Hello everyone,
After several years of listening to dub music at festivals in the region, I have decided to take the plunge and set up a sound system with a friend who has access to a carpentry workshop.
This experience is a first, and we don't have a lot of knowledge at the moment.
We'd like to create a system with a subwoofer and a mid/top box, with the idea of expanding later with a bigger budget.
sub: Super scooper 18" or Hog scoop equipped with PD.1850 (we're fans of the 'slide' look with the cross braces)
mid/top: PD.121-equipped MT-130 + BMS 4550/RCF HF64
processor: DSP 206
amp: TSA 4-700
preamp: EMP12
Does this set of components work? Will the hardware we've chosen allow us to upgrade our system if we wish? Do we need to change cabinets as we'd only have one unit? Would you recommend another configuration ?
In terms of evolution, we're thinking of adding a kick bin to break up the sound into 4 ways rather than 3 ways before adding other cabinets (sub, mid/top).
Thanks in advance for your advice,
tobim
After several years of listening to dub music at festivals in the region, I have decided to take the plunge and set up a sound system with a friend who has access to a carpentry workshop.
This experience is a first, and we don't have a lot of knowledge at the moment.
We'd like to create a system with a subwoofer and a mid/top box, with the idea of expanding later with a bigger budget.
sub: Super scooper 18" or Hog scoop equipped with PD.1850 (we're fans of the 'slide' look with the cross braces)
mid/top: PD.121-equipped MT-130 + BMS 4550/RCF HF64
processor: DSP 206
amp: TSA 4-700
preamp: EMP12
Does this set of components work? Will the hardware we've chosen allow us to upgrade our system if we wish? Do we need to change cabinets as we'd only have one unit? Would you recommend another configuration ?
In terms of evolution, we're thinking of adding a kick bin to break up the sound into 4 ways rather than 3 ways before adding other cabinets (sub, mid/top).
Thanks in advance for your advice,
tobim
Unless you are playing in someone's garage, prepare to be very disappointed with the low bass output of a pair of scoop subs and a tiny amplifier. Whatever sub you think you need for dub reggae, you probably need four! Having said that, we all have to start somewhere and I think it would be wise to budget for a separate sub amp and run the system as a 3-way. I'm unfamiliar with the 'preamp'.
The "preamp" could be a Souncraft mixer..? - https://www.soundcraft.com/en/products/epm12
The DSP looks like a 2-in 6-out, which immediately limits you to a stereo 3-way system, or presumably mono up to 6-way. I'd see if there's a 2x8 version available, so you don't have to buy another processor later.
The amp looks reasonable for the price, if you're planning on bridging two channels for the subwoofer. You could then use it to bi-amp the mid-high section once you have a dedicated sub amp.
Horn-loaded subs (like the scoop) tend not to work well when used in singles. My recommendation would be to either switch to a tapped horn (which works fine on its own), or build more scoops. NB - More scoops will need a better amplifier, as the TSA4-700 won't like being bridged into 4ohm.
The PD 12" driver is almost a dedicated midrange. With an Xmax of 2.7mm, you're not going to get much "kick" out of it, so I can understand why people using those would immediately want to add a 15" to cover 70-200Hz.
If it was up to me, I'd swap the PD 12" to something like a Faital 12FH520. That thing will have 6dB more "kick" available than the PD, on account of the higher Xmax, and would allow you to stay with a 3-way system for much longer. Moving up to 4-way is a PITA. You'll need good knowledge of speaker design & alignment to get that working well. A 3-way system is straightforward in comparison.
Chris
The DSP looks like a 2-in 6-out, which immediately limits you to a stereo 3-way system, or presumably mono up to 6-way. I'd see if there's a 2x8 version available, so you don't have to buy another processor later.
The amp looks reasonable for the price, if you're planning on bridging two channels for the subwoofer. You could then use it to bi-amp the mid-high section once you have a dedicated sub amp.
Horn-loaded subs (like the scoop) tend not to work well when used in singles. My recommendation would be to either switch to a tapped horn (which works fine on its own), or build more scoops. NB - More scoops will need a better amplifier, as the TSA4-700 won't like being bridged into 4ohm.
The PD 12" driver is almost a dedicated midrange. With an Xmax of 2.7mm, you're not going to get much "kick" out of it, so I can understand why people using those would immediately want to add a 15" to cover 70-200Hz.
If it was up to me, I'd swap the PD 12" to something like a Faital 12FH520. That thing will have 6dB more "kick" available than the PD, on account of the higher Xmax, and would allow you to stay with a 3-way system for much longer. Moving up to 4-way is a PITA. You'll need good knowledge of speaker design & alignment to get that working well. A 3-way system is straightforward in comparison.
Chris