Sound Equipment for A Cappella Groups

By Rob Penn

(註：本文為1996年發表，文內所述之器材價格為美國當地之售價，目前必然已有變動，各品牌在台灣皆有代理商，有興趣深入瞭解之團體歡迎來函本中心洽詢)

Here are just a few things you should know when you're getting sound equipment together for an a cappella group. (All prices are in U.S. funds.)

First decide how much money you have to spend. Unfortunately, what you buy is directly affected by your funds. Renting is a reasonable option. But if you foresee renting many times, you might want to consider buying just one or two critical elements: mics only, for instance.

Power Amp (to drive stage monitors or house speakers): You want a stereo amplifier with about 320 watts per side. This way, you can run two separate monitor mixes, two stereo "house" mixes, or one mono "house" mix at a higher volume.

CROWN is one of the major names in power amps, along with Crest Audio and QSC. We bought CROWN because they have a great tech-support policy; in short, "If it's broke, we fix it for free." No hassles. Just show proof of purchase and the dealer sends it off to be repaired free, regardless of the magnitude of the problem.

I would buy a CROWN. Our new PowerTech was about $700. But for the longest time we got by with our PowerBase, bought for $500. Used amps are everywhere, and because they're tough, you can be pretty sure it's not going to break down the very night you pick it up. Just remember the tradeoff of used: you don't know what it's been through. Plus, no warranty. Whether or not you decide to go with new equipment, CROWN is a good, basic and fairly inexpensive place to start.

Speakers/Monitors: A few years ago we purchased EV speakers-the Stage System 200s, I believe. They've been great because they serve two functions. As small (1.5' x 3') house speakers, they can be placed on tripod stands and serve a room of about 50 people with adequate power, clarity and a wide field of spread. So the sound comes from the cones at a wide angle, rather than rifling straight out and serving only those in front, who are getting blasted.

They also serve as stage monitors by placing them on their side, inserting a small stem in the back and leaning them over until they rest, pointing upwards, at 45 degrees.

They were about $500 each and have been perfect warriors, never needing repair. I would go with these or something with similar flexibility as a start. JBL also makes good speakers. Toward the high end are the fabulous EAW and the renowned Meyer Sound. You cannot go wrong with either of these, but you will pay for it-$1,500 and up, each!

Microphones: If you do not need mobility and the sound quality you are looking for is essential, do not buy wireless mics (radio transmitted signal). They lose quality of sound in transmission. That aside, about the mic heads themselves...

Condensor mics in their delicateness provide a clarity and trueness of tone. However, if you plan on banging on your mics from time to time and can't afford to replace sensitive diaphragms (that which pick up the sound vibrations), do not buy a condensor mic. Otherwise, you should be very happy. They do sound better.

Dynamic mics are tough and durable. Dynamic mics will make it through a lot of shows without problems, but they are not as clear as condensor mics. If you are not a purist and you need a work-horse, buy a dynamic mic.

Final word: All mics sound different regardless of the two mic "types." Try a good number before you settle on one. Some mics serve varied voice types better than others. A bass might sound better on one, and a tenor or soprano on another. The wisdom of mixing mics on stage for one a cappella group is varied among sound engineers. Some like to have to deal with the parameters of one mic. Some like to know they can call upon the strengths of several mics during a show. In the end, you may want to opt for simplicity - one mic. Save your audiophile tweeking for the studio.

We use wireless mics with Sure Beta 58 heads. They are dynamic mics, but because of their construction, they offer some high end other dynamic mics don't always have. We could just as easily use something else.

  Cheap Dynamic:    Sure SM 58      $70x

  Good Dynamic:      Sure Beta 58  $150x

  Basic Condensor:   Sure Beta 87  $250x

  Great Condensor:            ?            $350x

Used mics? UUUuuuh. NO. Your voice is your instrument. Take voice lessons and own a good new mic. That seems to make sense to me.

Other stuff:

Mixer: if your needs are very limited, the Mackie 1402, for $400. Used is ... OK as long as you really research the owner and the typical use of the board.

EQ: (to tweek monitors and house) Got to have it. EQ is short for an "equalizer unit" or "equalization" which can be added to an audio signal. Audio is made up of many, many frequencies. With an equalizer one is able to single out a select few of those frequencies (or "bands") and make them more or less audible as desired. This allows a person to "shape" the sound that reaches your ears. Your home stereo has an EQ: bass for a single low frequency (100Hz???) and treble for a single high frequency (10MHz???).

Think of it this way. Your TV has an "EQ" of sorts, but in this case it's for the video image. The three bands of "EQ" the TV uses are blue, green, and red; these are frequencies after all, and when you adjust those controls you are making the presence of each more or less prevelent.

For a cappella purposes, "DBX" is a great brand and they have a stereo EQ which offers 15 bands of EQ in stereo or 31 in mono. Each "band" is a frequency which can be boosted or attenuated as needed. This gives the mixer or engineer the ability to cater to the needs of the acoustic space: a roller rink sounds different from a school library or hall closet. Right?

DBX 1531x - $275/$300 Alesis - $180 Compressor: not essential. Add later. This helps to put a cap on the big peaks you hear blaring above the rest of a band at some shows. It can really help keep a singer's volume sounding even.

Reverb: Not absolutely necessary at first.

Very quickly, however, you will want one. They accomplish a lot by adding the softening effect of another "invented" room's sonic characteristics. In other words, if you are doing a show in the hall closet (please, don't), you can add the softness of what it would sound like to be performing in a chapel or a canyon or...uh.. a roller rink. Yuck! You get the picture.

Lexicon: LXP 1/LXP 5 $350x Alesis: NanoVerb $170x

That's about it, with the exception of a whole lot of annoying cabling. By the way, make sure to organize this spaghetti in some way, or it can make your life hell.

Good luck on your quest. I hope this helped.

Rob Penn is a founding member of The House Jacks and is the group's Production Manager. He takes care of all matters involving live sound and staging and assists in the studio.

What does a full setup look like for a 4 person group on a budget?

  Mics:             $400

  Mixer             $400

  1 EQ:             $300

  1 reverb:        $400

  1 amp:           $500

  4 speakers:    $1,800 

(you can rent these for $50

You need two for stage, two for house)

  all cabling:     $300

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Total Damage: $4,100

That's all new stuff. Remember, by no means does one need to buy everything at once. Piece it together.