I'm in a 3 piece band, and looking for a new PA. Ideally I'd like to run 3 vocal mic's and a kick drum mic. Is it possible to use 1 PAS w/bass module for this purpose? Has anyone used it similarily? I do understand that this is not the intended use of this system, but it sure seems like it would be a great PA.

Thanks in advance!

Mitch

Hi Mitch,

Here's some notes that should help with your question:
Can I use the Bose system as a Conventional PA

But tell us a bit more about your music. What other instruments (if any) are involved in your show?

What kinds of music, where do you play, for whom?

This is how you might do the wiring


If you follow the first link in my signature you will find lots of examples of setups with multiple players using a single system.

Check out any of the links that show one or more people
and only one system

We are a 3 piece rock group. Guitar/Bass/Drums. Performing old rock (Hendrix/Cream/Stones/etc) new rock(3 Doors Down/Audio Slave/Etc) and Blues. I'm the drummer. The others have pretty extensive gear but we have no PA. I would be making this purchase myself for use as a PA or possibly to mic my drums. All 3 of us sing.

As mentioned I'm the drummer, and have little/no experience with amplification/PA gear.

Just looking for PA gear as the others have plenty of amps for their instruments.

I like the idea of the PAS. Simple setup, minimal floor space, etc..

Thanks again

Mitch

Mitch,

Thanks for the info.

For 3 vocals and some mics on the drums you will need a small - medium sized mixer. Many of the small mixers, max out at 4 microphone inputs and you may need something a little bigger if you want to mic more than just the kick drum.

If the other guys will be amplifying their instruments with their backline amps, that should work fine, but don't be surprised if they convert after hearing your system.

Be sure to check out the section here for Drummers

Mitch, I have a PAS with two bass modules. When I play with my trio (jazz) (I usually use it for my solo act), I always use it as a PA and this is how I run things. My vocal to channel one on the bose, my bass, direct to channel two on the bose, an sm57 (shure) on my guitar players amp, and run to channel three on the bose. This gets set to the same sound level coming out of his amp so that when he turns up his guitar or amp, the bose goes up equally as well. For the drummer, I give him my Mackie 1202. He mics his drums with 5-6 mics, runs them through the Mackie and into channel 4 of the bose. So, now, I control my vocal and bass with the remote control, my guitar player controls his sound cranking his guitar or amp, and the bose just follows, and my drummer has the mackie to control every mic-ed drum...we have total control. The unit stands usually between the bass and drums (since the guitar amp in next to the guitar player) and about 6-7 feet back. We all hear eachother great, and the audience loves it. For your situation, I would get a larger Mackie board like the 1402 which you can put a lot of vocals and instruments through....be creative, it can work great for rock...we have played venues up to 300 people the way I described the set up, and it held up fantastic. Good luck, all ways, sTuDIo.

...Oh, Mitch, here's a ps...(I just re-read your last post) As far as using the system for your own pa, it would be fan-om-an-al!!1 Seriously, you can mic your drums and have your own sound for any band you play with...especially if the other members of your band have their own gear...this would be 'your' gear. You can have your vocal going to channel one, and depending how hany mics you use, can either go through the pas other three channels or, go through a mixer for the rest of your kit...you'll have the finest sound around and all the bands you play with will love you for it. Check out two bass modules as well. all ways, sTuDIo.

quote:

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Originally posted by ST:
Mitch,

Thanks for the info.

For 3 vocals and some mics on the drums you will need a small - medium sized mixer. Many of the small mixers, max out at 4 microphone inputs and you may need something a little bigger if you want to mic more than just the kick drum.

If the other guys will be amplifying their instruments with their backline amps, that should work fine, but don't be surprised if they convert after hearing your system.

Be sure to check out the section here http://bose.infopop.cc/eve/forums?a=frm&s=8206048934&f=8566055944

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Thanks for the info and link.. Would the base setup work without the mixer if we just want to run 3 vocal mics?

Mitch

Hi Mitch,

The Bose system has two inputs that are suitable for microphones and two inputs that are suitable for line level sources (e.g. mixer or instruments).

So for three microphones you'll need a mixer.

Mitch,
I am a drummer also as you can tell by my oh-so-creative nickname

I have used my system for 4pc group (see pic) and it was adequate. If you play really loud, you might find the need to turn down the instruments a bit.

I have written a lot about my experiences with the single (double bass) PAS, you can look thru my posts, there is quite a bit of info for drummers.

A couple in the DRUMS section of the forum, and reports in AT THE GIG section (with pictures).

(To look at recent posts, put your mouse cursor over user's "nickname" at the upper left corner, left click on it, and select "view recent posts".)

It will work for ya for sure. Hopefully the other guys in the band will warm up to it and buy their own also. Each new system you add will improve the sound and "imaging" exponentially.

I just joined a new 3pc rock band myself and we are rehearsing with their 3 tier system and it sucks! I'm so spoiled on the Bose. They are coming to my house to rehearse next week...I can't wait to see the expression on their faces.

I plan to run their guitar and bass thru their amp heads and right into the pas. Will also mic my kick (with an audix D6), and all three vocals thru a little mixer. I wouldn't do this live...to much for the PAS, we would use guitar amps. For rehearsal it works great.

I totally believe that once they get used to this sound they are going to buy PASs.

Good luck

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Drumr,

We did it!

I had my "new" 3pc band practice last night and the Bose worked beautifully!

We ran the bass thru a POD, the guitar into a digitech multi-FX box, and mic'd the kick and ran them ALL thru a Behringer mixer. Aux out into the PAS along with our 3 vocal mics.

The PAS was plenty loud for all instruments.

The bassist told me after practice that after the first 30 minutes he had warmed up to the new sound and really enjoyed himself.

The guitarist liked it right off the bat, they both conceeded that the vocals sounded better than they ever had and we could all hear each other much better.

The wheels are turning in their heads about the reality of playing thru 3 of these systems.

Cool...

Again, I don't think I would play out live with this arrangement. We would certainly get by, but it wouldn't be that big sound that a full PA with all instruments mic'd thru it can get.

Mitch, I think you should still try it out, I know it will do kick and 3 vocals, I've done it. And you can try it NO RISK for 45 days...can't beat that!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Drumr,

Pete,

I'm very confident that you can get a better sound than a conventional triple system with our new approach. You've just begun the journey ... it's going to be fun. You (and your audience) is going to dig the destination.

Steve

Steve,

Were you meaning to reply to mitch?

You don't need to convince me!

I know that the PAS is better sonically than our 3-tier, way, way better.
I've already tried it in many situations and it always comes thru.

What I was saying was that when running EVERYTHING thru it like I describe in my above "rehearsal" post, that the sound is great but I have concerns about the volume and image of the sound out live in a typical sized bar.

Of course, I am dying to try it out just to see, and I think the guys will go along with me on it.

As I described to Mitch...no doubt the Pas can handle kick and 3 vocals, I've done that.

Just as a sidenote, here is a quote from an email I got from my new bassist after rehearsing with the Bose on Wed. night, this says volumes:

"I like that Bose system you have, I am looking forward to playing through it again.
Clarity was excellent and everything seemed real tight as far as sound coming through. There's no distortion.
Don't forget to look for that cd.
See you tomorrow
John

Oh yeah...they are warming up.

quote:

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Again, I don't think I would play out live with this arrangement. We would certainly get by, but it wouldn't be that big sound that a full PA with all instruments mic'd thru it can get.

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Sorry Pete ... I was replying to the statement above.

On a side note, I've got to do a post on the new Roland kit my drummer brought to rehearsal last night ... OH MY GAWWWWWDDDD!!!! It was awesome sounding!

Steve

So Steve,

You DO think that we could successfully play a live gig with all three instruments and mics thru just one PAS?

Have you done that? No backline?

I have run two acoustics, a bass, and one vocal before, but have doubts about a rock trio blasting out thru one lonely unit.

Guess the only way to find out is to do it.

I think one of my deeper seated fears about this is that our new singer can be a bit weak on some songs and I'm not so sure I really want all that clarity and naturalness of sound in his case. A big PA with a bunch of FX can hide some ugly. (maybe I only think it's hidden)

Hi Pete,

One of the side effects of working with the Bose systems with "all that clarity and naturalness of sound" is

You can't run,
You can't hide,
But you can improve
when you can hear what needs fixin'

Great post ST. You captured what a lot of us have discovered after using the PAS: We ain't as good as we thought we were. Now with this "tool" we can begin the task of fixing those problem areas in search of "that sound." I know that my way of hearing, playing and thinking of my own music has changed since the PAS came through my door.
And this is just the beginning.

It's a funny paradox, isn't it. You can hear better so you realize, wow, we could use some work, but then your audience says (especially the ones that have heard you many times before) that you've never sounded better.

[oops, type-o]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Steve-at-Bose,

To the question "Can a single PAS be used out with all instruments in a typical bar setting?". The answer is definitely yes!!

In a club that hosts such bands as Kings-X & Joe Bonamassa where patrons are used to a substantial volume my single PAS (by accident only) pulled off a huge win this past weekend.
See my posts under at the Gig and rehersal (Mudfork Pics)

When the house sound man no-showed my single PAS was forced into action. And it performed flawlessly. Yes, it was pushed to its limits (2 vocals, two guitars, Harp, two keys, and kick and snare) but it worked and sounded awesome. Regulars couldn't believe it!!!

By the way I'll have the cost of both units covered by the end of this week as I finish selling of the rest of my old gear.

We'll keep using two with our regular gigs but when pushed you can do it with one.

Doc.

Doc, that's a great story! I wish I could have been there.

Steve

OK,, thanks all! Sounds like I need one of these! 2 final questions...
#1 Could I run 3 mikes with a "Y" cable (just as a temporary fix of sorts).
#2 How does the free trial offer work?

Thanks again to all who replied!
Mitch