How to Set Up a PA System for a Band 

We hope you enjoyed this guide to setting up a PA for your band. There are more helpful tips and tricks on the way! Just like, comment, and subscribe so you don't miss a beat 🤘

How about a video where you set up a PA in a small pub/club? The "stage" is 1/2 the size you need, there's one outlet and it's on the ceiling, and you have to carry all your gear through 2 sets of door and up a dark staircase. Also don't forget to lock your car during every trip because otherwise your gear goes for a walk...

Plot Twist: this was all just one elaborate ad for the Sweetwater Duffle bag @ 1:23

Sweetwater has the best videos known to man.

as an event services AV technician for university of delaware, as well as resident sound tech for a couple house venues, i was ready for this video to be super cringy, full of stuff like all-in-one racks and things that only techs for huge, big-budget events would deal with. i've teched for a lot of bands, and while I personally have never had to run a bass or guitar amp through a PA, use more than one monitor, or deal with keyboard player wanting to use the PA instead of their own amp, this info was really useful and I can see it being valuable to someone just starting out teching in a new diy space where things like that are necessary. good job sweetwater with not including useless information or info that is only applicable to huge events.

Turn on the mixer first. If you turn on the speakers first, nobody in the room will be happy with the loud pop when you turn on the mixer, and you might take a speaker out. And turn off the mixer last, for the same reason.

I can listen to Mitch for days. Very calming and informative at the same time.

I had no idea where to start my research since I know nothing about PA systems and micing drums. This sure helped a lot ! incredible video and I appriciate you showing visually every step of the process.

Intelligent, scientifically designed for the best performance, very well presented! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! For quality, professional content and a masterful presentation! Clearly, this guy is a subject matter expert.

The Powered Speaker is one of the most under rated advances in PA System ease and size of setup. Traveling with a local Band up and down the east coast mainly VA, NC, SC, TN, GA, FL, AL we traveled with our equipment in a Bus with limited storage the new class D power amps were a game changer and we use to setup in less than an hour and ready for the SHOW. That included lights. Planning is the key this was a great example of quick and well planned setup! If bands pay attention to this video they can have well thought out setups too!

Your videos are always so professional. You've got a lot of hardworking, talented people on your team.

Excellent as always, Mitch! Many thanks. A good follow-up video could be your process for sound check? My band played out a bunch in 2019. Here's what we came up with. Btw ... we do not have a dedicated sound guy. Once our mains (QSC KS12.2s) are set up on tripods ... we spin them around toward the band (monitors are turned off) and dial in instruments in this order: drums, bass, keys, guitars, and vocals are always last. We typically play a verse and chorus from 2 or 3 of our go to songs--making sure to dial in all instruments and voices. Next we spin the mains back toward the dance floor & seating ... and dial in the monitors. Interesting choices for monitors-- Both the drummer and guitarist have the powered Simmons drum monitors. They sound great. I use the Bose system with sub which sounds really great with my keys, acoustic & electric guitars, and voice. (Overachiever?). All mics are routed to an Allen & Heath 30 channel mixer. Forgot to mention our two QSC 18" subs. At least one person per gig will come up to the stage when we go on break and tell us how amazing the sound quality is. Maybe we're on to something? Quick note about the Bose-- I originally purchased it for my duo (yes ... from Sweetwater!). About five years ago I saw an amazing CSNY tribute band using 2 or 3 of the Bose systems incorporated into their concert rig. This was at a 20,000-seat arena. I gave it a try with my band and have never looked back. Portable & sounds great blended in with the QSCs!

I'd love to set up a PA right now. Sure would be nice if we had some gigs or rehearsals going on in the world right now. :(

Fantastic explanation of the basics with tips from experience thrown in. Love it!

Re signal routing: I was taught: Channels 1-12: kick, snare, HH, T1, T2, T3, OH1, OH2, bells/chimes/other, Pads (stereo), other or open, then 13-24: back line: Bass, G1, G2, G3, KeyL Key R, Synth L, Synth R, then Vocals 25-28: (house left to right for my benefit) 1, 2, 3, 4, other 28-32: (CD, pre show, video sound, othes). Then, routing to 4: subs to mains: (perc, inst, vocals, efx), then 8 monitor mixes or 16 out to P16 e.g.: 1-8: (wedge/earbuds per performer (in same order: perc 1/2, inst 3/4, voc 5/6, other 7/8) as requested), Out to main (L/R), lobby, other rooms, recording (direct out or other "every channel", plus main (LR) for management (band, house, and me). 32 and every other sound man can run my setup as we all learned the same way. If shrinking, keep the same groups (perc, inst, etc.) and outputs (L/R, lobby, etc.) If only 16: then shrink: drums (8), inst (4), and Voc (4) plus sends (monitors (2) and outs (2)(house and lobby) If keys, then combine toms (1-2), inst (only 3), and voc (1, 2, 3-4) use the two saved for "other".

We were very confused when we appreached our first music venue, luckily we were able to come across this tutorial. Thank you, Sweetwater.

Mitch Gallagher- your videos are so helpful and you deserve a raise!

I know it's handy to use the pole out of your subs for mains, but having subs separated very far causes some weird cancellation issues if the room is very deep. If you walk around and hear "dead spots", that is what's going on. Usually putting the subs in the center is the best because they will work together to evenly cover the space. If they can't go in the center, having them to one side is better than spaced apart. Don't worry about how it looks.

This is excellent . I learnt a few things from this video...so thankyou Mr Gallagher and Sweetwater

Mitch Gallagher dose such a good job explaining.

That was an extremely helpful video. Thank you for taking the time to teach this!!

Some channels waffle on & make what could be a 10 minute video into a 30 minute video (I'm looking in your direction, Mr. Beato) Finally, I have found a channel with good information from someone who knows what they are talking about but doesn't love the sound of their own voice. Instant subscription for a great video. I look forward to checking out more (The titles look intriguing)

Perfect. Thanks Mitch and Sweetwater!

Very helpful. I’ve learned some techniques I’ll apply to our next gig.

Nice vid! I ran the PA for an old band of mine, and used older power amps and passive PA cabs. It was fun (for me lol) figuring out all the power handling math. Maybe a follow-up video could be done using older gear like this, as that's probably what most people are dealing with.

First time watching this setting up of this great PA system looking great,this is how I would like to set up my bands,

Excellent demonstration & very clear instructions. Thanks again for helping us to set up and quickly position ideas of system.👍🌸🌟

Thank you so much for this video! Definitely buying all of this for my shows I'll be putting on!

You Have Simplified Everything! Thanks For The Upload!

Good info, the outtakes cracked me up too. :)

We actually needed to see this. I like that mixer. Thanks 🙏🏼

Wish we had you in England. Amazing shop with everything under one roof.

great video!! thanks for helping musisian get more profesionals at stage. I have only one objetion: if you got your gtr and bassmann with big amps. I only take the vox and the kick on the PA. the rest i like to keep it as natural as posible.. resuming: Preserve the soundfont as much as you can.

These videos are great for us out of date guys :) Thank you. I learned a lot!

Great simplistic video. Racking the mixer and a 1u power distributer into a small rolling rack would be a nice upgrade to this setup. That way you can run power and XLR from one spot to your mains and monitors using the ProCo Siamese cables. This has worked great for me for over a year.

That was great!! Love Sweetwater!!!!

This guideline is great I love it.very much interesting

Great tutorial on setting up a PA. Thank you for taking the time :)

Nice and simple. Add in two overheads for the drum kit. like!

Great video! It's an excellent starting point but the sub+main on each side of the stage is usually the worst possible placement for the subwoofers. I know that at most small to mid-sized gigs you don't really have enough space to put both subs together at the center of the stage but you can usually stack the two subs on one side of the stage which is much better than the traditional L/R split.

JBL party box 310’s. Portable with battery power, has lights on it and you can plug in a vocal mic and a guitar into it and if you have two 310’s you can connects them with an aux cable for stereo sound. And it even has some fx for the vocal mic and volume control knobs for the mic guitar and speaker volume and also had Bluetooth and wheels and a handle and is water resistant! And of course an app that connects to it for special sounds! Great option for busking and pop up gigs in public or in a small pub

Mitch is mighty indeed. 👍😎

It looks so chill relaxed and clean, do one about the stage change between bands, like in a punk festival, I'm curiouous

thank you mitch! fabulous video mate

Like the simple set up. It will suit up for our church. Thanks

I never thought Monitors would be needed for the Band Thanks for the video

This was very informative. Id love to see a more in depth series version for each step .. A video for floor monitors into mixer..instruments, mics etc. When going over the signal flow... The person talked very fast and sped through it all.

Awesome video! Thanks for the tutorial.

Great video! Very instructive. Thanks.

Request: Video on portable PA for one man band (lead guitar, vox, backing track) maybe two options, budget and top shelf

Great review man. Thanks

It would've been nice to listen to a band mixed with this gear

Extremely helpful and informative!!!!

Great tutorial. I use the JBL 615’s with a single JBL 618s. THUMP.

Great video thanks for keeping it simple

Beautiful explanation,nice and simple,

"Don't have to have a seperate sound engineer". There goes my job then!

This video is amazing on detail

Thank you lots Sir This was really helpful

Ugh I miss this right now

Thank you for a nice reference video!

You guys are the best! Thank you

Love IT. Well done!

If you're on a really small stage, put your Bose L1 model II behind you (yes, it has a "scooped" midrange , but a really nice scoop, producind articulate and clear vocals that everyone will be able to hear), and use your guitar amps unmiked. You won't even need monitors!

This will be helpful once the pandemic has passed and everyone can resume some type of normal again. Thank you. 👍😃

Thank you sir for your packaged information

Thanks! I like that you're using 2 subwoofers.

Honestly a great video. Sweetwater Knows what they're doing. Thank god, The professionals thank you.

Nice u explain everything really good 😊

Very cool video! Learning everyday

Thank you for this video, i just have a question.. could you guys make a video for beginners on how to set up cables for bands for practice.. Setting up guitars to speakers, how to use amps & what speakers to use! Thank you!

great video! thank you so much! could you make a video on how to setup monitors in a band rehearsal room?

Great one for beginners! Thanks!

There is one important rule for musicians, which are unexperienced with PA systems, especially with PA systems for larger audiences (more than 100): If you're at the PA rental store, don't believe the guy at the counter. At first, they will try to sell you a package that is too large for the job. These guys often try to rent out equipment that is at least capable of blowing everyone's ears out. This is perfectly fine for some occasions, and also can be a lot of fun, especially in the domain of popular music. Nobody owning at least one "Napalm Death" album would seriously doubt that. But in many cases, it's way too powerful, and you can get away with a cheaper option. This also means less effort for logistics, maybe less additional personnel and a less complex system to be set up and managed. Less complexity equals less potential problems for the actual concert.

I did a 10 week course on this in the late 80's and did it for a few years.W-Bins, 16 channel desks, effects and amp racks, beer covered multicores. Started playing again recently and it's all so much easier. But a LOT of my course was what mic's where and why, EQ'ing for the room etc. Armed with this knowledge, you could sound like sh!t!

My 3 piece band was running late on a gig years ago. We set up in 20 min. flat from pulling up in the van to on stage with the opening song. 20 min. that’s my record

thanks 😊 for the good explanation

Wow, very useful video thank you 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

GOOD STUFF 🙌🏼

Excellent loved it👍

newest looking gear i've ever seen at a gig :P

Wonderful information

Good stuff 👍🏼

I love this wise idea

Well done I really like it

Great video! It would be interesting to see a bare bones minimum set up with the same instruments. Aka, budget friendly yet sufficient. A modular set up that is easily upgraded. WITH SOUND CHECK! 😎🙏🔑✌️

Connecting subs in to a mono auxiliary output channel it’s also a very good way to work

I am afraid you have to re-upload this video, once the whole coronavirus thing is over..! Great, as always! Very helpful!

super helpful, ty

thank for nice info... love it

thank you for your sharing

Excellent helpful video. Our band has a powered board. We've found it very difficult in some venues to find multiple clean power sources to run powered speakers and monitors. Plus the amps, guitar pedalboards etc. Any advice in this situation?

Can you follow this up with a sound check video and explain anything else a noob like me would need to know for setting everything up?

Nice one thanks

How about a tutorial about how to set up and run effects in a PA for great ambiance?

nice video thanks!!

Good day. Will you please demo for set up for church band using analog mixer. Thanks

Hey Mitch, how about the problems of the 2 subwoofer's in the stereo omni configuration in your set up regarding power alleys and power valleys? Is a cardioid central cluster better?

Thank you for the detailed instruction! Quick questions, for those using their own amp (bass + guitar), do you use these as additional speakers/monitors or do you quiet them down just enough for the mic to pick up so that the sound can only come through the fronts and the designated monitor?

What a Great Explanation Great Greetings From Super Extremes- Sri Lanka 💚 💛 ❤ 💙 💜