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Exam: 3-2

1) A PA system is comprised of Speakers, a Mixer, and a Power Amplifier. (True/False)

2) In your own words, describe what a powered/active PA speaker is. What are the advantages/disadvantages of a powered/active PA speaker vs a passive PA speaker?

3) Eduardo is a guitar player. He recently purchased a Zoom G3 that he enjoys very much. Since everyone in Eduardo's area is a bitch, he has started composing music on his laptop rather than jamming with others. Eduardo would like to play his music live eventually. He thinks that he could forgo using a guitar amplifier, and plug his Zoom G3 directly into the PA as well as his computer for samples. Susan says otherwise. Would a PA system be a viable solution for Eduardo?

4) If someone were to approach you for advice on what PA system to get, what would you recommend? What features would you tell them to look for?



I need help with homework, guys. Plz ehlp.

1) True
2) Depends
3) Yes
4 ) KVLT

Active v passive is that passive is just the speaker and you need to bring the rest. Actives will have at least the power amp included in the speaker cabinet and often some basic input or mixing capability beyond a line input. Actives can be more convenient and are often cheaper than separates. However, when one side breaks (amp or speaker), the whole system is down.

Guys big into modeling rigs tend to really like the current crop of active speakers as full-range, flat-response (FRFR) delivery when their whole sound is in the modeler. So Line 6, Fractal, and also stuff like Roland guitar modeling and guitar synth rigs. If you go it alone, your guitar rig is a mini PA. You can also share with band mates, computer, triggered samples, keys, bass pedals, theremin, whatever the fuck you want. Most of the current crop can also be used like monitor wedges if you want to just give the house PA a line out.

QSC seems to be the hot ticket of the current crop of actives, but EV, Mackie, Line 6, and others are all in that game. If you have an appropriate live mixer already, you don't have much to look for in specific features. If you don't, check out the input options that work for you.

Some guys go full bore into these sorts of rigs, and they'll tell you that they can sound great. The thing is that they don't always feel like a traditional guitar amp rig. If that bugs you, you might have to explore ways to make peace with it. I think most pedal heads who play fuzzy warped noises into loud, clean guitar amps are probably in a better place to transition than your average blues lawyer, though.

Cool, cool, cool. Thanks, guys. I believe this is all I need to know. I'll post my grade when I get it back in a week.

I forgot the new Roland Cube Street EX, which is like a FRFR with lots of extras, but lowish power. Expensive at $500, but this is worth a look if you would ever need battery power for busking or gigs in odd places: http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1317

PA = greatest state in the union

(post 1000)

Sorry to thread-jack but I came into possession of a 100w pa amp and a mic. I dont have speakers for it, but is 100w loud enough to be heard over a full band?

Yeah you've got the essentials covered here. As for *off-label* use...

Some tube PAs make great bass amps. High headroom, fat bottom, even response.
They also tend to love pedals as a result.

Couple of months back I got an Altec 342b, which is a mean green machine, modestly rated for 35w output.
4 xlr mic inputs, 1 line level rca. Terminals for single speaker output at 16, 8 or 4ohm plus a 70v broadcast tap.

What makes it special is the Peerless input, output and power transformers, and the unit is rated for +/-5% THD, which is high within context.
Best kind of sound coloration outside of tubes AFAIC...but it also has a tube preamp+tube-rectified power amp.