Recommend good amp and speakers etc

[nadeem]

Can anyone recommend a good amp and speakers to go into a lecture hall (or at least a good place to get some kit from?)

[nicholab]

Pmc always did gd speakers

[laserblazer]

How big is the hall?

[adamchapman]

I've used Thomann Cyberstore and DJ Equipment, PA Equipment, Electronics, Lamps & Security - UKDJ (ukdj.co.uk) in the past.

 

As for speakers themselves, it really depends on the budget you have...

[nicholab]

I would go with a Nexo system PS15-R2

 

Camco Amps

 

Yamaha mixing desk

Edited April 30, 2010 by nicholab

[TLARWise]

Try Musical Equipment for Schools & Education at Music Village Education they are usually very good for pricing. As for advice you may want to try Blue Room technical forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) as this is where a lot of professionals hang out, including people who work in schools so they will have a better idea on what you will need.

[Andrew_C]

Try Blue Room as this is where a lot of professionals hang out, including people who work in schools so they will have a better idea on what you will need.

BUT before you do ask your question there, please read the FAQ, and give much more detail about your needs.

 

We would need to know ; How big is the hall? How many people? Shape? Do you just want to amplify spoken voice, or will other programme be introduced? Ball park budget? I'd guess that the PS15 rig mentioned above may be just a little steep for you!

 

By answering these questions in advance, you will avoid me having to moderate lots of grumpy READ THE FAQ posts!

Edited April 30, 2010 by Andrew_C
link added

[adamchapman]

Try Musical Equipment for Schools & Education at Music Village Education they are usually very good for pricing. As for advice you may want to try Blue Room technical forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) as this is where a lot of professionals hang out, including people who work in schools so they will have a better idea on what you will need.

 

Yea, I've also used MV in the past. Not so sure if they're the best place to go for PA though. I thought they were more of a recording studio type place?

[nadeem]

The hall is bascially an old gym, it has some really ancient kit in it.

 

I'm think 4 xlr points in the (one at each end), 8 speakers to cover the room, all the cabling back to the amp (which will also need our induction loop fitting).

 

It's only mainly to be used for lecture purposes in the main, though we might have the occasional music society use, that's not my main concern.

 

budget (for speakers and amp - cable is coming from a different budget code) is about £1000

[Andrew_C]

budget (for speakers and amp - cable is coming from a different budget code) is about £1000

Oh dear... I really don't think you're going to do anything worthwhile for that. Sorry.

 

Practical advice; get a pair of speakers high at one 'end' of the gym, facing below horizontal to reduce echoes from the far end. Don't use multiple speakers, you'll just 'muddy' the sound. You will need a mic pre-amp or mixer, as well as the power amp. Thomann's own brand stuff is OK.

[nadeem]

whoops for got to mentio hall capcacity is about 200

[BTCC_Fan]

Yea, I've also used MV in the past. Not so sure if they're the best place to go for PA though. I thought they were more of a recording studio type place?

 

They are a part of Musical Instruments - Recording Studio Equipment | DV247 who do PA stuff. We have had quite a few things from them.

[nadeem]

looks like might need to increase budget then! (I wanted £10k but they wouldn't let me - was to to include the projectors as well, but I've got those already now)

[3s-gtech]

We have a decent system in our main hall, consisting of a Gigrac 600 amp fitted in a switch cabinet on the wall, with two 12" EV cabinet speakers. No need for seperate mixer, and goes plenty loud enough. Very flexible too. Well less than £1000.

[Guest Guest]

We've just bought a system for our (standard sized, with stage) hall. Got half from DJKit.com and half from Dolphin. We got;

HK Audio Elias PX Active System - DJ Equipment from Djkit.com

SoundCraft M12 M Series Compact Mixer - DJ Equipment from Djkit.com

Several Shure SM57s and SM58s for just over £100 with mic stands, clips and 6m cable.

An XLR snake

And various cables

 

Total cost around £4000 ex vat.

 

Really pleased with it as we've got room for expansion and the ability to have bands playing without breaking the system, it isnt going to compare to a rock concert but its much better than most schools (and some clubs) round here have.

 

As AndrewC has said, £1000 simply isnt enough. Our last system was bought using the attitude of "how much can we afford?" rather than "what do we need for the purpose?". We eneded up with a grands worth of utter tosh (yet we were charged £1600 for it); Phonics speakers and Crown amp 100ft of over bell wire with a £200 yamaha mixer. The system lasted 18months before it was broken beyond repair!

Edited April 30, 2010 by Guest