Dual PA speaker deployment

Dick Rees

Dick Rees

Curmudgeonly Scandihoovian
Jan 11, 2011
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St Paul, MN
I've got a Jazz Fest coming up in September where I want to run a "dual PA" setup. I'll have scaffolding with a deck a bit over 6' in the air, subs underneath and behind some scrim. Here's the setup:

PA #1: 4 x EV T251+ over 4 EV Sb180, 2 & 2 per side.

PA #2: 2 x QSC KW 152, 1 per side.

Delays: 2 x QSC K10, 10' behind the mix position.

Location is in the street between two x 2 story brick buildings, approx. 90' width, depth is 60' from stage to FOH, FOH located approx. 35' in from the intersection (where we lose containment from the buildings on either side.

I'll wire it up and feed it so that the keys, bass. backing vocals and kit mics (except for the overheads) are in PA #1, PA #2 carrying the sax, drum OH and lead vox.

The question is this:

What is the optimum deployment of the PA1 and PA2 cabinets? I'd like to just put the QSC's in the "solo PA" on top of the properly splayed EV's, but am concerned that I'll be shooting over the heads of the people in front. I can put them three wide with the solo PA cabs towards the insides or put the solo PA cabs between the EV's of PA #1 (which arrangement seems to me to not really be desirable).

Thanks.

DR
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

Don't try to combine the separate systems. Just place the EV in its own array, and then place the QSC next to it, at a distance that doesn't shadow the EV's coverage.

I wouldn't split the percussion between the PAs, however. Then again, I've never done dual PA for Jazz, only for Pop, Country, and Symphonic Pops events.
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

Thanks, Milt. That's what I was thinking and I was aware of the potential disadvantage of degradation of sound where the OH's would also be catching the heads.

DR
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

Dick, I used to run a small dual system with VOX on top and subs+tops for everything else but I got way to much "static" from guest "engineers" so I discontinued the practice.

The complaint was that one EQ doesn't affect the entire mix.

The last time I tried it the EQ for VOX failed during the show and I had to select the other system for everything anyway.
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

Tim Perry said:
Dick, I used to run a small dual system with VOX on top and subs+tops for everything else but I got way to much "static" from guest "engineers" so I discontinued the practice.
Click to expand...

I'm the engineer, so I promise not to complain.

The complaint was that one EQ doesn't affect the entire mix.
Click to expand...

Well, I'll be using a rack of GraphiQ's, so I can link any or all of them if I want. But I don't see the need to have one "house" EQ as the different PA's use different speakers anyhoo.......

The last time I tried it the EQ for VOX failed during the show and I had to select the other system for everything anyway.
Click to expand...

That is a pisser.......
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

How about putting the KW152s on stands right behind the EVs and using the tilters? Delay everything to the drum kit.

oops. Missed the part about scaffolding, so placing a stand may not be practical.
 
Re: Dual PA speaker deployment

Dick Rees said:
What is the optimum deployment of the PA1 and PA2 cabinets? I'd like to just put the QSC's in the "solo PA" on top of the properly splayed EV's, but am concerned that I'll be shooting over the heads of the people in front.
Click to expand...
How about custom "tilters" - a roll of 1" tape or something about that thick under the backs of the QSCs, with ratchet straps to hold the QSCs down?
 
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