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I made the scaffold and rack myself. The scaffold is 4' X n7' and the platform is at 5' . I made it to handle up to about a thousand pounds, but will only be holding about 200+. This is for outdoor events such as car shows, or park type events. The rack will hold 6 speakers in a 360 degree array. Subwoofers will be placed in the hollow below the scaffold platform. Total cost so far, not including speakers is only about 350 dollars. It is easy to set up and tear down. Will only take a matter of minutes to assemble to complete. All I have to do now is get the speakers,,hehe and the car shows as well!

Tell me what ya think?
http://i34.tinypic.com/xsqxj.jpg

http://i37.tinypic.com/xlf34j.jpg

That is the rack alone.

Sweet, you going to cover the bottom scaffold (like a cloth) or leave it open like that?

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Lonnie, no, I am going to have curtains made that go all the way around. Then hang banners with my logo's from the curtains. Well, at least that is the plan.

One more thing to add as well. I made extension bars that go at the corner to be able to hang lighting from the ends as well. Lighting wont add much weight, and can be put at 8 foot elevation. I am hoping to find proper lighting for outdoor events too. Any suggestions for outdoor event lighting?

Cool! I'd like to see it when you have it set up.

Good on you.
Will you be running it off a generator?

How much thought have you given to your sub arrangement? How do you plan to set those up. Not sure of your audio experience but you could run into some significant issues depending on how you set those up.

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DJ Tony
Let It Rip Karaoke

Most likely wherever I go should have power already available. But, I am planning on getting a larger generator too, just in case. Probably will never need it though.

The subs will be located on the bottom of the scaffolding, on the ground area. Most likely will build some very short platforms (think pallets) to rest them on so they won't be sitting on a possible wet surface. I will put them back to back, with the fronts pointing away from each other. Sub sound is omni directional, correct? So, it really shouldn't make a huge difference in what direction they are pointed. I have also considered putting 4 subs, there is plenty of room, but we well just have to set it up at the park to see what I will need to do for sure. I have plenty of power for 2 subs, but would have to add another amp for the additional 2 subs if I feel I need them. But, in all honestly, sub frequencies are not a huge factor for my application. This system won't be used for karaoke, ever, only for outdoor sound for car shows mostly. And the sound won't be cranked either, its for the most part used as an announcement system, with background music playing all the time at moderate levels.

Looks cool enough ..but what is the purpose ?
Just to hold the speakers up ? Are you planning on being on that thing also ?

It has a multi-purpose useage. First, yes, to get the speaker into the air at about 9 feet in a 360 degree array. Next to be able to protect the subs themselves underneath. Also to have a place to hang my logo at outdoor events. Lighting will also be placed on the scaffolding area when needed. The scaffolding will only be holding speakers and lighting, not me. Car shows are the general application I am going after.

So based on the design, i'd guess you try to locate yourself as close to center of the event as possible and then let 'er rip, huh?

Seems like an ideal setup, provided you manage to put yourself in the center of the show.

You planning on setting up your audio source there adjacent to the speakers, or you thinking of being in a remote setup?

No, I will be set up in close proximity to this set up too, maybe only 50 feet away. I am going to put this in the center of the event, and then run satellite speakers down the sides of the event pointing inwards. giving full sound at the entire area. Everything is going to be using passive speakers, because I will never know where/how much power is available at the events. I need to just hide wires is all

Well.. it's big and will have your name all over it.. so at the very least, you'll have a billboard in the center of a high traffic venue.

With this rig in the center, and additional speakers flanking the venue, sounds like you might have to get a second mortgage on your house just to finance all the speaker cables!

Aint that the truth. I need to get about 400 feet of cables on top of what I already have, but most likely won't have to use that much. Just want to have that much onhand, just in case. I have the power to push almost anything I can put out there.

Do you buy your own speaker cables, or make them?

I make my own speaker cables out of AC extension cord. I pick up the green outdoor two conductor 12 gauge stuff at Walmart for like $16 for 120 feet.

Cut it in half, you've got two 60' heavy duty speaker cables.. just put whatever ends you need on and there ya go.

Even if you pay top dollar for Speakon ends on either side (at $14 a end) you've still got a 60' cable at half the MusiciansFriend.com price.

And if you only need banana to 1/4 inch, the savings are even greater.

No, i was told by a "pro" not to use electrical grade wiring for such long runs. I would like to find an outlet for bulk cable for speaker grade wire tho. And yes, I will be using 12 gauge for sure.

Here's a little food for thought on the subject of speaker wire from the former Director of Acoustic Research at McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. and the originator of McIntosh Loudspeakers..

http://www.roger-russell.com/wire/wire.htm

Interesting read there Cheese,, thanks.