Fair warning: crusty ol' veterans may cringe at this...
I'm looking at starting a small system with the intent to grow. Right now, I'm just a guy in a band looking for a PA that can handle as much power as I can afford. I have a couple of inexpensive traditional horn cabinets (Yamaha Club V) and a single SP118. For most of our gigs where I need to supply sound, this is all I need. But on occasion, I've tried to supplement house PA systems (or there IS no house PA) and I just don't have enough of anything to fill that need.
So. I started researching and am looking into the VA subs. For one, because they're not exceedingly expensive. But also because, by spec and reputation, seem to go quite a bit lower, sound better, and handle considerably more power. It seemed a wise move rather than dumping money into lower-class models like the SP.
Here's where things get complicated, though. The tops are rather attractive too, for the same reasons... expensive for a private purchase, but not entirely outlandish, the ribbon HF is a huge plus (speculative -- I haven't heard it, but the abrasive sound of a typical PA has always been my biggest gripe), and I'm seriously considering an entry into coordinating shows beyond our own gigs.
The end goal is going as big as a relatively remote market will bear, preferably being able to extend a single system along the way, rather than replacing it. Even if it's a bit of a shoe-horn to fit it to lesser needs.
Now, at this point, 90% of you are shaking your heads and sucking air through your teeth. That's fine.. I know how this sounds. Here's why I'm hoping this isn't crazy... A few pages ago, there was some debate over whether a 2-top would be suitable for 1-200 people in a medium-small venue. I'm aware of the directionality issues, but I really wonder if around maybe 20 degrees vertical dispersion wouldn't be enough? I'm also aware that in a small vertical stack, the dynamics of coupling LF drivers changes. I don't know exactly how (new.. naive..), but from what I have been led to understand, my needs don't demand that level of efficiency just yet.
Admittedly, I am totally ignorant of line array principles, just clued-in enough to know there are things I need to know before I can expect to implement anything remotely resembling one. So yes, I am the market segment you all fear.
I'm paid far too well doing what I currently do to jump into apprenticeship with guys that know what they're doing, so I'm investigating (and that's all for now!) the trial-by-fire route. The worst that can happen is to waste my own money and end up with horrid sound. No one has ever lost limb or life by that, as far as I know.
Help. Please.
I'm an IT guy used to being given technology way beyond his understanding. I learned Fibre Channel by trying to make it work in a production environment, I can do my homework here if someone can point this horse to some water. Any good books? Online resources? I'm soaking up what I can, but most discussion is based on the assumption that an end user has worked for a production company and learned the ropes the traditional way. Is there a ground zero, Professional Sound for Dummies that is considered a must-read?
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Topic: Peavey Versarray (Read 208915 times)