New PA System Rawks! Submitted by: Jim Ford - 08/25/03 12:19 pm

Ever wanted to jam really loud and make the neighbors mad? Here's how! Everyone that knows me, knows I have a passion for music whether it be listening to the radio, banging the drums, singing, or strumming a guitar. And I have tons of equipment ranging from acoustic guitars, mics, electric and acoustic drumsets, extra percussion equipment, etc. etc. The last several years however, I've wanted to put together enough equipment to have my own band. Why? Primarily so I don't have to drag my drums to someone's house just because they have the PA system (speakers,amps, mics, etc.) I've wanted my own set-up for years and years, but it doesn't rank high-enough on my financial responsibilities list. I began a couple of years ago by building up a collection of small stage lights. Mostly used for church events, lent out to friends, or set-up in my "office" when I jam out at home. These aren't really part of the PA system, but overall stage equipment for playing live. Then this summer, I began saving a few bucks every paycheck so I could buy a power amplifier. So in late July I bought this little beauty, the Crown XLS 402 Power Amplifier, from Musician's Friend. For those who don't know what it does, it provides power to speakers basically. You usually run a mixing board to it for multiple instruments/mics. This little guy won't push enough power for a large set-up, but is great for small bands or stage monitors. I already have a small 12-channel unpowered mixer I bought years ago to use in live gigs as a line mixer for my drums. So all I needed now were cables and speakers! Following my savings plan for the amp, I figured I could purchase the speakers I wanted in January or February of 2004. Then lo and behold, I get an unexpected escrow refund check from my mortgage company a couple of weeks ago for close to the cost of the speakers. So I bargained with several different companies and finally end up purchasing 2 Yamaha S115IV Speakers from The Woodwind and the Brasswind. I've bought a ton of stuff from them for over 17 years. They almost always beat out everyone on price and service. I highly recommend them. They went way lower than the already sale price. So I was able to get the speakers, various cables, and shipping, for right at the amount of my refund check! Woohoo! So now I'm dangerous. Have drums, mics, lights, and a PA system. I do plan on upgrading to a nice 32-channel mixer next year sometime. And ongoing, I'll get a couple of vocal mics, mic-stands, speaker stands, maybe and effects processor, and continue growing my lighting system. It's awesome, man. I love it. I know, I know.... but I'm not just like my Dad. I have no aspirations to have a studio or convert my home. It's just my hobby/passion. For now, I just have my electric drums hooked up and a vocal mic. It sounds great! Haley and I take turns playing drums and singing together. Later this fall, I'll set-up my acoustic drums and experiment puttings mics on them, combining portions of the electric/acoustic set, and maybe even triggering my acoustics. Will I make any money off this stuff? Not for now. It's just my therapy. I'm sure I'll lend the stuff out and use it for church events. But for now if you drive by: if the house is rockin', don't bother knockin' --- I'll won't be able to hear you!

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Jim Ford - 08/26/03 1:44 pm

Playing drums late last night, I remembered my next door neighbor, Mrs. Jones, storming over to yell at me for playing really loud around 2 a.m. I was probably 17 then. Man, she was mad! And it scared the bejeezus out of me. Worse still, I was only wearing underwear and she was banging on the sliding-glass door right behind me! Yikes! Guess I'll play fully clothed from now on...

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