Ableton Forum

Just thinking of taking studio monitors, but before I decide what's worth considering, I'd like to ask if any particular Label or model is also good for say small gig up to 100 people, in the bar for example..
Here's what I'm looking at the moment:
http://www.junodownload.com/plus/2011/0 ... -monitors/

No, they are not. You will try to push the monitors as soon as people are talking or asking for more volume, and you will get distorted sound in the best case and broken monitors in the worst. Nearfield monitors are not enough for 100 people.

Gigs = PA speakers.

+1. Don't do that.

Always better to ask than making a mistake.
Thanks a bunch for advice.

I use my old HR824's at the local pub when I play (like tonight), works fine. It's not a huge space, no need for me to bring the PA speakers for something small like that. Never been an issue.

I should also mention I play mostly downtempo at these gigs, not trying to blast people with dance music or anything.

Tarekith wrote:I use my old HR824's at the local pub when I play (like tonight), works fine. It's not a huge space, no need for me to bring the PA speakers for something small like that. Never been an issue.

I should also mention I play mostly downtempo at these gigs, not trying to blast people with dance music or anything.

I recently replaced my Rockit 6’s with some Mackie whatever 5’s because I thought I was getting too much low end from the 6’s. I thought the 6’s would be perfect for some smaller gigs but my main problem is they are in pristine condition and using my Mackie SRM450’s as an indicator, gigging speakers get beat to shit. Studio monitors aren’t built for that kind of abuse.

I'm not taking these on tour, they go a block from my house to the pub maybe once a month in my car and no one touches any of the gear once there but me.

By all means, if you're playing out a lot or travelling to different gigs where you need to bring your own sound, then it's wise to invest in some decent PA speakers. But for the occasional one off small gig where you don't need a lot of volume, I don't see it as an issue.

Then again these aren't my main studio monitors either, I'd never bring the Opals to a gig. Well, at least not until I upgrade them to something better

Tarekith wrote:Then again these aren't my main studio monitors either, I'd never bring the Opals to a gig. Well, at least not until I upgrade them to something better

But even if you do upgrade I’m telling you you’ll hesitate taking them if they are in pristine condition. My Rockits are currently holding a safe place of honor under my bed.

I got some $150 computer speakers for small gigs that are good enough and I don't care if they get beat up.

beats me wrote:

Tarekith wrote:My Rockits are currently holding a safe place of honor under my bed.

I am past my years of doing gigs and DJing parties. I still do the odd function here and there but mainly for nothing as it's friends / family these days and I would rather take along a decent sound system than listen to someones iPhone speaker.

My setup is all custom from second hand and built components but it has suited everything from small halls to large (200 people) outdoor parties and functions.

I use a cou0ple of Technics 200w amps for the main speakers which are actually a modular spearek system I designed using some sealed sub-woofer boxes for cars and seperate box for the tweaters and mids whcih connect to terminals on the sub box with a xover unit. This allows me to place the high end and middle in different positions depending on the layout.

I then have 2 MTX sub boxes with inbuilt plate amps and 600w subs. These large sub boxes are well tuned and for the louder parties really get things going (I have attracted cops several times).

The cost of all this is probably round $1000 and I can choose what I need for an event. I also have a few light chasers, bubble machines, etc. Simple stuff but all fits in the back seat and boot of a Mazda3 and all gear has been hammered over 12 years and still doing strong though stored in the shed now for the most part.

If you are kind of handy and like to build stuff look at starting with second hand speakers and building your own. Not everyones cup of tea but I have built a lot of my own stuff over the years for gigging and it's always satisfying to run a party with all your own gear and have poeple wanting to know all about it.