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Hey guys, so I'm headed out to go look at PA packages so that I can finally have my own PA for these little Coffee House gigs, rather than have to deal with what they've got laying around. I'm hoping for about 150-200w with between 6-8 channels (Sometimes I add a keyboard player with extra vocals and I might end up using this as a practice PA for the big band when I don't want to haul out the big guns...), that's about it. Durability would be nice, a good warranty is of course great as well - but I don't need anything other than solid. Any suggestions? I don't want to have to fuss with an amp, so a powered mixer is a must - how about this?

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-PVI-8B-Powered-mixer?sku=631380

And then a couple of cabinets

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kustom-KPC15-15-PA-Speaker-Cabinet-with-Horn?sku=600816

I've got some stands already, but does anyone have any experience with these? I've only ever used stuff I've been given, never bought anything new, this should be a first... Thoughts? Thanks guys!

-N

P.S. I live near Nashville, so I can also go cruise the pawn shops up there, anything in particular I should be looking for if I feel like going used? What's stuff that's durable that should still be good?

Comments

jg49 Thu, 03/05/2009 - 17:32

Peavey builds good stuff, I've used their mixers and for the pricepoint they are ok. My only thought is that this has no monitor capability. I mean I know you could up hook up a monitor L/R config but I prefer something like Peavey XR 8300 which has a monitor mix for each channel. Probably not needed for the coffee house thing but if you are at a small club where crowd noise is an issue I can't live without monitors.
I've got a friend that really likes Carvin's stuff you might give it a look also.

Boswell Fri, 03/06/2009 - 02:46

If you don't need a separate foldback mix or pan controls, the Yamaha Stagepas 500 is worth looking at. There is also a 300, which fits in your power range, but it does not have microphone phantom power on the mixer or built-in top hats on the speakers. The way the mixer-amp and the speaker cables fit into the rear of the speaker boxes for transit is great for gigging.