & musicians in general. I do miss hanging out and playing with good musicians though.

Anyway - for live systems, I hear very good things about these new Bose systems - the last time I subbed in a band that was what they were using. First time I'd heard one of these - they actually sound pretty good but if you're a loud power trio type band - they may not cut it for your vocals.  I've also seen loads of bands using these powered mixer/monitor compact systems by Mackie and the like. Again, if your band is going to be extra loud - these will likely be inadequate.

So you may be right back to the 'old school' mammoth PA type systems. The real question is how big are the rooms you intend to play?

[Mongo]

I recently saw Steve Miller. They were using some of the Bose L1 systems on the stage. (http://tinyurl.com/32r7ah).
They sounded great, but I was only hearing the house PA...

Unfortunately he played Strats all night.
I was sure hoping to see the old 2622 make the stage...

[BCy2k]

The thing that sort of blew me away about these new Bose (I guess it's an L1-  these guys also had a sub woofer) systems was their vastly reduced tendency to feedback. You could place the tower and the vocal mics almost anywhere and it wouldn't feedback. You could get it to feedback - but you had to place things in ways that would have been unthinkable with traditional PA systems.

Anyway - they're great, but not cheap. 

[Mongo]

I haven't seen the Bose stuff in any clubs yet. I think they would be well suited for a medium size club. Mostly what I see are powered speakers (JBL & Mackie) with an occasional sub.

They have adequate tonal range and coverage for gigging and eliminate the need for an amp rack. Some of the powered mixers are ok, but I'd never use one in a steady working band. I just don't like the single point of failure. If the amp fails, you also lose your mixer while your amps in the shop, and visa/versa on the mixer failure.

[Roland_G303]

My uncle plays in a swing band that uses the Bose speakers.  I'd have to agree that they're well suit for medium sized clubs.  Anything beyond that and you'd want to bring out the big sound systems.  The Bose system will definitely break the bank.

I agree with you on the gigging pay Bob.  When I use to play out in the band we'd be lucky to get paid enough to cover the gas and Subway subs afterwards .  Traveling has pretty much made gigging impossible for me right now and I really miss playing with the band. 

Patrick

[daveh]

Ya know...I find it hard to believe that no-one here is out gigging at all 
Or maybe their just keeping what they use a secret!

I'm gigging, but being a guitar player, and not being able to sing a note, I don't concern myself with PA equipment that much, other than to point out if or not it sounds like @!##.
That said, I think the amp/mixer in one band I work with is a Mackie, speakers might be JBL's on a stick. They appear to be very portable, and most likely, not all that heavy. The system with a jazz band I am in is the Bose stick style. That sounds great, and looks very portable.

[wakuhn1]

I have also heard good things about the Bose systems as well. I think the big-band I sub in often has a bose system... never really checked!

And speaking of the gig thing, it is getting harder to get clubs to pay decent bucks for a gig. I don't mind playing a gig for free or less $ every now and then if it gets our foot in the door. Booking my quartet lately has been VERY frustrating, just because of the pay issue. So many people around here are now doing trio's, and duo's... Some folks are even using computers to accompany themselves now 

I'm one that still likes to intereact with other musicians... We can't let that die. But it's nice to get a respectable buck when we play...

Sorry for sounding moody...
Bill

[okrocker]

Funny...I was just check'in out the Bose L1s...
Ran across this picture of Steve Miller in the spotlight.
There's a double bass L1 system just behind him on stage...
and another L1 next to the keyboards...