EBS_freak Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 For some there is active. For others there is passive. For all other lost souls, there is Bose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 [quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1392654790' post='2371123'] For some there is active. For others there is passive. For all other lost souls, there is Bose. [/quote] T-shirt being printed as we speak..... haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonzodog Posted February 17, 2014 Author Share Posted February 17, 2014 Cheers for the help guys. I think at present I am leaning toward active, as I have also just aquired a fairly decent none powered mixer so just need a pair of active tops and we are away. We will add bass bins at a later date but can still hire them for the time being if needed. I think I may try out the Mackies that have been mentioned, as well as the EVs that I am already familiar with Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Don't forget a graphic EQ - or at least a Feedback Destroyer (although I think feedback deployer is more fitting for those things personally!) If you can wring out the nasty frequencies on a decent graphic you can get the mics much louder through the PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I bought a Sabine twin-channel feedback destroyer for my covers band about three years ago. I can honestly say that we've had not a single issue with feedback since, and that's maybe 70 gigs in at least 20 different venues. It's fire & forget. No need for any tweaking, I don't even think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinynorman Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I bought a Behringer feedback destroyer and it was hopeless, so it clearly depends what you buy. I've had other Behringer stuff that was ok. I've now got a DBX 2-channel 32-band EQ and a spectrum analyser app on my phone, which tells me which frequencies to kill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 I found the manual for the behringer wasn't particularly clear. Took about three or four gigs to work out what it was capable of doing then it worked like a dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Active or passive? Seems a lot of people are concerned about running power all over the stage, which is a problem with both setups if you're using stage lights. I've made some 4way black extension leads with 1m leads. Then I have a bunch of 1, 3 and 5m 2way extension leads which mean we can set up in pretty much any way in any space and keep the mains leads as short and tidy as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 [quote name='spinynorman' timestamp='1392746047' post='2372277'] I bought a Behringer feedback destroyer and it was hopeless. [/quote] Behringer DEQ2496 all the eq you'll ever need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 We're all passive in my functions band. We did consider an active setup, but preferred the redundancy scenario that a passive system gave us. However () the folk band has an active setup. So, the answer is 'yes'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1392747585' post='2372304'] Seems a lot of people are concerned about running power all over the stage, which is a problem with both setups if you're using stage lights. I've made some 4way black extension leads with 1m leads. Then I have a bunch of 1, 3 and 5m 2way extension leads which mean we can set up in pretty much any way in any space and keep the mains leads as short and tidy as possible. [/quote] +1 We also have a couple of rolls of that rubber cable protector stuff - one carries mains, the other carries the odd signal cables that need to go from front to rear of stage. Stageboxes and multicores complete the setup and leaves us pretty much 'cable free' on stage. A recent addition is a big hose reel with an added plywood disc mounted on the axle (making two distinct areas) for storing XLR cables - long ones on one side, short ones on the other. We have banished the cable fairies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I'd say cabling only becomes a problem if it isn't thought out and planned for beforehand. I don't mean before every gig, but planned as a stage area layout. yes, active cabs need mains power, so make up the appropriate cables. We buy or make up instruments leads, speaker leads, XLR leads so why not pay the same attention to mains leads? I like to have enough cables/adapters to bring all the power back to a single point behind the stage. We then only need one cable to a suitable mains socket, via an extension lead if necessary. Simple. If we're putting together a full-on set up with a remote desk then I use a 16/4 x 30m snake from behind the stage/band area to the desk. To save having mic, monitor and DI leads from the front of the stage/band area trailing across the stage I use an additional shorter 12/4 snake box at the front of the stage and around it to connect into the main snake box behind the stage. A single sheet of paper with a simple diagram of what goes to which channel makes it pretty quick and easy to set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 (edited) [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1392768597' post='2372646'] I'd say cabling only becomes a problem if it isn't thought out and planned for beforehand. I don't mean before every gig, but planned as a stage area layout. yes, active cabs need mains power, so make up the appropriate cables. We buy or make up instruments leads, speaker leads, XLR leads so why not pay the same attention to mains leads? I like to have enough cables/adapters to bring all the power back to a single point behind the stage. We then only need one cable to a suitable mains socket, via an extension lead if necessary. Simple. If we're putting together a full-on set up with a remote desk then I use a 16/4 x 30m snake from behind the stage/band area to the desk. To save having mic, monitor and DI leads from the front of the stage/band area trailing across the stage I use an additional shorter 12/4 snake box at the front of the stage and around it to connect into the main snake box behind the stage. A single sheet of paper with a simple diagram of what goes to which channel makes it pretty quick and easy to set up. [/quote] How's the Mackie? Got to say I don't follow the argument about cabling as a reason for not using active. I never, ever had an issue with it. Edited February 19, 2014 by leftybassman392 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Agree. You have a couple of power leads to cater for, but it is only a lead run... You may even benefit once or twice by spreading the power load away from the power amp of a passive set up. It is a non issue as far as I can see. As per most P,A's I hear, I think QSC active cabs are quite a benchmark to beat, within their budget...and the only thing I heard was a pr of Martin ICT500's which were far heavier, that were comparable in terms of sound and what you could put through them with ease. I think you have to spend a LOT more to get much better...so much so that most bands can't afford or justify the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goblin Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Having used both regularly, both have their merits and drawbacks. My own rig is a passive rig, the band's rig was active. My passive rig currently consists of a pair of EV SX+ tops, an (admittedly) active HK Actor Sub and a Soundcraft Powerstation 1200 powered desk. The main thing I like about passive, is if an amp plays up, it's easy enough to quickly swap an amp out if required (used to run passive subs so got a spare Peavey CS1000). There're also less heavy lifts (just the desk really, as it's also flightcased - 54kg!), and then there's the advantages of only really needing to locate power for myself in one place (I set my rig up by the desk so I've got quick access if required). So what about the active system? Well the one the band used is a Yamaha DXR12 pair with a DXS15 sub. It's a nice enough PA. My main gripes include powering it, more weight to lift onto speaker stands, and also if a punter carelessly knocks one over, there's more damage to be done (internal and external). However benefits wise, they do fit into the car better, and the desk has potential to be a lot more compact, making it easier to find somewhere to put it, and then there's no real need to worry about speaker cables as all the XLR is required to do is send a signal to the amp in each speaker. So it does work in that sense. However, sound and practicality wise, do I find the system to be worth £2500, I'm not sure. Compare that to paying less than £1000 for the EV system and sub...definitely not! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1392797856' post='2372753'] How's the Mackie? [/quote] Still going strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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