Must-Have Equipment for Live Singers
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This year's latest music trends offer new opportunities for aspiring artists to break into the music industry. More music venues are once more holding live events. Alongside local gigs, major artists like Taylor Swift and Blink-182 are touring in cities from Nashville to New York City—urban centers that we at JV Agency note are major hubs for musicians. Ultimately, this means that live performances are once again a powerful medium to boost your exposure, especially if you live in an area with a vibrant music scene. So if you want to be the next Alicia Vigil, consider booking a gig at your next local talent night or music festival.
If you're just getting started, however, you might be wondering what equipment you'll require for your performance. Here are 4 pieces of gear you'll need as a live singer.
Dynamic microphone
If you want to give your best performance, not just any mic will do the job. The microphone guides on Shout4Music note that mics are created for specific purposes, such as voice-overs and streaming. This is especially true for live performances, which require durable microphones that can process loud noise without distorting it. That's where dynamic microphones come in. These have a colored frequency response and high sound pressure levels, making them capable of recording in clamorous surroundings and canceling unwanted background noise. The Behringer XM8500 is a cost-effective and excellent option you can start with: its built-in shock mount system and cardioid pickup pattern design allow it the remarkable capability to identify and accentuate your voice above everything else.
In-ear monitors
During the din and roar of the concert, with hordes of people singing along, you'll likely find it difficult to hear yourself—which is crucial when you want to adjust your sound quality. That's why you need in-ear monitors. These special devices consist of a transmitter, receiver, and a pair of earphones that work together to help you listen to the music you're creating and adapt it as needed. A top player in the in-ear monitor industry is Shure Incorporated, which offers the bestselling PSM 300 in-ear personal monitoring system. It's designed to be easy to use and provides you with a customizable two-channel mix, letting you hear every note you sing onstage in first-rate, 24-bit audio.
PA System
Good singers know how to project their voices well, but that doesn't mean you should pass up on having a public address (PA) system at your next live performance. A PA system consists of two loudspeaker cabinets—one large speaker and a smaller "tweeter" speaker for high frequencies—and a powered mixer with several channels and controls for volume, tone, and echo. The channels collect the audio signals from your instruments and microphone and amplify them to a wattage that the speakers broadcast as striking sound. A good PA system you can try is the Bose S1 Pro: it has Bluetooth connectivity for playback and an Auto EQ that tempers the room's resonances, allowing your voice to ring loud and clear. The Bose S1 Pro also runs on battery power for maximum portability.
Mixing desk
A mixing desk is the central hub of your overall sound. It combines, alters, and balances your audio signals' dynamics and timbre levels, putting them all in one track. It can also elevate your sound system, allowing you to shift volume, frequency content, stereo position, and effects, with newer models capable of taping your music for live recordings. A great and affordable choice here is the Mackie Mix12FX. Its quality is no surprise, as Reference for Business notes that Mackie has been a leading manufacturer of audio equipment since 1969. The Mix12FX's smooth audio resolution of 24 bit/44.1 kHz, stellar internal digital effects engine, and sturdy build thus ensures it'll last you many years and concerts to come.
Your talent deserves to be heard at its best. When you're ready to sing your heart out in a live performance, get the gear that spotlights your sound the best.
Article contributed by Rosetta Jameson
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