New and looking for advice

WitchsMark

Howdy all, I am fellow proud owner of a DRPA. My setup is as follows:
1 - PMH3000 Behringer Mixer
1 - BBE 882i Sonic Maximizer
1 - DRPA w/ its Reference Mic
1 - EP2500 Behringer Amp for Mid/High
1 - EP2500 Behringer Amp for Subs
2 - 15\" Peavey 115HCII - which I do not and cannot get any specs for.
2 - 18\" Peavey PV118's

I have 2 scenarios that I use my equipment for - 1. Rehearsal & 2. Gigging
At rehearsal I just use the 15's as the 18's are too much for my 12 x 20 rehearsal room. At gigs I break out the 18's also.

My questions are as follows:
1. I usually run from Mono by going from MainRight out of Mixer and then down the line. Ultimately I use both EP2500 in Bridged Mode coming out of the DRPA. What do you think of this setup?? Should I be running Stereo instead.... even the Subs when I use them at Gigs??

2. Now seeing the picture I have drawn, what do you all think a good setup for me should be, and how do I achieve it?? this question is a little redundant as the first, sorry but I have been battling with this thing for a week now, and I am starting to get quite discouraged as I cannot come to a conclusion with what would be my best setup in Rehearsal and Gigging.

PS I have followed the destructions for Start Here and did the whole System Gain Maximization thingy already.

Dra

Pesonally, I'd set up the whole system. If it's \"too much for the room\" turn the whole thing down. You need experience with the DRPA as it will be used at gigs.
Use the BBE ONLY as a channel effect, not whole system.
Stereo vs mono is a personal choice and there are advantages for both. A lot of people run mono for simplicity. Some even run a single side stack. No reason to run stereo subs.
Having no info about those 115's either, do you think that they can handle the power (1200w each)? Is there even a placard on the cab with any info?

DRA

WitchsMark

There is no info on the 15's at all except that they are 115HCII. Their earlier counterpart was the Peavy 115HC which was a 350W/8 OHM cabinet. I think the only difference between the 115HC and HCII is that the HCII has a Dual Piezo Horn. Right now I have the EP2500 running the 15's in Bridge Mode and set to half volume, which is where I need to be to prevent clipping. The only reason I run Mono right now is to save the extra Speakon cable running to the second 15\". Do you think I should run the setup as Left/Right Mains Stereo and run the Subs Bridged/Mono??

Dra

Remember, the gain setting procedure does not limit output \"potential\" of the amp. So you CAN still send 1200w to each speaker, even with the amp gains reduced.
The EP2500 puts out 450w (st) at 8 ohms.
The Peavey's say 350w. If that were a Program rating it would be a nice match to the amp (1.25X). If it's Peak, that puts the program at 175w. 450w is about 2.5 times rating. That is a bit excessive for a mid / hi cab. But it is a ton better than 6.5 times if you are bridging. So, having said that , I recommend going stereo (1 speaker per side of the amp). Leave the subs combined on the bridged amp.

DRA

WitchsMark

Yes the 350W is Program so I should be cool with going Stereo then.

Dra

You know, I'm a bit of a pack rack. I think I have an old Peavey speaker brocure with Internationals in it. I'll give it a look when I get home.

DRA

PS - If you'll post back after 3 pm Central, that will help me remember.

Dra

PM me your email address and I'll send you a scan on the brochure page.

DRA

WitchsMark

So Dra... what do you think should I Stereo the 15's or keep it Mono Bridged?? I know that I do not use panning at all even if I ran stereo, I would not Pan anything, but is it better to just Stereo for safety??

kpippen

Personally I like stereo... I would do a 2X3 configuration with stereo on the tops and mono on the subs... I would place the subs right next to each other (6dB gain)... Stereo would be nice if your playing recorded music over the system during breaks, etc,...

Kev

Gadget

Especially with those subs... 3\" voice coils.. probably scorpions or even stamped basket speakers...I would be VERY surprised if there was much info below 50 hz in those cabs...I wouldn't push them real hard either...unless you want to be replacing cones.. and MDF cabinet? whats that about...

Stereo is only useful if you use it, there isn't any \"safety\" involved...I run stereo because I run the effects stereo, and perhaps a panned stereo guitar.
Gadget

WitchsMark

Gadget, are these Subs that bad?? They were pretty cheap, like $250.00 each. I hope they can do the job.

kpippen

WitchsMark wrote:

Gadget, are these Subs that bad?? They were pretty cheap, like $250.00 each.

WitchsMark,

You answered your own question...

Kev

Dra

On a possitive note... They will do what they're designed to do. Everything does, until they break.
Be aware of their limitations.

DRA

WitchsMark

Bummer, well fortunately for us we are one of those bands who knows you don't have to be ear blistering loud to sound good. We like are levels to be where people can stand 15-20' away and not have to cringe with the loudness until their ears adapt to the obviously tooo loud music.

Gadget

Shouldn't be too much of a problem with those cabs...but beware those particle board cabinets are easily damaged in transport, and especially when dropped..and it does happen...You won't be getting ear shattering volume out of that rig..but remember, quiet FOH is only possible with quiet stage mixes...otherwise you have to climb over the din just to get any clarrity.. and a muddy mix is no better than an ear splitting one...

Gadget