How much power do i need for a PA?

[Ed Dixon]

We currently use about 8k for the larger rooms. You can't tell me that you are micing a drum set with 400 watts. No way in hell.

For many venues, 400W may be more than enough. Micing drums and the power you use are not related much. Power just determines the volume level. A 4000W amp is only about twice as loud as a 400W amp.

Ed

 

[HangDawg]

For many venues, 400W may be more than enough. Micing drums and the power you use are not related much. Power just determines the volume level. A 4000W amp is only about twice as loud as a 400W amp.

Ed

Im not talking about being loud perse. I agree that you could get vocals or guitar pretty damn loud with 400W. But, 400W is not going to do a kick drum any justice. The only "real solution" is a pair of JBL folded enclosures and a few thousand watts. Then you'll be able to feel the kick. Everything else from that point on is easy.

 

[mrface2112]

we play mostly smaller clubs and menuvenues--100 person shows and such. the only drum we typically need to mic is the kick. we don't mic amps. micing drums and amps would be considerably overkill for those venues, and we'd have people running for the exits with bleeding ears. or we'd be giving promotional earplugs at the door or something.

this thread was looking for a PA that could handle vocals over a band at rehearsal. if you need 1200+ watts to compete with a couple guitars, bass and drums in *rehearsal*, then the rest of the guys in the band need to freaking turn *down*. how can you possibly hope to hear anything with any kind of clarity in a practice room running that much wattage? that just sounds like a "mine is bigger than yours" pissing fest to me.

maybe for 1000-person venues or something, but for practice? what kind of clubs do you play with a rig that size?


the way i've always looked at it is "if you need earplugs for practice, then you need to turn down". and usually it starts with getting the drummer to learn not to beat the snot out of the drums......but if he's a typical metal drummer, you may have a lost cause on your hands.


cheers,
wade

 

[HangDawg]

we play mostly smaller clubs and menuvenues--100 person shows and such. the only drum we typically need to mic is the kick. we don't mic amps. micing drums and amps would be considerably overkill for those venues, and we'd have people running for the exits with bleeding ears. or we'd be giving promotional earplugs at the door or something.

this thread was looking for a PA that could handle vocals over a band at rehearsal. if you need 1200+ watts to compete with a couple guitars, bass and drums in *rehearsal*, then the rest of the guys in the band need to freaking turn *down*. how can you possibly hope to hear anything with any kind of clarity in a practice room running that much wattage? that just sounds like a "mine is bigger than yours" pissing fest to me.

maybe for 1000-person venues or something, but for practice? what kind of clubs do you play with a rig that size?


the way i've always looked at it is "if you need earplugs for practice, then you need to turn down". and usually it starts with getting the drummer to learn not to beat the snot out of the drums......but if he's a typical metal drummer, you may have a lost cause on your hands.


cheers,
wade

Well, I'll tell ya. We practice in part of an old skating rink. The section we are in is about 3200 sq/ft. with 14ft ceiling. Amps must be turned up to a decent level. We use 2 peavey SP2's with 1200W. It's not really that loud. So, i guess it all depends on where you are practicing eh???? 400W would not cut it for us, period.


As far as what gets miced for live shows. The standing rule is, if the full PA will fit comfortably with enough room on stage for the us and our gear, the full PA goes. There is no reason you can't mic everything and keep it at a respectable level. You just need a lower stage volume. If you can't, that just means your soundman sucks and you should find another one. For the smaller places we use SP2's on poles on of course crank up the amps.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Maybe I'm just an old guy, but you have to mic the kick drum to hear it at rehearsals???? No offense, but that is REALLY loud and you're walking right into hearing damage.

Guess I'll stay away from there.

 

[mrface2112]

<<Maybe I'm just an old guy, but you have to mic the kick drum to hear it at rehearsals???? No offense, but that is REALLY loud and you're walking right into hearing damage. Guess I'll stay away from there.>>

well, i'm not that old and that's my sentiment as well.

diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks, i guess.....if you need that kind of wattage, then i guess by all means use it......but i'll be annoyed in 20 years when my tax dollars are paying for your medicare based hearing loss bills.

of course, i've always been of the "turn down, not up" mindset....and obviously YMdoesV. :b


cheers,
wade

 

[boingoman]

It's pretty unlikely that they are maxing out the volume in any case. An amp isn't always putting out it's full power. Rarely, in fact. My PA barely even breathes hard, most of the time.

You guys have me psyched. I'm doing a major upgrade soon, can't wait to hear it.

 

[HangDawg]

Maybe I'm just an old guy, but you have to mic the kick drum to hear it at rehearsals???? No offense, but that is REALLY loud and you're walking right into hearing damage.

Guess I'll stay away from there.

I didn't say we mic the kick at practice. That would be silly.

 

[HangDawg]

It's pretty unlikely that they are maxing out the volume in any case. An amp isn't always putting out it's full power. Rarely, in fact. My PA barely even breathes hard, most of the time.

You guys have me psyched. I'm doing a major upgrade soon, can't wait to hear it.

Ya, we just did some upgrading as well.

Got 2 new scoops with 18" EV proline. A new 3600W amp for the bins. I also got a new mixer, Allen & Heath GL2200-16. WOW, what an nice board.


[edit]
I think for next practice, we are going to hook it all up. Need to test the new shit out before the next gig. It's nice to a practice place that you can really pound if you want too.
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