PA Systems for Rehearsal Rooms, Clubs and Festivals

Active and passive PA systems for any sound requirement: from rehearsal rooms and wedding receptions to the big stage

 

We love the stories written by excellent live equipment. Legendary concerts in cult clubs from which you can still feel the aftermath in your neck the next morning. City festivals, where the most attention was paid to the little booth stage with the experimental bass/drum combination. These stories are just unimaginable without a PA system.

And just to be clear right from the start: a P(ublic)A(dress) system is transmitting sound. We refrain from giving lengthy descriptions. After all, people reading this want to know where to buy a good PA system or want practical tips. For both issues, you have certainly come to the right place. On the one hand, you will find our products including links to retailers. On the other hand, you will find decision-making aids for buying your first PA system, including information on how to set up a PA system correctly.

This is where you can find PA systems from IMG STAGELINE:

Thomann
Music Store
Conrad
More

 

This is where you can explore the world of PA systems from IMG STAGELINE in more depth:

 
Your speaker system from IMG STAGELINE: high performance at a compact size for mobile applications With PA…
 
PA amplifiers: sufficient power for every event PA amplifiers are the heart of your PA system. IMG STAGELINE…
 
Active PA speaker systems: simply plug-and-play Active PA speakers and active subwoofers from IMG STAGELINE…
 
Passive PA speakers: for a tailor-made sound experience PA systems with passive speakers from IMG STAGELINE…

For retailers, please click here to visit our B2B online shop


This is how we imagine PA Systems

PA systems must be more and more flexible and mobile. A lot of DJs and bands are event organisers themselves and in addition to microphones and mixers, they bring their own PA systems to the concerts. At the same time, the demand for good monitoring has increased, both on stage and in the rehearsal room. In the (home) studio, you will definitely require high-quality PA speaker systems. To put it briefly: more and more artists need their own PA systems. This is why we focus on flexible PA systems which are easy to use. Everyone should be able to operate them safely and concert conditions should not be a problem.

We want to facilitate the job for the many artists, club owners and technicians.

Thus, we consider the classic challenges in the stage sector very carefully and look at the kind of solution we can offer. Lack of space at the location or a low budget can often be a problem. The solution to these problems is our FLAT-M series. We have focussed on the price-performance ratio and designed a radically compact active monitor speaker. Here, you can find out more about FLAT‑M.

Active PA Systems: flexible and mobile

A lot of musicians, bands and DJs use their PA system at home, in rehearsal rooms and at events. In this case, the perfect solution for a PA system would be an active full range system with direct radiation. It can quickly be assembled and disassembled and is thus flexible and mobile. Active PA systems can also ideally be used as a mobile system for discussions, trade show stands and panels. We always ensure to install as much power as possible in a minimum of space. If we can help you save money for a rented sprinter to get you to the event, we will be very happy.


A lot of musicians, bands and DJs use their PA system at home, in rehearsal rooms and at events. In this case, the perfect solution for a PA system would be an active full range system with direct radiation. It can quickly be assembled and disassembled and is thus flexible and mobile. Active PA systems can also ideally be used as a mobile system for discussions, trade show stands and panels. We always ensure to install as much power as possible in a minimum of space. If we can help you save money for a rented sprinter to get you to the event, we will be very happy.

A 'full range' PA system covers all of the important frequencies: bass, midrange and treble. For this purpose, it usually uses at least a subwoofer, a midrange speaker and a tweeter horn each.

With regard to speakers, sound engineers differentiate between speakers with 'direct radiation' and 'horn-loaded' design. In the case of speakers with a horn-loaded design, the sound source is embedded in a separate chamber or installed slightly offset to the rear which creates a horn in front of the cone. A PA system with direct radiation, on the other hand, features a flush-mounted sound source in the speaker which results in a directly radiating sound. Both of these designs have advantages and disadvantages. A horn-loaded PA system develops more sound pressure due to the amplification of the horn. It is however considerably heavier, bulkier and more expensive.

Active full range PA systems (and in this case with direct radiation) consist of at least:

  • A subwoofer for low frequencies
  • Usually two or more satellites for the midrange and high frequencies, e.g. our new WAVE series

  • An amplifier as a power amplifier which is integrated in one of the speaker systems. An additional external PA amplifier is no longer required. You can make respective adjustments for the whole system at the speaker itself.

With active speaker systems, you can design your very own active PA system of modular nature.

Our Active PA Speaker Systems

Simply connect it to a suitable sound source and off you go: active speaker systems are particularly popular with artists on tour because it only takes a few steps from transport to the finished sound setup. They can be used as rear fill speakers or side fill speakers (i.e. speakers which can be used to 'fill up' PA systems as required) or as additional monitors. Thanks to a specially integrated amplifier, the sound is optimised for DJs and other live applications as well as for home studio. And because we know exactly how rough it is between stage and overloaded band vans, we have developed our active speakers from IMG STAGELINE as stable and compact as possible. Active speaker systems contain more technology due to the amplifier which would otherwise make them more susceptible to shocks than passive PA speakers.

The advantage of active PA speakers is that they operate independently. If one speaker in the system fails, the others will still work.

Our WAVE-A Series

The WAVE-A series provides full range speakers with sufficient power for medium-sized concert venues. The built-in high-quality amplifier particularly facilitates operation: you only need power and your music. Our flagship WAVE-15A provides most versatile connecting facilities and mixing capabilities for maximum configuration possibilities on a minimum of space. You can also insert sound samples and playback loops, for example.

If you want to transmit speech as a magician, presenter or for poetry slams, you will only need 1 or 2 high-quality active PA speaker systems instead of a subwoofer or an amplifier.

The WAVE-15A, 400 W Active full range speaker system:

  • Compact 15/2 full range bass-reflex system with plastic cabinet

  • 38 cm (15") bass speaker

  • 25 mm (1") horn tweeter

  • 34 mm (1 ⅜") voice coil

  • Integrated MP3 player with USB/SD slot and bluetooth receiver

  • Integrated 5-band equalizer for sound adjustment

  • Balanced mic input via XLR jack or 6.3 mm jack

  • Line input via RCA jack or XLR jack

  • 2-way tone control for treble and bass

  • Mix out via XLR jack or 6.3 mm jack


  • Compact 15/2 full range bass-reflex system with plastic cabinet

  • 38 cm (15") bass speaker

  • 25 mm (1") horn tweeter

  • 34 mm (1 ⅜") voice coil

  • Integrated MP3 player with USB/SD slot and bluetooth receiver

  • Integrated 5-band equalizer for sound adjustment

  • Balanced mic input via XLR jack or 6.3 mm jack

  • Line input via RCA jack or XLR jack

  • 2-way tone control for treble and bass

  • Mix out via XLR jack or 6.3 mm jack

Our FLAT-M Series: Monitor Speakers or Mini PA Speaker Systems

The concept of the two active speaker systems FLAT-M100 and FLAT-M200 is the result of a long development process. To start off with we precisely established artists' needs on smaller and medium-sized stages of this world. The result:

We wanted to develop an active speaker system which would fit onto every(!) stage and into every rehearsal room as well as to provide a great sound and fit the budget of most artists.

The two active monitor speaker systems FLAT-M can be used as monitor speakers on stage or in the rehearsal room. Thanks to the integrated M10 and M6 threads, they can also be used as a mini PA system when positioned on a tripod.

 
Janosch Held, DJ and sound engineer at the cult club Tower in Bremen, Germany

“In a jazz pub, I once saw that the little PA was positioned behind the musicians instead of in front of the stage. The PA system was placed so far back that the opening angles of the speakers barely included the musicians. Thus, speakers like the FLAT-M200 are both monitor speaker and PA system at the same time.”

FLAT-M200

Active PA stage monitor speaker system,…
Active PA stage monitor speaker system, 300 W Flat and very compact full range system Fitted with 4 x 10 cm (FaitalPRO, 4 x 4") full range…

FLAT-M100

Active PA stage monitor speaker system,…
Compact, lightweight, practical and yet amazingly powerful. The active speaker system FLAT-M100 is suitable for monitoring, side fill, front…
 
Janosch Held, DJ and sound engineer at the cult club Tower in Bremen, Germany

“The FLATs are ideally suited for small stages. However, they can also be used as monitoring speakers for DJs or simply as a smart addition to the rehearsal room. The little ones are really showing what they can do.”

“The FLAT-M200 from IMG STAGELINE is an active speaker of compact size for stage monitoring which provides a decent noise at 300 W while maintaining a clear and dynamic sound. It is particularly suitable for musicians and solo entertainers who perform frequently but also for use in seminars or hotels.

The neodymium magnets which are built into the full range speakers are a special highlight and ensure a clear sound at all times. The monitor speaker system is also incredibly compact and lightweight which makes it very easy to transport.”

“The FLAT-M100 is a real space-saving solution with an impressive power capability. This mini monitor is compact, lightweight, practical, yet powerful. It is sure to become part of the inventory for smaller clubs and singer-songwriters on tour.”

“The FLAT-M100 from IMG STAGELINE is almost as small as a piece of paper. However, the two 4" speakers from FaitalPro impressively deliver up to 116 dB. 'I cannot be heard' could not be further from the truth.”

Our C-RAY portfolio: an example of a complete active PA system

With a column PA system, the components are lined up vertically in a column. The system often consists of a subwoofer and two tweeters and midrange speakers which are stacked above it, just like it is the case with the C-RAY from IMG STAGELINE. The advantage: the column PA system combines a fully-fledged but unobtrusive PA system on a minimum of space. In the case of the C-RAY/8, this means: 3 speakers, a small 4-channel mixer and the required 2-channel class D amplifier module. The column design allows you to disassemble the column PA system into small parts. The C-RAY/8 fits onto every club stage, no matter how small. It also fits into every car and even onto a delivery bike, if required.

The best thing about complete systems like our C-RAY: the components are perfectly matched. Beginners cannot end up with the wrong combination.

C-RAY/8: compact full range system in column design

  • 2 x 20 cm (8") bass speaker,

  • 12 x 7.6 cm (3") full range speaker

  • 2 x 2.5 cm (1") tweeter in a closed cabinet

  • 2-channel class D amplifier system with 2 x 400 W
  • DSP-controlled functions for crossover network, equalizer and limiter

  • Sound pressure at nominal power: 115 dB, music: 118 dB, peak: 122 dB
  • 4-channel mixer

  • Continuously adjustable sound characteristics
  • Mono selector switch 

  • Indication of signal, limiter and clip

  • Feed-through outputs, rec out and mix output

  • No cables, components attached via twist-and-lock mechanism


  • 2 x 20 cm (8") bass speaker,

  • 12 x 7.6 cm (3") full range speaker

  • 2 x 2.5 cm (1") tweeter in a closed cabinet

  • 2-channel class D amplifier system with 2 x 400 W
  • DSP-controlled functions for crossover network, equalizer and limiter

  • Sound pressure at nominal power: 115 dB, music: 118 dB, peak: 122 dB
  • 4-channel mixer

  • Continuously adjustable sound characteristics
  • Mono selector switch 

  • Indication of signal, limiter and clip

  • Feed-through outputs, rec out and mix output

  • No cables, components attached via twist-and-lock mechanism

"Thanks to digital signal processing, it is possible to carry out audible sound adjustments quickly with one equalizer control only. Thus, operating the mixer is child's play and also suitable for inexperienced users."

— tools4music

Passive PA systems: versatile and powerful

With a PA system containing passive speaker systems, an external amplifier is added to the setup with subwoofer and satellites. Thus, passive PA systems are a bit more complex to set up and to transport. Nevertheless, they are more powerful and allow versatile configuration during application. Amplifiers provide additional features which are often not provided by active speaker systems. You can find out more about this on our topic page on PA amplifiers.

Our Analogue PA Amplifiers

No matter whether used as a stand-alone stereo amplifier for the whole PA system or in parallel or bridged operation for the really big events: our analogue PA amplifiers provide your sound with the power you need. No matter whether for this product category or any other, we are always focussing on compact solutions and an intuitive operation. The clearly arranged analogue amplifiers from our product range are most suitable for this. Although digital amplifiers sometimes provide additional features, analogue amplifiers are more user-friendly for beginners and deliver a perfectly complete sound. Our analogue amplifiers are, of course, also suitable for rack installation.

Our STA-1600DSP: 1,600 W, stereo PA amplifier with DSP technology

  • Also available as a 2200 watt variant

  • Operating mode: stereo, parallel oder bridged

  • Crossover network, delay, compressor and limiter adjustable via DSP

  • DSP can be programmed via USB
  • Temperature-controlled fans

  • 2 level controls

  • Ground lift function

  • Speaker switch-on delay
  • Protective circuit with LED indication for protection against short circuit, overheating and DC voltage overlay at the outputs

  • Each channel with LEDs for indicating operating voltage, signal and limiter

  • Also available as a 2200 watt variant

  • Operating mode: stereo, parallel oder bridged

  • Crossover network, delay, compressor and limiter adjustable via DSP

  • DSP can be programmed via USB
  • Temperature-controlled fans

  • 2 level controls

  • Ground lift function

  • Speaker switch-on delay
  • Protective circuit with LED indication for protection against short circuit, overheating and DC voltage overlay at the outputs

  • Each channel with LEDs for indicating operating voltage, signal and limiter

“Neat workmanship and an impressive performance [...] with optimum technical features. The integrated smart DSP control or DSP programming allows for an operation both with or without computer support.”

— SOUNDCHECK 04/2019

Our analogue PA amplifiers with up to 4,000 W on 2 channels can be found here:


Our Digital Class D Amplifiers for PA Systems

Totally quiet, super-compact and light as a feather: our digital PA amplifiers are the state-of-the-art slimline centrepiece of your or any PA system. Despite the high power output, its heat generation and power consumption is kept at a minimum. Compared with analogue amplifiers, digital amplifiers lose less of their performance to the electronics in the amplifier. Digital amplifiers such as the STA-2000D are generally suitable for applications in the hi‑fi sector and not just for PA systems.

Our digital PA amplifiers with up to 2,400 W on 4 channels can be found here:


Our Passive PA Speaker Systems

Do you need new speakers to expand an existing PA system with an external amplifier? Do you want to set up your system once and then leave it? Our passive PA speakers offer an unbeatable price-performance ratio, are stable and reliable. Many of our passive speakers feature a lightweight plastic housing, just in case you need to get from A to B.

You can find our passive PA speakers here:


What kind of a PA system do I need for a small stage?

For small club stages and a maximum of 200 guests, a system with a good subwoofer and two satellite speakers, such as the PROTON-15MK2, is usually sufficient. You can use a mixer or any other line signal and plug it directly into the subwoofer of the PA system which also features an integrated PA amplifier. The volume balance between subwoofer and satellites can be adjusted there to suit speech or versatile music transmissions. With regard to handling, the PROTON series has got another advantage: the subwoofer is also the case for cables and satellite speakers. This results in a very mobile bundle which is suitable for on-the road applications and at the same time a great starter package for bands who want to perform in small clubs.

By the way, satellites are only called PA speakers if they accompany a subwoofer. In that case, the speaker systems are positioned like satellites around the subwoofer. Otherwise, specialist retailers refer to them as 'top speakers' because they are usually positioned above head height and above the subwoofers.

Setting up a PA System Correctly

The satellites or top speakers should be aimed directly at the audience. This means that the PA speakers for the mids and highs have to be hung up in a suspended way slightly above head height at 2.0-2.2 m. If the PA top speakers are placed too low, they will radiate directly into the first row of the audience. This results in a very early sound reflection. The satellites should also be tilted slightly downwards. Thus, the PA system radiates the sound onto the audience instead of above their heads onto the opposite wall. Usually, there is a certain area in front of the stage where listeners are standing. The general rule for aligning 2 PA top speakers is:

Think of a straight line from the speakers left and right of the stage. It is perfect, if the lines meet in the back at head height of the last visitors.

Play it safe: use a pen, paper and protactor for the drawing

You should get used to looking up a speaker's radiation angle in the data sheet. Each speaker has got a vertical and horizontal radiation angle. Thus, you can see the exact radiation width of the speaker. Draw up the location of the concert or event and outline the PA speakers including the horizontal radiation angle. For the horizontal radiation angle, you need the top view. For the vertical radiation angle, you need the cross section, whereby the horizontal angle is much more important. With the vertical radiation angle, the above mentioned height of 2.0-2.2 m is usually sufficient. Please note that the speakers should be directed away from the wall as much as possible to avoid reflections with the wall.

With PA satellites and top speakers, a few centimetres in horizontal alignment can make a significant difference. It is worth testing it.

Place the subwoofer where it does not cause interference

With a subwoofer, the radiation pattern is much less precise. Thus, positioning is not as critical, especially with a single mono subwoofer. This is because low frequencies are radiated almost omnidirectionally from the sound source. The subwoofer should still radiate towards the audience. However, it does not matter whether the subwoofer is positioned centrally between the satellites or not.

A subwoofer with an intermediate piece and top speaker on the left side of the stage and a PA top speaker on the right side of the stage would be no problem at all.

The main thing is that the subwoofer is in line with the satellites on the imaginary axis of the stage. Looking from the edge of the stage, the subwoofer should be positioned only slightly behind or in front of the satellites. Monitoring is also important on this x-axis. It is vital that stage monitors are positioned in front of the PA satellites and the subwoofer (as seen from the band) or behind the PA satellites and the subwoofer (as seen from the audience). Otherwise, the sound loss will be tremendous.

Connecting a PA System

A basic rule is to always keep the power for light and sound separate. Both should come from different power sources. In addition, current-carrying cables should never be placed next to audio cables, as this could generate interference signals. Typical mistakes made in the connection result in a hum loop. Active PA systems use combined connectors XLR/jack or solely XLR connectors. Passive speaker systems, in which an external PA amplifier manages the PA system, require cables with Speakon connectors.

In the concert area and in the rehearsal room, a mixer is located between the sound source and the PA system. Thus, instruments from the stage enter the mixer either via a DI box or via microphones. The mixer then sends the (mixed) signal to the integrated or external power amplifier of the PA system, which then again amplifies the signal and distributes it to the speakers. The signal for the amplifier of the PA system can be any line output level, even an MP3 player. Many active PA systems like the PROTON have a LINK output at the power amplifier (in this case, integrated in the subwoofer). This is where you can connect further PA equipment.

PA systems for rehearsal rooms: with cost-effective sample setup

Rehearsal rooms are usually not very spacious. And a PA system is there to provide sound to an audience. Does a PA system make any sense in a rehearsal room? We think so, for the following reasons:

  1. You can ensure that no element is lost from the sound. Especially with classic bands featuring guitar, bass drum and vocals, the bass drum quickly gets lost in the sound. Solution: miking the drums by using a suitable mic set. Then send the bass drum signal to the mixer and turn it up at the PA.

  2. If you use a PA for at least part of your rehearsals, the mixer provides an option to centrally clean up the sound via an equalizer. Take a few frequencies from the bass guitar and boost these frequencies on the bass drum. It is, of course, possible for each instrumentalist to influence the sound individually with a separate amplifier. However, it is a lot easier for every band member to do so with a central mixer.

  3. An instrumentalist and his/her amplifier are somewhat limited as far as sound distribution is concerned. The amplifier always distributes the sound into one direction. With a PA system, you can turn your amplifier down and turn the signal up at the mixer. This allows for better monitoring from two satellite speaker systems.

  4. You can bring the sound to ear level. In most rehearsal rooms, amps are placed on the floor or just slightly elevated. They are rarely at optimum level. A PA system brings the sound to ear level. Please note: ear level is only good in rehearsal rooms. At live performances with a larger audience, it has to be higher.

An example of a cost-effective setup in the rehearsal room

The following components provide a good price-performance ratio for rehearsal rooms, small stages and are suitable if you want to record your songs. We have set a budget limit of EUR 1,000:

  1. Two active PA speakers (full range) to save the subwoofer

  2. 12-channel analogue mixer

  3. Microphone set for drums
  4. Three microphones for sound pickup of amplifiers

  5. A free recording software (DAW) such as Cakewalk or the first version of Pro Tools.

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