Live Vocal Rig Suggestions?

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:21 pm

http://www.zzounds.com/item--DBX131 ($200)

http://www.zzounds.com/item--DBX160A ($330 (blem))

http://www.zzounds.com/item--TCEM350 ($200)

Total before Rack / Cables: $730

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:22 pm

That's the cheapest I'd want to buy.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:23 pm

stealthy wrote:

Hueseph....I agree and understand what you are saying. However, I have no plans to go out tomorrow and get this stuff. As you said, I will get the performance side of things down first....I just like to plan ahead and use it as motivation. (if that makes any sense!)

Makes fine sense. Just don't jump the gun is all I'm saying. I've wasted plenty a good dollar that way.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:27 pm

Thank you bent, if thats all you think I will need, great!

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:29 pm

Let me know where you're playing next - perhaps I'll check out the show...

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:39 pm

For sure, hopefully we can get everything show worthy soon.

As for the Compressor's....I know you suggested the DBX 160..any reason for that unit over (for example) the DBX 266XL, Ashly Audio CLX-52or TC Electronics C-300, since they are a bit more affordable?

Also, why the TC M350 over the Lexicon MX200?

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:46 pm

Answer one: I haven't used the others therefore I can't suggest them.

Answer two: I prefer a cheap TC over a cheap Lexi (personal preference).

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:48 pm

Well since you're only dealing with your vocals, a stereo comp would be pointless. The DBX 160 is considerably more roadworthy than the 266XL.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:49 pm

I've seen and used many 160's, never seen their XL line up close and personal...

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 9:51 pm

Fair enough guys.....thanks for the suggestions, its a great step in the right direction!

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:17 am

stealthy,

i guess everyone else had the same thought i did -- about letting the sound person run it. it seems you've accepted that, so great. let's continue.

you'll want some sort of reverb effect. lots of reverb units also include a multi-fx processor (phase, delay, flanger, echo, tremolo, etc). look into the TC M350 or any of the Lexicon MX series. whatever fits your budget.

if your reverb unit does not work, get a separate multi-fx unit.

get a compressor - dbx 266xl is about $150 new.

maybe an EQ - the brand shouldnt really matter too much, especially in the budget we're working with here. i'd throw this item at the end of the list, since nearly all consoles will have an EQ built in.

thats probably it for now, besides the cables. oh, get a power conditioner too. probably one of the furman M-series (m8, m8-d, m8-l, etc) since they're pretty standard and inexpensive.

oh, get a rack case to keep this shit in too!

-dg

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 12:48 pm

hi

you may want your own gear in the future,
but for now I would advise spending your money otherwise:

good personal in ear monitoring
decent mic (sm58 is good enough)
a micstand you feel comfortable with
a simple small & cheap mixer for at home

so you can really learn how to use the mic
and be able to hear what you and the band are doing on stage

a performance is foremost about...
performance, not gear

cheers

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 2:22 pm

Let me throw a small (but fervent) argument in favor of handling "your sound". I agree you will want a FOH guy to handle the details, but after years of dealing with knob twiddling wankers if you learn what you're doing you can send him a signal and have him ride levels and a little eq only.

No guitarist in his right mind would trust a FOH guy for his sound. "Take a direct out" or "mic the cabinet' are the only options. Dave Weckl has been sending a stereo mix to the FOH guy on his drums for years. Why?- control BABY. He wants as close to the sound he's worked on to come out. Not someone else's vision or lack of skill.

I will agree that vocals are a slightly different beast - and as a vocalist understand that my sound and mix are what 90% of the audience is listening to/for. and are what dominate in a house PA.

I think it can (not necessarily should) be done but handled with care and with advanced communication - you could end up with "your" sound going out in the house and that's the ideal situation.

Phil

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:58 pm

Dave - Im undecided on the TC unit or the Lexi, but those are the two reverb/processors im looking at.

the dbx 266xl is also the compressor that fits my budget best.

for an eq, i was looking at a dbx 131

i already have a furman m8-d and plan to go with probably a Gator 6space rack so i can also mount a wireless IEM (looking towards a shure psm 200)

all of this should set me real close to my proposed budget of $700 (minus IEM, and power conditioner (which i already have) after getting cables as well.

GentleG - as mentioned earlier, i am not getting this rack gear tomorrow, im just tying to plan ahead for what i will need in the near future...just some ideas. ive already got an sm58, and i am looking into a shure psm 200 wireless IEM. the sm58 and IEM is whats important now, the rest will come later.

Phil - i agree!

thanks everyone for their input, its greatly appreciated!

Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:39 pm

If you're going for a lower end DBX unit, go for the 166 instead. I have a 266 and have used th 166. The 266 does not have much headroom which is kind of ridiculous for a compressor. When it clips, it sounds really bad. The 166 is only $50 more but is considerably better quality. You could also try the FMR Audio RNC. The DBX 160 really is a decent compressor though for the money.

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