I need some help on building a new system with budget

[bbak11010]

hey all,
I'm pastor at a small church and recently we decided get our own system.
We've been borrowing the system from the church we are renting the space from, and now our plans have changed, so we are looking to purchase some stuff.

The worship space is a small space, maybe 50ft long and 25 ft wide.
With a budget of 1500~1600, we're trying to get a mixer and 2 speakers.
Since I have little to no knowledge on the PA, I sincerely ask for your help in buidling a system, not too cheap but something we can use and maybe upgrade little things down the road.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, can we do a console and active speakers, or do we have to get an amplifier?
Also, I would really appreciate if you could direct me to some decent products.

Currently, we need 6 mic inputs and 3~4 instrument inputs, so I am thinking a 12 or 16 channel would be enough.

Again, this is on a budget so we can't expect something really nice, but 1500~1600 is still a big money to our church, so we hope to get something decent and reliable.

Any help is really appreciated, and thanks in advance.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by bbak11010

So, if I'm understanding correctly, can we do a console and active speakers, or do we have to get an amplifier?

There are three common approaches:

1. A powered mixer with the amplifier integrated in the mixer and unpowered speakers.
2. An unpowered mixer, unpowered speakers and separate amplifier.
3. An unpowered mixer and powered speakers that have the amplification integrated into the speakers.

Each of these approaches has potential advantages and disadvantages in different situations.

A few general questions that could impact any recommendations. Will this system be permanently setup and left in place or will it need to be setup and broken down for each use and stored or moved between uses? What was the system you have been borrowing and might it establish a level of expectations, either good or bad? Is there any need for any stage monitoring? Do you have to pay sales tax on this type of purchase?

Originally Posted by bbak11010

We've been borrowing the system from the church we are renting the space from, and now our plans have changed, so we are looking to purchase some stuff.

Originally Posted by bbak11010

With a budget of 1500~1600, we're trying to get a mixer and 2 speakers.

Originally Posted by bbak11010

Currently, we need 6 mic inputs and 3~4 instrument inputs, so I am thinking a 12 or 16 channel would be enough.

Again, this is on a budget so we can't expect something really nice, but 1500~1600 is still a big money to our church, so we hope to get something decent and reliable.

So to summarize, as it seems you are starting with nothing you need:

• A mixer with 12 to 16 microphone/instrument inputs.
• Two speakers.
• Amplification (standalone, in mixer or in speakers).
• A minimum of 6 microphones.
• Perhaps some DI boxes or similar for some of the instrument inputs.
• Microphone and speaker stands.
• Microphone and speaker cables.
• Perhaps some power cords, cases or way to carry and store cables, etc.

That is definitely a challenge with a $1,5000 to $1,600 budget. My first thought was the packaged systems offered by some of the online retailers. I could not find one that met all of your needs and fit your budget, however there were some packages that might be supplemented to come close to providing what you want and still stay within your budget. However, many of those systems are comprised of products such as Nady microphones and entry level Behringer powered mixers and speakers, not what many would consider decent, reliable or the best foundation for future expansion or upgrading. There are some systems offered that incorporate better mixers and use powered speakers but those typically would require more supplemental equipment, for example the packaged system may come with just two microphones and no microphone stands and would allow maybe $200 to $500 for four additional microphones and cables, any mic stands, etc.

[cw4u]

The only thing I could think of...

1 - Behringer PMP6000
2 - Behringer B215XL
6 - GLS 58
2 - 10 Pack GLS Mic Cables 25'
4 - Pyle Pro DI Box
1 - Set of Speaker Stands
2 - 50' Speakon Cables

Total: ~$1400

This is a pretty cheap setup, but I've used most of what I've recommended and it has worked for the past four years. We actually use some of the pyle pro DI boxes and they compete equally with some of the cheaper mainstream DI boxes. But as Brad said, YMMV. If you could get some additional funding, you could get a much more flexible, reliable system.

[pdc]

Forget the Behringer and buy something GOOD used.

[wogster]

[quote=Brad Weber;316718]There are three common approaches:

1. A powered mixer with the amplifier integrated in the mixer and unpowered speakers.
2. An unpowered mixer, unpowered speakers and separate amplifier.
3. An unpowered mixer and powered speakers that have the amplification integrated into the speakers.

Each of these approaches has potential advantages and disadvantages in different situations.

A few general questions that could impact any recommendations. Will this system be permanently setup and left in place or will it need to be setup and broken down for each use and stored or moved between uses? What was the system you have been borrowing and might it establish a level of expectations, either good or bad? Is there any need for any stage monitoring? Do you have to pay sales tax on this type of purchase?

Originally Posted by bbak11010

With a budget of 1500~1600, we're trying to get a mixer and 2 speakers.

So to summarize, as it seems you are starting with nothing you need:

• A mixer with 12 to 16 microphone/instrument inputs.
• Two speakers.
• Amplification (standalone, in mixer or in speakers).
• A minimum of 6 microphones.
• Perhaps some DI boxes or similar for some of the instrument inputs.
• Microphone and speaker stands.
• Microphone and speaker cables.
• Perhaps some power cords, cases or way to carry and store cables, etc.

That is definitely a challenge with a $1,5000 to $1,600 budget. My first thought was the packaged systems offered by some of the online retailers. I could not find one that met all of your needs and fit your budget, however there were some packages that might be supplemented to come close to providing what you want and still stay within your budget. However, many of those systems are comprised of products such as Nady microphones and entry level Behringer powered mixers and speakers, not what many would consider decent, reliable or the best foundation for future expansion or upgrading. There are some systems offered that incorporate better mixers and use powered speakers but those typically would require more supplemental equipment, for example the packaged system may come with just two microphones and no microphone stands and would allow maybe $200 to $500 for four additional microphones and cables, any mic stands, etc.

You may be able to pick up some of the equipment from the previously enjoyed market, there is lots of analog boards, that still have a lot of life left, that are available used. Even some high end boards that are being replaced because everyone wants digital now. I wouldn't buy used speakers, microphones or cables, but pretty much everything else.

[bbak11010]

Thanks for all the help guys.
I aplogize for not being too clear on what I need.
I don't need microphones, lines, DI boxes, stands.. Getting all those with 1500~1600 would be crazy. haha.
We have those already, so we only need to get a mixer, spakers, and amplifier (maybe?) with that budget.
Sorry for the confusion.

[bbak11010]

For some reason I cant see my reply, so I'm posting again.
I appreciate all of your help, and I apologize for not making this clear.
I don't need mics, lines, stands, DIs... we have all those already.
I only mentioned those to say how many channels we need. haha.
Again, sorry for the confusion.

[cw4u]

What about..

1 - Yamaha MG166CX
1 - QSC GX5
2 - Yamaha C115V

Whatever you do...make sure you get a quote. You'd be amazed at the price difference between the online price and a quoted price.

[wogster]

Originally Posted by bbak11010

For some reason I cant see my reply, so I'm posting again.
I appreciate all of your help, and I apologize for not making this clear.
I don't need mics, lines, stands, DIs... we have all those already.
I only mentioned those to say how many channels we need. haha.
Again, sorry for the confusion.

Sometimes it takes a while for replies to show up, with any forum type software, although I think the record goes to Yahoo groups, where a reply I made once, showed up two and a half weeks later. I think sometimes the software loses a process or thread, and later when it cleans up, it finds it, or the system finds it, and cleans it up.

I still think you might be best served by a slightly used (less then 5 years old) mixer, a decent (again could be used) amp and some roadie proof speakers. I would contact some of the other local churches and see who is doing an upgrade to digital, they may be willing to let their old mixer go for a reasonable amount, especially if they know it's going to another church. Once you have mixer, amp, speakers, you can always add more stuff later.