Kevin Dean Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Regardless of budget I'm trying to see if I can better the rig I have for pub/ club gigs weight is the most important bit .I currently use a Peavey XR1212 powered mixer , (18lbs) , EV powered 12"subs (45lbs)each & EV ZX1 tops (20lbs)each ..I'm just wondering if this can be bettered ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 You have a weight budget of 148 lbs to come under, so I think the answer has to be a resounding yes! To get the ball rolling on something optimal, Kevin: What power output from the speakers do you need? What instruments / vocals are you putting through the PA? How many mixer inputs do you need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 (edited) The answer is a definite yes. You can ditch the subs completely if you get a pair of RCF 735 or 745s. They have 15 inch woofers and high frequency drivers with BIG voice coils (3inch or 4 inch, respectively) meaning the crossover point with the woofer can be really low allowing it to almost behave like a sub in itself. Then go get yourself a good unpowered digital mixer as the RCFs are already powered, saving a load more weight again. Job done - your PA load in time is cut in half and you sacrifice nothing in terms of sound. Edited January 20, 2018 by CameronJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 55 minutes ago, CameronJ said: The answer is a definite yes. You can ditch the subs completely if you get a pair of RCF 735 or 745s. They have 15 inch woofers and high frequency drivers with BIG voice coils (3inch or 4 inch, respectively) meaning the crossover point with the woofer can be really low allowing it to almost behave like a sub in itself. Then go get yourself a good unpowered digital mixer as the RCFs are already powered, saving a load more weight again. Job done - your PA load in time is cut in half and you sacrifice nothing in terms of sound. + 1 to that. Also check out this thread, if you haven't done already. Some great suggestions: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/315455-interesting-frfr-story/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmedunc Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 Ditched our heavy PA for 2 Barefaced FR800's and a Behringer X18. Great lightweight setup. Would have liked to try the RCF mentioned above too though. The BF's were lighter so opted for them without a trial. They are good but can't get the guitarist to turn down so the rig is always in a competition with him... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 13 hours ago, Al Krow said: You have a weight budget of 148 lbs to come under, so I think the answer has to be a resounding yes! To get the ball rolling on something optimal, Kevin: What power output from the speakers do you need? What instruments / vocals are you putting through the PA? How many mixer inputs do you need? It's the weight of the individual Items , I don't want to be putting powered speakers up on stands on my own , My current rig is 1200 watts for tops max & 1400watts for the subs .& a max of 10 inputs only used on large gigs . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 10 hours ago, Al Krow said: + 1 to that. Also check out this thread, if you haven't done already. Some great suggestions: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/315455-interesting-frfr-story/ Thanks for the suggestion ..but my current tops only weigh 20lbs The RCFs are over 45 lbs & not so easy to get on stands on my own with my back . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Just now, Kevin Dean said: Thanks for the suggestion ..but my current tops only weigh 20lbs The RCFs are over 45 lbs & not so easy to get on stands on my own with my back . That's fair enough. You don't need to be thinking about such large RCFs if you're not putting your bass through - for me that's the key limiting factor on reducing size and weight. We manage just fine with two RCF 310As (400W a piece and plenty for most pub / club gigs - anything bigger typically has an in-house sound system) and then add an Allen & Heath mixer (or similar). This covers vocals plus acoustic guitar & sax and mic-ing up the bass drum. Me and the lead guitarist take our own amps. Job done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 15 hours ago, itsmedunc said: Ditched our heavy PA for 2 Barefaced FR800's and a Behringer X18. Great lightweight setup. Would have liked to try the RCF mentioned above too though. The BF's were lighter so opted for them without a trial. They are good but can't get the guitarist to turn down so the rig is always in a competition with him... What I really like about my rig is that I can If needed mic everything up & get that stadium sound with thumping bass drum etc but on a club level ...Do you think these 1 x15" barefaced could really do all that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 5 minutes ago, Kevin Dean said: Do you think these 1 x15" barefaced could really do all that ? They are 1x12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted January 21, 2018 Author Share Posted January 21, 2018 1 minute ago, EBS_freak said: They are 1x12. if they are the same speakers as I had in my super compacts I can 't see it , maybe an OK but not give that chest pounding bass & drums & vocal ...I'd love to be corrected though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmedunc Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 We tried them in a decent sized pub. Drum soundcheck, got the chest thumping. As soon as the loud guitarist started the thump couldn't be heard. He is at least twice as loud as needed. Limiting the sound onstage is a must but unfortunately the guitarist can't see it. The cabs are loud and may well do the job. The situation is a bit vexing to say the least at the moment.. If I had the choice I'd buy a sub.but I really don't think we need it, we need to sabotage the guitarists amp! You are welcome to try mine out. Don't know what the logistics would be like though. .. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted January 22, 2018 Share Posted January 22, 2018 What guitar amp is he using? If you haven't got the stage size and venue size, I'm pretty sure he's got the wrong gear for the gig... or at least being a knob with the volume control. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmedunc Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 On 1/22/2018 at 11:50, EBS_freak said: What guitar amp is he using? If you haven't got the stage size and venue size, I'm pretty sure he's got the wrong gear for the gig... or at least being a knob with the volume control. Just saw this reply! He uses different rigs (not all on the same night but sometimes links two together), Marshall, Orange, Fender heads, cabs and combos. Great sound but blummun loud! Cabs aimed at his calves and he is about 6' 2. Did a PA for his other band and had the same problem. Ended up that the PA was so loud folk were at the point of leaving leaving (including myself). Funnily enough, recently he has turned down. Went to see his band at the same venue with another bloke doing the PA using subs. Volume wise everything was fine. He also had put his setup as far back in the room as possible. I must say that the rig used that night sounded very tame, mellow and wooly in comparison the the Fr800's. All the live sound seemed to have been removed. I'm not very keen on subs for that very reason. I know the guy who did the PA and he is very laid back and it showed with the sound he produced. Fair play to him for getting the onstage sound level down on the night. Many have tried and failed! Hopefully, next time we gig together the problem may be solved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Don't Mark Audio have a new lightweight system.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmedunc Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 1 hour ago, yorks5stringer said: Don't Mark Audio have a new lightweight system.....? Had a look at them last night. They look promising - http://www.markaudio.it/products/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Ibtl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 I'd say that's a fairly lightweight system already. It also seems quite good from a power-to-weight ratio, with subs on the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 1 minute ago, stevie said: I'd say that's a fairly lightweight system already. It also seems quite good from a power-to-weight ratio, with subs on the floor. I'd agree, was going to post earlier that I wasn't sure where else you'd save weight, it's pretty slimline as it is already... - I'm not a massive fan of 12inch subs - but I guess if you are running some decent compressors/limiters, they'll do a job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 There's probably a bit to be saved by choosing cabs with neo drivers in them. I notice the ZX1 is ceramic and I guess the subs are too. So you could probably save seven or eight kg per side for similar performance. I'll leave it to the others to recommend the brand names. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted March 14, 2018 Share Posted March 14, 2018 2 x Barefaced FR800s (15kg each),1 x Barefaced LF1400 (24kg), 1 x Behringer XR18. Job done for pubs and clubs. Total weight 57kg (126 lbs). Probably prefer the RCF art 745s to the BF FR800s but it's extremely close. The FR800s will do kick drum very well. That's all well and good but unless you sort your guitarist out then you're wasting your time. No matter what pa you have, it'll be unbearably loud for your customers if he doesn't grow up and stop being a plum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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