Setting up a Church Sound System

[shortyc]

I'm thinking about helping a small (and I mean small) church set up their sound system.

Any good resources for doing this? I have my background in Recording Arts and live sound, but never set anything like this up on my own.

(need help on placement of speakers, inexpensive gear, watts, ohms, etc.)

Where do I get started?

[TexRoadkill]

These are your factors-

Budget, room size and type, source (speech, pre-recorded music, live music), how many inputs do you need.

Tell us those and we can go from there.

[Leeking]

I think in the mackie site, there are some good articles for sound system setup in church..... www.mackie.com

My church is still pretty small (70 people congregation), our system consist of a phonic power mixer with built-in effects, a pair of speakers and some mics.

I think some of the PA package in music stores should be suitable as well....

[Chrisjob]

It's sad that I have to say this- but if you need to buy gear do NOT go to a local shop and tell them you need it for a church- most will do their darndest to overcharge you

Doesnt that suck?

[TexRoadkill]

It's the Christians who want to censor everything. They try to censor rock/rap music then go to those same people and ask for a discount on equipment

But some stores actually claim to have a church discount.

[Badger]

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
It's the Christians who want to censor everything. They try to censor rock/rap music then go to those same people and ask for a discount on equipment

But some stores actually claim to have a church discount.

Um, I'm a Christian, and I don't wanna censor anything...I have never heard anyone in my church say anything about censorship... Dont believe everything you hear.

[mixmkr]

Originally posted by Bdgr



Um, I'm a Christian, and I don't wanna censor anything...I have never heard anyone in my church say anything about censorship... Dont believe everything you hear.

I agree....

you might check out my uncensored rock Christian site.

http://www.mp3.com/theupperroom

[hokypokynose]

I go to a big church, and I volunteer in one of the smaller rooms running audio. This would seem realistic for a smaller church:

Mackie 1604vlzpro
Crown microtech amp
Panasonic Ramsa speakers
Whatever mics and stuff you want

[TexRoadkill]

Obviously not all Christians are for censorship. But most people who are for censorship are Christians.

But even with my utter disdain for all organized religion I dont mind helping them spec a PA system.

Hoky you can get away with a very cheap system if you arent doing a lot of live instruments. Even one of those fender or JBL all-in-one setups may do the trick.

Expect to spend about $700-1000 min for a small decent PA head and speaker combo.

If you want a full mixer and amp you are probably going to spend closer to $1500. And that is with marginal speakers and no monitors.

[eyeslikefire]

Whatever you do DO NOT STINGE ON THE SPEAKER SYSTEM.
We had Yamahas and ended up trading for JBL's. Yamahas were ok but the jbl'S sounded so much better.

[Brian01]

Youre going to need some 18 inch sub woofers to make the organ notes really hum and wake everyone up. No?

Actually I'm sure someone in the entire church has a connection, can you find out if any of the church goers can get deals on stuff, like they are friends with a music store worker who gets 1/2 price or something?

[hokypokynose]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TexRoadkill

Hoky you can get away with a very cheap system if you arent doing a lot of live instruments. Even one of those fender or JBL all-in-one setups may do the trick.


But the Fenders sound terrible! All you hear is rumble. Nothing articulate enough to tell what they are saying.

JBLs=great sounging, but noisy

Mackie=PERFECT(well, just about)

[TexRoadkill]

Well of course a powered mackie and some JBL 18's would sound great if they are ready to drop 3 grand.

[hokypokynose]

The JBL's are only a few hundred a peice. The EONs anyway which is what I was talking about. The Mackie actives go for anywhere from 6 hundred to probably 6 thousand.

I really like the sound of Ramsa 10" loudspeakers powered by a Crown micro tech amp though. Perfect match for a small system IMO.