Howdy,
I'm just getting started in the solo performance scene. I have a Roland EXR-3, a Behringer UB1002 mixer, and a Shure mic. I want to start playing small gigs and I want to know what would be the best amp/speaker to buy. Will ONE system give me the range I need? I would really like to find something in the $500 or less range, but that may not be possible.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Charlie

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0405790&cs=04&c=us&l=en
http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum37/HTML/009147.html

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-08-2005).]

Thanks, Donny...
This looks like just what I need. I read the whole other forum article and Gary really brings the point home about the new technology.
One more question... how do you set your Z-5500 system up (in relation to you and your keyboard & mic, etc)? Do you have to place the speakers on stands or leave them on the floor?
Thanks for the great info...
Charlie

I found Gary's PSR Tutorial site and see EXACTLY how to set it up. The photo is a little small, so where is the 5th satellite speaker?

Thanks again!
Charlie

[This message has been edited by Charlie71 (edited 08-08-2005).]

Charlie,

The 5th (center) speaker is positioned on top of the subwoofer and the satelites are on the stands positioned about 4 to 5 feet to each side and approximately four feet to the rear of the keyboard. Position of the satellites will vary somewhat with the vocal EQs, the mic you are using, and its ability to supress feedback.

Good luck,

Gary

Thanks, Gary!
As I said, I'm very new to the "audio setup" world so I'm going to try and get everything set up with my particular situation. I'll plug the EXR3 and microphone into my Behringer UB1002 and then the output from the UB1002 will go to the Z-5500. This will allow me to occasionally add a guitarist (plugs into the UB1002 also) to accompany me.
Does this sound right?
Thanks again,
Charlie

Charlie, Logitech seems to be the latest rage with many SZ members, but not me. My suggestion is to check out your local music dealers and see what they have in your price range. For $500 you can get a lot of items that will do the job. I, for one, am not convinced that Logitech Zs are the best all around system. Behringer, Kustom, Crate and others sell systems that will also do the trick in a more conventional manner.

Howdy Cass...
Thanks for the input. My problem is that I'm from DEEP south Texas and we do not have ANY local music dealers within 2 hours drive. The only way I can see what is available is to have you guys tell me. Even though I stated $500 as a limit, I would really like to find something for $300 or less if possible. I do want a good system with "range" so that my sounds aren't "missing parts." What would you suggest, Cass?

Hey Donny and Gary...
I was just made aware of the new Yamaha StagePas 300 system. It is twice the price of the Z-5500 but it is pretty compact and has reverb for the vocals... Would it be worth the extra $$ and would it "cover" the area as well as the Z-5500?
Just asking...
Charlie

[This message has been edited by Charlie71 (edited 08-08-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Charlie71 (edited 08-08-2005).]

Charlie,

The only thing I know about the Yamaha PAS system is what I've read on some other forums. No one provided glowing reports about the system, and in most instances, those that purchased the Yammies returned them to the dealers. Charlie, I suggest you purchase the Logitech system from Comp U.S. of another retailer with a liberal return policy, one that will not penalize you for returning the equipment if it cannot fit your needs. Let your ears make the decission for you. And, if you're married, let your wife's ears make the decission--they're better at this stuff than we are.

Cassp,

Have you tried the Logitech Z-5500 system? If so, I'm surprized at your comments about them.

With only one exception I know of, Scott Langholf, everyone loves the sound quality and the system's ability to provide excellent coverage over a broad venue for audiences to 150 people. I've used the Z-5500 with just the keyboard and mic, and with an Alesis Multimix 6FX mixer, fired a pair of guitars and two mics through it, plus the keyboard, and it kicked butt over any conventional system I've used in the past 20 years--including my big Peavey's that I spent a small fortune on.

The key to using them is proper tuning of the keyboard's EQs, Mic EQs and setting the volumes correctly. When this is done, the entire spectrum of sounds is transmitted beautifully through those tiny speakers and subwoofer. Naturally, speaker placement has a lot to do with the dispersion of sound, just as it does with any other system. If the speakers are not positioned correctly, sound quality and coverage will obviously suffer.

Good luck,

Gary

------------------
Travlin' Easy

Charlie...it's all about sound you like, durability (in my case...I play a lot outside) and set-up time. I work 250-300 jobs a year...many back to back, an hour apart, with 20 minutes of drive time.

I tried several Logtech and didn't like the build quality, lack of mid's or the number of components. I use a Carvin 200 watt 13 pound 6 channel head and whatever speakers are called for($489 with connection cords, 2 200 watt 10's and a serviceable vocal mic).. I have 2 10"s, 2 12"s, 2 15"s. The head has on board effects. It's constructed like a tank...over 1,000 jobs...been dropped, rained on, etc. Connection is two speaker cords. You already have a serviceable mixer. Why not consider a power amp and speakers? Old school, but very serviceable. You could get a 300-400 watt stereo power amp for under $200 and a set of 12's for $300.00.

Another option: the green 100 watt Carvin with three inputs and two on board effects processors,a 12 and a horn....$399, with an available extension speaker, or with any available 8 ohm 2nd speaker. I do 25% of my restaurant jobs (keyboard, mic and guitar) with this compact "full range" unit. I use Carvin because of durability, price and a long-time relationship with the factory, but other manufacturers have similar units of similar quality.

Try them, if you can. Carvin and Musicians Friend have liberal return policies. Logtech isn't for me, but if they do the job, get one!


Best of luck,


Russ

Charlie, I reviwed the Yamaha PAS on this forum. Just search for it.
Quickly: not enough power. Effects are not good enough to use.
The Peavey Escort is far better.
DonM

[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 08-08-2005).]

Howdy everyone and thanks for your comments. I have certainly obtained a lot of valuable information. I'm going to have to see what is available in my price range and make a decision... Gee, I thought that this was going to be much easier!
This is a great forum and I will continue to support it and hopefully, at some time in the future, will be able to contribute, rather than only use.
Thanks, again!
Charlie

Here's the review of the Yamaha PAS300 I did some months ago.


I took the Yamaha PAS system out for trial. It does sound truly amazing. I did return it for two reasons. At the small supper club where I tried it, I had it wide open, as loud as it would go, and it was loud enough. It would not have carried anything larger. The Logitech 2200 is louder.
The other drawback was that the "reverb" was almost totally unusable. It seemed to be a delay, rather than reverb, and just seemed to muddy the sound instead of enhancing it.
I ran my mic through the SD1 and used the effects from there, but I did hook up a mic and try the reverb. Maybe I overlooked something, but I don't think so.
One other small drawback was that it isn't all that easy to reattach the back panels than hold the mixer and cords, particularly in low light. You have to get the little screws in just the right position and then tighten them with a coin. If they don't tighten properly the mixer could fall out during transportation.
It is a great concept, but I personally think they fell a little short.

DonM

It's funny....I sell the Peavy Escort and the Yamaha Stagepass 300 in my store and I really like the sound better on the Yamaha. Yamaha has built a limiter into their stereo amps and you just can't distort this system. I find just the opposite on the Peavey Escort. Turn up the volume and I get distortion. As for the Reverb on the Yamaha, I've learned that if you keep the master turned down, the effect is more like room reverb and the higher you turn it up, the effect becomes more like Reverb with Delay (A very popular Karaoke sound). Now that I've been selling the Yamaha Stagepass 300 for several months I can say that all my customers have been very satisfied and love the size and weight and the fact that you can attach the powered mixer right on top of any microphone stand. The Peavey Escort has a big case which is hard to mount anywhere for easy operation. I also really like that the Yamaha powered mixer snaps right into the back of one of the two 8" two way speakers for easy transporting. As for volume, I have mine set up in my store with the Yamaha PSR3000, Korg PA1X and two microphones plugged in and the sound is loud and clean.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Only way to know is to try it for yourself. The one I tried sounded great and it also sounded loud enough in the store. It didn't work for me on the job though, although I wanted it to very much.
DonM

Altough I use the BOSE Pas system for most of my gigs.....I also use the Samson Expedition for small nursing homes....its a kool little system with a nice on board mixer and efx too...nice portability also.
http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=1616&brandID=2

QUOTE:"With only one exception I know of, Scott Langholf, everyone loves the sound quality and the system's ability to provide excellent coverage over a broad venue for audiences to 150 people." Gary Diamond

Actually, not that I'm really keeping track of it, but I remember that Scott Yee and The Pro are among others that did not like the Logitech.

I do use the z5500 sub only with my JBL Eon 10G2's. The satellites are no where's close to the sound I get from the JBL's, but then again, I would certainly hope that $1100 speakers would sound better than these satellites.

In the end, it's what works for your purposes and taste.

Best
Scott Langholff http://ScottLMusic.com


[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 08-08-2005).]

Charlie:
I use the Z5500's and love them, I just use the keyboard thru them, (well occasionally plug the strat into the mike jack and use the keyboard onboard mixer and effects) They work great, Gary's got it right for the sound, you have to use the keyboard's E Q to get the great stereo X 2 sound. only problem I have is I have to watch for the mike feedback, ( I should get a better mike) I hear great mid range, and the whole sound sparkles, and the sub bass will not let you down, Its hot.

It produces better quality sound than my Behringer Kx1200 3 ways X 2, and my Yamaha stereo 8channel PA, which has 4 club 15's + monitors. It won't crank like these rigs, but the sound beats them hands down, and I can turn it up to where it hurts, and it dosn't break down. I would recommend this also up to about 150 people in a medium room. or 100 outside.

I see someone said they were going for about $270.00 after rebate with shipping.
I also have had excellent service from Logitech.

If you want to upgrade later to a Bose system, These puppies will make your computer sound terrific. ( the sub will loosen the walls in your house/studio)

It depends what you need these for, also It mostly is recommended by guys who have keybds with onboards, which does add to its quality and strength.

My 2 cents........Cheers........Pose

Okay... before I was just confused, now I'm overwhelmed. I have a lot to think about.
One more thing... many of you have mentioned that I need to adjust the EQ on my keyboard to meet my output needs. My KB does not have an onboard EQ... did you mean the UB1002 EQ?
Now, can anyone point me to a beginner's lesson on audio amplification basics? I'm real foggy on the "WATTAGE" and "POWER" thing.
Thanks again to everyone for your great help.
Charlie

Charlie,
You might get some benefit from these articles.
DVJ
http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/band-equipment.htm

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/amplifier.htm
http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/framed.htm?parent=amplifier.htm&url=http://sound.westhost.com/amp-basics.htm

[This message has been edited by deatonent (edited 08-08-2005).]

I've been to (through) Alice. You're right there are no music stores near. Or any other kind of stores either.

Send me an email if you get a chance.
DonM
donatwww.donmasonmusic.com
replace the at with @




[This message has been edited by DonM (edited 08-08-2005).]