When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

[NickJ]

Hey all,

No sooner do I find myself in the middle of a speaker build (thread forthcoming), than do I find myself with the opportunity to start another. As it turns out, the place my fiance and I are getting married doesn't have a PA system (see where I am going with this). Anyone have any recommendations for something to fill a small dance-floor outside? Should I just buy/rent? If so recommendations there would also be appreciated.

I know there is a live sound forum, but I thought I would start here, cause...you know...I am shy.

[djg]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Stentorians, then you will have leftover speakers suitable for other uses.

[NickJ]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

The Stens are on the list of possibles, for sure, but I was also hoping for some quicker, cheaper, and dirtier options, especially because in my situation I am not really sure where the Stens would go afterwards.

[GranteedEV]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Not sure what the time limit is, but I would totally build a pair of econowave style 2-ways based on the parts Eric H is putting together (Plastic SEOS-12, and eminence woofer)

[MagicO309d]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

I wish I had known that Parts Express had a wedding gift list service when I got married!

What about a pair of Econowave SR plus one of those horn sub designs from the BFM site? A pair of BFM SLA's would also be a good alternative to the Econowaves too.

It comes down to how loud and low you want to go.

[rudyjakubin]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

One of Zilch's Eco-wave designs;

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?t=215536

PE's trap boxes makes it easy to have a set of speakers in 2 or 3 days.

Get a couple 1 3/8's insets to put on a pipe with pedestals that PA setups use.

[NickJ]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Not sure what the time limit is, but I would totally build a pair of econowave style 2-ways based on the parts Eric H is putting together (Plastic SEOS-12, and eminence woofer)

I have about three months. Do you have a link to the project you are talking about? I have seen some econowave designs online (the PI stuff), but don't know a whole lot about live sound quality (even though I used to perform live)

[djg]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

What's your budget? I just ordered parts for two standard econowaves, minus the cabs. I am using old Pioneer cabs. About 300 dollars plus 25 for the cabs. I will also need some damping material and plywood for new baffle. This is one of the cheapest variations. It is the first design in the list in the thread previously linked. It is not as efficient as those using the Eminence woofers, but much cheaper. Much. They certainly look like PA speakers. Otherwise, a couple of Jack 10s, 12s, or 15s from Bill Fitzmaurice, but those would likely require EQ, complicating the system.

[GranteedEV]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

I have about three months. Do you have a link to the project you are talking about? I have seen some econowave designs online (the PI stuff), but don't know a whole lot about live sound quality (even though I used to perform live)

read the last 10-15 ppages of this thread and get in touch with erich for more discrete info.

The plastic seos, one of those compression drivers, and this 12" midwoofer, could make a PA speaker that sounds damn good for hi fi too.. and i'm pretty sure there's at least a few people working on crossovers as we speak. He can probably let you know better if a design will be done soon enough for you to build one before you wedding, though - i'm not sure of how the progress is going.

What you still will need however, is still some good ol fashioned horn subwoofers to make the joint BUMP :O and some amps. I would get two of these crown amps for a pair of subwoofers, and one of these for a pair of speakers. That should have ridiculous output. And when it's all said and done, you can repurpose most of the above for a high end home theater :D (You'll probably want to change the subs to something that can hit the deep stuff better, though)

Or of course, you could just go commercial through and through...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWznxY4CmI4

[generic]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

I was asked to do audio last year at a wedding. I knew I had the power, but I didn't have the correct style speaker. My nephew was lucky enough to be able to borrow a portable PA system with a mic, mixer and it worked out really well.

Things to consider, what size room do you need to fill? Do you want to be able to fade a mic in and out?

While it can be an opportunity to build, I'd personally consider either renting a PA system, or buying PA speakers. If these fit your budget.... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...umber=248-6478

You could probably use a home receiver and a mixing board if you want to use a mic. Also consider a wireless mic if you want people to say something.

I'm far from an expert on this matter, but those wide horns are wide for a reason and PA speakers easily fill a room. SPL without a wide off axis alone isn't going to cut it in a large room.

Last but not least, if you have access to the room the day/night before. Test everything out ahead of time.

The link above looks like the right speakers. If you have the time...

[killa]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Hey all,

No sooner do I find myself in the middle of a speaker build (thread forthcoming), than do I find myself with the opportunity to start another. As it turns out, the place my fiance and I are getting married doesn't have a PA system (see where I am going with this). Anyone have any recommendations for something to fill a small dance-floor outside? Should I just buy/rent? If so recommendations there would also be appreciated.

I know there is a live sound forum, but I thought I would start here, cause...you know...I am shy.

No but I have a song:D http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o76YbAfFfJ8

[AMC]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Hey all,

No sooner do I find myself in the middle of a speaker build (thread forthcoming), than do I find myself with the opportunity to start another. As it turns out, the place my fiance and I are getting married doesn't have a PA system (see where I am going with this). Anyone have any recommendations for something to fill a small dance-floor outside? Should I just buy/rent? If so recommendations there would also be appreciated.

I know there is a live sound forum, but I thought I would start here, cause...you know...I am shy.

First off, I would rent. You will have more then enough to do in the next few months without adding this. Also, if you rent you can get exactly what you need, where if you build, there are always compromises, and that is not a day for compromises (insert joke of your choice here). Look for a system that is a simple as possible, that does the job, and avoid at all costs the dreaded 15" 2 way.

[djg]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

I will say that the last wedding reception I attended was in a fairly large low ceilinged hall. The DJs had a modest JBL system, maybe two 12" two ways. Plenty of volume. No sub that I recall.

[bolland83]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

I've got some Carvin gear I might be willing to let go of if you're interested in buying rather than building or renting. I have a pair of 12" two ways with stands, an 18" powered sub, a 1000 watt power amp, and a small Behringer mixer as well as some other misc rack mount gear. It's from back in my band days, sadly that's a life I've had to leave behind.

[454Casull]

Re: When life gives you a wedding, make a PA system?

Consider very carefully if you actually have the time to help them with this.