Rehearsal space

[gioforce76]

I’ve always went to other people’s houses or rented space for rehearsal , I’m done with that . I bought 2 mains 2 subs a mixer and a power amp for now. The power amp also acts as the crossover. I was just curious for the guys here that have a pa at home . Where do I place the subs I have the mains on top of them now . I have been reading articles about sound and it said it would be better if the subs are next to each other or on top of Each other. The article basically it’s sounds better if they are close together or really far apart. I’m new to this whole pa thing any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone .

 

[11top]

The PA that we leave permanently in our rehearsal room only has wedge monitors connected for each member.

 

[Black Plaid]

When you say "subs", do you mean subwoofers or something else?

Subwoofers are unidirectional, so placement can be anywhere. That is, bass frequencies spread out everywhere. It's a bit odd you have more than one, but that might be for coverage.

The one thing to consider is that some frequency waves need space to fully develop, and therefor you should actually place them a fair distance from the audience.

Given you have two, I would also place them as far from each other as possible.

If the subs are really low-mid+lows, then positioning will be more dependent on directionality.

 

[jxe]

When you say "subs", do you mean subwoofers or something else?

Subwoofers are unidirectional, so placement can be anywhere. That is, bass frequencies spread out everywhere. It's a bit odd you have more than one, but that might be for coverage.

The one thing to consider is that some frequency waves need space to fully develop, and therefor you should actually place them a fair distance from the audience.

Given you have two, I would also place them as far from each other as possible.

If the subs are really low-mid+lows, then positioning will be more dependent on directionality.

two subs because each side is mono, sometimes.

 

[gioforce76]

Honestly i have 2 because the guy sold them as a pair , and right now they are just for practice in the basement.
I got them for a good price from a guy shutting down his music store. they are 2 peavey passive subs that were brand new that just never sold.

 

[Egads]

I don't use subs in my basement rehearsal space. It's just too much for my space. The wife would kill me, and I'm tired of chasing down rattles as it is.

See if you really need them (like a 4x12 stack, OF COURSE you need them, but really!).

 

[RickP]

Subs are more or less omnidirectional but keep in mind that you can have wave cancellation if you position them poorly, such as a certain height off a solid floor or too close to a wall. For my subs that seems to be right at 3 feet. Your ears will tell you if it’s happening, as the low end will seem weak or almost non-existent. Otherwise, the side by side method can create some powerful coupling effect, if you need it. In a rehearsal space, you likely won’t need much.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I’ve always went to other people’s houses or rented space for rehearsal , I’m done with that . I bought 2 mains 2 subs a mixer and a power amp for now. The power amp also acts as the crossover. I was just curious for the guys here that have a pa at home . Where do I place the subs I have the mains on top of them now . I have been reading articles about sound and it said it would be better if the subs are next to each other or on top of Each other. The article basically it’s sounds better if they are close together or really far apart. I’m new to this whole pa thing any help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone .

So.... what are the dimensions of your practice space, including height?
Then, what subs did you get? 12s? 15s? 18s?

Subs can overwhelm a small space, If you don’t have some room tuning software, they might be too much for your space, but I won’t go much further with that until you answer those questions above.

Next item, in a practice space, is there any reason to even run your PA in stereo? Probably not... Again, more after I see what you’re doing and what you have.

 

[gioforce76]

So.... what are the dimensions of your practice space, including height?
Then, what subs did you get? 12s? 15s? 18s?

Subs can overwhelm a small space, If you don’t have some room tuning software, they might be too much for your space, but I won’t go much further with that until you answer those questions above.

Next item, in a practice space, is there any reason to even run your PA in stereo? Probably not... Again, more after I see what you’re doing and what you have.

the room is like 12 x 14 ish the ceiling is about 7 ft . They are 15 inch subs. The system isn’t being run in stereo. The crown power amp is in crossover mode so Channel 1 goes to the subs and channel 2 goes to the mains. I adjust the frequency on the lows and it sounded way better then it has. It’s fun trying to figure out all this stuff but also a pain in the butt.

The mains are older peaveys they have a 12in. A 10in. Speaker and a horn. And then the peavey 15in. Subs . I have a Yamaha mixer going into a eq and then the power amp. I also have a compressor limiter gate and a ashly crossover but honestly don’t know how to set it up.

It has sounded decent they way it’s been set up so far , I know it could be better but it’s not my thing yet . I’m still learning all this stuff.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

12x14x7 is not big enough to open up 15” subs unless you have significant room tuning (which would cost more than the subs) and software to tune it. Since you have them, I’m not saying don’t use them, but I’d get a rack EQ and cut the LOW bottom end off, then tune from there. Two 15” subs would saturate that room at even medium volume, run flat. You’ll need to cut some bottom, if you use them.

Honestly, if you could get any money for it, I’d sell one and just use the other. I’ve set up systems for professional groups in our church (seats 1200) that only used one sub in our auditorium. I’m still debating if you could even use one in a room that small...

 

[gioforce76]

12x14x7 is not big enough to open up 15” subs unless you have significant room tuning (which would cost more than the subs) and software to tune it. Since you have them, I’m not saying don’t use them, but I’d get a rack EQ and cut the LOW bottom end off, then tune from there. Two 15” subs would saturate that room at even medium volume, run flat. You’ll need to cut some bottom, if you use them.

Honestly, if you could get any money for it, I’d sell one and just use the other. I’ve set up systems for professional groups in our church (seats 1200) that only used one sub in our auditorium. I’m still debating if you could even use one in a room that small...

I guess I could just use one in the basement and use the 2 if we play out .
I do have a rack eq and the have the lows dial out.
So is it fine to have the vocals and the v drums just going through the mains ?

 

[Deleted member 5962]

I guess I could just use one in the basement and use the 2 if we play out .
I do have a rack eq and the have the lows dial out.
So is it fine to have the vocals and the v drums just going through the mains ?

Actually, that was the next question I was going to ask you, was what you were running through it. If only vocals and v-drums, you should be OK, just drop the deep bottom out a lot, and you should be fine. I’d do as you said and run one at your space, and save the other for gigs with bigger space.

 

[gioforce76]

Actually, that was the next question I was going to ask you, was what you were running through it. If only vocals and v-drums, you should be OK, just drop the deep bottom out a lot, and you should be fine. I’d do as you said and run one at your space, and save the other for gigs with bigger space.

Okay i will try that , sometimes I run the helix through it but usually at home I use my amp.

 

[Nurk2]

The low E on a bass guitar has a frequency of about 41hz.That gives it a wavelength of about 28'. How big is the room?

 

[gioforce76]

The low E on a bass guitar has a frequency of about 41hz.That gives it a wavelength of about 28'. How big is the room?

12x13

 

[Deleted member 5962]

12x13

It shrunk?

I'd use one or none. If you use it, remember to EQ the low end down (I'd probably start around 75hz depending on your EQ capabilities). Problem is, you don't want it against a back wall and especially not a corner, but in a room that small it's probably at least going to be on the floor and against or close to a back wall. That only adds reinforcement, which is more bass that needs to be EQ'd out or it will flood the room.

What is your amp crossover set at now, and what choices does it have?

 

[gioforce76]

Yes

It shrunk?

I'd use one or none. If you use it, remember to EQ the low end down (I'd probably start around 75hz depending on your EQ capabilities). Problem is, you don't want it against a back wall and especially not a corner, but in a room that small it's probably at least going to be on the floor and against or close to a back wall. That only adds reinforcement, which is more fass that needs to be EQ'd out or it will flood the room.

What is your amp crossover set at now, and what choices does it have?

Yes the more I put down there the more the room shrinks.
When you put the power amp
In crossover mode the lowest it goes is 90hz.
I have an ashly crossover my friend gave me but not sure how to hook it up.
This is what I have
Yamaha mg166cx mixer
Beringher eq
Dbx compressor , limiter,
Ashly crossover
Crown xti1000
Peavey 1210hs mains
Peavey 15 115tls sub

Right now I’m just using the mixer , eq and amp . I know there is probably a better way to set this up. However I asked 3 different sound men All being professional sound men and I have gotten three different ways to set it up . And honestly like I said I’m still learning all this stuff and it’s confusing.

 

[Deleted member 5962]

However I asked 3 different sound men All being professional sound men and I have gotten three different ways to set it up . And honestly like I said I’m still learning all this stuff and it’s confusing.

That's typical... unfortunately. But there is more than one way to set up even a basic system, and the more components you introduce, the more ways to do it. If you use the Ashley crossover, you'll either need another amp, or you'd have to use one channel of the amp for the mains and one for the subs. In this space, SIMPLIFY! You don't have to use everything just because it's there. Throw the EQ in there and cut the deep bottom. If you only run vocals and v-drums through it, unless you try to go Portnoy with the kick drum p) then that should be enough.

And again, when you're just trying to learn this stuff, use the least amount of gear possible. Keep it simple, learn what you have and THEN consider if you need to use anything else. With 12" mains, I wouldn't even use the subs in a space that small, especially since you're not running the full band through the PA.

 

[gioforce76]

That's typical... unfortunately. But there is more than one way to set up even a basic system, and the more components you introduce, the more ways to do it. If you use the Ashley crossover, you'll either need another amp, or you'd have to use one channel of the amp for the mains and one for the subs. In this space, SIMPLIFY! You don't have to use everything just because it's there. Throw the EQ in there and cut the deep bottom. If you only run vocals and v-drums through it, unless you try to go Portnoy with the kick drum p) then that should be enough.

And again, when you're just trying to learn this stuff, use the least amount of gear possible. Keep it simple, learn what you have and THEN consider if you need to use anything else. With 12" mains, I wouldn't even use the subs in a space that small, especially since you're not running the full band through the PA.

So if I don’t use the subs I don’t need the power in in crossover mode. Do it put it stereo or mono bridged or..........?

 

[Deleted member 5962]

So if I don’t use the subs I don’t need the power in in crossover mode. Do it put it stereo or mono bridged or..........?

Stereo is fine. As long as you pan to the middle it’s really mono anyway, you’re just using one channel per speaker. OR, you could do bridged mono and run the speakers one into the other (Which puts them in parallel, so cuts the ohms in half to the amp). Either way should work fine.