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Hey Debbie...
I read that you sing on the street. What kind of gear do you use to sing? Do you have a mic with backup music? What kind of sound system do you use?
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Hi Star pixy,
I've used several differentset ups over the years, I'm going to
have to sift through my memory for makes and models.....
bear with me...
are you buying stuff in the USA or over here? -
Ummm...Over here in the USA.Comment
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Hi Star pixy,
Well, Im not sure where you're at, and I’m not sure if this will be of any help, but here goes;
I’ve used several different set ups over the years. One of the best sounds I obtained was from an all in one Phillips 200watt karaoke machine! It sounds really naff I know, but it produced a beautiful warm sound for vocals, it was light weight and ran off a 12v car battery. Perfect. Unfortunately it got knicked, right after they’d stopped making them. That was back in the 80s.
Since then I’ve found that I can produce a better sound by using a portable guitar amp, a separate good reverb pedal, (so that I can change my sound according to the acoustics), and a good quality mic and lead. Don’t go for a cheap mic, you’ll be doing yourself no favours.
I used to use an AKG head mic, but now use a regular SM58 and take a stand.
Peavey have a good selection of light weight but sturdy amps for getting chucked around, and run off 12 volts, also check out Fender.
Some guitar amps have reverb built in, which saves you messing around with a pedal, but its all down to personal taste and the sound you require. You need to try loads out.
Spend a day in a music shop, it’s the best way to find the right set up for your voice.
I’ve tried the amp can and a few that other street performers use, but to be honest, a lot of them sound tinny when you sing through them. They are fine for speaking through, but for singing you need to be looking at musicians set ups… a decent mike, lead, reverb and speaker and amp and you’ll reap the benefits, it’s singing, not hollaring!
Another good option, and probably abit cheaper ;
You can get portable 12v karaoke machines that will do the job, built in reverb, tape, cd decks etc, I started off on one and it was great. The sound quality of some has improved no end over the last few years, They’re portable, compact, 12 volts, everything in one box. It’s a case of spending time singing through them to find one that’s good enough and loud enough for what you need. It’s a good option.
A lot of street bands use petrol generators, mixing desks and massive amps, speakers etc, but it’s uneccessary to get a good sound.
Petrol generators are noisy - not condusive to good music making anyhow!
A Car battery and good old fashioned crocodile clips will give you a good few days playing before needing to be recharged, but in keeping the weight down, I moved on to the small 12 v model battery; they’re about 8' x 4' - the ones you use to power model aircraft. Get them from any toy model shop. I carry two, one for back up. The beauty with most portable karaoke machines, and even my Peavey amp, is that they also run off standard batteries should you come unstuck.
Backing tracks ;
My Peavey guitar amp has 3 inputs, so I plug in my guitar, mic, and a mini-disc for any backing tracks.
If you go for a karaoke machine, check on number of inputs, always useful to have more than just the one for a mic, incase you team up with another player.
I have used backing tracks, but some of the over-produced standard karaoke ones can sound abit ridiculous, perhaps too much for the street? I make my own rhythm backing tracks of bass and percussion. I got a mate to put some solo piano down for me which sounds good to sing and play guitar over. Less is more I feel, I just concentrate on singing, and let everything else just fall into place, but the quality and the right feel of any backing track is important to get right.
Check out a good music shop and look for the quality backing tracks that are just bass and keys, or bass and guitar etc, (‘audition songs for the professional singer’), they are usually standards, or jazz or blues, great quality, and simple.
I play guitar, I’m not an accomplished guitarist by any means, but playing over the top of simple backing tracks is effective. I do sing unaccompanied on the street as well, I vary what I’m doing but most of the time it is just vocal and guitar and no backing tracks.
I venture out now and again with a singing puppet show – then the big time backing tracks work a treat. Singing based around a show works really well.
Depends what you want to do?
Do you play an instrument?
You doing circle show or foot traffic?
What style of singing do you want to perform?
What do you like to sing? I’ve got a good library of backing tracks I’ve collected over the years - need a specific track?
E-mail me if you like, I’ll see if I’ve got copies, or at least info on where to get the better recordings your end.
Let me know how you’re going on or if you need any more info.
Good luck SP…. Sing your heart out!
debbiesings@hotmail.com
Any other street singers out there who can offer another angle?
Any using/buying American gear ?
There must be loads of angles on this…….Comment
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Thanks for the info, Debbie! [img]smile.gif[/img]Comment
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