Powered PA Speaker vs FRFR?

[northernguitar]

Hey friends…I’m wondering if anyone here has used a powered speaker for some stage volume at gigs. I mostly plan to use the PA to be heard, but would like a little sound off the stage. I have a powered speaker but not an FRFR speaker. My son has my Peavey Bandit at university.

Anyone gig with a powered speaker for their modeller?

 

[Peegoo]

@northernguitar

You certainly can, but it's probably best to use a direct box between the modeller and the speaker to get balanced sound. It may sound really bright because of the compression horn in the speaker.

 

[northernguitar]

@northernguitar

You certainly can, but it's probably best to use a direct box between the modeller and the speaker to get balanced sound. It may sound really bright because of the compression horn in the speaker.

Thanks, PG! The speaker is a Yorkville and it has an onboard eq, so maybe I can use that to tame the brightness? No problem with a DI box, we have a couple of those.

 

[thatkeithmorris]

I use a Flyrig5 direct to PA with another feed to something something on stage so I can hear myself. The best results I’ve had in a band setting have been with a 12” powered wedge monitor pointing at my head. I found a 15” version too woofy, and a 50w 6” powered speaker just thin and annoying.

I‘m currently experimenting with the direct power amp input on a Katana 50 mk2, bypassing all the amp and cab modelling and just using it as a powered speaker. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

 

[northernguitar]

I use a Flyrig5 direct to PA with another feed to something something on stage so I can hear myself. The best results I’ve had in a band setting have been with a 12” powered wedge monitor pointing at my head. I found a 15” version too woofy, and a 50w 6” powered speaker just thin and annoying.

I‘m currently experimenting with the direct power amp input on a Katana 50 mk2, bypassing all the amp and cab modelling and just using it as a powered speaker. I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

We use in-ear monitors on stage and in the jamroom. I‘m only thinking about having some stage sound beside the drum kit. That might even be overkill as we will have ample power in the PA alone.

 

[TwoBear]

I haven’t been gigging out like I used to, but I’d picked up some EV 12” wedges w/for same thing in mind.

Barring normal concerns (HF feedback etc.) my thoughts were, they sound good (most modelers) thru home speakers, DAW’s-home & pro setups.

With their cabinet emulation, I found pretty equal results through both home stereo and flat powered studio monitors. Taking out the horn/tweeters just made them flat and dull.

I wonder though about patch changes? There can be pretty disparate volumes from one to another?

 

[northernguitar]

I wonder though about patch changes? There can be pretty disparate volumes from one to another?

This is a huge concern for me. A few years back, a former lead player bought the full Axe rig. He’s an excellent guitarist, so he was able to make it sound great. But until he got a volume pedal, his levels were all over the place.

I’m using a Boss IR-200 as a modelling unit. I patched it into my MacBook and fired up GarageBand, where I went through all my patches and carefully adjusted them to the same output level. Through in-ear monitors, I sounded pretty even throughout yesterday’s rehearsal.

 

[northernguitar]

I’m now thinking I can use one of our floor wedges and a power amp for my stage volume. The wedges have excellent 10” speakers and we have an amp with a mixer built in. Lots of control over eq and I reckon it’ll sound good enough to compliment the house PA.

 

[codamedia]

We use in-ear monitors on stage and in the jamroom. I‘m only thinking about having some stage sound beside the drum kit. That might even be overkill as we will have ample power in the PA alone.

If the entire band is on IEM's don't bother with the stage sound - it will only compromise the FOH mix. There are exceptions to this in certain situations, but for the most part - I wouldn't recommend it.

As for your initial question... an FRFR is a form of Powered PA speaker - it's just marketed differently. A decent powered speaker/wedge will work great whether it is marketed as an FRFR or not.

FRFR = Full Range. That's what is important to be similar to the PA the crowd is hearing
FRFR = Flat Response. That DOESN'T exist on the most expensive speakers. Just try to find a speaker that doesn't "hype" the sound, often by boosting lows/highs like a loudness switch on an old stereo. You want something that provides "as flat a sound as possible" with the realization that "flat" doesn't really exist.

 

[northernguitar]

If the entire band is on IEM's don't bother with the stage sound - it will only compromise the FOH mix. There are exceptions to this in certain situations, but for the most part - I wouldn't recommend it.

As for your initial question... an FRFR is a form of Powered PA speaker - it's just marketed differently. A decent powered speaker/wedge will work great whether it is marketed as an FRFR or not.

FRFR = Full Range. That's what is important to be similar to the PA the crowd is hearing
FRFR = Flat Response. That DOESN'T exist on the most expensive speakers. Just try to find a speaker that doesn't "hype" the sound, often by boosting lows/highs like a loudness switch on an old stereo. You want something that provides "as flat a sound as possible" with the realization that "flat" doesn't really exist.

I’m in a trio. The drummer and bassist both want stage volume. The drummer is on an Alessis electronic kit and feels he will sound dead on the stage on the dance floor. Bass player wants to ‘feel’ the bass.

I tend to agree that I should just use the PA. I just don’t want to sound too dry with the drum and bass amps.

 

[Old Deaf Roadie]

Seems to me that it would be infinitely simpler to just use a mic in front of an amp. That way, not only can you hear yourself, but the PA does as well.

 

[northernguitar]

Seems to me that it would be infinitely simpler to just use a mic in front of an amp. That way, not only can you hear yourself, but the PA does as well.

It’s infinitely simpler to just run my modelling pedal straight to the PA. Nothing could be easier. The fewer mics on the floor, the better IMO. But the trade off is no stage volume, unless a powered speaker is used.

 

[codamedia]

Seems to me that it would be infinitely simpler to just use a mic in front of an amp.

A flat channel strip on a "well tuned" PA will always provide my tone.... and I don't bleed off the stage to sabotage the mix. An amp adds so much more complication to an FOH mix, and way less consistency.

But it goes two ways. If someone isn't used to the "direct route" it's difficult. I get that and respect that. There are also a lot of "vocal only" PA setups out there that makes going direct impossible. Again, I get that!

For those of us that have transitioned and get to consistently be on good/great sounding FOH setups, it's next to impossible to go back.

 

[Dacious]

The Fender Fighter and Headrush FRFR speakers are both rebadged Alto TS3-series. Identical inputs, controls and housings. Even the specs are identical.

I did sound for my buddies' new band at their first gig. The guitarist used two Headrush 2000 watt 8" speakers and I took a line out to my mixer.

It may be his settings on the Headrush or the 8" speakers but it had a spectacular lack of cut on solos. I ended up getting him to increase his boost by 30db and push mids a lot I ended up boosting it through the front end and still found it - unsatisfying.

[https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...LC6U85sznm5SjSAl&id=611045919&mibextid=Nif5oz

 

[northernguitar]

One concern I have is my powered speaker is 15". Would that be too much for a guitar rig?

 

[Dacious]

One concern I have is my powered speaker is 15". Would that be too much for a guitar rig?

No but the 10 and 12" speaker versions might sound a little better for guitar just because the typical speaker response curve is more analogous to where the guitar's voice is. It isn't going to be a big deal.