I was at a concert last week, and the band on a few occasions gathered around a mic that picked up the sound in the area around it voices, acoustic instruments). What type of mic is this and any recommendations? I have a show coming up for which this might be helpful (a few singers, acoustic guitar, cajon).
Are there any good pedal tuners that run on a 9V? Honestly, I’m mostly looking at it mostly as a kill switch when playing live to cut noise and/or switch guitars without messing with the mixer. I have a show next month and use one guitar on three songs (acoustic and the preamp has a tuner, so not needed here) and just one song with an electric. Others may also use that chain, so there could be guitar swapping. But I won’t need to tune during the show
The reason I say 9V is because my pedal board power supply is maxed out as is the surge protector that will be nearby. So, I won’t be able to use a standalone power supply, even if I wanted to.
Alternatively, does a 9V powered kill switch in a pedal exist?
I’ve got a Yamaha MG12XUK mixer. I’m searching around for a stage monitor and found what appears to be a good price for decent little Yamaha M60S ($100 locally). I think it should be plenty for mostly acoustic singer/songwriter stuff in small venues.
What I’m wondering is how to connect it? Am I correct in my understanding that a TRS cable from one of the monitor outs on the mixer to the third input on the M60S?
Also, the speaker and the little bracket installed to angle the speaker on the floor are both long discounted. Any creative ideas to properly angle it on the floor to be used as a stage monitor?
The mixer I just got has a USB-B port on the back. It only references connecting a computer for recording purposes, but it’s probably two-way, right? I could get a USB-B to USB-C cable to connect my phone. Or I could get a stereo 1/4” to USB-C and presumably plug into one of the unused inputs on the mixer.
Assuming both of these are possible, which would have the best audio?
Here‘s the mixer manual:
https://jp.yamaha.com/files/download/other_assets/1/1139201/mg12xuk_en_om_a0.pdf
Obviously, this varies based on the mixer and phone. I’m looking at the Yamaha MG series. I have an iPhone 16e.
I think I’m narrowed down to these three options. I’m mostly a solo act with some accompaniment by another vocalist. I could see the potential for another another vocalist and/or instrument (keys or guitar) at some point, possibly but not the near future.
An upcoming show will have me with two different guitars and vocals as well as another vocalist. So, two guitars (one at a time for different songs) and two mics for vocals. Guitars will be run through a preamp (Fishman Platinum Pro) for the acoustic and an amp/cab simulator (DSM & Humboldt Simplifier) for an electric. Both will connect via XLR. The Simplifier is best, apparently, in stereo with 2 XLR out, but I think can be done with just one.
So, the setup needs to have at least four XLR inputs. I suppose more would give more flexibility for the future?
What’s best?
EV Evolve 30M - $1400
RCF EVOX JMIX8 - $1275 at ProAudioStar (with 15% email sign up coupon)
RCF EVOX J8 + a Yamaha MG12XUK - $1100 (with that coupon for the J8)
On paper, the last option seems best. Cheapest with the most flexibility at the mixer, albeit less convenient with a setting up an additional thing rather than the one piece. The EVOX options have bigger and more speakers all around than the EV. Quite a bit higher wattage at 1400 vs 1000 and higher SPL at 129 vs 123. So more flexibility?
But which would sound the best? I suppose that is very subjective. But I also know that bigger isn’t always better quality…
Open to other ideas entirely or different mixers for the third option .
I’m contemplating getting a mini PA just for amplifying vocals for two purposes:
Primarily, I was thinking for adding a bit of volume for softer singing/voices when used in small venues (such as a quiet coffee shop or room sized like an elementary school classroom). Or to keep up in this setting with a quiet electric guitar (a bit louder than an unamplified acoustic).
Being able to better hear how my voice sounds while practicing singing at home.
I‘be just begun getting into playing live music after voice lessons for about 10 months and guitar for over 25 years. I am getting a Yamaha Stagepas 600BT for larger venues and more instruments. It honestly won’t get used more than a few times a year, but I’d like to maximize those few times. But it also feels like overkill for the above situations, being so large, heavy, and more to set up.
I’ve looked at these to supplement the Yamaha.
1. TC Helicon VoiceSolo FX150. This seems to be designed primarily as an on-stage personal monitor. What would keep it from being used as a PA for the above situations?
2. Roland Street Cube Mini. I love how it is super portable with battery power. I question how good it sounds for any of the intended purposes when it is made for all sorts of instruments.
3. Mackie SRM150. This seems to be straightforward and designed to be used as a small PA. No reverb which is a bummer, but could be added with a pedal at some point.
Or am I being silly and just should use the big Yamaha? It’d be a bit of a hassle, but free and would sound the best. Maybe get the Roland for battery use in situations that don’t have available electricity (e.g., playing at a park).