Ideas for full-band PA in tiny low-volume venues

High school dance last spring, 100-150 people, and the DJ brought one EV 50m. He said he used two the last time he was in that space and it was way more than needed. After hearing it that night, I believe one would be plenty for the setting you describe.

That's very useful information, especially since he tried it first with two and then found one was enough. Thank you!
 
Yeah, I've owned a few mixers and it's funny how an eight-channel mixer is not always so clear, especially cheating you on the number of available XLR inputs. I'd rather have a full pallet of options on the input side, including effects for each channel. Once each person's mic and instrument channels are dialed in, setup should be fairly quick. And I like the option of ALL channels having an insert jack to allow external recording. I also prefer analog mixers -- you look, grab and twist the knob. No messing around with different levels of digital screens.
I would then look for a Zoom Livetrak L12 or L20 digital mixer.
 
After seeing a rock/pop band successfully play a medium sized venue (200-300ish capacity, 30' ceilings, lots of background noise) with two Evolve 50 and an external mixer, I was sold. So much so that my band now has two Evolve 50 driven by an Allen & Heath CQ18. We have drums, bass, guitar, 3 v vocals, harmonica and another guy that does guitar/mandolin. We use one at practice.

One is more than enough for a smaller room with a quiet audience. The 30M may even be enough sound reinforcement.
 
This is pretty informative video on the EV unit... I just went through a hybrid setup with a rental powered system (FOH) and my own older passive system (monitors). With the band we need a decent PA, but for smaller gigs I do outside the band I'm seriously thinking about replacing my old passive PA with a line array system (Pole & sub). I found this video and the guy goes into a lot of detail, I'm sure that most of these style systems are similar.

 
I've been watching a bunch of these videos. I'm thinking the EV Evolve 50M and the Yamaha Stagepas 1K MkII are too heavy for a safe lift. They're over 50 pounds with just a single center/top handle. I had a PJB PB-300 powered cab that weighed 37 pounds, same configuration and it was somewhat of a bear to move. By comparison, my Barefaced Super Twin weighs 40 pounds and is easy to lift by comparison thanks to two side handles. Easy to squat and lift.

I've got a tall dead lift to manage into the cab or bed of a pickup truck and am thinking the lighter 30M might be better, esp. with a bad back. But I'm also unsure how well a 10-inch sub would support several instruments and vocals. How well could a 30M serve as a standalone bass "combo?" That alone is a big question as I'm looking to consolidate gear, not swell the herd!
 
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I use a pair of JBL PRX Ones and a Soundcraft Ui16 for a lot of smaller situations like this. You could probably get away with a single PRX-One, but the channel count will require an outboard mixer, especially if more than two channels of phantom power might be needed.

What do you think of that Ui16? It sure looks interesting, esp. for ditching a big mixing board and using my iPad or iPhone to go out in the audience and dial in the tone. Really simple setup. Solid 48v phantom power if needed, plus all those effects etc. Nice!
 
What do you think of that Ui16? It sure looks interesting, esp. for ditching a big mixing board and using my iPad or iPhone to go out in the audience and dial in the tone. Really simple setup. Solid 48v phantom power if needed, plus all those effects etc. Nice!
A bit contradictory of your post #19.
 
In that case have a look at the Behringer XR18, you can record each instrument individually (which cannot be done on the UI-16) and it will have better mic preamps. The UI24 is a step up IMHO.

I just read the XR18 manual. It doesn't say anything about recording each instrument individually, or anything at all about recording. Are you thinking of a different product? And yes, the UI24 looks like a step up but at a nearly 3x price!

 
You need a laptop, the XR18 is an 18in/out USB audio interface:

Recording Simplified​

The incredibly fast and comprehensive 18 x 18 channel, bi-directional USB interface makes the XR18 an amazingly powerful digital mixing solution for recording directly to your iPad or PC. Dial in the perfect monitoring mix with effects and zero-latency, while sending up to 16 microphone signals – and the keyboard player’s MIDI notes to your DAW for recording.
Whether you’re making rock history in the studio, or you want to capture intimate live performances – it’s never been easier to record stunning tracks with exceptional clarity.
P0BI8-MKCP-6
 
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I could not find polar plots for the Evolve 50.

I just received these from Electro-Voice technical support. Beamwidth chart and Polar Plots are all for the Evolve 50. The support representative said: "It will be the exact same for the 50M and the 30M is very similar as well." @Wasnex I'd be interested to hear your reactions!

EV Evolve 50 beamwidth.JPG



Polar Plots

EV Evolve 50 polar plots 160Hz-1-25kHz.JPG


EV Evolve 50 polar plots 2-5kHz-20kHz.JPG
 

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Today I played Yamaha DXL1K, which is the non-mixer version of the Stagepas 1K MkII but has identical power and speakers -- including the 12 inch woofer. This device would be totally adequate for my project with the mixer version plus external mixer. It could also do fine as a standalone bass "combo."

But I'm back to the weight thing ... the sub is 45 pounds and has but a single handle on the top so it's inconvenient to move around.

Can anyone comment on the capabilities of a 10-inch sub and stick PA? Esp. with multiple instruments run through the same PA? A 10-inch sub would be about 35 pounds, which is easier to move. But I'm having a hunch it might be inadequate from a sonic perspective.
 
Today I played Yamaha DXL1K, which is the non-mixer version of the Stagepas 1K MkII but has identical power and speakers -- including the 12 inch woofer. This device would be totally adequate for my project with the mixer version plus external mixer. It could also do fine as a standalone bass "combo."

But I'm back to the weight thing ... the sub is 45 pounds and has but a single handle on the top so it's inconvenient to move around.

Can anyone comment on the capabilities of a 10-inch sub and stick PA? Esp. with multiple instruments run through the same PA? A 10-inch sub would be about 35 pounds, which is easier to move. But I'm having a hunch it might be inadequate from a sonic perspective.
All other things equal, a 12" sub will generally out perform a 10" sub. But I think you are probably asking about apples and oranges.

The Yamaha DXL1K is rated 125dB max. This most likely means 125dB Peak and 119dB Continuous. In rare instances I think I have seen it mean 125dB Program and 122dB Continuous.

Compare to the specs of whatever gear you are considering.

In your favor, you really don't need much SPL for the intended application.

As long as the system is a bit louder than you will ever need, it will be fine, assuming you accept the associated compromises of a single cab solution.
 
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Can you put removable casters on the 12" sub? Or built a small 14"x14" platform with casters and velcro your sub for transportation and remove at destination? That's what I was doing for my heavy 12-space rack.
 
Can you put removable casters on the 12" sub? Or built a small 14"x14" platform with casters and velcro your sub for transportation and remove at destination? That's what I was doing for my heavy 12-space rack.

Sure. But my issue is a 32-inch dead lift into the back or cab of my pickup truck. : ) I plan to investigate foldable ramps for that obstacle!