Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

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Snarl 12/8
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Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Mon Oct 07, 2019 7:12 pm

Hi,

Does anyone know of a device that takes a microphone input (xlr, mic level) and puts out 30-60 watts of power to a speaker (8 ohms) from just that signal? Maybe just a gain knob, or gain and master? Preferably able to run off 12volts DC and mains voltage? I don't even know what that would be called so I can google it. It's OK if it's just a raw board, but I'd prefer something finished so I don't have to make a project of this. I was thinking the kind of amp that goes into a powered speaker (like JBL Eon, or Mackies) etc would work, but I don't need/want biamplification. The cheaper, the smaller and the lighter the better.

Thanks,

ck
Carl Keil

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Nick Sevilla
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by Nick Sevilla » Mon Oct 07, 2019 7:57 pm

Mebbe an impedance changer into a guitar amp you already own?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ce-matcher
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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Snarl 12/8
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:22 pm

Thanks for the idea. I can't quite make that work though. I'm trying to make a turnkey system for my wife to use at poetry readings. It doesn't have to be loud, but I want it to sound better than a guitar amp. The mic will probably be an AKG D321 and the two speakers to be driven are Bose Model 101's. Right now I'm using a little Peavey 6 channel mixer into a Carver 1RU amp that I have. It sounds awesome, but my wife can never remember how to set it all up correctly.
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by Nick Sevilla » Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:23 pm

Snarl 12/8 wrote:
Mon Oct 07, 2019 8:22 pm
Thanks for the idea. ... It sounds awesome, but my wife can never remember how to set it all up correctly.
Yep.

Maybe a diagram, or putting some tape with sharpie indicators for where the levels should be?
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.

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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by ubertar » Tue Oct 08, 2019 4:23 am

I have an old Amplivox lectern amp that does this... it's like a mini PA. I'm sure there must be modern versions. Any kind of small, portable PA should do what you want: https://musiccritic.com/equipment/speak ... pa-system/

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I'm Painting Again
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by I'm Painting Again » Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:28 am

used Anchor AN-100 off eBay?

you'd have to use an inverter to run it from DC and maybe you need a specific speaker though it might be something that works for you ?

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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by digitaldrummer » Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:45 am

or how about a powered speaker? these things work great and super simple setup - just plug into the mic input and turn up the volume...
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ed-speaker
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... ed-speaker
Also these are the lightest weight speakers I've found too. VERY easy to carry.
Scoff if you want at Behringer but I've had these for several years and no problems. Sure, i wanted to get the QSC K's or KW's but they are 4x the cost at a lot heavier. Watch your gain staging (which usually is not a problem when just plugging in a single mic...) and they are good.
Mike
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Snarl 12/8
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by Snarl 12/8 » Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:46 pm

I guess I'm wondering where to get just the amplifier portion of a powered speaker. But not biamped. They all seem to be biamped. If someone knows of some 1-way powered speakers maybe I could just get an amp as a replacement part?
Carl Keil

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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by vvv » Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:54 pm

I use one of these for living room jams:

https://www.amazon.com/Kustom-PA-PA50-P ... B0064S0FHU

I paid about a hunnert.


Here is one for a hunnert:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VQDAQK/re ... B0064S0FHU
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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by losthighway » Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:35 pm

What about one of those multipurpose keyboard, or acoustic guitar amps that has an XLR input on it? Not sure how they sound.

Or if there's a decent karaoke system for cheap with some wattage maybe?

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Re: Device that elevates one microphone to speaker level

Post by vvv » Fri Oct 11, 2019 12:57 pm

For that matter, we've used any old spare 10-30 watt S/S amps a bunch of times over the years, particularly ones with reverb, using a mic into a 1/4" TS cord.

I mean, do that and be sure to cover The Strokes', "Last Night".

But I will say, that's why I bought the thing I linked above.
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