Church Sound Systems

As a user of the aviom system both as a worship team member and the head sound guy of our church sound system, I can tell you the avioms are great.  comes with six mixers.  That would be one for the drummer, one for piano, one for guitar, one for bass, and two vocals.  I’ve used up to seven in a worship service but you can always buy more of the personal mixers.  As a note, the pro net distributor listed below is not required but it is very nice to have.  In our case, we run the stage mic jack box wires into a rear closest that has the pro net unit.  Then we just run one cat5 cable to our sound booth.  Without the pro net distributor, we’d have to run one cat5 for each mixer.  Here is a full review I’ve written.

Buy Aviom Advanced Personal Monitoring System online at Musician’s Friend

The Aviom Advanced System includes: six Aviom A-16II Personal Mixers
one Axiom AN-16/i 16-Channel Input Module one Axiom A-16D Pro A-Net
Distributor/DC Power Source six Aviom MT-1 Mic Stand Mounts and one
L-100 Layflat Cat-5e 100 ft. Cable. The Aviom Pro16 Series defines the
industry standard for Personal Monitor Mixing and streaming audio over
Cat-5. Pro16 Series products deliver perfect monitor mixes and
economical digital audio distribution.

Tags: aviom, church sound system

QSC has been producing quality Power Amp’s for a long time.  The Powerlight 2 PL236 is yet another quality Amp from QSC.  It includes PowerLight switching technology, High-efficiency Class H output circuits, Increased airflow for improved thermal performance, and a DataPort for remote computer control or the addition of external DSP modules.  And for those little fingers that like to change settings when you aren’t looking, it has removable knobs with a lock-out security plate to prevent unauthorized tampering.

“The QSC PL236 POWERLIGHT 2 Series Power Amplifier was designed exclusively for the touring and live sound professional. Installed with POWERLIGHT technology, the rackmount PL236 amplifier takes your sound to a whole new level. Not only does it give you tighter bass and clean transparent highs, POWERLIGHT also cuts waste heat, boosts reliability and gets rid of unwanted noise and hum. The QSC POWERLIGHT Power Amp is a revolutionary switching power supply technology that provides ample current to the audio power circuitry by charging the supply rails 230,000 times a second through an ultra-low impedance circuit. So unlike amplifiers that use conventional supplies, the audio signal is never starved prematurely and remains crisp and clean.”

Users have said they scaled back the size of their PA, eliminated multiple power amps,
effect racks, ect. “Much to my surprise, this PA head is extremely
powerful and actually better for bigger rooms! We trigger the drums,
mic the guitars / vocals and run the Bass wide open. With the master
volume on 5, and the individual channels on 4-5, we were loud and
crisp, with tons of room to be louder!”

Cons: Built in effects aren’t very good.

Buy Yamaha EMX512SC 8-Channel Powered Mixer online at Musician’s Friend

The durable, lightweight Yamaha EMX512SC 8-Channel Powered Mixer has
dual 500W amps, 16 Yamaha SPX effects, built-in graphic EQs, and loads
of input options.



Flexible power



The
power mode switch lets you use the dual power channels as a stereo
amplifier, or use one channel for the main speakers and one for the
monitors, with separate monitor mix setup via the channel MONITOR
controls.



SPX digital effects



16 Yamaha
SPX effects-including reverb, echo, chorus, flanger, phaser, and even
distortion-let you add the finishing touches to your live presentation.




Graphic EQs



Graphic equalizers are
provided for both the main and monitor power channels so you can
effectively control feedback or tailor the sound to match the room and
program material.



Input options



The
EMX512SC offers a total of 12 input channels-4 for monaural microphone
(with phantom power) or line input, plus 4 pairs that can function
either as monaural mic inputs or stereo line inputs-providing a
versatile mix of input capabilities for a wide range of applications.
If only mic inputs are needed, you can use up to 8 mic channels. If you
want to play recorded background music during breaks using a stereo
input, and have a keyboard player with stereo outputs, you still have 6
mic/line inputs available. If all 4 stereo pairs are used to handle
stereo line sources, you still have 4 channels available for mono mic
or line input. It’s a versatile system that can adapt to your needs
with ease!



Yamaha Speaker Processing



Yamaha
Speaker Processing (YSP) provides optimized matching with speakers, for
clean, solid reproduction that will deliver your music with maximum
impact.

Behringer can be hit or miss on some things.  A user of the Behinger EUROPOWER PMP5000 audio mixer used it to power two dual 15″/tweeter mains (daisy chained, both together
equalled 2 ohms) and one 8 ohm stage monitor. All by itself! They used the unit to totally replaced a large rack of
power amps, an effects/eq rack, and a big mixer.  They also recommended to make sure you run your main/front speakers at 2 ohms (4
ohms a side) if possible to get the most volume/punch out of it and
into your crowd.

Buy Behringer EUROPOWER PMP5000 Powered Mixer online at Musician’s Friend

The Behinger EUROPOWER PMP5000 audio mixer delivers 1200 watts of
massive power (bridged mono at 8 Ohms) and incredible performance
through new-generation amplifier technology, crystal-clear sound plus
an ultra-compact and lightweight design. The 24-bit stereo FX
processor, IMP (Invisible Mic Preamp) mic preamps, Voice Canceller and
more round off this impressive package of power features. Please note
that this mixer requires speaker cables with Speakon connectors.

The Sennheiser EW152G2 ME3 headset is great for the musician (drummer, guitarist, pianist, etc) who needs vocal amplification in a reliable wireless system.  Sennheiser has always had a great reputation.  A few of these wireless headset units will bring a smile to your musicians.  Of course, these are also great for speaking engagements.

Buy Sennheiser ew152G2 ME3 Headset Mic Wireless System at Musician’s Friend

The Sennheiser ew152G2 ME3 Headset Mic Wireless System gives you peerless dropout-free signal reliability with complete freedom of movement up to 150 ft. Based around the EM 100 rackmount receiver with 2 removable telescopic antennae, the system features the super-comfortable ME 3 headset mic with excellent feedback rejection. The tiny SK 100 G2 bodypack transmitter provides all critical info on its LCD. System strengths include 8 banks of 4 preset channels, one bank of 4 user-selectable channels, current channel bank displays, increased bandwidth, channel and bank indicators, frequency indicators, 4-step battery status display, lock mode with indicator, pilot signal reception with indicator, AA battery operation or optional rechargeable cell on transmitters, mute with indicator, 7-step level display for received audio signal, 7-step level display for received RF signal, plus XLR and 1/4″ outputs on receiver.

• EM 100 rackmount receiver
• ME 3 headset mic
• 2 removable telescopic antennae
• SK 100 G2 bodypack transmitter
• 8 banks of 4 preset channels
• One bank of 4 user-selectable channels
• Current channel bank displays
• Increased bandwidth
• Channel and bank indicators
• Frequency indicators
• 4-step battery status display
• Lock mode with indicator
• Pilot signal reception with indicator
• AA battery operation or optional rechargeable cell on transmitters
• Mute with indicator
• 7-step level display for received audio signal
• 7-step level display for received RF signal
• XLR and 1/4″ outputs on receiver

Tags: SennheiserEW152G2 ME3 headset , drummer, guitarist, pianist

The Ebtech Swizz Army Cable Tester is the best little tool that money can buy.  Plug in your cable ends, xlr, trs, tr, RCA stereo, even MIDI connectors, and it can tell you if it’s wired properly and if it’s not or if it’s bad, the light pattern will tell you which wires are broken.

Buy Ebtech Swizz Army Cable Tester online at Musician’s Friend

The Ebtech Swizz Army Cable Tester is the professional’s choice in multifunction cable testers. It displays the exact wiring of any cable or adapter even allows testing of installed cables inside walls. Another cool feature is its patented intermittent detection, which lets you wiggle cables and discover any intermittent problems, the kind that usually go undetected. The Swizz Army Cable Tester also functions as a tone generator, phantom-power detect, and grounded XLR shield detect.

Tags: EbtechSwizz Army Cable Tester, xlr cable, trs, RCA stereo, MIDI connectors

If you perform a lot of portable audio work, like setting up a PA system in an auditorium, recreation center, or family life center, the Mackie SRM450 is a workhorse of a speaker for you.

Buy Mackie SRM450 Powered Monitor online at Musician’s Friend

The Mackie SRM450 is a great powered PA speaker
that gives bands studio-quality sound onstage. It’s a 2-way,
biamplified, optimized active system that needs no external power amp.
Powered by FR series 300W (for lows) and 100W (for highs) amps; with a
Linkwitz-Riley electronic crossover; a 300mm (12″) long-throw,
low-frequency transducer; precision titanium compression driver; and a
maximum dispersion horn. Uses Mackie’s Servo Feedback Controlled Woofer
technology. 51 lbs.

Mackie SRM450 Powered PA Speaker Specifications:

• Frequency Range ( 10 dB): 45 Hz 20 kHz
• Frequency Response ( 3 dB): 55 Hz 18 kHz
• Maximum SPL Long-term @ 1m: 124 dB
• Crossover: Linkwitz-Riley electronic crossover
• Input Protection: RFI and Level protected
• Design: Asymmetrical Trapezoidal
• Material: Polypropylene
• Finish: Grey textured
• Handles: One on each side, one top
• Grille: Perforated metal with weather-resistant coating
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 26″ x 15.4″ x 14.8″
• Weight: 51 lbs.

Mackie SRM450 Powered PA Speaker Features:

• 2-way bi-amplified, optimized active system
• Built-in precision 24dB/oct. Linkwitz-Riley electronic crossover
• High-output precision titanium compression driver
• 300mm long-throw low frequency transducer
• Studio-quality maximum dispersion horn design
• High SPL Output/Low Distortion
• Electronic Time Correction, Phase Alignment, & Equalization
• Servo Feedback controlled woofer
• Tough, impact-resistant, lightweight polypropylene enclosure

Tags: MackieSRM450 Powered PA Speaker, auditorium, recreation center, or family life center

The first time I saw a guitar amp being mic’d, the microphone hung down from the top of the amp with the head of the mic in the center of the amp.  The first time I mic’d an amp, that’s what I did.  100% wrong.  Location, direction, sound, mic’ing an amp is more than just location.

First, let’s talk tone.  Every amp has a unique tone.  Look at the money people pay for tube amps.  They have great tone!  A guitar, an effect’s pedal, and an amp can combine to form very unique tones.  When your guitarist sets the tone of his amp so he likes it, have him/her stand in front of it and make sure the tone is right.  Tweak until correct.  After all, this is what the microphone will hear.

There are two very easy and common ways to kill that tone - poor microphone placement or poor amp EQ settings for the given microphone location.

Amp EQ Settings

An amp sounds differently when you are standing in front of it compared to standing beside it.  When a microphone is placed directly in the middle of the amp speaker (pointed towards the amp), it’s in the hot zone.  In the hot zone, the high frequencies are louder than the mid’s and lows.  Given this information, the guitarist/bassist, etc would need to tweak the EQ settings to compensate for the high frequencies being pumped out.

Microphone Placement
Point the microphone at the amp.  Don’t drop it down the front so it hangs limp.  Use a small mic stand or something else that gets you the proper height and direction.

Microphone Location
Sound doesn’t resonate from the center of the amp’s speaker cone; it comes from the off-axis - or “off center” area.  For a loud treble-strong sound, place the microphone towards the center cone. For a warm tone, move out from the center.  You can even use two mic’s at different locations though this is probably more in line with recording quality.

Microphone Type
The best types are dynamic microphones like the Shure SM57 and the Sennheiser E609.  I’ve read that condenser microphones can be used for soft music, like jazz, but I have never tried one.

Shure offers a wide selection in realm of In-ear monitors for both musicians and music aficionados.  The “E” series has been the most popular - E2’s in particular.  These are now listed on the Shure site as the SCL series such as the SCL2.  The SCL series is described as delivering “professional caliber sound for live performance environments and will work with personal music players.”

There is also the SE series.  The SE series is inline with personal use such as listing to ipods and cd’s.  They also come with accessories that are more appropriate for personal music players such as a variety of cable lengths and “Push-to-Hear” (PTH).

The SE and SCL series are sold at nearly the same prices for each related model.  Therefore, the question is why the different models when the SCL5 and SE530 are both around $500.  The difference at this point is microdrivers.  The SCL5 has two while the SE530 has three.  In short, this means that the SCL5 will deliver more bass while the SE530 will deliver more detail on mids and highs.

A quick note on sound isolating headphones versus “noise cancellation” headphones:

The seal created by a sound isolating earphone (such as the Shure SCL5) physically blocks most frequencies of background noise. Active noise cancellation headphones are larger, heavier, and battery-driven. The active cancellation process negates selected frequencies through a complex process that can even introduce unwanted artifacts into the resulting audio. The natural sound isolation properties of a properly fitted in ear earphone exceeds the performance of even the most expensive active noise cancellation alternatives.  This means your Shure SE210’s are better on an airplane that noise cancelling headphones.  However, noise cancelling headphones are not for use in live musical performance venues.

This studio monitor might be used if your sound booth is inclosed or separate from the stage or if you have a recording studio. 

The A7 Powered Studio Monitor from ADAM Audio matches the A.R.T. (Accelerated Ribbon Technology) tweeter with a state of the art 6.5 woofer. The woofer introduces a new cone material that combines high rigidity and high internal damping with low weight. The result is an extremely accurate studio monitor with all the clarity, detail and spectacular imaging traditionally associated with the ADAM name.

The A7 monitor is powered by two 50W RMS amps (one per driver). The front panel sports both a power switch and volume control. The rear panel houses controls for tweeter level and two shelving filters for high and low frequencies. The A7 powered studio monitor also features both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) input connectors, allowing it to be used in almost any audio application.

The A7 monitor enclosure is magnetically shielded.

Buy ADAM Audio A7 Powered Studio Monitor online at Musician’s Friend

technorati tags:Speaker, studio, recording, tweeter