what equipment do i need to perform live?

Question

im in a hardcore/metal band and i do the vocals. this is my first serious band and we have songs written and we are about ready to start playing some shows. theres only one problem. im not really sure what i, as a vocalist, need to play live. i have the first things that come to mind, a mic (shure sm58) but what type of speakers should i have that will be loud enough and at the same time good quality? (i just get the feeling my guitar amp wont get the job done) and please, dont answer if you dont know what your talking about.

thanks a lot.

Answer 1

The band needs a PA system. This includes a soundboard, power amp and PA speakers. The size and power required depends on how loud the rest of the band is. You can get a fairly good system for under 1000 bucks, but be careful. Buy the best system you can afford. This is going to be the workhorse of your band. This is a minimum of what you will need. Stage monitors, drum mics, and other equipment like equalizers, effects, etc are not needed now, but if you start playing often, you are going to want to enhance your sound system.



Go to guitarcenter.com and take a look at some systems. Yamaha, Peavey are good starts. Behringer is sort of mid to low end, but it's reliable, sounds good and isnt expensive. You are going to need a mixer, a power amp and two speakers. You can always add on. You can also get a "powered" mixer, which is the amp and mixer together. The mixer will allow you to adjust bass, treble, etc, add some effects like echo to your voice, and add other microphones to the system. You can also put instruments throught the soundboard. Some bands will put a bass guitar through it and have the bass on stage in it's own amp. But you need really good speakers to do that.



If your band is going to be serious, you need to look at this stuff. As I said, get the best you can afford. If you cant get something now, you are better off using your guitar amp for a couple of gigs until you get some money together. If you buy crap, you're stuck with a crappy sound.



My band started out that way a long time ago. I know what I'm talking about.

Answer 2

You're right that a guitar amp will not do the trick. You need to purchase a true PA system, with speakers designed for the voice and monitors to play the sound back towards you so you can hear yourself (most professionals use the in-ear monitors now, but I imagine that would be very expensive). If the band is really serious and has any money, you might also consider getting a sound board and mics for each amplifier, so that you can mix them together and make sure you have the optimum balance between your voice and the instruments.



Sorry I can't recommend specific brands and models . . . I usually had someone to take care of all that stuff for me when I played.

Answer 3

hi, Stephen. Kinda relies upon on the pub or club. some might have a competent PA/sound equipment, and somebody there that's accustomed to the thank you to run it, so your guitar on my own could be adequate. Others might have not something you are able to count on or use, or a equipment that may not artwork for you. A pre-gig scouting holiday might nicely be gold. A key merchandise is regardless of if or not you have an on-board guitar electric pickup, like a valid-hollow gadget. With, you are able to doubtlessly jack right into a house equipment. without, that's a 2nd mike and stand for it, for the guitar. the completed bit is to be thoroughly self-helping, then the line is yours. Guitar&case, a conveyable PA with separate channels for voice and device, mikes & stands, cables and cords for hook-up, consisting of a respectable extension twine or 2, a spare mike and cable, spare device cable, greater strings/wirecutter/winder interior the guitar case, an electric outlet tester (to envision what you're approximately to plug your intense high quality stuff into), even a pair of key lights & stands, promotional stuff like company playing cards and "table-tents", and private stuff like a sparkling set of garments and climate kit, cough drops, brown-bagged nutrition, and say $50 money. Drag all of it in, as in case you pass away belongings you do not choose on your motor vehicle interior the motor vehicle parking zone, it may't be there once you're completed.

Answer 4

where are you playing? if your playing outside maybe then you would have to buy or rent speakers, monitors, and a mixing board but most venues that play hardcore/metal and that I have played at provide a PA system with mics so the vocalist usually doesn't have to bring a thing except some like to bring their own mic.