I'm purchasing two Single Bass packages, and plan on using 3 mics, keys, drum machine, 2 acoustic guitars, violin, and a cd player. I plan to connect 2 mics, keys, and the drum machine to one system using both bass modules, and the two guitars, violin and other mic to the second system . The drum machine will be switched out for the CD player during breaks. Does this set up sound decent? Should I continue to use my mixer for all the instruments and just have the mics in the bose systems? Thanks

thanassius

There are lots of ways to do this, but I can probably get closer to a suggestion if you could describe your band and your setup.

From left to right (as viewed by the audience):

Who is on the stage,

What are they playing, and

What roles do they have?

Here is an example.
Charlie: Lead vocals, keys (also runs mixer)
Sam: Backup vocals, acoustic guitar (also controls drum machine)
Bob: Backup vocals, acoustic guitar
Joan: Acoustic violin (shares mic with)
Sal: Acoustic violin

What kinds of music do you play?
What kinds of venues (numbers of people)?

Do you a picture or a web site that tells a bit about your band?

This would be a great help in coming up with a suggestion for the setup.

On a general note: I would probably put the guitars through a system with a bass module. The low E string of guitars is well served by the bass module that covers the range from 120 to 40 Hz. The open E string vibrates at approximately 81 Hz.

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ST,

We are a 3 man greek band, and play traditional greek music. We play a variety of venues, from restaurants and private parties (around 300 people), to large banquet halls (of 500+).

Left: me on keys (which is split half piano, half bass guitar) and I sing backing vocals. I run the mixer and control the drum machine.

Middle: marc, lead vocals and bouzouki (it's a greek instrument similar to a guitar, with a bit of a banjo feel, so i just said it's a guitar).

Right: dimitri, electric violin with wireless guitar bug (who sings backup on some songs, and also plays bouzouki on some songs).

The bouzouki has 4 strings, the lowest being F (which i believe is an octave higher than a guitar's low E, so I'm not sure what the frequency of it's vibration is). The only instruments putting out low tones that we want to be heard are the keys and the drum machine, so I was planning on using both bass modules on the system they are connected to. We like a lot of bass :-)

We're working on our website currently, so this is the best information I can give you. My two main concerns are:

1) Will I need to continue using my mixing board, or can I safely and properly connect all the above into two Bose systems?

and

2) Will the two Bose systems be powerful enough to fill a large banquet hall (think wedding receptions, etc), and make everyone want to get up and dance? :-)


Thanks for you help!!!

thanassius,


Did some reading about Bouzoukis, and these are fascinating instruments.

If I am understanding your description of the lowest notes on the Bouzouki (as you are tuning them) as F3, according to
Frequencies of Musical Notes that frequency is 164.81 Hz.

The PowerStand and L1 with no B1 bass unit has a low end at 110 Hz. So for the Bouzoukis you are probably fine without the B1.

The only other question is.. Are you using pickups in the Bouzoukis?

Your question:
1) Will I need to continue using my mixing board, or can I safely and properly connect all the above into two Bose systems?

Your original plan
" I plan to connect 2 mics, keys, and the drum machine to one system using both bass modules, and the two guitars, violin and other mic to the second system ."

Sounds fine (two Bouzoukis instead of Guitars) since you will want plenty of gain for the low end (playing left-hand bass on the keys).

Since you are using three mics (for the vocals), I'll guess that you have some kind of pickup system for the Bouzoukis. If that is the case then you have enough inputs available to work without the mixer.



2) Will the two Bose systems be powerful enough to fill a large banquet hall (think wedding receptions, etc), and make everyone want to get up and dance? :-)


Are you trying to overcome the sound of smashing plates?

Okay - seriously, from what I recall of traditional Greek music, (and from what I read while researching Bouzoukis, the dominant frequency range is around 220 Hz for those instruments) you sound should carry very well with the Bose system. Your low end is well supported with the double B1s.

If we are lucky, someone who has had more experience with your style of music will join us. I've just had the good fortune to hear some from time to time.

ST

Both bouzoukis have a pickup, so i'd just be using the 1/4" input on the powerstand to connect them. Which is good, cause then I do'nt have to haul my mixer to jobs :-)

Thanks for all the research and advice! I can't wait for my systems to arrive!!

P.S. You never know, a breaking plate can be pretty loud :-)

thanassius