General Music Chat

Nobody will really give me a clear answer on what I need to buy to get a mic setup. I want something loud enough for a band to rock a house or small bar or something. My guitar amp is very loud and I need something to keep up with it.

Mic for what? Vocals, drums? Need a full PA or just one mic only?

I think what your trying to say is you need a PA system with mic's ?

Before anyone can recommend anything, what is your set budget?

Big club - mic all amps and drums. Small bar - only vocals are miked.

Number of inputs needed - directly related to above, how many people in the band. Although Jimmy advises amps and unpowered speakers, these days powered speakers are taking over. They can be daisy-chained together, so you only need one signal cable from the mixer output to each side of speakers (but they do all need to be plugged into the main power). Same thing on monitors, but having powered monitors does mean extra cables (power) on the stage.

Either get whatever is selling for 50 bucks on craigslist or rent what metallica uses.
Sheesh! How about some specifics?

Mic for vocals. Budget is anywhere from $500-$800

I'm very new to all the PA systems and things and I'm trying to learn more about them. Is there anyway someone can slow down and explain to me if I really need all these things. I'm wanting to be as basic as possible with my equipment and not trying to mic my amp and all. I just wanna know what I need to buy to run one mic that'll be fairly loud.

I'm very new to all the PA systems and things and I'm trying to learn more about them. Is there anyway someone can slow down and explain to me if I really need all these things. I'm wanting to be as basic as possible with my equipment and not trying to mic my amp and all. I just wanna know what I need to buy to run one mic that'll be fairly loud.

Please answer the questions below - what you are asking now is like going into a restaurant and saying, "I'm hungry, give me some food I'll like" without telling them what your preferences are.

1) Ok, do you have the mic, or is that also needed as part of your budget?
2) 'Fairly loud' doesn't mean anything. Are you going to be singing with a band? If so, what kind of music, how many players, what type of equipment do they use?
3) What size venues? You can be loud in a little room with a 10" speaker, but that same 10" speaker won't do diddly in a huge room with 300 people in it absorbing the sound.

This is the best basic starter system you will need.
The most reliable system I know of that will last you many years trouble free and the absolute best sound is this one. Many people will tell you all sorts of ideas of a system however; this system is very flexible and will even work in small outdoor events. It's a little over your budget but the resale of this equipment is high. The mixer has one of the best guitar pre-amps on the market "for a mixer".

1. Shure SM-58 Microphone

2. Soundcraft EPM8 Mixer

3. Crown XLS1002 Power Amplifer

4. Peavey PV 115 speakers 15" with 1.4 inch titanium diaphragm horn

Basic Sound System.jpg (74.85 KiB) Viewed 1720 times

Sorry for lack of info.
1. Mic is part of budget
2. Yes I will be doing vocals and the type of music is grunge or punk rock, so lots of distortion and all. A three piece band and I am using a 50 watt tube amp and everyone else is currently upgrading to something to keep up with it.
3. I'm not planning on playing anything like that anytime soon. We're just really forming the band and want something for practice so maybe a garage or large living room. And also I'm not that worried about sound quality as of now.

even if you don't have your eye on immediate gigs....it makes sense (if you plan on eventually gigging) to get something that will serve your needs for both the prct room AND venues you're likely to be playing at.

lots of good recommendations and advice above. good luck, and welcome to BM.