Sound systems???

[StarPixy]

I'm developing several acts that require portable sound systems that you can use on the street. The only problem is that I don't know a thing about this kind of stuff.Where do I start? Are there ones with head sets that don't tie you down to a mic and cord? How much would it cost? Please help me. I don't want to just borrow my grandma's karioke machine. That's so ghetto!

[Joel Tacey]

Information on soundsystems:
Here are some good names for a battery powered portable sound system:
Anchor Liberty (the best and most expensive)
Samson Expedition (very good and reasonably priced)
Crate Taxi (not for large crowds, but a lot less pricey than above)

As for Wireless Headsets, here are some great brands:
Shure (the best and most expensive)
Samson (very good and reasonably priced)
Audiotechnica (just does the job, but a lot less pricey than above)

Most wireless systems have a lot of options: UHF or VHF, headset or lavalier (sp?), diversity or not; the list goes on and on. The choice depends on what you prefer.

The above information should be emough to keep you looking for weeks to come!

-JB Variety

[Stephon]

[quote]Originally posted by jbvariety:
<strong>Audiotechnica (just does the job, but a lot less pricey than above)</strong><hr></blockquote>

Just want to throw in my $.02--Like most brands, Audio-Technica has a range of products from basic to very high end. I'm using an A-T UHF transmitter and receiver and am very happy with the quality of the product and the sound, plus I got two units (2 transmitters and 2 receivers) for $630, which is pretty damn good.

[le pire]

I have two systems, a shure presenter lav / headset and a Sennheiser Evolution headset.

I prefer the Sennheiser. I get a clearer sound and the bodypack is in a metal casing, unlike the flimsy plastic shure. I do a very physical act and twice my body pack has flown off and there was no damage.

The salesman who sold me the shure told me that the only reason it costs $100 more than audio technica is because of the brand name. A performer friend of mine said I would get more respect from tech people if I had the brand name so I paid the extra $£€. I'm glad I did, because I can't imagine getting any less respect than I get now...

etienne

[StarPixy]

Thanks, guys....But what is a UHF,VHF? And how much do these things go for (head set and all)?

[danchrisvent]

The Florida Magic/Sekaku portable PA system is great. All self contained complete with high band wireless mic built in ( no need to find extra power source to plug in the mic) The whole unit weighs five pounds and will work on 110V OR 220V AC power OR you can run it on a 12Volt battery for outdoor gigs. Here is the web site:

http://floridamagic.bizhosting.com

Check it out - I think you'll like it!

[Daniel Craig]

For microphones, my favourite is the Samson Airline. Small, compact, and snug fitting. It will run you anywhere from 500-800 CDN though, based on my personal research in my city (YMMV.)

Amps, I used an AmpCan for awhile, and they're fine and dandy and all, but I recently upgraded to a Crate Taxi.. And I love it. It's very nice, not too heavy, and powerful enough. It ran me 400 bucks.

So, I use Samson Airline Headset, and Crate Taxi. [img]smile.gif[/img] They work great. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[StarPixy]

Can these sound systems play song tracks? My act is sort of a song and dance, and I need the background music.

[Joel Tacey]

--------------------
Can these sound systems play song tracks? My act is sort of a song and dance, and I need the background music.

PixyDust:***~~~*~**~~*~*
--------------------

In a word, "Yes." Here are the specifics...

Anchor Liberty:
Can play music only through an audio input (no built in player of any kind). Offers many inputs for voice/music with built-in equalizer.
More info: www.francisav.com/liberty.htm

Samson Expedition:
Can play music on an optional built-in tape player, or through an audio input. Offers many inputs for voice/music with built-in equalizer.
More info: http://shop.store.yahoo.com/fit-digital/samex.html

Crate Taxi:
Can play music only through an audio input (no built in player of any kind). Offers 2 inputs; 1 for voice, one for music with built-in equalizer.
More info: www.worldmusicsupply.com/ShowItem.cfm?Item_detail=TX30BE

Hope this helps-

Joel
www.joeltacey.com

-----------
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams..."

[Mark Wessels]

OK,

I know that we
re all tired of talking about sound systems but let me ask this one question as I plan to pick up a sound system for the summer season. Is there anyone here who is not affiliated with the company and has any experience with the "Florida Magic" system advertised HERE? I would like to know if it would be useful for a circle show in Harvard Square, a fairly loud setting. I am also looking at other systems, such as the Crate Taxi but then I would have to figure out a more complex arraingement with a seperate wireless mike and such. I am not particularly technologically advanced so it might not be a great idea for me to get a system that I would have to do a lot of work on. Thanks for any help.

mark

[Stretch]

It would be nice if Florida Magic and other suppliers could all make it to Motion Fest and the Great Clown Adventure next month. That way we could compare them all on site in the real world!

[Doctor Eric]

Is the Samson battery powered? If so, which models?

[Evan Young]

The only fully battery powered wireless mic/reciever set up I could find is a sure system desighned for camecorders. I have it but not with me, so I couldn't tell you the model #, until later this week or maybe next. If you get it use the headphone sound out rather than the regular sound out b/c the volume level will be really low.

[Doctor Eric]

Actually, I'm asking about the amp, I've wired my mic into the battery in my taxi, thanx tho evan.

[Rick Martin]

Speaking of wiring the mike's reciever into the amps battery......
I bought a Crate Taxi and a Samson Airline wireless headset mike this past June. I opened up the Taxi and spliced into the wires coming off it's battery in order to run the mike reciever. This has worked slick as snot since June, but the other day, my Taxi wouldn't light up. I surgically removed my secret jumper cable and then took the amp in for warranty repair. A couple of days later it was ready and the tech guy told me that a chassis component part of the amp's power supply had been fried, but they fixed it under the warranty. I told him that some people were splicing into the Taxi's battery wires to power the mike and he told me that was a bad idea and that could cause a problem just like my Taxi had. I asked how and he said that either the Taxi or the Airline might not be getting enough power sharing the battery and that could stress components. He also kept saying that these things weren't designed to share a power source
and that was reason enough. I thought "bullshit", an apple was not designed to be a hash pipe, but it could certainly function as one if necessary. Any electronics geeks out there have anything to add to this?

[ 01-25-2003: Message edited by: Rick Martin ]</p>