Outside PA help

[GuitarTom]

I was asked to put a system together for an outdoors stage. It's doesn't need to be high spl just good quality sound. I haven't been given a budget yet but they want some numbers any way. I was thinking of a small active three way with a twelve for the bottom. They also wanted some thing that can be hung from above the stage (it has a roof), in the way of a small line array. I was thinking of 4/ 5.25 per side but, don't know how to handle the bottom end being on the stage. Maybe about 300 watts max per side (not sure about the amps yet). The xo will be the Behringer DCX2496. Guitar Tom

[steve22]

How big is the place, how many people, how far away will the back of the crowd be?

Volume drops off fast as you get farther away from the speakers, especially outside. So the speakers will need to make a lot more volume than the audience will hear.

A tall line array does not lose volume as fast as a smaller stack of drivers.

You are probably better off with woofers bigger than 12 inch, especially if you go with a 3-way design. Bass frequencies require a lot of air displacement. Horn loading or lots of ported woofers will be required to get good volume as the venue gets larger than a small concert.

[Mipsconsult]

Yes, we need a lot more info. How many amps, wattage, types of music being played, the instrumentation to be reinforced, how much AC is available, etc.

And from the "Sometime, the BEST answer doesn't fit the question asked" category: IF this event is a one shot deal (one night or weekend), the very best advice you can recieve from anyone on this forum is to rent a system from an experienced and trusted local SR contractor. Your wallet AND your stress level will be glad you did.

[Paul O]

Yeah.. either this isn't going to be something designed for band support or those requesting this "PA" have absolutely no idea what it takes to do something like this.

It's also a hugh waste of resources to build a triamped speaker at only 300w, that's really not necessary until you're into many thousands of watts and multiple speaker cabs. Besides there are loads of good sounding powered PA speakers in that range... assuming a 300w speaker would actually be sufficient here.

[GuitarTom]

I should have given more info. The seating is about 50, seating is 10' to 45' to the back row. Right now they are running some cheap 12's and there is enough volume just not good sound. It's for open mike night at a coffee house so, the music stiles will vary. We don't need ear splitting spl. People will want to talk in the audience. I was looking at the Fitzmaurice Omni 12 Tallboy. Tommy D

[billfitzmaurice]

I was looking at the Fitzmaurice Omni 12 Tallboy. Tommy D
A pair of those would be fine. However, being full range it's a ground placement box only, no hanging. For hanging a pair of Otop 12s with a T39 on the ground would suffice.

[Mipsconsult]

Given the venue spec's:

1. You don't need subwoofers in a venuse that size.

2. Here's a GREAT coffee house styled system that I've been eyeing for a small portable high SQ system: http://www.b-52pro.com/models/Matrix600.html

DIY designers take note: The "semi pro" SR world could use more HIGH QUALITY 10"" and 12" 3 ways!!!!!!!! The current slew of large woofer 2-ways just don't cut it in the vocal intelegibility range.

3. In a super small venue like that, clear and well defined (not necessarily 'refined') mids will be your greatest asset.

4. Stage volume from instruments and vocalists will extend naturally into the room. It seems no larger than a really big living room.

Question for Bill F. : Given the room/seating specs, is this a case where direct radiators may have an economic edge (especially factoring in the DYI labor time) over line arrays?

[billfitzmaurice]

Given the venue spec's:

1. You don't need subwoofers in a venuse that size.
Whether or nor subs are required is a matter of the system design. If he runs hung tops that only will go to 100-125 Hz then subs are a necessity.

Question for Bill F. : Given the room/seating specs, is this a case where direct radiators may have an economic edge (especially factoring in the DYI labor time) over line arrays?A line array may be a direct radiator, and vis-versa.

[Mipsconsult]

Y'know, I just noticed that this is an outdoor venue. My bad.

Ignore everything I've said thus far(:

Sorry.

[GuitarTom]

I would rather keep the speakers on the stage they would be locked up every night. If they were hanging they would be permanent and I don't trust somebody stealing them. Guitar Tom