Live Sound

Live SoundLive Sound

AMS is the leader in delivering live sound equipment at prices you can afford, with payment plans that fit your budget. Use your own credit card with no hassles, and get the sound system you want from Bose, QSC, EV, JBL, Mackie and many more top brands!

SennheiserSennheiser

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  1. QSC K12.2 12" 2000 Watt Powered Speaker
    QSC K12.2 12" 2000 Watt Powered Speaker
    QSC has done it! The next standard in Powered Loudspeakers! The groundbreaking QSC K12.2 is a new 12-inch powered loudspeaker equipped with a 2000-watt power module matched to high-performance woofers and...
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  2. QSC KS118 18-Inch 3600 Watts Active Powered Subwoofer
    QSC KS118 18-Inch 3600 Watts Active Powered Subwoofer
    The QSC KS118 is a high output active subwoofer producing impressive low frequencies for mobile entertainment, AV rental, event production, and performance venues. Featuring an 18” direct radiating driver powered...
    $1,999.99 Save $382.80 (16%)$2,382.79

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  3. Alto Professional TS415 2500 Watt 15" 2-Way Powered Loudspeaker
    Alto Professional TS415 2500 Watt 15" 2-Way Powered Loudspeaker
    Alto Professional TS415X powered speaker delivers an unbeatable combination of loudness, clarity, and functionality. With twice as much power and newfound clarity compared to our previous best selling speaker, the...
    $399.00 - $798.00 Save $400.00 - 800.00 (50%)$799.00 - 1598.00

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  4. Alto Professional TS18S 18" Powered Subwoofer 2500 Watts
    Alto Professional TS18S 18" Powered Subwoofer 2500 Watts
    The Alto Professional TS18SX 18" powered subwoofer is made for musicians and DJs who want to rock the house! This subwoofer features a whopping 2,500 watts of thunderous audio power - designed so that even the...
    $699.00 - $1,398.00 Save $800.00 - 1600.00 (53%)$1,499.00 - 2998.00

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  5. Bose S1 Pro Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker System
    Bose S1 Pro Plus Portable Bluetooth Speaker System
    The Bose S1 Pro+ Portable Bluetooth Speaker System is here! This versatile and powerful system is perfect for guitarists, performers, and musicians of all skill levels. Imagine being able to set up a show quickly...
    $699.00 - $1,398.00

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  6. Bose L1 Pro16 Compact Portable Line Array System
    Bose L1 Pro16 Compact Portable Line Array System
    Are you a musician or sound technician looking for a way to improve the sound quality of your shows? Do you want powerful, crisp sound that won’t take up too much room? The Bose L1 Pro16 Compact Portable Powered...
    $1,899.00

    Or 12 Payments of $158.25

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  7. Electro Voice ELX200-18SP 18" 1200 Watt Powered Subwoofer
    Electro Voice ELX200-18SP 18" 1200 Watt Powered Subwoofer
    The Electro-Voice ELX200 series of powered loudspeakers is a rather impressive blend of high performance and ultra-portability. Not easily achieved, to be sure - but then, EV’s veteran team of talented engineers...
    $999.00 - $1,998.00 Save $740.00 - 1480.00 (43%)$1,739.00 - 3478.00

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  8. Electro Voice ZLX15P-G2 1000 Watt 15" Powered 2-Way Loudspeaker
    Electro Voice ZLX15P-G2 1000 Watt 15" Powered 2-Way Loudspeaker
    The ZLX G2 15" is refined with key users in mind – While maintaining ZLX’s broad appeal with a super-portable, ergonomically optimized design and a best-in-class feature set. Exceptional performance thanks to...
    $599.00 - $1,198.00 Save $569.00 - 1138.00 (49%)$1,168.00 - 2336.00

    Or 12 Payments of $49.92

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  9. QSC KS112 1x12 2000 Watt Powered Subwoofer
    QSC KS112 1x12 2000 Watt Powered Subwoofer
    The QSC KS112 is the perfect choice for musicians, clubs, DJs or AV rentals. When performers need high output low-frequency extension in a highly compact and portable package, they choose the QSC KS112 powered...
    $1,199.99 Save $300.00 (20%)$1,499.99

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  10. Electro-Voice EKX15P 15" 2 Way Full Range 1500W Powered Loudspeaker
    Electro-Voice EKX15P 15" 2 Way Full Range 1500W Powered Loudspeaker
    The Electro Voice EKX powered loudspeaker line makes some noise! Backed by a rich history that includes almost a century of pro audio design, Electro Voice’s audio expertise shines brightly with the new EKX...
    $999.00 - $1,998.00 Save $800.00 - 1600.00 (44%)$1,799.00 - 3598.00

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  11. LD Systems MAUI44G2 Powered Column PA System
    LD Systems MAUI44G2 Powered Column PA System
    A practical, powerful solution for the professional segment, the LD Systems MAUI® 44 G2 is the flagship of the MAUI series column PAs. Top class sound with user-friendly features, the MAUI® 44 G2 features automatic...
    $2,599.00 - $2,999.99

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  12. RCF EVox 12 Active Portable Line Array PA System
    RCF EVox 12 Active Portable Line Array PA System
    The most powerful line in its class, the EVox 12 offers particularly profound and dynamic reproduction at high levels due to the built-in 1400 watt power amplifier. The top section has eight high performance...
    $2,999.00 Save $500.00 (14%)$3,499.00

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  13. Electro Voice Evolve 50 1000 Watt Powered Column Line Array System
    Electro Voice Evolve 50 1000 Watt Powered Column Line Array System
    Lightweight, powerful, portable, and delivering on Electro-Voice’s 80-year reputation for superior sound and manufacturing quality, we present to you the pinnacle of column speaker design - the Electro-Voice EVOLVE...
    $1,619.00 - $3,398.00 Save $1,354.25 - 3254.00 (49%)$2,973.25 - 6652.00

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  14. Electro Voice EVERSE 8 Weatherized Battery Powered Loudspeaker
    Electro Voice EVERSE 8 Weatherized Battery Powered Loudspeaker
    Electro-Voice's first weatherized model of its type, EVERSE 8 is an 8" 2-way battery powered loudspeaker with Bluetooth, automatic feedback suppression, and music ducking. The EVERSE 8 takes advantage of decades...
    $749.00 - $1,498.00 Save $645.00 - 1290.00 (46%)$1,394.00 - 2788.00

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  15. QSC KW153 15 Inch Three Way Active PA Loudspeaker
    QSC KW153 15 Inch Three Way Active PA Loudspeaker
    Thunderous bass. Intelligible midrange. Ultra-clear highs. Integrated amplifier and transducer protection. These optimum results are only attainable with a 15 inch 3-way powered speaker constructed of the highest...
    $1,899.99 - $4,019.96 Save $104.02 - 363.80 (16%)$2,263.79 - 4123.98

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  16. Mackie DRM18S 2000 Watt 18" Professional Powered Subwoofer
    Mackie DRM18S 2000 Watt 18" Professional Powered Subwoofer
    Massive low end punch with clarity, the DRM18S subwoofer upgrades any PA system with chest thumping lows. The DRM18S 2000W 18” Professional Powered Subwoofer delivers class-leading power via an ultra-efficient...
    $1,199.99 - $2,399.98 Save $300.00 - 600.00 (20%)$1,499.99 - 2999.98

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Live Sound Equipment - How To Build A System

No matter what style of music you play, knowing the ins-and-outs of your live sound setup will help your performance. Live sound equipment may be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you learn how to operate a mixer and see how it partners with microphones and PA speakers, you’ll be more in control of your sound. For more information on the different types of mixers, the terminology surrounding these essential live sound pieces of hardware, and which models would work best for you, check out our Digital Mixer Buyer’s Guide! Once you know the basics of live sound equipment, you’ll be able to address your needs and troubleshoot live performance problems that may arise.

The Mixing Console – The nerve center of your live sound setup!

Mixers come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes with an assortment of knobs, faders, and switches. The first thing to remember is that each channel on a mixer is identical and each vertical line of knobs and faders is called a channel strip. Within that channel strip are equalizers, which are used to shape the sound of each vocal or instrument so that their frequencies fit within the mix of all the others. Audio mixers are typically sold based on their channel count, and that usually ranges from 4 channels up to 64.

Perhaps you’ve heard the term “signal flow” and wondered why so many live sound engineers heed its importance. Signal flow is the path your music travels from instrument to speaker and knowing about signal flow allows musicians to make sure you’re have the best sound possible. An important technique you’ll need to understand is a process called gain-staging. First, you’ll notice that mixers, signal processors, and amplifiers all have a volume (or input) knob. Gain-staging comes into play when you your sound is at the optimum level in each device so that one isn’t overcompensating for the previous device in the chain. This type of overcompensating will introduces unwanted noise into your signal, so make sure you take the time to make adjustments at every step in the path!

Active Powered Speakers or Passive Unpowered Speakers?

A big decision for many new to live sound is whether you should go with active powered PA speakers or passive unpowered PA speakers. This means it really comes down to buying a speaker with a built-in amplifier or going with the combination of passive unpowered speakers and a dedicated power amplifier. Each choice has its pros and cons. Today, active powered speakers are more popular because the built-in amplifier is equipped with a cross-over that is specifically tuned to work perfectly with the internal speaker. This makes powered speakers an excellent choice for beginners – plug them in, turn them on, control the volume directly from the unit – this lowers the potential risk of damaging the speaker with the wrong amount of power supplied by the separate amplifier.

Powered speakers also have a variety of inputs and outputs on their back panel, allowing you to plug microphones or instruments directly into the speaker. A singer-songwriter usually only requires two inputs, such as an acoustic guitar going into input one and a microphone into input two. However, what about when a keyboard or bass player wants to join you and up your setup to a full band? This is one of the first questions you should ask yourself: “How many channels do I need?” It all depends on the model of speaker but as a rule of thumb, if you need more than 3-4 channels, you should definitely look into running out from the speakers into a separate mixer, giving your setup room to grow.

Passive speakers and power amplifiers work incredibly well if you want to setup a powerful installation at a music venue or a build high-powered touring system meant to handle the big stages and festivals. If you’re looking to go in that direction, our Power Amp Buyer’s Guide will walk you through everything you need to know when it comes to setting up an incredible passive speaker rig!

Getting your signal just right – Built-in Effects or Standalone Gear?

Once you’re up and going, there is another question to consider. “Should I get a mixer with built-in effects or buy dedicated effects processors?” Most typically, standalone Live Sound Signal Processors will produce higher quality effects than the effects that come built-in with the mixer, but will require extra investment. Be sure to take this into consideration as reverb, delay and compression are popular effects that you'll want to start with. Remember to always experiment and use your effects sparingly.

The important thing to remember is that each step within your signal chain (signal flow) will affect your overall sound quality. If you have the budget, investing in higher quality live sound gear will go a long way towards achieving the best possible sound quality. 0% interest monthly payment plans from American Musical Supply will help you build your dream system, one that pay for itself in the long run with more satisfying music!

AMS is here to give you live sound help and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call and speak with one of our live sound specialists today!

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