Expert: Cleggsan - 8/31/2009

Question
Dear expert,

I am in the process of putting together my first pa system and I am now a bit stuck. I am a solo female vocalist singing along to backing tracks in venues such as pubs, clubs and weddings. Largest audiences I sing to are around 150 people.

I have bought a wireless shure mic and an Alesis 8 multimix usb mixer. I now need some powered active speakers but have no idea what to purchase. Could you help suggest any for me and if there is any other equipment you think I could do with such as I am unsure wether or not to get a wedge monitor.

Thank you for your time

Emma xXx

Answer
I suggest a pair of self-powered good quality PA speakers.  Of course you can buy separate power amps and speakers but that makes more to lug around.

JBL EON 315 Powered PA Speaker - 15 inch, 280 watts

The JBL above is a good speaker; a little expensive.  There are others that are smaller and less expensive and completely adequate.  Electro-Voice and Mackie have some of similar quality range.  And, surely there are British products that are just as good.

In the USA we have a chain called Sam Ash; they carry many, many brands of musical and sound equipment for  professional musicians.  I think there are similar retail stores in the UK, such as StageBeat and DV247.  Go to one of them and lurk around asking questions about who is doing a good job in their opinion. You will find the sales staff quite knowledgeable.

My idea is for  you to find a pair that is in your budget and sound good; then to buy on the basis of trial.  If they don't satisfy your expectation then you can return them for another try.

The speakers are the most subjective in the chain of equipment and you should spend some time making sure you get the ones that do the best job for you.  

Hope this helps.
C