UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

I hear you Tim. I use a hand truck and a dolly when ever I can. My dad drove a truck. Very early on I learned "bend at the knees, NOT the back"!
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

Brian- I suggest 2 things: wheels and ramps.

I'm a big believer in wheels. My favorite hand truck is a MagLiner like the beer distributors use except mine is a stripped down version. I own 2 of them just in case somebody wants to try to keep up with me. I can get more moved in a shorter amount of time than 3 people half my age.

Weight is a big issue. All of my gear is the newer lite variety. There are lots of lite amp choices - I have Crown Xti's and like the ability to make custom presets with the free software. There are many famous brands of speaker in the world that make lite products and it just so happens that a local speaker company that has made all manner of big heavy cabs decided long ago that lite was also good. Ramsdell made me some 2x18 subs that weigh just over 100 lbs. The single 18's are exactly 50 lbs. They all thumped pretty good with the lite P-Audio 500 watters but now that I've upgraded to the 1000 watt Fiatal's they are truly impressive and hardly any difference in weight.
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

You need better bandmates...

LOL...actually they are all pretty nice guys and they do help w/setup as they bring PA gear as well. I'm of the opinion that one needs to present the whole package. Good music, good vocals, material people want to hear, and GOOD SOUND. This band is more into thinking small. I doubt they'll spend any real $ on PA equipment unless the bigger paying gigs start rolling in. I'm the opposite....get the gear, have everything else in place and the better gigs will come.

But going forward I'm looking to do my own band where I run the show and have the final say. That means providing a PA which means I'll have to load/unload at my place. So....light and less trips are my best bet.
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

LOL...actually they are all pretty nice guys and they do help w/setup as they bring PA gear as well. I'm of the opinion that one needs to present the whole package. Good music, good vocals, material people want to hear, and GOOD SOUND. This band is more into thinking small. I doubt they'll spend any real $ on PA equipment unless the bigger paying gigs start rolling in. I'm the opposite....get the gear, have everything else in place and the better gigs will come.

But going forward I'm looking to do my own band where I run the show and have the final say. That means providing a PA which means I'll have to load/unload at my place. So....light and less trips are my best bet.

No one notices sound unless it's bad. If you can avoid 'bad sound' with the lesser gear you have, there is probably little ROI to be had buying better.
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

I'd avoid the QSC K series like the plague. Those things just sound awful, especially when pushed. I'd rather have the old Mackie SRM450 than those things... I will put a +1 in for the Mackie HD boxes(minus the sub). They are a little heavier, but the build quality, sound quality and durability seems to stand above anything else in the price range. I'd look at the HD1221 if you're looking for a lightweight, good sounding powered box. I've been beating on the HD1531's for a while now, and after Mackie sent me new amps, I haven't had a problem yet. Though, I'd also check out the new Yamaha powered boxes if you're looking for a lightweight, good sounding top.

The UCS1 is a good sub choice. I liked those a lot when I owned them. 3 per side was pretty awesome for medium sized gigs.



Evan
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

Evan, after reading a lot of the "Up in Smoke" thread how would one know(if they purchased used Mackie's) which run of spks would be suspect? I wouldn't want to play "pot luck".

Then there's the threads I've read about JBL PRX and EV ELX having problems with high heat and shutting down. It kind of leaves me with QSC, Yamaha, RCF, Yorkville and ?.

I realize that there is no general consensus at this price point. Some say this is good, that's bad, this sounds like trash, that's so-so, I love these, I hate them. LOL...It seems that unless someone is spending considerably more money there is an element of compromise in just about every brand.
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

Evan, after reading a lot of the "Up in Smoke" thread how would one know(if they purchased used Mackie's) which run of spks would be suspect? I wouldn't want to play "pot luck".

Then there's the threads I've read about JBL PRX and EV ELX having problems with high heat and shutting down. It kind of leaves me with QSC, Yamaha, RCF, Yorkville and ?.

I realize that there is no general consensus at this price point. Some say this is good, that's bad, this sounds like trash, that's so-so, I love these, I hate them. LOL...It seems that unless someone is spending considerably more money there is an element of compromise in just about every brand.

The HD1221's weren't available when they were having issues. I've heard no problems with the HD1221s as of now. Regarding the other HD models, Mackie told me, if they're still working, they're more than likely going to keep working. Issues were very isolated and have all been resolved.

Oh, and I bolded a very important part of your last reply. It's very true! You just gotta pick the lesser of all the evils and settle!


Evan
 
Re: UCS1PB V USC1 - - Weight ! !

I agree. I have yet to hear K12's sound anything but strained. Ok for pre recorded music but with a live band, not on my dime. Have Mackie HD1531's and am impressed every time I use them...in appropriate applications of course. Auditorium gigs, Plays, blue hair concerts,etc...the increased midrange clarity and warmer low end works very well. Did a rock wedding last week with HD's over 2x18 subs... Great. With a Maxxbass of course...:)