So what's the best piece of kit that you bought recently for live sound use?

I'll start and I can absolutely say that for us it's the DB Technologies SUB 15 (800W active). Played a wedding gig on Monday and the bass from both the band and the DJ set after was superb!

Next!

Quote Peeb:

---

So what's the best piece of kit that you bought recently for live sound use?

I'll start and I can absolutely say that for us it's the DB Technologies SUB 15 (800W active). Played a wedding gig on Monday and the bass from both the band and the DJ set after was superb!

Next!

---

For sheer "I wasn't expecting that", the Fender Mustang II practice amp - loud enough to gig, good enough for rehearsal/recording.

Oh, and I've just started to use the Zoom R16 for live tracks too, that's a really nice piece of kit and well worth the £250!

Finally tidied away the soft furnishings and bought a Reflexion project filter. All my mics sound different and more distinct from each other.

--------------------
Ohm's Law states, "Your PA isn't as powerful as you think it is".

I'm still rather enamoured of my Boss VE20 vocal effects pedal.

With a little work, really believable vocal harmonies live.

Oh and it turned out to be a loper too - Bargain!

The ElectroVoice D767 I got with it is a great live mic. I prefer it to a 58

--------------------
New album 'Fantasy Bridge' available now!
Making of Fantasy Bridge Diary

Quote MarkOne:

---

The ElectroVoice D767 I got with it is a great live mic. I prefer it to a 58

---

+1 on that, we've switched over to those (with D5's too).

Lights, starcloth, banner, and various metalwork to hold it all up. Looks good!

Soundwise, I'm still liking my AE3300 and AE5400. Lovely mics for a quieter stage.

Gear wise, probably the best piece is my Mackie 1604...Not the best, but better than using a cheap Behringer Xenyx mixer...lol

Overall, the >$50 DJ skirt I made myself out of 1/2" PVC, some fittings, cloth, & iron-on velcro.

I added the velcro after this picture, so it doesn't look completely neat, but I'll copy some pictures of it after the velcro was added. Looks alot better.


--------------------
Ice Cold Entertainment DJ/Live Sound Services Ashland, KY, USA
Coming Soon: Presonus 32.4.2AI, QSC KW153/KW181 FOH, EV ELX Foldback

Edited by iceman1575 (01/06/11 05:29 PM)

Def my fohhn xt3-ND's. They sound so lovely and I very rarely require any significant corrective room eq these days and my feedback destoryer is almost redundant now.

24 channel Presonus StudioLive run from an iPad, Audix OM7 microphones, Sennheiser G3 radio packs........................ Long Black

Bob

--------------------
www.bickerton.co.nz

Quote iceman1575:

---

Overall, the >$50 DJ skirt I made myself out of 1/2" PVC, some fittings, cloth, & iron-on velcro.

---

Nice!

I like to use black polar fleece for throws, skirts, just bought a bunch more, cheap, can be cut anyway and doesn't need hemming....................

Bob

--------------------
www.bickerton.co.nz

Complete d&b E9 / E15 system with P1200 for under £2000

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Oh and a two d&b MAX12 monitors for £200 each !!!

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

I recently bought a JBL EON 518S sub and have been really impressed with it so far.
We use it when we mike kick drum and put bass through the PA at larger gigs.
The EON 518S is amazingly light and is lighter than every passive sub I've used so far! I'm able to carry this sub by myself.
Because this sub is SO light I wasn't expecting anything great from it's sound but so far it's sounded superb!

--------------------
www.richardpenrose.com

IEM attachement for my ACS ear plugs.

--------------------
www.exaviormusic.com
www.manninmusic.com Music Teacher, Isle of Man

Completely replugged my power leads with new rubber permaplugs......safe!

--------------------
My head hurts!

... nice little SR Technology sub at a bargain price on EBay...

Been waiting to upgrade my rig. I've been prepping for it, for the last 7-8 months. Slowly buying all the needed pieces of the puzzle.

I currently run a Yorkville PowerMax16 for my mixer. Powered with 2 - 800W @ 4ohms amps for FOH built in, and a YP800 2 - 400 @ 8ohms channels running monitor duty.

I've slowly acquired:

QSC RMX 2450 - 650w @ 4ohms x 2 channels for FOH
QSC CX404 - 250w @ 8ohms x 4 channels for monitors
QSC RMX 1450 - 260W @ 8ohms x 2 channels for monitors

EWI 100' 24x8 snake
Mac Mini computer
CP850 AVR LCD UPS

All in preparation for my new mixer, which should arrive within 2 weeks:

A Presonus StudioLive 24.4.2


Instead of getting it all at once $$$$$$ I just slowly bought each piece as I found a good price. Everything is paid for, and the store is taking my board in on trade for the SL, and I'll pay the difference. This will give me more channels, I can sell my outboard gear, have up to 6 independent monitor mixes, the ability to record, etc etc.

So it's an understatement to say I'm pretty excited!!

Edited by robare99 (06/06/11 02:40 PM)

iPad2 - remote for M7CL LS9 and iLive!

--------------------
Live Sound and Studio Engineer

Quote Bob Bickerton:

---

Quote iceman1575:

---

Overall, the >$50 DJ skirt I made myself out of 1/2" PVC, some fittings, cloth, & iron-on velcro.

---

Nice!

I like to use black polar fleece for throws, skirts, just bought a bunch more, cheap, can be cut anyway and doesn't need hemming....................

Bob

---

For what it was worth, it was worth it. It works for what I need.

--------------------
Ice Cold Entertainment DJ/Live Sound Services Ashland, KY, USA
Coming Soon: Presonus 32.4.2AI, QSC KW153/KW181 FOH, EV ELX Foldback

Looking good to me

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote iceman1575:

---

Overall, the >$50 DJ skirt I made myself out of 1/2" PVC, some fittings, cloth, & iron-on velcro.

I added the velcro after this picture, so it doesn't look completely neat, but I'll copy some pictures of it after the velcro was added. Looks alot better.

---

I'm *so* glad you included that picture, I wasn't sure what a DJ skirt was but I'd conjured up some options based on your spec.

--------------------
Ohm's Law states, "Your PA isn't as powerful as you think it is".

i take it it all folds down and fits into a small car ?

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote Peeb:

---

So what's the best piece of kit that you bought recently for live sound use?

I'll start and I can absolutely say that for us it's the DB Technologies SUB 15 (800W active). Played a wedding gig on Monday and the bass from both the band and the DJ set after was superb!

Next!

---

I also bought this sub, and love it. Used it at a gig in Glasgow's old Fruitmarket the other day, with a couple of Yamaha S115s powered by a dynacord powermate 1000, and it sounded great. Filled the room reasonably well, even for DJ, with the yamahas working full range with the sub in support. The yams have such a strong top end, that it balanced out nicely. People were still able to have a conversation with the bar staff without yelling, but then that's the way I like it!

--------------------
Ceilidh Band Scotland
Wedding Music Scotland

My Event Opals were my last major purchase, soooooo nice to work with, everyone that hears them want's a pair! I'll probably be getting the Waves MPX next, tried the demo and it sounds great!

Stick

Edited by Maplewood Studio - Stick (09/06/11 09:45 AM)

Its seems we're on a d&b roll at the moment having just picked up two stacks of C7 last night Cant wait for the weekend now !! !!

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

A pair of TC Helicon VSM-300's at a very good price

Tried it at the frankfurter messe, works fantastic.
saving up for one as we speak.

as for my best recent buy?
a pair of Beta57's I guess.
very useful multi-purpose mic, vocals guitar cabs, snare, percussion etc.
and as a bonus, better gain to feedback ratio than sm58 due to hyper-cardioid.
always have a pair with me (I'm a freelance sound technician)

So the gear is all here, been using it lots and loving it!!!



Also bought an iPad 1 (64gb 3G) to control the mixer



And now I'm upgrading my amps from the QSC's
To Peavey IPR's

Before:


After:

IPR3000 for mains
2 - IPR1600's for monitors


I still need one more IPR1600 to give me 6 monitor capabilities, and I'll be picking that up on Oct 28. So it's been a busy couple of months. After that, I'm pretty much set, though I miiiiiiiiiiiiiiight consider a couple wireless mics to round things out....

Now this is simple for me = d&b C7 PA System

Brought some B2's as well but for the time being they will be run on A1 mainframes due to the cost of D12's

It sounds like a Opus audio CS system but louder & lighter Oh and it was cheap-ish

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

I'd like to add my Yamaha 01v which cost me £300 secondhand including the expansion card!

I think this was a bargain and has really made a huge difference to my rig!!

I now have a 24 channel desk that has parametric eq and compression/gate/compander on every channel, aux and stereo master channel, 4 aux monitor mixes, 2 reverb/fx processors, motorised faders etc that can all fit into a standard 19 rack case all for £300!

What's more, I think it sounds great

--------------------
www.richardpenrose.com

A few months later, for me it's now a toss-up between my shiny new A&H Zed 428 desk or the (second-hand but still kicking arse) pair of RCF ESW1018 subs.

Wish I could stretch to d&b, but it's not happening any time soon.

I had a load of those RCF ESW1018 subs !! Loved them... you beat a good reflex box IMO. If you started playing with 8+ you could have a lot of fun with those.

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote dickiefunk:

---

I'd like to add my Yamaha 01v which cost me £300 secondhand including the expansion card!

I think this was a bargain and has really made a huge difference to my rig!!

I now have a 24 channel desk that has parametric eq and compression/gate/compander on every channel, aux and stereo master channel, 4 aux monitor mixes, 2 reverb/fx processors, motorised faders etc that can all fit into a standard 19 rack case all for £300!

What's more, I think it sounds great

---

Give it 12months ad your be buying the O1v98

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote TSH-Tim:

---

Quote dickiefunk:

---

I'd like to add my Yamaha 01v which cost me £300 secondhand including the expansion card!

I think this was a bargain and has really made a huge difference to my rig!!

I now have a 24 channel desk that has parametric eq and compression/gate/compander on every channel, aux and stereo master channel, 4 aux monitor mixes, 2 reverb/fx processors, motorised faders etc that can all fit into a standard 19 rack case all for £300!

What's more, I think it sounds great

---

Give it 12months ad your be buying the O1v98

---

Well this would be more of a dream product for me!! They seem to go for at least £1100 secondhand!!!! I bet they sound superb though!!

At the moment I'm very happy with the 01V. I was pleased to find the audio quality of the 01V better than my MG166CX. I think it's going to take me a very long time to outgrow the 01V and certainly can't think of anything better for £300!!!

--------------------
www.richardpenrose.com

Enough problems stashing away a pair of them plus everything else - more than that and I'll need a bigger shed.

I do like the o1v98 a lot

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote TSH-Tim:

---

I do like the o1v98 a lot

---

How does it compare to your Presonus Studiolive?

--------------------
www.richardpenrose.com

Quote dickiefunk:

---

Quote TSH-Tim:

---

I do like the o1v98 a lot

---

How does it compare to your Presonus Studiolive?

---

Depends on what is playing. If it is mixing someone good, the studiolive likely sounds better. If it is mixing something bad sounding, the o1v98 sounds better.

Seablade

Is really curious how long this can be kept up...

Presonus sound stunning but they both have pro's & con's

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Quote TSH-Tim:

---

Presonus sound stunning but they both have pro's & con's

---

What would you say the pros and cons of each are?

--------------------
www.richardpenrose.com

Well the biggest is the ''flying faders'' and then the recalling and then the ''feel'' to the desk(s) ....

There's a lot better around but then there is A LOT worst around for MORE money :?

--------------------
PA Hire Surrey
Lighting Hire Surrey

Just picked up a Farfisa Transicord "transistor accordion" on eBay. £50 with amp.

Now that's a Bargain, nice one!

My fave is an APB ProRack House mixer. it's the dog's bollox. And as a piece of rack gear, it's bloomin amazing.

--------------------
PA stuff on FB

Picked up that final IPR1600:


Now my ATA case for my StudioLive 24.4.2 has arrived!!

Brutal soft case while I found the right ATA case. Better than nothing, but not much.


New case!

Quote Guy Johnson:

---

Now that's a Bargain, nice one!

My fave is an APB ProRack House mixer. it's the dog's bollox. And as a piece of rack gear, it's bloomin amazing.

---

I have heard some very nice things about the APB mixers, and considering it is the same engineers responsible for the HP8 etc. from Crest I am not to surprised.

Seablade

interesting. One of the best sounding mixer/eq I ever used (with a good PA, mind) was a Crest a few years ago now, in Waterford. Or was it Cork? Too many years ....

--------------------
PA stuff on FB

Quote TSH-Tim:

---

Well the biggest is the ''flying faders'' and then the recalling and then the ''feel'' to the desk(s) ....

There's a lot better around but then there is A LOT worst around for MORE money :?

---

There's a lot better around for the same money as the Presonus: tell us all then, I couldn't see anything that comes close nevermind being better.

2x Matrix XT4004EQ amplifiers. (still boxed until tomorrow)

I will be using them to power 4x 18" subs, 4x JBL MRX515's &
4x JBL MRX512 monitors.

--------------------
Live sound/recording & stage lighting engineer, as a very serious hobby, for volunteer and charity work.

Not the best bit of kit but really useful - I just bought a sound level meter, so I can see exactly how loud each band member is during sound check and how loud the set is.

I recorded 114 db at one point!

The biggest benifit is showing band members that despite their claims they are too quiet, they are actually much louder than everyone else.

--------------------
Dazed and confused

Quote Kendo Phil:

---

Not the best bit of kit but really useful - I just bought a sound level meter, so I can see exactly how loud each band member is during sound check and how loud the set is.

I recorded 114 db at one point!

The biggest benifit is showing band members that despite their claims they are too quiet, they are actually much louder than everyone else.

---

M


Nice, thats on my to get list as well!