Yesterday I did a big clambake picnic for 500 at the local VFW. I was lucky enough to be doing music inside while a DJ did music outside. My main system is a Yamaha EM 512 powered mixer and two Carvin LM12 cabinets. I can't say enough about this setup as its covered gigs of all kinds for a number of years. Great clarity and bass from the Carvins, and just enough power from the mixer. So why am I still shopping for a new PA. Just like all of us we never stop looking at the next great thing. The system is fairly easy to move, mixer in a custom road case (about 20lbs packed) speakers and wires in carry bags (about 25 lbs. packed) but we always want it even easier don't we? The new Mackie line has gotten me very interested even at the high price. Small, light, built in effects/mixer and super power, even if its half what they claim, and easier to fit into my Nissan Rogue. Also gives you a backup with two powered units insead of just one powered mixer.
Here's the thing. Through out the 6 hr. gig I needed to make adjustments to the system as the party progressed, sometime while playing a song. Up the main volume, add some bass to the IPOD channel, up the mic volume, cut the bass on the keyboard channel, add more treble with the master EQ to be clear over the growing and noisy crowd. Since its a given you need to pole mount speakers to be heard properly I would have to be reaching up to the built in Mackie mixer to do these adjustments. I prefer to keep the main speakers a distance away from me and use a small monitor, so adjustments on the fly, as I did on the Yamaha sitting on its case next to me would be difficult. And the idea of adding a small mixer with a (UGH!) 9 volt adaptor to me defeats the whole purpose of powered speakers with built in mixers. More wires, more hassle, where to put the mixer, less convienance making changes.
Just doing a Fran "thinking out loud " thing.

Great minds think alike. I'm using the very same Yamaha mixer and Carvin cabinets you are using. Just switched to the Yamaha mixer from a 6 channel Carvin, because the Carvin was mono and the Yamaha had two more channels.

I'm really happy with the combo. I have used a single three channel 100 watt Carvin, which is like using a powered cabinet and, like you, prefer the separate head and cabinets. If there is a problem with the cabinet or the PA head, you have options and back-ups.

I see no reason to change what we both are using. I frequently play outside for 500 plus people, and this rig, with the addition of a little Roland CM 30 for a pole mounted near field monitor works fine at the volume I work (sort of dinner background).

Of course, I have 6 or so jobs a year which require 6 1000 watt Crowns, 8 15's, 4 15" wedge monitors (powered by a 6000 watt head) and 4 18" subs.

Powered cabinets would not help much in those cases.

Be well. I'm keeping what I have.


R.

Capt. Russ

Glad I'm in such good company ! I do like my setup and its never let me down. Just would like to be a bit smaller but I can't complain. I would love to find a set of the Carvin LM15's but there no longer made. Neo magnets got too expensive. Love the Carvin stuff. Well made and priced right. If that old 6 channel mixer of yours is the XP800L I'd be interested as I'm looking for a backup to bring to gigs and for small single cabinet jobs.
I don't use a powered monitor just one of my old Peavey Impulses . The are 16 ohm passive with two 4" speakers and you can plug it right off one of your mains. Has a little volume control on the back. Simple and perfect !

Bill, I actually have two Carvin 6 channel heads. The older one is a lot bigger (two stacked 100 watt amps-no effects). We use that for a small car show DJ operation. Don't know the catalog number of either one. The small one was the current model 200 watt unit until the change to the current one (stereo-$315.00).

Just for kicks, I'll take a look at the catalog numbers. Really not interested in selling either one, though.

I have lots of Carvin gear, including some neat old double-neck guitars from the 80's and a few lap steels on legs from the 60's.

Went to the factory in 1962 right out of High School, when it was in Covina, California and have been playing their stuff for
years.

Hard to get amps worked on around here, though. Got one of these heads with the wrong size fuse. Kept replacing it with the one that came with it and it kept blowing. Sent it back before the problem was discovered. That's not very good quality control.

LOVE MY CARVINS!


Russ