Thread: Portable Sound System

What kind of portable sound system do you have for festivals and parties? Do you have an Ion Block party? If so, do you like it? If you don't what are you using?

Peavey Escort is the sound system we have.

It's like a PA setup, dual speaker with microphone and inputs for CD Player (sold seperately) and MP3 players. It's a little heavy, my drummer/MC hubby is in charge of set up and transport.

Search threads for 'ipod speakers' or similar, as there's been a few discussions on this topic. You should find a few more recommendations.

For the record, I also use a PA system with input for mike, ipod or CD player. Mine is a Yamaha Stagepas. It's heavy (I have attached it to a trolley), but now that I'm used to the kicka$$ sound of a PA, it's hard to go back to anything else!

You would probably want 2 different setups, something with big sound for outside festivals, and something smaller & easy to carry for a private party, right?

Originally Posted by Bahiya_dances

What kind of portable sound system do you have for festivals and parties? Do you have an Ion Block party? If so, do you like it? If you don't what are you using?

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

For the record, I also use a PA system with input for mike, ipod or CD player. Mine is a Yamaha Stagepas. It's heavy (I have attached it to a trolley), but now that I'm used to the kicka$$ sound of a PA, it's hard to go back to anything else!

What model Stage Pass are you using? I'm seeing a 300 and a 500. Your description of 'kick a$$' caught my eye.

I use a Fender Passport PD 150 Plus, which I bought used on Ebay. It sounds fantastic (I am picky) and has a lot of power.

It has a built-in CD player (that's the Plus part). I can plug in an MP3 player, a mic, and even a couple of other instruments. It is tough as nails, weighs 30 lbs, and locks together into one handy portable unit with all its cables stowed inside.

If you play non-electrified venues (such as street corners), get the non-CD verion (because it can be hooked to a car battery and this needs to be plugged in). Also, If you use really big spaces, (or have a band) the new 300 or the 500 only weigh 44 lbs (the older models weigh 55 lbs), and will blow the doors off.

For most of my needs the 150 is fine. It fills a big room (100 people) with great sound, and 30 lbs is enough to schlep ..c::

passport Search | Musician's Friend

Great reviews. I am also in the market for a speaker with ipod plug ins. I've been through a ton of ipod dock thingies and they either break from being bumped around in my car or don't sound good/loud enough.

Right now I have an old Aiwa, but I have to lug around the center piece and both speakers (don't lock together) and then thread wires whenever I want to use it. Super annoying and takes forever to get set up!

Originally Posted by maurazebra

What model Stage Pass are you using? I'm seeing a 300 and a 500. Your description of 'kick a$$' caught my eye.

I'm pretty sure mine's a stagepas 300 - can't find the paperwork right now, but I don't think it has the extra features of the 500. I only have one speaker with the PA in back (you can buy a set of two).

I used it at a gig the other night and was reminded about how nice it is to have reliable, loud, clear sound. I think I'll insist on using it for all my gigs from now on!

There one problem I have, though I don't know if it's a problem with the PA or otherwise. I used to get a lot of squealing when using a head-mike through my PA. That is because I'd step close to it to operate it. SQUEAL! It meant I had to put the volume right down, which kinda defeated the purpose of using a mike. The other day, I re-jigged what was plugged in where and it started working perfectly. No idea why...but it goes to show that you should test anything you might want to run through the PA while it's in the shop.

Originally Posted by crystalllized

Great reviews. I am also in the market for a speaker with ipod plug ins. I've been through a ton of ipod dock thingies and they either break from being bumped around in my car or don't sound good/loud enough.

Yeah, I have come to the conclusion that, for portable teaching and gigging, iPod docks are crap! My house is a graveyard of bumped and too-quiet speaker sets!

Originally Posted by jewelbellydance

Yeah, I have come to the conclusion that, for portable teaching and gigging, iPod docks are crap! My house is a graveyard of bumped and too-quiet speaker sets!

LOL glad it is not just me then! I thought I was just unlucky/too rough with those things.

After a month of research and interviewing musicians, I decided to go with the Yamaha Stagepas 300. Can't wait till I get it!

Originally Posted by crystalllized

After a month of research and interviewing musicians, I decided to go with the Yamaha Stagepas 300. Can't wait till I get it!

Please review it once you've got it, I'm always on the lookout for something like this too ..g.:

Originally Posted by badriya_al_ahmar

Please review it once you've got it, I'm always on the lookout for something like this too ..g.:

Ok. It should arrive November 29th and I have a couple parties in December to try it out!