stupid question on PA's and sound reinforcement

[fragman56]

I got "volunteered" to do the sound for my son's lacrosse banquet because I have:
a 15" JBL Eon powered speaker (max output=127 dbA?)
a borrowed Roland MC 550 (15") speaker,
a Mackie 1202 mixing board,
a microphone and
a bunch of amplifiers (85W to 135W/ch).

Room size=3200 sq ft; ceiling ht=?
150 persons dining during awards ceremony.

Will this equipment be enough? Where should I place the speakers?

Thanks in advance! Rick

[madmallard]

what kind of events are you holding at this banquet?

[fragman56]

Just having a speaker (the coach) give a speech and will have some highlight action video with some accompanying audio music. No live bands or anything like that.

[Paul O]

Get some tripod stands and put the speakers well up in the air over everybodys head and off to the sides of the "stage" area. Cut the low end on the mic channel and setup a pudium for the MC behind the speakers, this usually prevents him/her from walking out in front of the speakers and inducing feedback.

[fragman56]

Thanks for the response. I take it that the two 15" drivers with horns will be loud enough for the room and setting? They are powered with around 180 watts.

[jeff_free69]

Thanks for the response. I take it that the two 15" drivers with horns will be loud enough for the room and setting? They are powered with around 180 watts.

The JBL Eon should be perfect for what you need to do.

I'm not familiar with the Roland, though I've seen a K C 550 - which is a keyboard amp with a 15 + small horn tweeter. It should suffice but likely will sound different since its not a matched set. but this is a PA not a stereo, so no biggie. use its 3 band EQ to match the JBL as much as possible.

I have the mackie 1202, that should have a 75 hz Lo-cut on the mic inputs, so as mentioned above, use it.

Play a CD -

Try to keep the channel volume knobs around the middle and adjust the input trim to give the right levels (the mackie manual has a nice discussion on gain structure).

The output LEDs should be around 0 db, but there's a lot of headroom as long as you stay out of the yellow on the peaks. you should NEVER see red light up. Once you have that level set you have to adjust the input level on the powered speakers to get as loud as possible without distortion. You can always lower the volume on the mixer if its too loud.

[fragman56]

Just what I needed--I feel more comfortable now.

thanks again! Rick

[fgelinas]

You can't get 2 JBL Eon? 2 of them should give you enough power to get people ask you to turn it down!

[fragman56]

I would either have to rent or purchase another JBL Eon which I don't want to do and neither does the banquet committee--cheapskates, we are!

The Roland, after testing it out, is quite loud and rocks! I think the specs are about like the JBL -- power, drivers, efficiencies, etc.

You are probably right in that it will have enough stroke for people to ask me to turn it down. I just wanted to get some experienced folks here to confirm the adequacy of the system. I also did not know if it would fill the room so that folks in the back could hear.

[johna_partsexpress]

If you have the chance to go to the room a day or so before the event and look it over, do it.

Locate the outlets in the room, see if you can find out what else is connected, last thing you want to do is trip a breaker. I was doing a wedding one time and discovered the plug that I was using was also hooked to a freezer on the other side of the wall.

Also grab some GAFFERS TAPE (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=350-060) to tape down the cords, don't need someone tripping.

JohnA

[fragman56]

Didn't think of tripping a breaker--good advice! I will be sure to tape down the wires.......thanks...Rick

[dotzs]

Oh no you are now a P/A guy ----
this stuff will do fine--- rule of thumb turn everything down all the way before you power up -it sounds dumb but the volume you will need will be pretty low-just enough to get over the crowd noise-the room may be real live & boomy sounding so again less is more.

[envisionelec]

don't need someone tripping.

JohnA

That all depends on the event....