Getting Equipment

• Power – extension chords, power boxes, generators?,

• PA, mics, mic stands, mic cords

  • buying/renting/borrowing

  • what are good reliable things to buy? How do you learn how to use?

Every event calls for something different when it comes to what kinds of equipment you'll need. Common needs are as follows:

Power supply - accessible outlets, extension cords, power boxes/strips. If you're putting on an event in a place without power you can use a gas-powered generator or a backup battery. Those are usually pretty expensive though!

Sound equipment - PA, mics, mic stands, mic chords.

Here's some advice from Dan of the punk band Deconditioned:

If your venue has an adequate PA, you’re set.  If not: BUYING: If you’re going to do shows on any kind of regular basis, I’d highly recommend getting your own if you can afford it.  A PA will go for approximately $1,000 for everything (speakers, mixer, cables, microphones), and even more if you want it to sound decent in any way.  However, you can cut costs by buying used or going in on a collective one with other kids that do shows in your town.  You can also rent out your PA to reimburse yourself. If you’re going to go this route, I’d suggest the following as a bare minimum: two 200w speakers, a 400w powered mixer, at least two Shure SM-58 mics (these are known for being indestructible), mic stands, XLR to XLR cables for the mics, and speaker cables (NOT instrument cables) to connect the speakers to the head.  Though you might be able to get away with something less, you will have many a feedback-filled show.  Peavey and Mackie are your best bets for

quality speakers and mixers, and I have heard from a reliable source that Mackie is a soundly run company. RENTING: I’ve never done this, but I know of music equipment shops that rent PA systems, though I have no idea how much it costs.  If you live in an area with a college or university, befriend a student and see if the school has any kind of media loan program. Sometimes you can get a decent PA for free if your friend can claim it’s for a school project and promise not to take it off campus (ha!).  If not, see if someone in your area has a PA that they rent out. BORROWING: Ask around to see who has a PA that they’d be willing to lend out, and compensate them, even if they don’t ask. If all else fails, a bass amp will work in a pinch with a mic, and a mic cable with a XLR to 1/4" adapter.