New to Live sound looking for advice

[cyberdyke]

Hi,

I'm a drummer with an electric kit. I decided that it was time I bite the bullet and get a PA system.
From a fellow musician I purchased an unpowered Rane mm12 8 channel board. Which he felt would be awesome for practicing using headphones. Which is something I really like.

I just recently purchased; 2 Carvin 832 loudspeakers (400watts @ 8 ohms) unpowered + 2 Carvin 722 monitors (200 watts) unpowered.

I was thinking that I would buy a power amp. Carvin has a nice 425watts @ 8 ohms for $450.

But I don't have any effects on the Rane board that I have, it only has mid, hi, low for eq. So I suppose at some point I would have to purchase some effects and an EQ, yadda, yadda, yadda....

If I want to use the Rane board on stage will I have to get a headphone amp so that we will be able to hear ourselves?

Carvin has a sweet 12 channel powered board (http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/single.php?product=RX1200L&cid=12) 300watts @ 8ohms for $729.

What would you do? And what would you suggest I do?

thanks

J

 

[mixsit]

I'm just coming back with questions. You want to play them live/band setting I take?
Smallish' gigs a pair of 15's is about right for the kick.
More eq (for a particular goal? Effects, ok, maybe yes maybe no.
Head phones to hear on stage, you lost me there. (You got the speakers for that?

I've done a few gigs with a local friend that runs part electric (brass' and snare are live'. He likes to run a pair of powered 2-way 15's (Mackies IIRC), either side of the kit, an over head (or two), mixer and all that -it's a lot of set-up. One fair gig where sound wasn't the band's' the pa guy dammed near insisted he not use his speakers so as to not muck up his control.
That was an interesting bit of 'on the spot agreeing to a compromise' going on to say the least.

Oh, and welcome -to the money pit' by the way.

 

[cyberdyke]

Answering questions:

Headphones: I want to definitely be able to use headphones while practicing and as a drummer yes I want to be able to use them on stage as my monitor.
My Rane board has 8 channels and 6 outputs that I can use to run headphones to the band. But since its not powered the previous owner wasn't sure if all 6 headphone outs could actually be used with enough volume for everyone.

15": Yes I'm thinking small/med sized clubs

Now more questions:
Without "f/x" on the board (reverb and such) don't I need to get something that produces said effects?
And EQ (I actually have no idea how to use one of these).
I also have no idea what exactly a headphone amp is?

Should I get a powered board or just go with all of the individual pieces that makes up a powered board?

Do I have more flexibility with the "components" or with the powered board - which is the better $ spent?

thanks

J

 

[mixsit]

...My Rane board has 8 channels and 6 outputs that I can use to run headphones to the band. But since its not powered the previous owner wasn't sure if all 6 headphone outs could actually be used with enough volume for everyone.

Now more questions:
Without "f/x" on the board (reverb and such) don't I need to get something that produces said effects?
And EQ (I actually have no idea how to use one of these).
I also have no idea what exactly a headphone amp is?..

I did a search last night on the Rane but didn't see much info. Are they six headphone outs or the typical line level aux sends or what?
A typical mixer might have one or maybe two phones amps'.
Anywho, if they are line level outs you can add headphone amps-
http://www.fullcompass.com/product/...CAqHifqOv63-NUaGMeYGCGutMjwgxB8qANCSCDiAqgHmy
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Headphone Amp&N=0
..the first few that came up.

Without "f/x" on the board (reverb and such) don't I need to get something that produces said effects?

Effects on drums? Maybe, sometimes. When needed and done right >go. Otherwise.. what's your fave 'chese.

Do I have more flexibility with the "components" or with the powered board - which is the better $ spent?

Really, I guess until we (and you ) get a better picture of where you're at now.. can't say. I would say skip stuff (like adding eq') until you clearly understand the need for it.
Typically components = more flexible, but ..?