PA/Mic set up

xtremehardy388

All right, I've ALWAYS had a problem with this. For shows, I sing into the PA and I don't have my amp in the PA. So, to get a good sound from my amp, I'll have it around 2. Problem is, the amp is too loud for the PA, mainly because the mic picks up the amps sound. It's too loud. Well now that I have a band, you get a ton of music but can BARELY hear the lyrics. Is there any way I can fix this? As previously stated with another thread, I think I'm going to be able to control the volume of the amp more. Still, I'm worried I won't be able to get my vocals through. I'm planning on having a drum set too behind me. I'm worried about the vocals being lost and the music being distorted too much. How can I fix this?

Novawind

What kind of mic and PA system are you using?

ianvomsaal

Depending on the size of the PA, you maybe want to think about micing everything through the PA.
This way, nothing has to be as loud as it is - And don't put your amp behind you, put it off to the side.
Also, depending on your PA wattage, your PA may be underpowered for what you need in this band.
You may need to buy a bigger better PA (you should have no problem hearing yourself with the right PA).
You can't go cheap with a PA - also, under-powering your speakers is the easiest way to blow them.

- Ian

xtremehardy388

ianvomsaal wrote:

Depending on the size of the PA, you maybe want to think about micing everything through the PA.
This way, nothing has to be as loud as it is - And don't put your amp behind you, put it off to the side.
Also, depending on your PA wattage, your PA may be underpowered for what you need in this band.
You may need to buy a bigger better PA (you should have no problem hearing yourself with the right PA).
You can't go cheap with a PA - also, under-powering your speakers is the easiest way to blow them.

- Ian

It's a four channel one. I don't know the type (we're borrowing it from my friend's dad). Last time, I could somewhat be heard in the crowd but I couldn't hear myself.

ianvomsaal

xtremehardy388 wrote:

It's a four channel one. I don't know the type (we're borrowing it from my friend's dad). Last time, I could somewhat be heard in the crowd but I couldn't hear myself.

Dude, you need a better PA, period (also, to hear yourself you'll need a system with monitors).
From the sounds of it, this PA sounds like it might be okay for an acoustic player or two, but not a BAND.
I hate going to listen to a band and not being able to hear what the singer's singing.
The frontman needs to be heard (what if you went to see Pearl Jam, yet you couldn't hear Eddie singing).
If you're serious you'll just need to bite the bullet and go get what you need (you'll be happier).
GC runs specials all the time (no payments for 12 months).
The simplest thing is to get yourself some decent powered speakers and a cheap little mixer.
In the end this'll cut down on weight and the amount of gear you'll need to do the job.
And remember that those cheapo systems like: Behringer, Phonic, Fender Passport, Kustom, Nady, Peavey, & Crate
won't cut it with a full band - You need at least 300watts a side with a full rocking band to be heard.
Just talk to some decent bands in your area and you'll see what kind of PA gear most of them are using.

ianvomsaal

Remember that a typical PA includes:
Mixer; Power Amp's: for your Mains and Monitors; Microphones: vocals, amps, drums; Stands: Mic & Speaker; Cables: Mic & Speaker.

This is near the ballpark of where you'll probably want to start: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ESystem10/
This is basically just so you can see what goes into a fairly simplistic system (it's a mediocre system at best).
This is another fairly basic system (but at least it has two small mains and two monitors): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-EMX5016CF-S115V-SM15V-PA-System-?sku=630608

The PA the last band I played with had was like this (a little over $8000, and mind you it wasn't a Pro Band or Pro System):
If you go with a smaller mixing board and powered speakers it'll be considerable less (especially if you have some gear already).
Mixer: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Allen-Heath-GL240024-Live-Console-Mixer?sku=634108
Mains(pair): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/JBL-JRX125-Dual-15-2Way-Speaker-Cabinet-Pair?sku=600348
Monitors(4): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-SM12V-Club-Series-V-Monitor?sku=601205
Power Amps(3) One for mains & two for monitors: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Crown-XLS-602D-Power-Amplifier?sku=481586
Power Conditioner: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Furman-PL8-II-Power-Conditioner?sku=181301
FX Reverb Processor: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/TC-Electronic-M350-Reverb-and-Effects-Processor-for-Stage-and-Studio?sku=183031
Vocal Mics(3): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM58-Mic?sku=270101
Cabinet Mics(3): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Shure-SM57-InstrumentVocal-Mic?sku=270102
Drum Mics: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DP7
Vocal and Drum Mic Stands: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/OnStage-Stands-Mic-Stand-Package?sku=452062
Mic Stands for amplifiers(3): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-Low-Profile-Tripod-Base-Mic-Stand?sku=451038
Stage Snake (microphone): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live-Wire-16x4-Combo-14XLRF-Input-with-TRS-Return-Snake?sku=331090
Mic Cables (2packs): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Musicians-Gear-XLR-Microphone-Cable-10-Pack-?sku=360433
Speakers Cables (six 50ft): http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Live-Wire-12GA-SpeakonSpeakon-Speaker-Cable?sku=331133

- Ian