System Sizing
What size system do you need? How loud do you need the system and how large is the venue? As a guide, the following table shows the amplifier power required to achieve 100dB and 94dB at various distances, based on PA speakers with a typical sensitivity rated at 100dB for 1W @ 1m. There is more specific information in the Systems section below.
| Power | 100dB | 94dB | Max O/P at 1m |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100W | 10.0m | 20.0m | 120.0dB |
| 300W | 17.3m | 34.6m | 124.8dB |
| 600W | 24.5m | 48.9m | 127.8dB |
| 1000W | 31.6m | 63.1m | 130.0dB |
The "dB" figures refer to the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) - see the Technical section for more information on this topic. The figure of 100dB (SPL) is often quoted for loud rock music or if you were standing 2m from a pneumatic drill. Note that at twice the distance there is a 6dB reduction in output (i.e. from 100dB to 94dB). Note also that doubling the amplifier power increases the Max O/P by 3dB and increasing the amplifier power by 10x increases the Max O/P by 10dB.
Equipment List
Microphones
| Microphone | Application | No. | Hire (each) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Behringer C-2 | matched pair | 2 | £5.00 |
| Sennheiser E606 | Guitar Cab | 1 | £5.00 |
| Superlux PRA628 Mk II | Guitar Cab | 1 | £5.00 |
| Shure SM58 | Vocal | 3 | £5.00 |
| Superlux PRA D1 | Vocal | 1 | £5.00 |
| Wireless Handheld | Vocal (speeches, meetings) | 1 | £5.00 |
| Wireless Tieclip | Vocal (presentations) | 1 | £5.00 |
| Beyer Dynamic Opus 67 | Drums* | 4 | £5.00 |
| Beyer Dynamic M380 | Kick Drum* | 1 | £5.00 |
| Superlux Hi10 | Hi-Hats* | 1 | £5.00 |
| Røde NT1A | Drum Overhead* | 1 | £5.00 |
| Drum mic set* (inc. stands) | Toms, Snare, Kick, Hi-Hat, Overhead | 1 | £35.00 |
Microphone Gallery
Mixers
Behringer UB1204FX
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Behringer UB1204FX Hire £10.00
Behringer UB2442FX-Pro
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Behringer UB2242FX-Pro Hire £20.00
Allen & Heath ZED 16FX
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Allen & Heath ZED 16FX Hire £30.00
Speakers
RCF speakers are regarded as the industry standard. Their sound quality is second to none. Hire charges for speakers include relevant mains leads (all PAT tested) and a 10m XLR(m) - XLR(f) cable per speaker. Longer cables can be provided if requested.
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RCF ART 310A Active Speaker350W RMS bi-amplification127 dB max spl 90 x 70, Wide dispersion constant directivity horn 10" high power woofer 2.5" voice coil 1" HF driver, titanium dome, 1.5" voice coil Balanced XLR input/link Sensitivity switch to select Mic/Line input levels 537mm x 337mm x 315mm / weight 12.4kg The ART310A makes an excellent monitor speaker 
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RCF 310A Dual Hire £40.00
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RCF ART 722A Active Speaker1500 Watt Peak, 750 Watt RMS digital amplifier102dB per Watt per metre 130 dB max spl 90 x 60, Wide dispersion constant directivity horn 12" woofer, high power neodymium 3" voice coil 2" HF driver, titanium dome, neodymium 2.5" voice coil 637mm x 384mm x 363mm / weight 21.2kg Comprehensive rear control panel 
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RCF 722A Dual Hire £60.00
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RCF ART 905AS Active Sub-Woofer2000 Watt Peak, 1000 Watt RMS digital amplifier131 dB max spl 15" woofer, high power 3" copper coil L+R XLR inputs allows use of a single sub Xover 80-120 Hz switch, phase switch Baltic Birch ply cabinet 600mm x 445mm x 600mm / weight 31.8kg Comprehensive rear control panel 
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RCF 905AS Single Hire £45.00
Miscellaneous
The following items are provided as required.
| Item |
|---|
| Mains Distribution with RCD and MCB protection |
| 16in/4out stage box with 30m multicore |
| Speaker Stands / poles |
| Mic Stands |
| DI boxes |
| XLR cables (Neutrik connectors) |
Systems
Presenter / Meeting System (350-700W)
This basic system, is aimed at meetings or presentations where a microphone is required in order for the audience to hear clearly. Each speaker can provide up to 350W RMS - more than enough to fill a small pub or club with a typical audience size of up to 100. Here, the ART310A has the input sensitivity set to the "Mic" position, and the supplied microphone is plugged directly into the rear panel of the speaker. The configuration shown below (with 2x ART310A speakers) can be hired for £55.00. The same system with only one ART310A can be hired for £30.00.
1x or 2x RCF ART310A 350W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
1x or 2x Speaker Stands plus 1x Boom Mic Stands
1x Superlux PRA D1 microphone with an XLR lead.
The configuration above can be hired for £45.00. The same system with only one ART310A can be hired for £25.00.
View a summary of System Options and costs in pdf format here.
Small System (700W)
This system, although small, packs quite a punch. Each speaker can provide up to 350W RMS - more than enough to fill a small pub or club with a typical audience size of up to 100. This system can easily provide listening levels for a room 40m x 20m of approximately 96dB at 20m from the stage and 92dB at the back of the room (allowing 6dB of "headroom"). Ideally suited to duo's or solo artists or even small bands. Electro-acoustic guitars can plug straight into the mic channels. Keyboards can plug straight into one of the stereo channels. The configuration shown below can be hired for £70.00 plus £30.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
2x RCF ART310A 350W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
2x Speaker Stands plus 2x Boom Mic Stands
Behringer 1204FX mixer with 4 mic channels / 2 stereo channels + digital FX.
2x Shure SM58 vocal microphones with XLR leads.
The configuration above can be hired for £60.00 plus
£30.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
View a summary of System Options and costs in pdf format here.
View an example calculation of sound levels achievable with this system here.
Medium System (1500W)
With this system, each speaker can provide up to 750W RMS - more than enough to fill a pub or club with a typical audience size of up to 300. This system can easily provide listening levels for a room 60m x 20m of approximately 100dB at 20m from the stage and 91dB at the back of the room (allowing 6dB of "headroom"). Still utilising the smaller mixer, this is suited to duo's or solo artists or even small bands in larger venues. Electro-acoustic guitars can plug straight into the mic channels. Keyboards can plug straight into one of the stereo channels. The small mixer is quite capable of controlling a pair of RCF ART310A speakers as floor monitors (via the Aux send).
2x RCF ART722A 750W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
2x RCF ART310A 350W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
for use as floor monitors
2x Speaker Stands plus 2x Boom Mic Stands
Behringer 1204FX mixer with 4 mic channels / 2 stereo channels + digital FX.
2x Shure SM58 vocal microphones with XLR leads.
The Medium System can be hired for £120.00 plus £35.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
View an example calculation of sound levels achievable with this system here.
View a summary of System Options and costs in pdf format here.
Large System (1500W)
With this system, each speaker can provide up to 750W RMS - more than enough to fill a pub or club with a typical audience size of up to 300. This system can easily provide listening levels for a room 60m x 20m of approximately 100dB at 20m from the stage and 91dB at the back of the room (allowing 6dB of "headroom"). The Behringer UB2442FX-Pro mixer provides 10 mic channels, 4 stereo channels, and digital FX. The 1000W RMS sub-woofer is essential for a kick drum with punch. The configuration shown below can be hired for £205.00 plus £40.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
2x RCF ART722A 750W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
1x RCF ART905AS 1000W active sub-woofer (plus XLR and mains leads)
2x Speaker Stands plus 3x Boom Mic Stands
Behringer UB2442FX-Pro mixer with 10 mic channels / 2 stereo channels + digital FX.
2x Shure SM58 vocal mics, Sennheiser E606 guitar cab mic,
Beyer Dynamic M380 kick drum mic, Røde NT1A drum overhead mic
(all with XLR leads)
2x RCF ART310A 350W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
for use as floor monitors
The configuration above (including 2 floor monitors) can be hired for £190.00
plus £40.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
View a summary of System Options and costs in pdf format here.
View an example calculation of sound levels achievable with this system here.
Full System (2500W)
With this system, each speaker can provide up to 750W RMS - more than enough to fill a pub or club with a typical audience size of up to 300. This system can easily provide listening levels for a room 60m x 20m of approximately 100dB at 20m from the stage and 91dB at the back of the room (allowing 6dB of "headroom"). The 1000W RMS sub-woofer is essential for a kick drum with punch. The configuration shown below can be hired for £250.00 plus £45.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
2x RCF ART722A 750W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
1x RCF ART905AS 1000W active sub-woofer (plus XLR and mains leads)
2x Speaker Stands plus 3x Boom Mic Stands
Allen & Heath 16 channel mixer with 10 mic channels / 3 stereo channels + digital FX.
3x Shure SM58 vocal microphones with XLR leads.
1x Sennheiser E606 + 1x Superlux PRA628 (guitar cab mics) +
1x Superlux Hi10 + 4x Opus67 + 1x M380 + 1x NT1A drum microphones
with XLR leads and stands.
2x RCF ART310A 350W active speakers (plus XLR and mains leads)
for use as floor monitors
The configuration above (including 2 floor monitors) can be hired for £235.00
plus £45.00 for a Sound Engineer to set-up and operate the system.
View a summary of System Options and costs in pdf format here.
View an example calculation of sound levels achievable with this system here. Note that the contribution due to the sub-woofer is ignored in this calculation, as the low frequencies provided by this are perceived differently. These calculations also ignore any contribution from any on-stage amplifiers, which will, of course, add to the overall SPL.
Technical
Learn more about Sound Pressure Levels and how to calculate them here.
© Cumbria PA Systems
Page updated 07/09/18