Re: [Harp-L] Which PA System?

[IronMan Mike Curtis <ironmanmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I checked out powered speakers and mixers.  They're nice, but 1. you  
need AC power running to EACH speaker AND the mixer, and 2. they're  
expensive.

That's why I went with a Carvin Stagemate.  It's  a compact 10" 2 way  
enclosure with a 100 watt 4 channel (plus a pair of RCA line level  
inputs on a single volume control) PA built into the back.  It has a  
built-in battery (12 volt 7 AH gel cell) that'll run it for about 4  
hours according to Carvin - YMMV.   Add a second gel cell for double  
time, or the same with a 2nd speaker.  Carvin has matching speakers.   
Or run it from your cars lighter plug, or plug it into the wall to  
power the system and charge the internal battery(ies).

It's 60 watts RMS as-is; 100 watts with a second 8 ohm speaker.   
Channel 1 is optimized for acoustic guitar, with a treble boost  
switch and 3 band EQ.  Channels 2 thru 4 have 2 band EQ, 1/4" and XLR  
inputs.  It also has a pair of RCA line level jacks on a single  
volume control (tape in).  It has a standard speaker stand mount.

As-is, it sets up in a couple minutes, sounds great, and gets the job  
done.  Put it on a stand, run an optional cable to an optional 2nd  
speaker, plug in your mics and instruments (and optional 12 VDC or  
117 volt AC power) , and you're ready to go.  It's perfect for  
acoustic guitar (or clean hollow body electric), acoustic harp, and  
two vocal mics in a Borders or moderate acoustic volume outdoor type  
venue.  If you need to monitor your sound, you can either stand in  
front of the 2nd speaker, point the 2nd speaker toward the  
performers, use a passive monitor as your 2nd speaker, or use the  
line level Monitor out  (1/4", has its own volume control) to drive a  
powered Hot Spot or similar.

My two gripes are 1. it doesn't have phantom power (my favorite vocal  
mic is a Shure SM-87), and 2. it has no insert point for effects, EQ,  
feedback exterminator, BBE, etc.  But in all fairness, it's not  
intended for this type of service.  It's a stupid-simple PA for very  
basic applications.

I run vocals, guitar, harp, and organ bass pedals thru mine.  Bass  
pedals require a bass amp capable of handling a loud, deep 5 string  
bass.  I modified my Stagemate so that, when I plug a 4 ohm speaker  
into the (formerly) headphone jack, the built-in speaker is fed  
frequencies above ~500 Hz and full range sound is fed thru the  
headphone jack.  Of course, the headphone jack can no longer be used  
for headphones (the limiting resistor is gone), but I don't need that  
feature.  I use this with a Peavey 115BX bass cabinet.  When I do  
outside gigs (especially when I need to move in/out quickly), I put  
the Peavey on my gear cart face-down as a floor firing subwoofer and  
set my other gear (6 space rack, StageMate) on top, and if AC power  
is unavailable, a 12 volt deep cycle battery and inverter.  I have  
plenty of power to work with a drummer.  Sometimes I have a 2nd  
guitarist/vocalist.  Those RCA's come in handy for this.  I'll plug  
in a sub-mixer (either a super-simple Olsen or Calrad 4 channel 1/4"  
to RCA VC-only mixer or a fancier Yamaha with XLR's, 1/4", individual  
channel EQ's, and phantom power) for the extra inputs.

A digital effect option (reverbs, choruses, flanges, delays, etc.) is  
available.  I'm glad I bought my Stagemate with this option.  The  
plate reverb is particularly nice, and subtle.  It adds a nice warmth  
and fullness to vocals and acoustic harp.  Before digital  
electronics, plate reverb was available only in high end recording  
studios.  A large, delicate room-size metal plate with several  
expensive and delicate transducers produced very lush high fidelity  
reverberations.   These were *permanently* installed in their own  
rooms in the highest end recording studios.  Ain't DSP wonderful?

On Mar 4, 2006, at 10:48 AM, samblancato wrote:

> Hello People,
>
>
>
> The guitarist from the band I'm in and I want to put together a  
> couple of
> sets of more acoustic material that we could perform in smaller  
> settings
> (Borders Books, Coffee Houses etc.). This means I/we will need a  
> small PA to
> support vocal mikes both for vocals and for my harp.  PA systems are a
> mystery to me; I've just never looked at them or cared about them.   
> Can
> anybody help me with what would work for such settings?  What  
> brands?  What
> components are needed?  What kind of speakers?  The add copy for  
> this type
> of equipment is rather vague and I can't infer much from it so as  
> to educate
> my self if you know what I mean.  I don't want to go all out and  
> buy a huge
> system.  Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks.
>
>
>
> Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l

--IronMan Mike Curtis
ironmanmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx