VoiceCouncil Forum — Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-09-21T13:26:31Z

I've been using a wireless E/V 767, and I've been extremely happy with it. That's for rock shows. For stuff like jazz and R&B, I'll opt for a wired condenser (AKG C535). I think that the style of stage performance and the volume on stage should be considered in the mic choice. If it's not loud, and you won't be running all over the place, you can go with a more sensitive mic, and you may not need to burn through batteries using a wireless. I'd also advise a mic that can take a fall.

On PA, being the one who provides it is a two-edged sword. It's expensive, it can be a hassle to manage, etc, but you'll always know you'll sound great. I've chosen this route, and with some bands, I actually get paid double for doing sound, or at least make a bit more. I also have the capacity to record live gigs to multitrack. I'm using old school technology for this, but there's newer gear available that allows USB recording. Recording your gigs is great for personal development, as well as for creating demos, etc. - there's no substitute for recording yourself live and at home.

I'm using...

JBL SRX715 (tops)

JBL Mpro 18 (subs)

Alesis Studio 32 recording mixer - a 16 track recording mixer - this allows 16 track recordings of gigs. Extremely useful.

QSC amps (four RMX2450s for mains, two RMX850s for monitors)

Shure in-ear monitors (when I'm wireless and all over the room)

TC Helicon VOICESOLO XT VSM-300XT personal monitor(GREAT for when I'm playing keys - gets the sound in my face, and avoids having the monitor sound blow up into bottom of the keyboard)- this unit rocks!

Carvin floor monitors (for everyone else)

This is a pretty beefy system for small to medium venues, and you can get great sound with a smaller rig. One key factor though is headroom. Be sure to get enough power so that your system is not frequently clipping (not clipping at all would be better). A clipped (overdriven) signal can damage speakers, overheat amps, and sounds bad. A system running well within it's limits generally sounds great. It's not about just being loud enough, it's about being loud enough with room to spare.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-08-13T06:31:22Z

I've been using a pair of MAckie SRM 450's for years - I work as a solo singer with backing tracks and with a 5 piece rock band.
I upgraded to the SRM 450 V2 last year which sound even better (crisper) and they are 5kg's lighter!
I use a small Behringer XENYX 1204FX which is fed by a wireless Sennheiser mic that runs through a Voicetone Correct.
The reason for the correct is it allows me to get a really clear vocal at lower levels which means I don't have to pump up the volume to cut through the rest of the band - which means less chance of feed back.
I also use small Mackie SRM 150 monitor which is mounted on a mic stand.
This set up works fine for gigs ranging from living rooms right up to medium sized clubs. For bigger venues I add a pair of Mackie SWA 1501 subs.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Aubrey

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-07-29T13:55:19Z

Hi ZV,

I run my gear through the rigors! I've used EV, Sennhiezer, and Shure microphones live. All of them were great but for my voice nothing stood up like the Shure Beta 87a. It's a condenser so you would need to have a board or an effect unit like the VL2 that provides phantom power.

Inner ear monitors are great, and you already have a set so I won't go on about that.

I agree with some of the others that you should save your money and buy a substantial FX unit for your voice + killer microphone. Before you buy anything, go to your local music store and test things out. If they won't let you then the heck with them - go to the next store until you find one that will take the time to get you what you need.

The Voice Live 2 is a practice box as well as a live performance unit. It has an 1/8" Headphone Output and 1/8" Aux Input on the back. What this means to you is as long as you have an available power outlet you can practice with your VL2 all by yourself. Use your inner ear monitors or a set of headphones + your mp3 player with all your favorite tracks and you can sing and edit your VL2, on the fly, while praciticing...very kewl.

If you're in a band you shouldn't be stuck with buying the entire PA. One of the first things I learned is "Don't be the money guy!" Sometimes those without jobs will make you feel bad that you have a job. One key in performance is trying not to get jaded as time wags on. If it means enough to them they'll all chip in. That being said, it's common for a singer to provide the vocal rig, which is why I have the four floor monitors listed below, but I'm not about to buy them all in-ear monitors.

Here's my performance rig.

Monster Power PRO 2500 Rack PowerCenter = $199.95

Shure ULXP24/BETA87A Handheld Wireless Microphone System = $979.00

Sennheiser ew300IEM G2 Wireless In-Ear Personal Monitor System = $949.00

TC Helicon VoiceLive 2 Floor-Based Vocal Processor = $799.00

TC Helicon VoiceLive Vocal Floor Processor = $499.00

TC Helicon VoiceTone Create Vocal Pedal = $249.00

Mackie 1202-VLZ3 Premium 12-Channel Compact Mixer = $299.99

(4) Four Behringer EUROLIVE B212A Active Loudspeaker $279.99 each.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-07-29T02:07:51Z

Hi,

here my setup for a solo gig - might be interesting for singer/guitarist who wants low weight but good sound.

- HK LUCAS SMART : http://www.hkaudio.com/products.php5?se … s&id=5
- Shure Beta 58
- TC Helicon Harmony G

The Lucas Smart weights just 30 Kg but can handle 70 sqm room easily and sounds like a HIFI system. Musicians who were gigging with me were that impressed that they also bought it afterwards. Inputs are: 1 MIC, 2 stereo line and a stereo cinch. All controlled with its own knob. No mixer needed (saves space and money). If you want to amplify a complete band you can still come up with a mixer.

Regarding Beta 58 and Harmony G I think there's no need for more comments from my side.

The complete equipment (plus guitar) can be transported in a MINI.

Best regards,
Nyng

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-07-23T14:50:28Z

Have you ever looked at the Beyer Mic? the 69 is one of the best smoothest sounding mics. Also a Yamaha powered board would be a good bet. The effects are really good.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2009-02-10T21:30:03Z

Since this is going to be used as a stage/performing rig, go with quality first. Start w/ a Mackie mixer, there's no cleaner sounding mixer, very user frieldy and built like a tank. Next your vocal mics --go Shure SM 58s. They're the performing industry standard and can be had for a little less than a hundred each, once again built like a tank. Power amps , I like Crest. They last well and are fan cooled, it helps. Speakers are your choice. I have some JBLs and others that all work well. DON'T BUY CHEAP CORDS. Always remember good clean sound will get ya more compliments than loud mediocre sound, Stewfish

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2008-12-27T21:51:32Z

I run sound for a small Irish Pub. This one guys comes in and he has a VoiceSolo. It's great, I just give him an XLR cord into the snake.

My job is easy from that point on. AND he knows what it sounds like because he controls the balance that he wants.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2008-12-27T21:45:30Z

I think that a great start is with the VoiceLive. Then you have to ask yourself if you want powered speakers or not. You can get a small mixing board (mackie is better than the behringer. But-before you get anything else, Get a DBX drive rack PK for the powered speakers. I like JBL G2EON's but they are a little pricey. the drive rack will all the EQ set for you and you can save it for the venue. Next to the VoiceLive, the drive rack is the next best thing to buy. For Mics I like Beyerdynamic M-88. They are pricey too. You really can't go wrong with Shure sm58 or Beta58. They are a workhorse and they are cheap.

there you go..
Tommy

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2008-12-19T13:25:56Z

The JBL SRX series makes for a nice PA. Get the Yamaha 01V board used on ebay and get two SRX 712M (wedges but can also be used as mains) together with a single SRX718S and you have a nice PA... Add a couple of QSC amps and you are rocking.

Morten

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2008-12-17T17:38:06Z

ZVeronikas wrote:

2 15"s: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ … sku=600348
Behringer PMH5000 mixer:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ … sku=631249
Anyone here with experience think that would be a good setup? Would there be anything else I need as a singer to do live shows, and to practice at home? I already have the in-ear monitor so that's taken care of.

Will you be using this setup just for Vocals? In that case, forget double 15" speakers.
Personally, I don't like JRX and EON series speakers (or yamaha's club series) but that's personal taste.

As a sound engineer, I prefer speakers that work up to 18...20kHz and don't sound distorted even at moderate levels.
For that reason, I like to use Ohm's TRS series of speakers. Those are real workhorses, rugged quality and sound just great.

I also use TRS115 and TRS112 as a monitoring system on stage with my personal Beta 87 mic. There's nothing to do except for a low cut at about 100Hz to get a great sound through that setup.

Regarding Behringer: Except for the DCX2496 controller and those Ultra-DI100: avoid it!
During my work as sound engineer (live and studio) I found out a quality mixing desk can make so much of a difference in your sound. Behringer frequently annoyed me for three different channels might sound _different_ at the same settings.

If you can, go for Allen&Heath's PA-Series of powermixers (PA12-CP for example). They offer better mixer sections, better poweramps and even a better built in effects unit.

Again: What do you need a double 15" speaker for if you just want to amplify vocals?

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2008-12-13T07:26:54Z

I am a Mobile DJ too and my work rig is a Double Bose PAS (which i am DYING to sing through one of these days)

I just finished my "rehearsal P.A." and Love it!!

Mixer - Mackie DFX 6 (without using the onboard fx)
Speakers - (2) Mackie SRM450's
Mic - Beta 58 (wired)
Effects (so far) - Voicetone Create & A Digitech Vocalist II harmonizer, which is going to be traded in towards the Harmony-G

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2007-10-18T14:49:55Z

I use the Neumann KMS105 i really dig this mic it has incredible detail but is quite expensive for a live vocal mic.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2007-03-23T06:11:57Z

The SM 58 Beta has been great for me. I think that many of us have fallen into the trap of using them because "everybody else does". I am very interested in the Senheiser E35. Does anybody know how durable this mike is? I want an SM 58 beta alternative and I'm strongly considering it, but let's face it folks, these things have to be durable. I am constantly dropping mikes all the time. Anybody have any ideas on a good durable SM 58 Beta alternative?

Warmest Regards,
Jimi Zimmardi
Owner
East Coast Music Talent
The Healthy Voice
CMVT - Voice Teacher/Coach- McClosky Institute of Voice
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Close your eyes and envision it.... Write down the plan and absorb it.... Live the plan and practice it.... Master the plan and become it.... Jimi Zimmardi

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Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2006-12-31T05:13:25Z

Yeah, I got the VoiceLive box, don't have the pedal for it yet. What does that do, anyway?

And yes, I fully agree that the EV 767's are made of awesome.

Re: Need advice on a good PA, singer rig.

2006-12-14T04:03:29Z

Nice response Jason, very informative... I just wanted to add that I mistakenly bought one of those synheiser dynamic mics and you may as well be singing into a toilet paper roll. I dont know which one it was... it was one of the $100 ones... regarding the SM58... I think the beta A is a great mic... but the regular SM58... "eh"?... no point in buying that when you can pick up the Beta A or the EV 767a.