Need help with setting up a P.A. system

I know there are P.A. guys out there. I'm trying to help repair a system for a place of worship. Currently they have a TOA 900-series amp that is dying. I'm being asked for suggestions (because I'm into home theater, they don't realize there's a huge difference between P.A. and home audio). I'd like to suggest a mixer (10-channel) and amp to replace the TOA. I don't know what to tell you except the building is about 4,000 square feet.
I don't know a budget yet, but it is a modest one. With soo little info, is there anything you'd suggest?

i spent a good time of the high school years do just this on the weekends.

how many speakers (model)? any other options required?

i've always like for mixer in that range Behringer X2222USB or Mackie Pro FX12 or FX16

I'll get more info on the speakers tomorrow.

The Canadian wrote: i've always like for mixer in that range Mackie Pro FX12 or FX16

For this type of deal, you can't go wrong with a Mackie. Friend of mine was just in the same boat, and she got a used Mackie 1604 on eBay for her church. It was under $200.

Amps are another matter, and as stated, we'll need to know the number and type of speakers, and also the size of the space.

One thought, if the speakers are old and/or questionable. Consider amplified speakers, something like the Mackie Thump12. Under $600 for a pair, and kills 2 birds with one stone.

Agree with the above about Mackie boards. Years ago, I helped a small start-up church with their initial system. Small budget, but big ideas. I recommended a Mackie board, although I don't recall which. May have been the 1604. They are now a "Mega-Church", with a huge multi-media system. They stayed with Mackie as much as they could, because of the bang-fo-the buck.

You may also want to look into Carvin. I really liked their boards and amps when I used to do FOH. Actually, I preferred Carvin to just about every other board I used, except for the couple times I got to run an older 72-channel Hill Audio studio board. But that would most likely be out of budget...

In reply to DrBoost:

Not sure how we could work out the logistics of transport, but I have a very nice Peavey 24-channel studio board + a pair of CS800 amps I'd sell for $250 all-in. This one isn't mine personally, but if anything mine might be in a bit nicer condition.

I agree with the Mackie coments above. They make good equipment for a good price. How many channels do they currently use? If it is possible in the budget, I would recommend a smaller church get a mixer with at least 1.5-2 times the channels they currently need. That allows room to expand in the future plus they have extra channels to use If one goes bad in the future. I've see a few different churches get a sound system to fit their current needs and regret it 3-4 years latter when they want to try something new.

petegossett wrote: In reply to DrBoost: Not sure how we could work out the logistics of transport, but I have a very nice Peavey 24-channel studio board + a pair of CS800 amps I'd sell for $250 all-in. This one isn't mine personally, but if anything mine might be in a bit nicer condition.

I'll talk to them, but I don't think the powers-that-be want used equipment. As you'll soon be able to see in my grassroots home theater build thread, I have no problem with used stuff. That's a good price though.

tomtomgt356 wrote: I agree with the Mackie coments above. They make good equipment for a good price. How many channels do they currently use? If it is possible in the budget, I would recommend a smaller church get a mixer with at least 1.5-2 times the channels they currently need. That allows room to expand in the future plus they have extra channels to use If one goes bad in the future. I've see a few different churches get a sound system to fit their current needs and regret it 3-4 years latter when they want to try something new.

We currently use 7 channels, that's why I'm recommending 10-12. Room to grow is good.

So, I counted 42 speakers. They are 8" drivers, but I couldn't get into the ceiling to see what brand they are.

Walked in expecting this to be something else...

DrBoost wrote: So, I counted 42 speakers. They are 8" drivers, but I couldn't get into the ceiling to see what brand they are.

Oh. This changes the game entirely. Hopefully, that many speakers are part of a 70 volt system. You'll need to get behind one of them and see if it has a transformer on it.

If that's the case, and it dang well ought to be, parts-express.com is a fantastic source of 70volt PA amps for pretty cheap prices.

They are Atlas speakers, and yes, they are part of a 70 volt system.
I'm working with the others involved. I'm just providing input (haha, see what I did there) on what I personally would do.