I need a little advice on equipment I might need.I don't know a whole lot about equipment setup, I've pretty much just played on a church worship team and have only ever had a mic, I played into ,in front of me.The last couple of years I've played a few gigs with a band.I play a guitar and a wind controller along with a sax.Here's the question.What's the best thing I can get to plug my instruments into and send one line back to the board?I need something simple. I feel so lost during the setup and feel guilty asking the other musicians to help me with setup. Thanks
help with gig setup
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When I was in your situation I used a GK MV200 . It has a 1/4 in plug for the guitar and a XLR for the mic . It came with an adapter to mount on a mic stand so you could put right into your face as a monitor . It also had several options for sending the signal out . I think there are several similar amps out there .
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I, too, knew (know) very little about what is needed but recently, I've been playing with a guitar player who has provided me some guidence. Basically, we use a mixer, two PA speakers and some mics and we're good to go. All of the players (bass, guitar, sax, drums, keys, etc..) can plug into the mixer where we tweak the effects to get the sound we want. The mixer we use is a Yamaha EX2000 but there are plenty to choose from. Ours has phantom power which is great for condenser mics when doing recording. Oh, and we can record live music directly off the mixer so there's virtually no crowd noise (unless the crowd is loud enough to be picked up by the mics).
All this said, PA systems get pricey quickly so do your research! Here's are some "kits" I started looking at:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/navigation/live-sound-packaged-systems?N=100001+304603
Some of the "portable" kits look good but may not sound that great when pushed. For a mic, I'd use a Shure 57 or 58 - I actually prefer the sound of the 58 but again, I have VERY little experience with live sound.
All this said, PA systems get pricey quickly so do your research! Here's are some "kits" I started looking at:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/live/navigation/live-sound-packaged-systems?N=100001+304603
Some of the "portable" kits look good but may not sound that great when pushed. For a mic, I'd use a Shure 57 or 58 - I actually prefer the sound of the 58 but again, I have VERY little experience with live sound.
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Just curious, but why just one line back to the board? Are there not enought inputs on the snake? If the 1/4 plug on the output of whatever the wind controller is controlling os a problem, just get a DI (aka direct) box. The box will make the 'board' think that it's a microphone level device.
They make fairly cheap ones.
They make fairly cheap ones.
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I use and would recommend anything that meets your needs in the Rolls Mixer line. They are cheap and quiet. Here is what I use. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rolls-RM65-MixMax-6x4-Mixer?sku=632000
Six inputs (1/4 and xlr) with monitor out for you (if needed). Mic in one, guitar in one, wc in one. You can even run an effects unit thru one of the empty channels which makes controlling the level easier than using the tiny knobs.
They make smaller models which may be even easier to use.
Six inputs (1/4 and xlr) with monitor out for you (if needed). Mic in one, guitar in one, wc in one. You can even run an effects unit thru one of the empty channels which makes controlling the level easier than using the tiny knobs.
They make smaller models which may be even easier to use.
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As shown in prior posts, there are several ways to go. You can pay anywhere from $100 to several $1000 dollars to set yourself up. You need to ask yourself a couple of questions:
1. How much do you want to pay?
2. Do you want to have your own personal monitor (speaker/amp)?
3. What kind of effects or microphones will you be using?
Based on your post, I would steer you to a small mixer. Behringer makes an inexpensive 4-channel mixer (8-inputs) that has phantom power (for condenser mics) with effects send/return (Xenyx 802) for $60 at Musician's Friend (www.musiciansfriend.com). I have been happy with their mixers. When it comes to mixers - as with most musical equipment, you can always pay more. The Rolls unit mentioned above is going to be a step above in both price and quality of sound but the same idea applies. You're mixing three signals together into one and sending it to the PA. Mackie makes a nice product as well which has a longer history than Behringer and some say better quality. If you would like to add your own effects, some of these mixers have on-board effects included.
You will not need a powered mixer because your PA is already powered.
If you're looking for a microphone, I would recommend you go with nothing less than a Shure SM57. This is a good, solid microphone. Again, you can buy better quality and there are a lot of better mics for more money but a lot of pros and semi-pros use the SM57.
While we're on the subject, you will need cords if you don't already have them. At minimum, get cables that have a lifetime warranty. There are some inexpensive cables that will get the job done with a lifetime warranty. Get no less than 20 ft. lengths of cords. You'll thank yourself later as different venues require different setups. It's nice to be able to plant yourself practically anywhere on the stage. You will need four cords for your setup. One XLR for your sax mic., one 1/4" for your guitar, one 1/4" to go from your mixer to the PA, and one cable for your EWI.
If you want your own amplification, you can go with the mixer/monitor combos mentioned above or do a search on a keyboard amp - they typically have mulitple channels and an output. You could also look for a bass amp with multiple channels. For use as a monitor, you should do fine with a 35 to 50 watt amp.
You don't mention the type of guitar you are playing (electric or acoustic). I know next to nothing about electric guitar amps. only that players are very particular about the sound they get out of their amp. If you are playing electric, you would probably want to get yourself an amp just for that reason or you could use a mixer coupled with a "POD" or similar guitar amp simulator.
Once you have all the fun toys, follow the instructions in your mixer or amp manual to show you how to hook it all up. If you want to learn more, go onto Musician's Friend, do a search on mixers, and download a manual. Mackie and Yamaha have very detailed manuals when it comes to showing you how to set up and use your mixer.
Best of luck, you'll be rockin' in no time!
- Mike
1. How much do you want to pay?
2. Do you want to have your own personal monitor (speaker/amp)?
3. What kind of effects or microphones will you be using?
Based on your post, I would steer you to a small mixer. Behringer makes an inexpensive 4-channel mixer (8-inputs) that has phantom power (for condenser mics) with effects send/return (Xenyx 802) for $60 at Musician's Friend (www.musiciansfriend.com). I have been happy with their mixers. When it comes to mixers - as with most musical equipment, you can always pay more. The Rolls unit mentioned above is going to be a step above in both price and quality of sound but the same idea applies. You're mixing three signals together into one and sending it to the PA. Mackie makes a nice product as well which has a longer history than Behringer and some say better quality. If you would like to add your own effects, some of these mixers have on-board effects included.
You will not need a powered mixer because your PA is already powered.
If you're looking for a microphone, I would recommend you go with nothing less than a Shure SM57. This is a good, solid microphone. Again, you can buy better quality and there are a lot of better mics for more money but a lot of pros and semi-pros use the SM57.
While we're on the subject, you will need cords if you don't already have them. At minimum, get cables that have a lifetime warranty. There are some inexpensive cables that will get the job done with a lifetime warranty. Get no less than 20 ft. lengths of cords. You'll thank yourself later as different venues require different setups. It's nice to be able to plant yourself practically anywhere on the stage. You will need four cords for your setup. One XLR for your sax mic., one 1/4" for your guitar, one 1/4" to go from your mixer to the PA, and one cable for your EWI.
If you want your own amplification, you can go with the mixer/monitor combos mentioned above or do a search on a keyboard amp - they typically have mulitple channels and an output. You could also look for a bass amp with multiple channels. For use as a monitor, you should do fine with a 35 to 50 watt amp.
You don't mention the type of guitar you are playing (electric or acoustic). I know next to nothing about electric guitar amps. only that players are very particular about the sound they get out of their amp. If you are playing electric, you would probably want to get yourself an amp just for that reason or you could use a mixer coupled with a "POD" or similar guitar amp simulator.
Once you have all the fun toys, follow the instructions in your mixer or amp manual to show you how to hook it all up. If you want to learn more, go onto Musician's Friend, do a search on mixers, and download a manual. Mackie and Yamaha have very detailed manuals when it comes to showing you how to set up and use your mixer.
Best of luck, you'll be rockin' in no time!
- Mike
Thanks for all the info.There's a lot of options and so much equipment but you have definitly helped me narrow my search and which direction I could go.I get a lot of advice from guitar players, drummers but I feel it's better to get it from the guys that actually play my instrument. God Bless
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