Compact Column pa System

[sooty8]

Hi

I have just purchased a compact column system to go with my Yamaha S950 for my larger gigs at Christmas.
I could not afford two systems so i will only have one output. The system is 350 watts.
Two inputs.

Can someone just reassure me that does one end of the lead  go into my Line/Mic input on the keyboard and switch the switch on the keyboard to line. I will use the other input on the compact for a mic.

Has anyone got any extra tips i need to know to get the best from this gear.

I like the idea of no leads over the floor.

Thank You

Steve

[2112]

compact column system

There are so many of them that it is hard to give good advice without knowing the exact model number.

In general I would advise against plugging the microphone directly into the PA system when your S950 has a whole microphone control section dedicated to handling your voice. When you are just single performer it is very important to be able to quickly switch from sounding good in music to sounding clear when speaking. S950 has the TALK button to setup just that.

Edit: Please also post the exact microphone model you are going to use.

[overover]

Hi

I have just purchased a compact column system to go with my Yamaha S950 for my larger gigs at Christmas.
I could not afford two systems so i will only have one output. The system is 350 watts. Two inputs.

Can someone just reassure me that does one end of the lead  go into my Line/Mic input on the keyboard and switch the switch on the keyboard to line. I will use the other input on the compact for a mic. ...

Hi Steve,

to connect the S950 to an external MONO PA system, you should use the "OUTPUT L/L+R" jack (but NOT the "MIC/LINE IN" jack).

"MIC/LINE IN" is an INPUT jack, to connect a microphone or e. g. an electric guitar to the S950.


Please name also the exact type/model of your PA system (as already mentioned by the user "2112".


Best regards,
Chris

[Toril S]

Is it the Bose L1 Compact?

[sooty8]

Thank you to everyone for replying to my question.
The Compact PA System is a SubZero SZPA-LA68 8
The microphone is a Peavey uni directional which i have used for about 15 years.

I wrote the question before the unit arrived today. Only the base unit arrived the speakers did not arrive,so i am unable to give a verdict
on the results. The system is the same shape as the Bose Compact and has two attachments as the Bose.
As i could not afford a Bose Compact I purchased this one, the gigs that I do average 50 people, but during the Christmas  period the audience  goes between 50-100 so I needed a powerful system. I am not looking for perfection not for £300.00 against a Bose at £725.
The base unit has two imports  provision so the keyboard can go into one input and the other input can have the mic.
I have 30 days to try the system when it arrives so if its not quite right for 80-100 it can be returned.
I have read the reviews which are good but hearing is believing.
Thank you for the replies.


Steve

[Toril S]

Please let us know how it works out for you. Good luck testing it. So strange that they did not send it all together!

[2112]

The microphone is a Peavey uni directional which i have used for about 15 years.

XLR or TS?
Dynamic or condenser?
What impedance (if dynamic)?
Does it require phantom power?
Have you ever used it directly plugged in into your PSR?

15 years of use really doesn't say anything. I've worked with people who were gigging for years and never actually plugged their microphone to the mixing board. Always somebody else did that for them. They were required to bring their own microphone for "reasons of hygiene" and that is exactly what they did over the years.

[overover]

Hi Steve,

thanks for posting the details!

This PA System has two individual MONO inputs (Mic or Line level) an additional STEREO input (3,5 mm or RCA connectors). (The output will be MONO, of course.)

BUT there is only one two-band Master Equalizer (globally for all three inputs). This means you can NOT make different sound settings for the individual inputs. Normally, a musician wants to make separate sound settings for the keyboard and the microphone inputs.

Besides, you also have no possibility to put any Reverb/Effects to the microphone, if you connect it directly to this PA.

I recommend to connect the microphone to the PSR-S950 and use the PSR's output jack "R / L+R" for connection to one of the LINE inputs on the PA.


BTW: This PA is 250 Watts RMS, only the maximum power (which can not be used permanently) is specified with 350 Watts,


Best regards,
Chris

[sooty8]

The impedance  of the mic is 600 I have used the mic in the s950 which I have, also in the Tyros 5 which I also have, and about 5 years ago I had a set os Yamaha Stagepass  speakers. I have not got a great voice but the studio affect on the tyros 5 makes my voice a bit more bearable. When I promote myself, I explain to the customer I am only charging you for the playing not the singing, that normally goes down quite well. As i work mainly in Residential homes and private parties which are normally in church halls small private clubs.
The residential homes are no problem for sound. I am very happy with the mic.

Steve

[Toril S]

Ha ha, Steve I will start to say that as well I too gig in residential homes

[sooty8]

Thank you Chris for the advice, my Christmas bookings start early December so i hope to get some practice in before than, if my speakers arrive.

Steve

[sooty8]

Hi Toril

I am pleased you liked the way I promote myself, at least my customers cannot say that I am misleading them.

Steve

[2112]

I have not got a great voice

Hey, we aren't here to critique your vocal skills. We are here to help you set yourself up for a gig.

Maybe nobody ever told you that you have a great voice because nobody was ever able to hear you well? It is a common problem that performers only care about what is heard on stage. But what really matters is what the audience had heard.

Have you actually ever tried to record your keyboard MIDI plus your voice to WAV and then walk the room and inspect what was heard there?

I definitely agree with overover that you shouldn't try to plug your mic directly to the PA. If in the past you've managed to plug your mic to your PSR then don't change it now. You haven't actually said how you connected it, so I presume that you've used the proper transformer adapter from balanced low-impedance dynamic microphone do unbalanced high-impedance input of your Yamahas.

Unlike him I don't care much about the watts. What I do care about is avoid overdoing the reverb and other effects. Frequently they sound acceptable near the stage, but anywhere farther away it is just too muddy to be listenable. If the performance is somehow engaging then the audience will shush each other to hear. If all they hear is mud then no amount of watts will cure that.

[sooty8]

Hi Everybody

My latest update for those of you who are interested, the upright column speakers arrived today at last.
I was very excited to put it together, just like all columns 2 minutes all set up ,so far so good.
I had sound coming from the sub woofer but no sound from the speaker column. I phoned the company concerned, and the assistant asked me to detach the middle column and put the speakers directly into the sub, still had no sound.
Yes you have guessed it, the compact system goes back Friday, I am very disappointed  with the service and the function of the compact system. I have to eat humble pie and extend my budget, I am now looking for a used Bose Compact system.
If anyone in the UK is selling their Bose please let me know.

Steve

[Toril S]

Good choice! The Bose will not dissappoint you!

[Al Ram]

Steve

You cannot go wrong with the Bose L1.  I have it and it is great.

However, if money is tight, you can consider the Maui L5.   
https://www.ld-systems.com/en/series/maui-series/maui-5-ultra-portable-column-pa-system-with-mixer-and-bluetooth/?force_sid=ui6i6qeu8n1mrlbn3anmemncrfst4cu8urhi9dieqm75lb452booboo7f8rsspnk5qqqljaq5it0lue6kqh8bhcn7obr31mdpvcd2h2

In my opinion Bose is better sound.  However, a lot of people are very happy with the Maui and report that it is at least equal to the Bose system.

thanks

[sooty8]

Hi everyone

An update, I have searched the web for Bose Compact L1 prices and this morning a dealer phoned e at home with a decent price.
I have spread the cost over 10months with no interest payment, so as I go gigging this will help with the speaker cost.

Has anyone got any tips on what I need to know to get the best from this Bose, I know that there is a lot of knowledge  on this
forum where members have got these speakers.

The speaker is being delivered Tuesday and I have got a 3 year warranty  with it, so I feel reasonably safe.

Steve

[Toril S]

Hello Steve! Happy to hear you are getting the Bose L1 compact. Awsome speaker! Do not place it too close to a wall. Place it behind and to the left of you. This way you hear yourself playing without problem. Use both extensions for best distribution of sound, unless you play in a small place, then you can use only one. Welcome to the Bose club😀

[sooty8]

Hello Toril

Thank you, I am really looking forward to getting the speaker Tuesday, I only have one speaker not two. I have heard a Genos played through one speaker extension at a club, there was about 90 people and it coped. To be fair my audience does not normally exceed 90
about  30-60 is my average.
The largest audience I have played to is when I played at a charity show in a large hall with 120 that was with a Tyros 2 that was a long time ago. I presume I place a lead into the input socket on the speaker and the other end into the keyboard L/LR is that correct?

Steve

[Toril S]

Yes😀 I also only use one speaker. I play for 30 to 120 people just like you. Good luck!