COLUMN PA SYSTEMS - THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES FOR MUSICIANS AND DJs

Here are the advantages of column PA systems.

Here are the disadvantages of column PA systems.

The Rolling Stones already suspected that in their song in 1969. It was not a huge hit at the time (only number 42 in the American Billboard charts), but a solidly recorded rock number. The eponymous line is followed in the chorus by this: “But if you try sometime you find - you get what you need.” So, let's be serious, what do you need to share your music with your audience? First and foremost, you need power, that is for sure. But you also need a flexible solution that is portable and lightweight when you as a band are touring without much storage space. And it has to be quick and easy to set up.

Whether a column PA system is suitable for you depends on what you want to do with it. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before the purchase:

1. Is a subwoofer included and, if so, can its volume be controlled independently of the column module? This can be useful if you sometimes need less bass (speech event) and sometimes more (music).
2. Is the crossover frequency adjustable? If not, the column PA system is not quite as adaptable to the room, the additional top speakers, the volume and the music. Again, if you are using the column PA system very flexibly, an adjustable crossover frequency makes sense.
3. What is the horizontal radiation angle? How wide a space do you want to cover?
4. What is the vertical radiation angle? This is often rather small with column PA systems. It is important to know the position of the audience's ears: are people sitting or standing? Is the stage very high?

Column PA systems have enormous advantages, because they are simply practical. Sure, if you are Metallica, you do not tour with a column PA system. But for smaller bands, singer-songwriters, DJs, rappers or spontaneous speaking events, there are immense advantages. We have compiled the most important ones here:

1. The design of column PA systems as a (possible) substitute for monitoring

Column systems can be set up quickly and, starting at 15 kg, weigh very little. Thus, they are suitable if you are a band on your way up and do not (yet) have a supporting road crew or if you are a solo DJ. The fact that they take up little space and do not obstruct the view on your performance on small stages is definitely an advantage. Your audience wants to enjoy your show with all their senses and with a column PA system you are not hidden behind bulky speaker set-ups on a small stage. Instead, a column PA system can also stand behind you on stage and thus replace the monitoring if it is well placed.

2. The high operating range and consistent radiation

You know yourself that if your speakers - regardless of their design - are aligned badly, your sound will not reach the audience clearly and with the same intensity everywhere. Your fans who are standing further away - in the farthest corner of the small club or perhaps open-air at the beverage cart - may then hear your fat guitar riffs with a time delay or not at all. That would be a pity. Column PA systems radiate the sound precisely and evenly: they ensure a very wide horizontal radiation angle to cover a large audience. Similar to full-sized line arrays, column speakers are able to produce consistent sound levels from the front to the back of the listening room, without having to use bulky multiple speaker cabinets.

3. No more feedbacks

Feedback is usually a good thing - but nobody wants feedback from amplifiers connected to microphones and speakers. What could be worse than that annoying howling sound, even more so during a performance. Painfully contorted faces and hands being raised to the ears are not what you want to see in your audience. It is easier for you to position column PA systems, because of their superior resistance to acoustic feedback and to change your own positioning is no problem, either. You can run back and forth on stage without causing a howling sound.

4. The price-performance ratio

Column PA systems fit in a single cabinet. This not only makes them easier to transport and set up, the costs are also lower than for high-end line-array units because the technology is installed in a space-saving way. In recent years, more and more high-quality devices have entered the market, which are available for as little as 600 euros.

5. Design

Column PA systems can be a great option when aesthetics are important. Because of their slim design, they easily blend in at most venues, even small ones, where the visual impact of a speaker system has to be kept to a minimum.

6. You are less dependent on stage PA systems and offer event organisers valuable technology for their event

Another advantage of column PA systems is that the band becomes more attractive as a live act for small venues without a PA system of their own. Event organisers or private persons who hire the band do not have to rent additional PA equipment. A competitive advantage, if you will. You make it even easier for the organisers. And of course you do not have to rely on other people's equipment, at least in small venues. In general, the live music scene is currently experiencing a shift in responsibilities. Bands are more and more obliged to provide also the technical equipment.

The (low) volume

Column speakers usually have less power than vertical line arrays of the same size.

The (low) bass performance

“I'm all about that bass, 'bout that bass, no treble,” so we need a subwoofer (and something against this earworm). Without a doubt. Due to the slim design, the base of a column PA system offers relatively little space for a fat deep bass.

The (little) flexibility in low rooms

Compared to large vertical line array systems, column arrays provide less flexibility with regards to the horizontal sound pattern than point source speakers.

In short, it depends on how you define fat. The design of column PA systems is limiting while at the same time offering possibilities. Small to medium-sized indoor venues for up to 150 people can be provided with sound properly, always depending on the nature of the room, of course. Outdoors, you can play a small square as a singer-songwriter. If your band gigs around the country, not playing in big clubs with their own facilities, but on small stages with your own equipment, then the space in the band van is very limited. So why waste valuable space for oversized equipment?

Band or solo artist: that makes a big difference

The choice of your equipment also depends on the size of your band and how many different instruments you use. If you are a solo artist with only an amplified acoustic guitar, a column PA system is technically sufficient in any case. You have two sound sources with your vocals and your guitar. With a six-piece band with vocals, two electric guitars, electric bass, drums and keyboard, you have to weigh things up. Is the limited bass power with full-range drivers and tweeters (as most column PA systems provide) enough to reproduce the band's range? With the classic combo of guitar, bass and vocals at a small indoor stage, this usually works. And especially for mobile DJs, column PA systems with a good subwoofer are perfect. After all, the MIRA-1/1 has one 12" bass speaker.

A compact mobile PA like the PROTON-15MK2 is the better choice for you if you want to play at larger rooms than a youth centre.

The set-up is also done quickly, and the speakers can be even more flexibly aligned than rigid speaker systems connected in series. Therefore you can also supply reverberant locations well with sound, thanks to the good radiation pattern.

Do you prefer systems with classic speakers arranged in impressive line arrays? Here you will find everything you need to know about complete PA systems, PA amplifiers and active and passive speakers.