vocal equipment

[Ibanex0110]

I was wondering what all I need to do vocals in my band. I'd like to spend as little money as possible, cause I dont really have any right now. I have a few sm57 mics, a 30 watt guitar amp....would this be good to sing with a band? if not what could I get that would be really cheap that like, maybe I could just hook some sort of power amp up to my guitar amp....and sing vocals out of that.

[moaner]

take a look in the "PA thread".

You'll need AT least a powered mixer and some speakers. but it isn't neccessarily expensive. Kustom do some quite cheap packages.

[The Hawk]

If you are just playing in the basement with your band. Get yourself a powered monitor you can plug a mic into. Really simple and only $300 used or less.

[moaner]

If you are just playing in the basement with your band. Get yourself a powered monitor you can plug a mic into. Really simple and only $300 used or less.

few or no powered monitors have mic inputs. he'd need a mixer or mic pre-amp.

[action n00b]

get one of these...

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/1857/category_id/0272999e9b222b2aa272cc099b53fdaf

and hook it up to your amp. it won't sound great, but it will do for practices

[moaner]

get one of these...

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/page/shop/flypage/product_id/1857/category_id/0272999e9b222b2aa272cc099b53fdaf

and hook it up to your amp. it won't sound great, but it will do for practices

the only thing stopping it sounding great will be the mic.

[The Hawk]

few or no powered monitors have mic inputs. he'd need a mixer or mic pre-amp.

What the hell are you talking about?
I have a powered Yorkville monitor with a balanced line in (XLR)
I prefer using powered monitors at gigs, less gear to carry.
There are lots of them on the market.

PS even if it didn't have a balanced line in, it would still have a 1/4" unbalanced jack.
All you would need would be a step-down transformer adapter from XLR to 1/4" unbalanced...Sheesh. Save the guy some money, will ya.
Oh, and my monitor is also switchable from line to mic

[Aes820]

I use Quest QSA 300 powered speakers. They provide both a line level and Mic level XLR inputs. The Mic input can be rolled off at 100Hz. Great for just running a mic direct into for simple practises.
However, because my band often use more than one mic at anyone time. We first run them into a mixer, and then into the Line level inputs on the Quest QSAs.

But, sometimes, for the price you pay for some decent powered speakers. You could probably just buy one of those pacakged PA setups anyway. I would reccomend people shop around and compare prices with the pros/cons.

[moaner]

What the hell are you talking about?
I have a powered Yorkville monitor with a balanced line in (XLR)
I prefer using powered monitors at gigs, less gear to carry.
There are lots of them on the market.

PS even if it didn't have a balanced line in, it would still have a 1/4" unbalanced jack.
All you would need would be a step-down transformer adapter from XLR to 1/4" unbalanced...Sheesh. Save the guy some money, will ya.
Oh, and my monitor is also switchable from line to mic

I've never seen a powered monitor with a mic input. I now know they exist, thanks.

I see powered speakers with mic inputs, but obviously, they're manny watts and expensive.

[action n00b]

the only thing stopping it sounding great will be the mic.

i was thinking more the guitar amp...

[The Hawk]

I use Quest QSA 300 powered speakers. They provide both a line level and Mic level XLR inputs. The Mic input can be rolled off at 100Hz. Great for just running a mic direct into for simple practises.
However, because my band often use more than one mic at anyone time. We first run them into a mixer, and then into the Line level inputs on the Quest QSAs.

But, sometimes, for the price you pay for some decent powered speakers. You could probably just buy one of those pacakged PA setups anyway. I would reccomend people shop around and compare prices with the pros/cons.

Yeah, powered speakers are great. We use all powered monitors and speakers. They sure save on your back. Hasta la vista to slugging two 80lb amps to every gig. Plus everyone has a volume control right at their feet.
I guess price you want to pay, would be relevant to the rate you are making at the gigs. If you are playing a small joint and everybody's volume is under control, one speaker would do the trick. I don't play past 95dB (maybe the odd spike to 100, on a rockin tune) anymore lol, hearing is too precious.

[The Hawk]

I've never seen a powered monitor with a mic input. I now know they exist, thanks.

I see powered speakers with mic inputs, but obviously, they're manny watts and expensive.

No prob..I don't think I have ever used the balanced input for a mic. just as a balanced line in from the board. Wait yes I did, I set it up for a karaoke party for my daughter once, lol. I paid $400 CAN for mine about 2 years ago. You can probably get the same model I have used for about 200-250. It is 160 watts.
Plenty for a monitor unless you got some deaf guitarist next to you with a JCM 900 super stack at 11, lol.

[The Hawk]

i was thinking more the guitar amp...


A 57, through a guitar amp. Now there is a combo to behold, lol.

[Ibanex0110]

the funny thing is, that is probably what i would be running , cause I have a mixer, and a few 57s, but i've only used them for recording, I suppose I'll see how it sounds with my guitar amp and go from there

[larry_emder]

Bass amps are more suited to using vocals than guitar amps i feel.

[moaner]

Bass amps are more suited to using vocals than guitar amps i feel.

very true. bass amps are more neutral.

however, it fries either.