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 Soundboard
I use a Mackie mixer with inputs for about 8 mics. I have the sound from my
computer, and a dvd player plugged in to it. I also have headset microphones
for my puppeteers that I plug in. This mixer requires an outside amp or powered
speakers. Until I got my powered speakers, I used a smaller Radio Shack amp . It
took a little
"Southern Ingenuity" to get my speakers to plug into the amp. Be sure
you investigate your need for an amp, and how your speakers will plug into it,
before you buy.
Audio Snake
Basically, a snake is a box with a
very long cable attached to it. I can plug in about 12 microphones, and
my speakers to the box, run the cable around the outside edge or down the middle
of the room, to my mixer in the back. One cable is easier to set up and much
safer to have people walk around or over. A snake is really a must for any
concerts. Ours is 100 ft. Our auditorium is 100 ft. front to back, and
everything else is a shorter distance. You can always roll up the extra, but it
will only stretch so far if you're short. I keep the snake rolled up in a
plastic tub. Roll it so the box comes out first, and the extra can stay in the
box in back, with the tail out to the mixer. This item, like most, is pretty
expensive. Shop around and do some type of small fundraiser. I got my snake
(best price I could find) at www.musiciansfriend.com.We
use our snake for summer camp, a kids program we did out of state, VBS and some
concerts. There's no way my VBS would have
worked as easily without this little guy. TIP: the end with all the loose plugs
is pretty heavy and cumbersome when trying to plug into a mixer. Get some short
cables to run from the mixer to these loose ends. This way, all your weight is
resting on the ground and not pulling on your mixer.
Microphones
I have several wired, headset mics. Originally, I had purchased some less
expensive headset mics. They worked well for puppets, except they
required a small battery that amplified the sound to the mixer, and they didn't
last very long. They also required adaptors to plug into the audio snake.
I now have head-set mics that plugs straight into my mixer with no batteries or
adaptors. I also have several wired, hand-held microphones from the musician's
friend web site. The best prices around!! I got several free, so look for
good package deals. I also bought a mic bag to hold all the microphones, wind
socks, mic clips and so on. I have added a wireless mic set up to my audio
arsenal. It's a single receiver that has four mic units. I purchased three lapel
mics and one handheld mic.
Speakers
I have a set of JBL EON15-G2
Generation 2 Powered 15 in. 2-Way PA Speakers. These are powered speakers that
have to be plugged in to an electrical outlet, but work great with my mixer
that doesn't have it's own amp. Just add a mixer (or just a mic)
and you're ready to go! The best prices I've found on the speakers
and super fast service were at the Music
Center. We needed something to travel with and something that would handle
large groups. I have been completely happy with these speakers both at home and
away.
Mini Amp
This little amp is great! It's small enough to clip on your belt . Just add a
microphone and you've got a walk around PA system. Or set it up with a person cd
player, mp3 player or mini-disk and use it for background music for a program.
There are lots of vendors carrying these amps from clown and magic suppliers to
music stores. Shop around the net for the best price!
Fender Passport Portable Sound System
I have a Fender Passport 250 set up and love it! I
use it weekly in my Preteen program and have
used it for a large lock-in with my kids. It also travels to summer camp with me
and has found it's way out to large church events that need a quick, portable
unit. It's worked great and has more than
enough inputs to handle all that I've needed. It has plenty of power. I picked
it up at the Musician's Friend -
their price blew the rest out of the water!
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