Karaoke Forums

I am doing some amateur Karaoke this summer, notably at an outdoor venue (a state park). I have the following as the PA:

       Behringer PMH3000 16-channel powered mixer (225W/ch 8ohm)
       Behringer EP2500 power amp (450W/ch 8ohm)
       Behringer B1520 main speakers (2, 400W program)
       Samson Q120 power amp (120w bridged mono for monitor)
       Kustom KP10 monitor speaker (75W program)
       Behringer MDX1600 2-channel compressor
       All appropriate stands
       3 wired dynamic mics
       1 wireless dynamic mic
       1 LD condenser

The first part of the gig will be bluegrass miked with my AKG Perception 200 condenser -- I know a subwoofer will make no difference there.

But for karaoke, I am wondering if a subwoofer buys you anything outdoors.  If so, would I be best bridging a single high-powered passive B1800X sub (800W program) to the big amp and running my mains off the 225W/channel? Or better bridging at 450W to a Peavey PV118 sub (400W program)?

Also, I wonder if my monitor is going to be underpowered at 120W (which is a good match for the speaker). My volume level is not going to be huge, as we only expect 50-100 people at most, and probably fewer.

You are going to need more volume and more power to create the same sound that you would indoors, just because there is substancially more area for the sound to disperse into and, in the case of the bass, less medium in which for the bass to reverberate.

SO, first off, I would say that running your mains at 225 watts each instead of the current 450 is a bad idea, as you are going to have to compensate for being outdoors by adding volume, which will be muddy if the speakers are starved for power like that.

As far as a sub outdoors, there will be a difference in the near-field sound if you add one B1800X sub, but it is going to dissipate so quickly that it isn't going to make much of a difference once you get like 20-25+ feet away from the sub unless you have a few of them with a really high SPL (which the Behingers do not, particularly).

For outdoor venues, I see alot of gigging musicians that turn to those quasi 3-way 15" speakers, stack them with their normal main speakers, then run an active crossover giving their normal mains the highs and mids and the quasi 3-ways the mids and lows. This way you have enough physical quantity of bass waves that they will not dissipate as quickly as a single set of woofers will and the bass will be more prevelent at longer distances.

A pair of the budget Peaveys would do this job nicely, but then you are talking about two new speakers, a new amp, and a new crossover, so I get the feeling that this will exceed the budget that this outdoor project is worth.

It isn't going to sound too bad with just the system you currently have, so I would say unless you want a sub for everyday use anyway, it isn't worth it just for this outdoor show!! If you do go for the sub, go ahead and get it it's own amp as well.

_________________
C Mc
KJ, FL

It is getting that time of year again.. Totally different ball game. First you have no reverbs and thus no sound reinforcement and sound falls of as the square of the distance.  About half way down this link  is a pretty good read..

Actually just set it flat all the way across and if the sun's comin  up  somebody make some coffee....

Side note Years ago I had some people working on the transmitter waveguide about 400' up a tower. They could holler at me on the ground and I could hear them but they could  not hear me at all.. Sound outdoors needs to be elevated...

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Now!! I have read posts on here for a couple of years about setting up acoustics in a bar or lounge and most  say WATTS WATTS and BASS... Outdoors you need watts Indoors you need knowledge.. Out doors you will really hear what your system sounds like and is capable of I have seen several that were surprised how good their system sounded outdoors.

Inside you  use knowledge, learn how to place speakers to add or subtract certain highs or lows..Learn how to distribute sound  with multiple speakers. It's not a rocket science...Woodstock 69 used 3500 watts... 3500  watts!! Yet I see people on here that say to light a 50X100 room you need 1000 watts..

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Just wanted to say THANKYOU for that imformative post!!!!!!!

That is kind of what I was thinking -- thanks for offering some support for it.

I may just go for the PV118 for indoors use -- it is reasonable and can initially be driven by my bridged mixer at 450W. Then if I get a second one, I can add an amp and then use the powered mixer for monitors. I think that would provide enough thump for the indoor gigs I do, bearing in mind this is not super-DJ dance mix stuff, and that my audience tends to be older....

Yes, thanks for the link. Very informative. I had the windscreens on my list to bring, but I wouldn't have known about the highpass filter.

I do have experience from last year -- there was a smaller PA than the one I have in use, and it sounded pretty good. (I am using mine because a fire burned up their PA.)

You should have shouted up the waveguide...

Yes, I have stands for the speakers, and will be using them.