Hi guys, take a look at http://www.blue-room.org.uk/

I go there for all sorts of stuff.

There's also a very friendly PA & Lighting shop in Warrington owned by a top bloke.....me :)

Col

Check out

www.btinternet.com/~paformusic/paformusic_main.htm

Book a room set up the band- dont practice - play with the PA

I used the same method as the fabulous eggs when figuring out how to use my new PA...only I just set mine up in my living room instead of booking a room (I did wait until the neighbour was out first)

:>)

Correct! If it is clipping you are possibly driving it too hard!

Your amp will, in theory, give it's rated RMS wattage without distortion or clipping when the input signal is at an industry standard level. This is called 0db (0.775 volts) and is the 0 on the mixer's led level meter. Any signals above this level will contain a degree of distortion. In severe cases this can burn out speakers especially horns.

If you can't get the required volume without going into the red then you need a bigger PA. If you continually push it the amp or speakers or both will blow.

What is the make of the amp and cabs? I may be able to throw some light on it.

The amp is a Soundlab G742 rated at 4.ohms 1200 watt output 8 ohms 800 watt output.... the speakers are 250 watt tops at 8 ohms and 350 watt bass bins x 2 at 8 ohms Class D make.
I think you are on the right track we mike three vox through the PA and my drums with a back line of two guitar amps 50 watt vox and 100 watt marshall ashdowm 300 watt combo ,I think the drum mikes might be picking up the back line and increasing the signal into the amp as at the last gig I turned down the drum mics input and it worked ok thanks for advice and any more would be appreciated cheers Drumrod.

Firstly if there is a clip led on each channel make sure none of them light. If they do then back off the gain/trim pot, usually the knob nearest the mic input. Ours are fine for the first few songs but when the drummer gets going we get the odd flicker. A clipping input signal puts distortion into the system from beginning to end regardless of the master volume level which ain't good.

The Soundlab is a Studiomaster clone. Soundlab bought the designs when Studiomaster went bump and had the amps built in their China factory. The power ratings are probably believable although they used cheaper components than the British ones. They're a bugger to fix though, both UK and PROC models. I've given up on 3 in the last 2 months. Even Soundlab can't fix them and they made them. Cross your fingers.

If your tops and bins are linked to each other the combined wattage is 600 Watts per channel (250 + 350),assuming that this is the RMS wattage, not max or PMPO. Max and PMPO are useless ratings. They are just big numbers used to sell stuff.

I think Class D is another UK company importing from the Far East. I may be wrong. I have only ever come across one of their mixers which had a Made in China sticker on the back and a big plastic CLASS D badge stuck on the front. It was actually a very good piece of kit.

Sorry, I went off track a bit there.
Because the speakers are the same power as the amp there is no headroom if the signal goes over a bit. Effectively the system is running flat out even before clipping. I always suggest using speakers with about a 20% margin over the amp, in your case this would be a 1000W amp into a 1200W speaker system or a 1200W amp into 1400 - 1500W. This allows a bit for tolerances in the amp's components. That said, I have known amps to go into the red without distortion and I have also seen them clip at 50% power. You pays your money etc.

If you are ever considering upgrading my rule of thumb is expect to pay around £1 per watt for speakers (300 Watts each = £300 a pair) £1 per watt for a 8-12 channel mixer/amp and 50p per watt for a straight power amp. If you are paying less than this you should ask yourself why they are cheaper. If you pay more expect a few bells and whistles. It's like buying a car....sort of.

Rant over as they say.

Col

Hi Rod
Sorry to see yo are having problems mate. I know the advice given by On The Edge is 100% correct in theory but I know how that unit behaves as we had the same problems at first. You can use the GAIN's to boost the volume without it distorting or clipping TRUST ME! What you mustn't do, when doing this, is put any of the channel sliders over '0' unity though. I don't know why it is that you can do this as you shouldn't be able to but it worked for us. I would quite often find that my vocals were fine with the gain 3/4 of the way to the top but channl sliders and main output sliders at '0'. Keep the graphic levels in the middle as well but you can do anything you like witht he digital effects. Working it like this it will not let you down, although everyone who knows 'the rules' will tell you it is wrong I can only say they are right but it works!
Cheers
Nidge

Nidge is dead right. Theory is fine..... in theory, but you can't beat a bit of hands on knowledge. Go with it. Let me know how you get on.

Col

Hi Rod
I left your card with Buck @ The butchers, he is booked up for 2008 but he said that when we book with him for 2009 then remind him again. He has also took on The Victoria Tavern in horwich and is putting bands on there oo but we ook the last 2 slots for 2008 but the same applies there so i will let you know when we're booking for 2009 and remind you and Buck. He is also lookig at taking on 2 more pubs i the Bolton area and he will be having bands on there too. He ca't say where these are yet but he assures me that they are popular venues, not town centre.....that is a good thing believe me!

Keep in touch with the desk situation but i would suggest you get together i your rehearsal space and test my idea first rather than leave it to a gig night ;-)

damn keyboard is sticking! Sorry for the missing etters, oh boody he !!!

I know what you mean mate as we have done the same, the only downside being the bulk of the new gear & the fact i now have a flight case as a coffee table ;-)